Scarlets 22, Saracens 22: Last-gasp Sarries seal place in European Champions Cup quarter-finals January 15, 2017 Saracens boss Mark McCall praised his side’s doggedness after a last-gasp Chris Ashton try snatched a dramatic 22-22 draw with Scarlets and sealed their passage to the European Champions Cup quarter-finals. Ashton crossed the line for the second time with the final play of the game and Owen Farrell duly converted, after Wales centre Scott [...]
Prop Joe Marler’s broken leg deepens England’s Six Nations injury crisis January 11, 2017 England’s pack for their Six Nations defence has been further weakened after Joe Marler was ruled out of the start of the championship with a broken leg. The Harlequins prop was withdrawn from Saturday’s match against Sale after feeling discomfort during the warm-up. It was initially thought he had a calf problem but scans have [...]
Chris Robshaw to miss Six Nations after England flanker undergoes shoulder surgery January 9, 2017 England head coach Eddie Jones has suffered another major injury blow less than two weeks before he names the squad tasked with retaining the Six Nations after Chris Robshaw was ruled out of the tournament. Harlequins flanker Robshaw, a mainstay of England’s flawless resurgence under Jones last year, was due to have surgery on a [...]
Fears calmed after England flanker James Haskell’s return to action lasts less than a minute January 8, 2017 Wasps boss Dai Young calmed fears over James Haskell’s fitness after the England flanker’s return to action lasted just 36 seconds during his side’s victory over Leicester at the Ricoh Arena. Second-half replacement Haskell was making his first appearance for seven months following a toe injury but was forced from the field after appearing to [...]
Manu Tuilagi “devastated” after latest injury nightmare rules England centre out of Six Nations and British and Irish Lions tour January 4, 2017 Leicester head coach Aaron Mauger admits centre Manu Tuilagi has been left devastated after being ruled out for up to nine months with a serious knee injury. England star Tuilagi is set to miss the Six Nations, the rest of the club season and, in all likelihood, the British and Irish Lions tour to New [...]
I am still the right man for the job, insists sacked Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill January 2, 2017 Sacked Leicester director or rugby Richard Cockerill insists Tigers chiefs have made the wrong decision in terminating his long association with the club. Leicester acted on Monday just hours after the 16-12 New Year’s Day defeat to Saracens – a third loss in four games for the 10-time champions, who have slipped out of the [...]
Double let-off for Northampton Saints over George North concussion inquiry and European Champions Cup team selection December 21, 2016 Northampton have escaped punishment despite being told they were wrong to allow wing George North to resume playing a Premiership match after he suffered a head injury. North, who has a history of concussions, was cleared to continue this month’s fixture against Leicester, amid concerns he may have been knocked out again, after being assessed by [...]
Johan Goosen: Players retiring from rugby early should not be a shock December 21, 2016 Last week, Racing 92 announced the “shock” retirement of 24-year-old fly-half Johan Goosen, the reigning Top 14 player of the year – a significant achievement in a league boasting multiple superstars. Goosen reportedly decided to leave the club to become a commercial director in his native South Africa, although one might be forgiven for wondering [...]
Joe Marler interview: All players should see a psychologist December 16, 2016 Reinvigorated England prop Joe Marler has urged every professional rugby player to consider seeing a psychologist, having reaped the rewards himself. The 26-year-old revealed in May that he was seeking professional help from a sports psychologist, former Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire and England spin bowler Jeremy Snape, to address a “lack of professional control”. Marler’s admission followed [...]
England captain Dylan Hartley free to play in Six Nations after receiving six-week ban December 14, 2016 England captain Dylan Hartley is free to play in the Six Nations after receiving a six week ban for striking Sean O'Brien in Northampton Saints' European Champions Cup clash with Leinster last week. Hartley will be permitted to play from 23 January — just under a fortnight before England begins their Six Nations defence against France at [...]