Best places in London to watch the Rugby World Cup October 12, 2023 The Rugby World Cup has reached the knockout stages, with just eight teams remaining in the hunt for the William Webb Ellis Cup. We’ve scouted out the best spots in London to watch the four quarter-finals, and here’s what we have found. Sound Cafe, Marble Arch Located within the Cumberland Hotel, Sound Cafe is actually [...]
Oxford v Cambridge Varsity Matches LEAVE Twickenham October 12, 2023 The iconic Oxford versus Cambridge Varsity Matches have are to move away from Twickenham Stadium after 100 years to head to north London. Saracens‘ StoneX stadium will play host to the famous university rugby match, which has seen a male and female double-header in recent seasons. But the move away from the home of English [...]
Ford to be dropped with Smith at No15 for England quarter-final October 11, 2023 George Ford is set to be dropped from the England starting XV as Steve Borthwick’s looks to return to play-maker Owen Farrell on Sunday against Fiji. The Sale Sharks No10 started three of England’s four pool stage games at the Rugby World Cup – versus Argentina, Japan and Samoa – but is set to be [...]
Premiership Rugby pre-season survey: All 10 bosses speak to City A.M. October 11, 2023 After 12 months of financial turmoil off the pitch which claimed three English clubs, Premiership rugby is set to return to the field this weekend in a new 10-team format. The scheduling of the current Rugby World Cup and introduction of a new domestic competition, the Premiership Rugby Cup, also mean that teams face a [...]
Sanderson shines in candid Premiership Rugby doc well worth a watch October 10, 2023 I was sceptical about Premiership Rugby’s attempt at a fly-on-the-wall documentary based on just three post-season matches, but Mud, Sweat Tears: Premiership Rugby hit the sweet spot ahead of Friday’s domestic season return. Covering the two semi-finals between first Saracens and Northampton Saints and then Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers, before going on to watch [...]
Matt Dawson on World Cups, England, Fiji and drop goals October 10, 2023 It has been 16 years since Fiji last reached the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup and this weekend confidence will be high when they take on an England side they beat at Twickenham just two months ago. The Pacific island overcame Australia to reach the quarter-finals and the pressure will be on England [...]
France will not take “slightest risk” with star Dupont at World Cup October 9, 2023 France have insisted that it would be “unthinkable” not to treat Antoine Dupont’s potential return to international rugby this weekend with the greatest of care. The Les Bleus No9 was forced off injured against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup where scans showed he had broken his cheekbone. But just three weeks and an inserted [...]
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 [...]