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. [...]
Rugby must stop hindering smaller nations November 11, 2012 THOSE of you reading this who went to Twickenham on Saturday to see England’s demolition of Fiji know you were sold something of a pup. The blame lies at the door of the International Rugby Board who continue to allow the distinction between the haves and have nots of the game to be a blight [...]
Scottish rugby chiefs invite bids for Murrayfield naming rights October 30, 2012 MURRAYFIELD could become the latest stadium to be rebranded by a corporate sponsor after Scottish rugby chiefs admitted the naming rights were up for sale. Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson said they would be “crazy” if they did not seek a multi-million pound deal similar to Arsenal’s with airline Emirates. “The single biggest [...]
It’s time for rugby to face cold reality and seize chance to move to a summer season October 28, 2012 YOU have to be clinically insane to do what I did on Saturday. Horizontal rain, blowing a gale with a Siberian chill factor, and I voluntarily stood on a touchline watching 30 men honest and true, attempting to construct an entertaining game of rugby. Meanwhile yesterday morning across the country, thousands of young people opened [...]
Olympic venue set for Rugby World Cup use October 8, 2012 WEMBLEY and the Olympic Stadium are among three London venues on the longlist for use when England hosts the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Twickenham is the other on the 17-strong list, which will be cut to 12 and controversially does not include Welford Road, the home of Leicester Tigers. Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium is one [...]