Rugby stars dress down for day at Lloyd’s of London October 16, 2013 ENGLAND Rugby head coach Stuart Lancaster and backs coach Andy Farrell took to the Lloyd’s of London underwriting floor yesterday to announce the official QBE Internationals England squad in the shadow of the famous Lutine Bell. But it seems the team took the dress code for the Lloyd’s building – clearly stated on the invitation as [...]
Rugby viewers up 90 per cent October 15, 2013 VIEWING figures for Premiership Rugby have almost doubled from the same period last season following the switch to BT Sport, top-flight chiefs said yesterday. The 16 matches from the first five rounds of the season shown live on the channel attracted average audiences 90 per cent greater than last year, according to figures from the [...]
Rugby Comment: It doesn’t get better than playing at Wembley October 14, 2013 YOU always want to play in front of big crowds and there is nowhere better than Wembley Stadium. I’ve played in all nine of Saracens previous visits there and loved it. I can’t wait to go back for our Heineken Cup tie on Friday. As an English guy it’s a dream to go to Wembley [...]
Rugby tightens salary cap rules October 8, 2013 ENGLAND’S top rugby union clubs have agreed to tighten regulations on salary caps in a bid to ensure no teams are cheating the system. Premiership Rugby now has the power to undertake an investigatory audit in addition to the standard salary cap audit in order to root out financial cheats. The organisation, which represents the [...]
Sport Comment: Why won’t football learn lessons from rugby? September 29, 2013 THIS week’s column is the proverbial record that’s got stuck, for which apologies, but it’s a pretty safe bet it’s going to get re-written a fair few times in the future until things change. When will football, wonderful arrogant football, admit it can learn a few lessons from other sports? Having taken an eternity to [...]
English and French clubs lack respect, says Euro rugby boss September 23, 2013 HEINEKEN Cup chiefs ERC have accused English and French league bosses of a lack of respect in their attempts to form a rival competition. ERC chairman Jean–Pierre Lux also called Premiership Rugby’s contract with BT Sport to broadcast the new tournament “questionable”. An Anglo-French breakaway, which would be called the Rugby Champions Cup, has gathered [...]
Boris makes beeline for rugby star at IoD dinner September 18, 2013 TO THE Royal Albert Hall yesterday, for the annual gathering of the Institute of Directors (IoD) with the likes of Virgin boss Richard Branson, chancellor George Osborne, shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna and mayor of London Boris Johnson. Morning speaker Boris entertained delegates by comparing the economy to the formerly capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia. [...]
Former rugby star, 25, found dead December 13, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Former Sale Sharks player David Tait was found dead in Hong Kong on Wednesday, after falling from an apartment block. The 25-year-old worked as a corporate finance manager for KPMG after retiring from rugby in 2010 due to persistent injuries. Tait had represented England at Under-20 level.
Rugby heroes show what Blues are missing December 2, 2012 WHAT part Chris Robshaw played in England’s dissection and devouring of the All Blacks on Saturday is open to debate. As captain, he had a good game, and expertly rallied the troops when briefly it looked as though the Red Rose would wilt. But was he any better a captain this weekend than last, when [...]
Beer, oysters and rugby chat November 22, 2012 TO the refined setting of the Mansion House for the Guinness and Oyster Luncheon yesterday. The annual boozy lunch, which raises funds for the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People, is now in its 47th year and firmly penned into all City social calendars worth their salt – or, perhaps more appropriately, vinegar or tabasco. [...]