Premiership pressure on Gloucester in battle for bottom with Newcastle November 26, 2023 Pressure mounted on Gloucester Rugby head coach George Skivington this weekend as his side’s 38-20 loss at home to Leicester Tigers continued a losing run in the Premiership this season. The Cherry and Whites have now lost five in a row and have won just three matches in the league across this calendar year. It [...]
Rugby must capitalise on Dupont playing sevens at the Olympic Games November 24, 2023 Antoine Dupont playing rugby sevens – it sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? News this week of the France scrum-half, one of the sport’s few global stars, turning his attention to sevens in order to play at the Paris 2024 Olympics is superb for rugby. And it is now on the sport to make sure that they [...]
British & Irish Lions turned down Las Vegas match for 2025 November 23, 2023 The British & Irish Lions reportedly turned down a match in Las Vegas in what has been described as the “most expensive deal the Lions will ever get”. The plan, discussed on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, would have seen the touring team play either a USA Barbarians or the United States [...]
Challenge Cup in ‘advanced’ talks over sponsor, but not for this season November 22, 2023 This year’s European Challenge Cup will mark a decade of the competition without a sponsor despite rugby chiefs insisting they are in advanced talks with potential suitors. Europe’s second tier club competition has been without a sponsor since insurer Amlin had the title partnership in the 2013-14 season. Some have said a title sponsor would [...]
Farrell insists rugby is “booming” despite issues in Premiership November 22, 2023 England and Saracens captain Owen Farrell has insisted that rugby is “booming” across Europe despite the catalogue of issues the game faces at home. Three Premiership clubs – Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish – went bust last season and Exeter Chiefs were forced to deny financial issues this week after a payroll error. The [...]
Two lasting legacies from England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph? Marginal gains and brain injuries November 22, 2023 At around 10:30 am UK time, 20 years ago today in 2003, England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson caught a pass from his No9 Matt Dawson, dropped it on his foot and dissected the uprights of Stadium Australia in Sydney to win his side the Rugby World Cup. It was the first, and remains the only, victory [...]
Ugo Monye: Supporter racially abused me with N-word at Exeter rugby game November 19, 2023 Former British & Irish Lion and international rugby player Ugo Monye accused a fan of racial abuse on Sunday evening following a Premiership rugby match. The 14 cap England player said the incident occurred when he was leaving Sandy Park in Devon following Exeter Chiefs’ 25-24 victory over Gloucester Rugby. In a tweet, Monye said: [...]
Half of second tier French clubs outspend England’s rugby Premiership November 18, 2023 Some second division French rugby clubs have club budgets amassing more than double the value of a Premiership salary cap in a bleak reminder to the English game. France’s top two leagues, the Top14 and ProD2, have salary caps of around £8.8m (excluding players who graduated from academies) compared to England’s £5m (with one player [...]
‘Gloucester Rugby won’t be at panic stations yet, but Skivington on thin ice’ November 17, 2023 Derby day defeats are never savoury affairs but for Gloucester fans their 45-27 loss to Bath last Friday, having led 20-10 at half-time, will have sent waves of worry across the Cotswolds. I am never one to push the panic button early when it comes to sacking coaches or making changes at the top, and [...]
Huge changes for British & Irish Lions as Premiership and URC agree deal November 16, 2023 Players picked for the British & Irish Lions Tour will be more available than ever before after the organisation agreed a new deal with the Premiership and United Rugby Championship. The partnership will see players available for all pre-tour activities and see the leagues cooperate on digital platforms throughout the tour. The changes will stop [...]