George Ford out of England’s tour to New Zealand June 9, 2024 England’s first-choice No10 George Ford has been ruled out of his side’s summer rugby tour to New Zealand this month. The Sale Sharks fly-half is still recovering from a pre-existing injury to his Achilles and will miss the two Tests against the All Blacks and the one against Japan in Tokyo. England head to the [...]
Front row dominance will be difference between Northampton Saints and Bath June 7, 2024 When Northampton Saints and Bath take on each other this weekend in the Premiership final at Twickenham, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that it is all going to be about speed of ball and free-flowing moves created by each team’s backs. But in reality the team that lifts the trophy on Saturday evening – [...]
Premiership Rugby chief slaps down Championship roadblock claims June 5, 2024 Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor has slapped down accusations from Championship clubs that his organisation have ignored their demands over the future of the game, saying “we’ve done everything we can”. Clubs in the second tier this week launched a sensational attack on the sport’s governing body the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby [...]
Poppy Cleall backs Saracens to return to Premiership Women’s Rugby final June 5, 2024 It has been a difficult week for Poppy Cleall. The 65-cap England forward found out she had not been given a golden Red Roses contract. Cleall has been a staple of the international team for a number of years but England’s loss could well be Saracens’ gain. She will be keen to channel her frustration [...]
Gallagher: Profit races past £200m at Premiership Rugby title sponsor June 4, 2024 Profit at the UK arm of insurance giant Arthur J Gallagher & Co surged to more than £200m in 2023, it has been revealed.
RFU threatening Championship teams with league expulsion, clubs say June 3, 2024 Rugby Football Union have threatened Championship clubs with removal from the professional game structure.
Olympics on the mind for sevens star Meg Jones in Madrid May 31, 2024 Meg Jones knows rugby is unfair which is why she is giving it everything to get to the Olympics. The 27-year-old has spent the past season playing for the all-conquering Red Roses in 15s but has now returned to the sevens fold ahead of the HSBC SVNS 2024 Grand Final in Madrid. The tournament serves [...]
Sale Sharks and Saracens can spring Premiership surprises May 31, 2024 As is the competitiveness of this year’s Premiership, I wouldn’t put it past Saracens and Sale Sharks becoming the first two teams in the history of four-team play-offs to produce two away wins. The Premiership has never seen two away wins in the play-offs in the same season but that could change this weekend. Northampton [...]
Uni BUCS 7s bonanza in London will be Team GB selector event May 30, 2024 Rugby player development in the United Kingdom is heavily skewed towards the academies of existing clubs; their resources are often the key factor in being able to nurture talent. But the likes of England international Alex Dombrandt, Tom Pearson, Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins and Luke Northmore all have something in common: BUCS rugby. It may [...]
A Minister for Sport would change the game. If only politicians listened May 30, 2024 Sport matters to me. A lot. Probably to you too, otherwise why else are you reading this? Physical health, mental displacement, tribal identity, emotional immersion, empathy, joy, endorphins. All these gifts and more – including an appreciation of sport’s value to the society I live in. Enough to want our politicians to nurture it. Actually [...]