Think of the fans: Why stadium experience matters as much as TV production October 9, 2023 It feels like we’re at a new low point for customer experience. After Covid, the services we used to rely on seem like they’re getting worse. Of course, it’s understandable how shutting the world down for two years is going to have an impact on fragile supply systems but the pandemic has also reset our [...]
‘Test match animal’ Underhill ready for Rugby World Cup, says Sinfield October 8, 2023 England defence coach Kevin Sinfield has described Sam Underhill as a “Test match animal” after the flanker was added to the national squad ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final this weekend. The back-row has 27 England caps and joins the set-up in place of Jack Willis, who has left France injured. England already qualified [...]
England’s supposed rebuild is yet to establish rock solid foundations October 8, 2023 England came just metres away from an historic defeat at the hands of Samoa last night at the Rugby World Cup, and it would have been a loss they deserved. Steve Borthwick’s men were all over the place, struggling in the midfield and unable to take the chances they were given. The 18-17 victory in [...]
England v Samoa: 10 Rugby World Cup facts ahead of kick-off October 7, 2023 England take on Samoa knowing they are through to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup. Here are 10 facts about the two sides ahead of their clash on Saturday. 10 Rugby World Facts
‘It’s all on the line this weekend at the Rugby World Cup’ October 6, 2023 This is the crunch point, where those nations who have not yet secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup find out whether they’ve got any bottle. Because when everything is on the line, and there is no get-out-of-jail-free card in the following week, you really see what you are made of. [...]
Where to watch the Rugby World Cup in London October 5, 2023 It is the final weekend of fixtures in the pool stages of this Rugby World Cup and bars and pubs across London are waiting to be graced with your presence. Here’s where City A.M. are watching this weekend. Tyrwhitt Arms Charles Tyrwhitt, whose ambassadors include former England internationals Matt Dawson and Jason Robinson, occasionally open [...]
Golfers can play for brand value at Olympics and Ryder Cup, not a pay cheque October 5, 2023 This week’s Ed Warner column looks at the Patrick Cantlay “pay or no pay” discussion and how Olympians can only dream of being in a situation where they don’t need payment to compete at the highest level. Can those Ryder Cup golfers simply increase their brand value by rubbing shoulders with Olympians in Paris next [...]
England need best players playing in Premiership, says Care October 3, 2023 England international Danny Care has said he sees the positives of proposed hybrid international contracts if it keeps the country’s top rugby players in the English Premiership. A number of stars, such as Henry Arundell and Jack Willis, have fled overseas after the collapse of the rugby clubs last season while the surviving 10 outfits [...]
Scotland can cause untold World Cup misery to Springboks or Ireland October 3, 2023 The last week of Rugby World Cup fixtures can often be a schedule of dead rubbers and meaningless ties, but there’s a storm brewing in Pool B and it involves two of the home nations. Both Scotland and Ireland are able to qualify for the last eight of the tournament, but it would come at [...]
Blood, sweat and tiers: Rugby needs Tier Two teams, they cannot be banished into shadows October 1, 2023 We have seen England topple debutants Chile 71-0 and New Zealand beat Rugby World Cup stalwarts Italy 96-17 but the biggest issue this tournament has seen is established Tier Two sides such as Romania fall victim to long-term neglect. Because when you look at their last 10 fixtures Romania have scored just 152 points, averaging [...]