Rugby World Cup: France, New Zealand and Italy go in Pool A September 6, 2023 A Rugby World Cup group that spans four continents and includes the hosts, three-time winners and a number of difficult challengers, Pool A could be the surprise package. France and New Zealand are favourites to progress to the last eight where they will likely be rewarded with a Test against either Ireland, Scotland or South [...]
Mitchell and May in line for England Rugby World Cup starts September 6, 2023 England are set to name Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Jonny May on the wing as Steve Borthwick’s side get set to face Argentina at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday. Mitchell and May were both excluded when Borthwick named his squad but injuries to Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson ensured the duo travelled [...]
New rugby agreement must provide England team to ‘be proud of’, club CEO says September 6, 2023 A new Professional Game Agreement for rugby must have the ultimate aim of improving England’s fortunes, new Gloucester Rugby chief executive Alex Brown has told City A.M. The deal between clubs and the Rugby Football Union, which dictates salary caps and player release rules among other aspects of how the top flight functions, is due [...]
Gloucester Rugby CEO: We were a big club, now we’re a sleeping giant September 5, 2023 In their 150th season, everything should be looking rosy for Gloucester as the Cherry and Whites have spent the last couple of years dodging the financial woes that have caused other Premiership clubs to cease trading. But they aren’t exactly thriving on the pitch. Having never won a top flight professional domestic trophy or claimed [...]
Are France the Rugby World Cup hosts with the most to lose? September 5, 2023 Focus heading into this Rugby World Cup will be on the underwhelming hopes of England and Wales, and the dreams of success for Scotland and Ireland. But in hosts France there are a fascinating series of events that could help make or break their World Cup challenge. Being hosts in a Rugby World Cup isn’t always [...]
Exclusive: Women’s rugby set for invitational Champions Cup final September 4, 2023 This year’s Champions Cup rugby finals weekend is set to include an invitational women’s fixture for the first time as European chiefs look to take advantage of the growth in the game, City A.M. can reveal. Gloucester-Hartpury, champions of England, and Stade Bordelais, champions of France, could play each other under plans proposed by European [...]
Exclusive: Middle East and United States bid to host Champions Cup final September 3, 2023 European rugby chiefs are considering bids which would see the Champions Cup final staged in the Middle East or the United States, City A.M. can reveal. The finals weekend of the world’s premier club rugby competition, the Champions Cup, and its sister competition the Challenge Cup have traditionally housed themselves in core rugby regions. But [...]
England need to channel spirit of 2007 at Rugby World Cup September 1, 2023 England could, realistically, be knocked out of the Rugby World Cup in France by 10pm on 17 September. The car crash that is the national team head across the Channel in the coming days to play Argentina and Japan in their opening two matches. After that they take on Chile and Samoa, but by then [...]
Exclusive: European rugby chiefs in Challenge Cup sponsor talks August 31, 2023 European rugby chiefs are in exploratory discussions with companies over a potential title sponsor for the Challenge Cup, City A.M. can reveal. The relative of the Champions Cup, which on Thursday announced bank Investec as its title sponsor on a five-year deal, the Challenge Cup has not had a sponsor since insurer Amlin partnered the [...]
Investec hand rugby vote of confidence with Champions Cup sponsorship August 31, 2023 Investec has handed rugby a much-needed vote of confidence by striking a five-year deal to replace Heineken as sponsor of the Champions Cup. Europe and South Africa’s premier club competition has been without a sponsor since the Dutch beer brand, involved since 1995, stepped away from the title association in June. It represents a huge [...]