Will any team ever be relegated from the Premiership? Doubt it October 14, 2024 Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons are without a win this year but neither will be relegated from the Premiership due to the system. At the 65-minute mark in the Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears in Devon, the home side were 32-12 up on their West Country rivals. But come full-time the Bristolians [...]
Harlequins beat Saracens 1,700 days after last derby victory October 13, 2024 Harlequins put an end to Saracens’s unbeaten start to the season, beating their rivals 17-10 in the London derby. Fin Baxter and Lennox Anyanwu crossed for the Twickenham side with Marcus Smith adding seven points off the tee while Hugh Tizard scored the away side’s only try. Five points off the boot of England returnee [...]
Derby weekend can ignite spark in Premiership October 11, 2024 This weekend Premiership Rugby has deliberately created drama with the continuation of derby weekend, where all five fixtures are focused on local rivalries. Sale Sharks play Newcastle Falcons, Gloucester host Bath, Northampton travel to Leicester, Exeter Chiefs take on Bristol Bears and unbeaten Saracens head south to Harlequins. Derby days are always special days as [...]
Mayor Khan bound to need to step in against NIMBYs over Twickenham plans October 8, 2024 London won against the capital’s NIMBYs when the GLA approved plans for Wimbledon’s expansion. And they’ll probably need to do the same when councils inevitably block the Rugby Football Union’s bid to host more events at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. “London is the sporting capital of the world and this decision will not only ensure Wimbledon [...]
Lions’ share: Rugby stars to receive cut of profits for first time October 7, 2024 British and Irish Lions players will receive a share of the profits for the first time from the rugby team’s tour to Australia next year. The move is part of a new partnership model between Lions bosses and players, which will also include collaboration on the schedule before and during the summer 2025 tour. “This [...]
Earl at the double as perfect Saracens go top of the Premiership October 6, 2024 England back row Ben Earl scored two tries as Saracens made it three wins from three in the Premiership and went top of the table with a 29-14 victory over Exeter at the StoneX Stadium. Once they hit the front, there was little doubt the Premiership’s only remaining 100 per cent record would be maintained [...]
Is Pat a Lam to the slaughter at Bristol Bears? Not quite October 4, 2024 It’s not an official law of rugby, but as a rule of thumb you should not score 41 points and still lose a game. And that’s exactly what Bristol Bears did against Gloucester last Friday in round two of the Premiership. Sure, defence was optional for both teams in the West Country derby that finished [...]
Cheika hit with ban over incident with doctor October 2, 2024 Leicester Tigers coach Michael Cheika has been slapped with a one-week suspension for disrespecting a match day rugby doctor. The Premiership newcomer committed the offence in his side’s opening round victory over Exeter Chiefs, with the RFU disciplinary hearing saying he challenged a call made by the doctor relating to whether centre Solomone Kata should [...]
Police holiday delaying Hill return to rugby, says Sale boss October 2, 2024 Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson has revealed his frustration that England lock Jonny Hill’s return to the team is being held up by police officers being on holiday. Hill remains the subject of an investigation more than four months after he had an altercation with a Bath fan following last season’s Premiership semi-final in June. [...]
Ahead of the Game: Yorkshire land financial boost from Castore deal October 2, 2024 Yorkshire have agreed a multi-million pound kit deal with Castore in a major boost for the cash-strapped county. The five-year contract is the first significant commercial deal brought to the club since their leadership was overhauled following the return of Colin Graves as chairman in February. Graves has yet to secure the £4m outside investment [...]