‘2024 will be the year rugby finally finds stability… I hope’ December 27, 2023 When it comes to rugby it is difficult to know what exactly is in store for us across 2024. There’s no World Cup or Lions Tour to steal the headlines so the sport will need to work especially hard to remain relevant. But there are opportunities, and that’s something the sport must exploit. Here’s my [...]
Borthwick must look overseas for next crop of England rugby players December 25, 2023 If you stood on an English beach in the south east and looked over the Channel, towards France, you may be able to see the faint outline of Jack Willis or Henry Arundell charging around a sports stadium. Because a huge number of England’s top rugby talent have migrated overseas and into the Top14, beyond [...]
2023 rugby review: Jones, Sexton, England, London Irish and Hunter December 22, 2023 It’s been quite the 2023 in rugby. This year South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, La Rochelle lifted the Champions Cup after Leinster No10 Johnny Sexton abused the referee, the women’s game has grown further and Australia had 12 months of Eddie Jones. Well, almost. It has had it all. English rugby lost two [...]
The Notebook: Sport can be a key growth market for London in 2024 but only if we back evolution and ambition December 19, 2023 Where the City’s movers and shakers get a few things off their chest. Today, Matt Hardy, City A.M.’s deputy sports editor, takes the pen. Sport can be key to 2024 London growth Sport is worth tens of billions to our capital. Whether that be through the Premier League’s London derbies, world class stadia at our [...]
Number of Brits buying sports tickets for overseas events skyrockets December 18, 2023 The number of Brits buying tickets for sporting events outside of the United Kingdom rose by 41 per cent in 2023 as the post-pandemic urge to attend live action continues to increase. It comes as the trend for overseas sport has risen by 50 per cent globally, according to Viagogo. This overseas demand was driven [...]
Leicester Tigers hang on to beat Stade Francais in Champions Cup in Paris December 17, 2023 Leicester Tigers survived a late onslaught to beat Stade Francais 27-24 in Paris and remain unbeaten in the Investec Champions Cup this season. A weakened Leicester side held on as their hosts pounded away at their try line but a crucial turnover in the 86th minute handed the visitors a stunning victory against the odds [...]
Harlequins humbled by Toulouse as French giants chase sixth title December 17, 2023 Harlequins couldn’t cope with the class of five-time Investec Champions Cup winners Toulouse on Sunday as the Londoners fell to a 19-47 defeat at the Stoop. The French outfit crossed the whitewash seven times despite Harlequins fighting hard to stay in the game at the break. Two tries for South African Irne Herbst and one [...]
Exeter Chiefs stun Munster with glorious Champions Cup comeback December 17, 2023 Exeter’s rebuild hit a landmark milestone today after the Devonians came from behind to beat Irish giants Munster and go two from two in the Investec Champions Cup. Many were worried about how Rob Baxter’s men would deal with the ferocity of the biggest club competition in rugby after the Chiefs faced an exodus of [...]
Ollie Phillips: Premiership sides are dishing up humble pie in Investec Champions Cup December 15, 2023 Premiership teams stunned columnist Ollie Phillips last week. Can they do it again?
‘I don’t feel any guilt’: Eddie Jones insists he didn’t go for Japan job while Australia boss December 14, 2023 Jones is due to start his second stint as Japan coach in January.