Rugby union v rugby league on the trading floor: Players swap studs for suits in hour-long trade-off September 15, 2016 The debate over which rugby code is superior — league or union — was settled on the trading room floor at foreign currency specialists AFEX on Wednesday when current and former union players converted £8.4m worth of trades in an hour while representatives from league offloaded £5.6m. Harlequins legend and former British and Irish Lions star Ugo Monye were amongst the [...]
Five-try Saracens continue perfect start to Premiership title defence against Exeter September 11, 2016 Saracens boss Mark McCall praised his improving side after they stormed to a bonus-point 34-13 victory over Exeter Chiefs in a repeat of last season’s Premiership final on Sunday. Two tries by wing Sean Maitland and further scores from young fly-half Alex Lozowski, flanker Jackson Wray and replacement Ben Spencer continued the champions’ flawless start to [...]
British Lions can make history and beat All Blacks next summer, says head coach Warren Gatland September 7, 2016 British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland insists he can lead the team to only their second ever series win over the All Blacks when they tour his native New Zealand next summer. Gatland, who led the Lions to a 2-1 triumph in Australia in 2013, was confirmed for a second stint in charge [...]
London Welsh confirm new American owners after avoiding winding-up order at the High Court September 5, 2016 London Welsh have confirmed that the club is set to be sold to a Californian investment group after avoiding a winding-up order in the High Court yesterday. During a brief hearing, officials from HM Revenue & Customs were advised that the club’s outstanding bill had been paid in full, while a statement confirmed that the [...]
Stuart Lancaster is a sponge of a rugby man and will thrive in new Leinster role, says former England centre Will Greenwood September 5, 2016 Former England centre Will Greenwood has backed Stuart Lancaster to prove a huge success in his new role after being appointed as a senior coach at Pro12 side Leinster for the remainder of the season. Lancaster left his role as England head coach in November 2015 after a dismal World Cup campaign which saw the [...]
Rugby is heading towards transfer fees like Manchester United’s £89m Paul Pogba purchase, claims Bristol owner Steve Lansdown September 2, 2016 Rugby could one day feature multi-million pound transfer fees akin to the record-breaking £89m Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba, according to Bristol's billionaire owner Steve Lansdown. The co-founder of financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown believes rugby will soon have its first £1m player as clubs increasingly chase "glamour signings". Lansdown, whose backing helped Bristol return to the Premiership following [...]
We enjoy being the Premiership’s prize scalp, insists Saracens back-row forward Jackson Wray September 1, 2016 The tag of domestic and European champions offers rivals a huge incentive, although back-row forward Jackson Wray is refusing to lose any sleep over Saracens’s status as the Premiership’s prize scalp. Sarries became the first English side for 12 years, since Wasps in 2004, to complete the double when they retained their Premiership crown with victory [...]
Tim Visser interview: Top-four Premiership spot and European Challenge Cup title the aim for Harlequins September 1, 2016 Harlequins wing Tim Visser is pulling no punches; securing a place in the Premiership play-offs and lifting the European Challenge Cup are the club’s goals this season. Quins begin their 150th campaign against top-flight newcomers Bristol in Saturday’s London Double Header at Twickenham, aiming to drastically improve upon the past two campaigns which failed to [...]
Betting: Sarries to win it again – but Wasps can provide a sting in the tail September 1, 2016 The rough and tumble of the Aviva Premiership returns on Friday and, on the face of it, Saracens will once again be the team to beat this season. With a forward group hardly shy of confrontation, their famed ‘Wolf Pack’ has flipped Burgers at flanker, swapping cult hero Jacques for his namesake, legendary South African Schalk. [...]
Cillian Willis: Former scrum-half to sue Sale Sharks over concussion treatment August 24, 2016 Former Sale Sharks rugby player Cillian Willis is suing his old club over the alleged mishandling of a concussion that led to his retirement. It is believed to be the first time a Premiership Rugby club has faced legal action over a concussion injury. Willis, cousin of former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, was forced to call [...]