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 [...]
Pro 12 plans American expansion by bringing USA teams into cross-border league August 24, 2016 American rugby clubs could soon compete alongside teams from Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Wales in an expanded Guinness Pro 12 tournament. The cross-border European rugby tournament could expand to East Coast US where the league believes a sizeable diaspora of European rugby fans could support the tournament. Read more: Harlequins chasing the American dream – Why the Premiership rugby [...]
Skipper Dylan Hartley focused on first hurdle as England bid for a record-equalling autumn August 8, 2016 England skipper Dylan Hartley is refusing to focus on anything other than the opening international of the season against South Africa as his side bid for a record-equalling autumn. Successive victories against the Proteas, Fiji, Argentina and Australia at Twickenham would match England’s all-time winning streak of 14 Tests, which was set by Sir Clive [...]
Why rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics represents a game-changing moment for the sport’s global growth August 7, 2016 The rugby world is excited. After a 92 year absence, the sport has returned to the Olympics in the sevens format and for many of the game’s stakeholders the next week marks one of the biggest moments for the sport since it entered the professional era in 1995. Along with golf, sevens is one of two [...]
Chris Ashton, Danny Cipriani and Luther Burrell miss cut as Eddie Jones names 45-man pre-season training squad August 1, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones has dealt a blow to the international futures of Chris Ashton, Danny Cipriani and Luther Burrell after omitting the high-profile trio from his 45-man pre-season training squad. Burrell was hauled off after only 29 minutes of England’s opening clash of their historic 3-0 series win in Australia and failed to [...]
England flanker James Haskell could miss autumn internationals after being sidelined for up to six months July 12, 2016 England boss Eddie Jones will be without flanker James Haskell for this year's autumn internationals after the Wasps captain was ruled out for up to six months. The 31-year-old requires reconstructive surgery on his toe due to an injury sustained in England's second test in Australia last month. Read more: Wasps make Kurtley Beale the highest paid player in Premiership Rugby [...]
Whitewashing Australia would prove World Cup-winning credentials, insists head coach Eddie Jones June 23, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones insists his side’s relentless desire to whitewash Australia is ideal preparation for their long-term aspiration of winning the 2019 World Cup. The Red Rose have already secured their first ever series win Down Under and hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with Saturday's clash in Sydney the final [...]