Rugby is still missing a trick in way it engages with commercial partners if it is to become more relevant to the next generation November 17, 2016 Rugby is a great sport at a critical point in its development. The international game is very popular in a small number of countries, from the six and tri nations plus a few others, such as Japan and Fiji, who play at Twickenham on Saturday. The rugby economy is skewed toward a few major media [...]
Northern hemisphere success suggests tectonic shift in rugby’s balance of power could be in progress November 14, 2016 The last two weekends of international rugby might well have indicated that the prolonged period of southern hemisphere dominance is beginning to draw to an end, at least in the form to which we have become accustomed. With the Irish overpowering the All Blacks, England dismantling South Africa and an under-strength Scotland unlucky to have [...]
Eddie Jones tips Ben Youngs to have same inspirational effect on England as South Africa great did for Springboks November 14, 2016 Head coach Eddie Jones has tipped scrum-half Ben Youngs to have the same influence on England as South Africa great Fourie du Preez had on the Springboks as his side bid to become the world’s No1-ranked team. Youngs sparkled at No9 on Saturday as England ended a 10-year hoodoo by running in four tries and [...]
How much do rugby players get paid? New RFU deal with England players boosts match fee to £22,000 November 11, 2016 England rugby captain Dylan Hartley said the national team's players had got a "fantastic deal" after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Players' Association (RPA) agreed a new four year contract from 2016 to 2020. The contract between players called up to Eddie Jones' England's Elite Player Squad (EPS) is believed to be worth £22,000 per [...]
South Africa hold no fear for my England team, insists head coach Eddie Jones November 10, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones insists his side have the weapons to disarm South Africa’s much-vaunted physicality and outwit the Springboks in other facets of the game during their autumn showdown on Saturday. Jones showed his hand on Thursday and, as expected, centre Elliot Daly is set to make his first England start in place of Jonathan [...]
Betting: Bet on England to end Springbok hoodoo in style November 10, 2016 ENGLAND will be looking to end a winless run that has lasted since 2006 as they host the Springboks at Twickenham on Saturday in the first of their Autumn internationals. The Red Rose are unbeaten in 10 internationals under Aussie coach Eddie Jones and will be looking to remain unbeaten for a full calendar year for [...]
Alex Corbisiero interview: American dream leaves former British and Irish Lion prop far from homesick November 10, 2016 The itch to flex muscle and scrummage returns but only fleetingly. The American dream has former British and Irish Lion Alex Corbisiero hooked to the extent that a Premiership and England renaissance is becoming increasingly improbable. Since deciding to take an initial 12-month sabbatical from the game in December 2015, Corbisiero has found a new [...]
Wasps centre Elliot Daly set for first England start against South Africa November 9, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones is set to spring a surprise and hand Wasps back Elliot Daly his first Test start during the opening clash of his side’s autumn programme against South Africa on Saturday. The 24-year-old, who has won five Test caps as a replacement, is poised to start at outside centre in place [...]
Tom Wood polished and poised for England return against South Africa November 8, 2016 Exiled Northampton flanker Tom Wood is poised to make his first international appearance for more than a year when England begin their autumn programme against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday. Wood is set to start at openside flanker, alongside former skipper Chris Robshaw and No8 Billy Vunipola in the back-row, after working his way into [...]
Portugal training camp straight out of old school manual November 7, 2016 Boarding school dorms A training camp in Portugal might be mistaken to be the product of a modern approach to rugby coaching. It is not. Eddie Jones is as old school as they come and, coupled with the Warren Gatland-Shaun Edwards bone-on-bone methodology, at least two of the home nations are now fully compliant with [...]