England v Australia: Eddie Jones has put his team on the front foot in war of words with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, says ex international Martin Corry December 1, 2016 Eddie Jones’ public confidence has given England an advantage in clashes with Australia they’ve never enjoyed before according to Rugby World Cup winner Martin Corry. The ex-England international believes the Australian head coach has got under the skin of Wallabies boss Michael Cheika ahead of the two sides’ meeting at Twickenham this weekend. Earlier this week [...]
Six Nations introduces bonus points in 2017 competition to encourage attacking rugby November 30, 2016 Next year's Six Nations will feature a bonus point system the competition hopes will reward "try scoring and attacking play". From 2017 onwards the competition will double the points awarded for a win from two to four and will reward a bonus point to any team that scores four or more tries, replicating a scoring [...]
Jason Robinson interview: ‘England remind me of World Cup-winning class of 2003’ November 29, 2016 World Cup winner Jason Robinson is convinced that Eddie Jones’s victory-craving England are showcasing similar hallmarks to the record-setting trailblazers of his own era who went on to conquer the globe. Victory against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday would not only ensure England navigate 2016 with an unblemished record but also equal the milestone of [...]
Australia’s Michael Cheika stokes war of words with England head coach Eddie Jones and accuses him of tarnishing his reputation November 28, 2016 Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has fuelled the smouldering war of words with England counterpart Eddie Jones by accusing his fellow Australian of tarnishing his own legacy Down Under. Jones began his baiting of Australia in the immediate aftermath of his side’s victory over Argentina at the weekend, questioning their scrummaging technique as the two [...]
Elliot “Briefcase” Daly has come a long way since arriving at Wasps in school uniform and he’s ready to impress for England, disciplinary issues permitting November 28, 2016 When Elliot Daly turned up at Wasps’ Acton training ground in sixth form school uniform, few moments passed before he was assigned the same nickname as one particular "Inbetweeners" character who took a briefcase to class on the first day of the new term. His peers knew he had talent and were keen to keep [...]
Blow for England as No8 Billy Vunipola set to miss Six Nations with knee injury November 27, 2016 England's autumn celebrations have been tempered after No8 powerhouse Billy Vunipola emerged as a major doubt for next year’s Six Nations due to the knee injury he picked up during Saturday’s victory over Argentina. World player of the year nominee Vunipola tore cartilage during England’s 27-14 triumph over Argentina and after undergoing surgery on Sunday the 24-year-old [...]
Eddie Jones cites Argentina as biggest threat to England’s unbeaten run, more so than Australia November 24, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has warned his side that Argentina will provide the most venomous threat to their unbeaten run this autumn when battle commences at Twickenham on Saturday. Jones has made four changes to the XV which started last week’s 58-15 demolition of Fiji with second row George Kruis replacing the suspended Joe Launchbury [...]
England coaches forced to explain surprise decision to drop in-form wing Semesa Rokoduguni for Argentina match November 23, 2016 Wing Semesa Rokoduguni’s surprise England axing is because he is less suited to facing Argentina than Gloucester’s Jonny May, says defence coach Paul Gustard. Bath flyer Rokoduguni has been left out of the squad to face the Pumas on Saturday at Twickenham despite scoring two tries in a man-of-the-match display against Fiji last weekend. May, [...]
Axe falls on Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni despite his try-scoring antics for England against Fiji November 22, 2016 Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni has been omitted from England’s squad to face Argentina in the latest instalment of their autumn programme despite his man of the match showing against Fiji on Saturday. Rokoduguni marked his international recall and first England appearance since his debut against New Zealand during the autumn of 2014 with two tries as [...]
Supporting a Pacific Islands Super Rugby franchise – not simply handouts – is a better way of thanking Fiji November 21, 2016 Much has been made of the disparity in earnings between the England players’ £22,000 match fee and the £400 with which the Fijians were remunerated following their meeting at Twickenham on Saturday, which the hosts won 58-15. The Rugby Football Union will be making a £75,000 token payment to the Islanders and should not feel [...]