City A.M. debate: Should the Middle East host Champions cup rugby? September 8, 2023 Last Monday, City A.M. exclusively reported that both the United States and Middle East had bid to host rugby’s Champions Cup final. And while there was general disdain towards the idea from fans, a significant proportion of that was directed towards the idea of the Middle East – and Saudi Arabia in particular. Here City [...]
Where to watch the Rugby World Cup this weekend September 7, 2023 It’s the biggest tournament in rugby union and it begins tomorrow. The Rugby World Cup will take up many of the screens across the country but some bars and pubs are hosting specialist events. Here’s where to watch this weekend’s opening set of fixtures. Northwood, Angel A vast new sports bar has opened its doors [...]
Rugby World Quiz: Pit your wits in our interactive challenge September 7, 2023 The Rugby World Cup returns tomorrow so scroll away and test your knowledge ahead of the tournament’s opener. There are 12 questions. How many can you get right?
Rugby World Cup: Wales and Pool C suddenly underdogs? September 7, 2023 The Rugby World Cup’s Pool C is fun, fun, fun. You’ve got Wales under a returning Warren Gatland who look completely off the ball; an Australian side under Eddie Jones who are backing youth over experience; Fiji, fresh from a historic victory over England; plus a European pair in Georgia and Portugal who will have [...]
Rugby World Cup: One of Ireland, Scotland or Boks to miss out in Pool B September 7, 2023 Every World Cup has to have a pool of death featuring three top-ranked teams with every chance of making it to the last eight – one of which will be dumped out prematurely. This year in France that dreaded group is Pool B. Holders South Africa have been drawn with world No1 side Ireland, world [...]
Rugby World Cup: England to be beaten by Argentina or Samoa? September 7, 2023 When the Rugby World Cup draw was made in 2020, Pool C looked like one full of intrigue. You had former winners England, improving Argentina and a Japan side who had thrived as hosts a year prior. Throw in qualifiers later confirmed as Samoa and Chile and the group is exciting. But the pining for [...]
Ollie Phillips: France needs Les Bleus to get party started at Rugby World Cup September 7, 2023 If I could turn back time and play more of my career in France, I would do it in a heartbeat. The country is rugby mad and you’re put on a pedestal by fans. That’s why this could be one of the great World Cups – the country is about to descend into two months [...]
Ed Warner: Will this really be the best Rugby World Cup ever? September 7, 2023 Are you ready for the best ever Rugby World Cup? A tournament for the ages? Two phrases that would best be banned, argues Ed Warner.
Alphonsi on how to win a Rugby World Cup with England in France September 6, 2023 As evening turned to night on 19 August 2014 under the floodlights of the Stade Jean-Bouin, flanker Maggie Alphonsi celebrated becoming one of only a handful of England players to win a Rugby World Cup. Her side’s 21-9 victory over Canada in the French capital remains the last time an English side, male or female, [...]
Rugby World Cup: Can the sport rediscover je ne sais quoi? September 6, 2023 Sometimes sporting moments transcend the core fanbase. A controversial call, a moment of brilliance or an event off-field; sporting tournaments have a habit of producing something exceptional. And goodness knows rugby needs that now. A sport that has given us Jonah Lomu, Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal and Japan’s 2015 victory over the Springboks is in [...]