Rugby World Cup 2015: England chief Ian Ritchie rules out “knee-jerk” sacking of under-fire coach Stuart Lancaster following Australia defeat October 4, 2015 England will take their time before deciding whether to end Stuart Lancaster’s reign as head coach five years earlier than planned, says Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Ian Ritchie. Ritchie, who appointed Lancaster in one of his first major decisions after moving from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, said the RFU’s response would [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England coach Stuart Lancaster accepts blame for tournament humiliation but isn’t ready to quit October 4, 2015 Crestfallen head coach Stuart Lancaster admits he should carry the can for England’s World Cup humiliation but insists he will not quit before next week’s Pool A swansong against Uruguay. Lancaster has a contract until 2020 but Saturday’s 33-13 defeat by Australia, which made England the first World Cup hosts to fail to make it [...]
Louis Saha: Football should follow rugby’s lead and introduce TV replays for the benefit of fans, referees and players October 2, 2015 As always when rugby’s in the news, conversations about its difference to football dominate sporting debate. A key contrast that’s been discussed a lot during the World Cup is the way rugby has widely embraced video technology while football just relies upon goal-line incidents. Why can't football simply re-play video of disputed incidents, then and [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015 England v Australia preview: Six stats that could decide this Saturday’s Pool A clash October 2, 2015 This wasn't part of the plan. Little more than a fortnight into their home World Cup and already England are already playing what is effectively knock-out rugby against Australia. Anything less than a win will realistically obliterate England's hopes of progressing into the World Cup knockout stage, making them the first tournament hosts to fail [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England to keep the dream alive against Australia October 2, 2015 England move from one old foe to another when they take on Australia tomorrow night in a make-or-break Rugby World Cup encounter. A sole host nation has never been eliminated at the group stage but, in the strongest pool, England are struggling to keep their heads above water following the bizarre defeat to Wales. [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Sam Warburton calm over bonus-point failure as Wales move a step closer to quarter-final with Fiji victory October 1, 2015 Exhausted Wales skipper Sam Warburton dismissed the significance of his side’s failure to secure a bonus point after beating Fiji in a bruising encounter at the Millennium Stadium yesterday. Scrum-half Gareth Davies and hooker Scott Baldwin touched down for Wales as fly-half Dan Biggar kicked 13 points, while Fiji retaliated in the second period [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa to kick start RWC with strong victory over Scotland October 1, 2015 An ominous air surrounds South Africa going into this match against Scotland. Shocked by Japan, they bullied Samoa and now look to be regathering the composure that befits the two-time world champions. Scotland are striving to win their pool for the first time since 1991. But, in the four matches since they secured their [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England loss vs Australia could wipe £3bn off stock market by depressing investors’ mood October 1, 2015 Around £3bn could be wiped off the UK stock market in a single day if England lose their crunch Rugby World Cup game against Australia this Saturday, with investors' outlook depressed by the disappointing result. Read more: Rugby World Cup's economic impact likely to be limited England face Australia at Twickenham knowing that anything less than [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Stuart Lancaster staring into abyss and admits England v Australia result puts job on the line October 1, 2015 Under-pressure head coach Stuart Lancaster has accepted the legacy of his England tenure will be determined by the outcome of Saturday’s pivotal World Cup showdown with Australia at Twickenham. English hopes were high pre-tournament but last weekend’s harrowing 28-25 surrender to Wales means that Lancaster’s side must now beat two-time tournament winners Australia to have [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England are wrong to target Australia scrum and we’ll prove it in Twickenham showdown, says Wallabies coach Michael Cheika October 1, 2015 Australia coach Michael Cheika has urged his team to prove England wrong and condemn the hosts to the ignominy of becoming the first World Cup hosts to suffer group stage elimination. England No8 Ben Morgan has indicated they will look to exploit their historic scrummaging superiority tomorrow at Twickenham in pursuit of the win they [...]