Exodus Chiefs: How Exeter, a modern dynasty of English rugby, lost its aura March 7, 2023 If in any normal season Premiership side Exeter Chiefs announced the mid-season departure of a brilliant young winger such as Facundo Cordero there would have been a slight feeling of disappointment among the fanbase. But the Argentinian’s move north to Scotland’s Glasgow Warriors instead heaped further dismay on supporters of Exeter, because Cordero’s exit represents [...]
Lawes out of England side to face France in Six Nations clash March 7, 2023 England vice captain Courtney Lawes has suffered yet another injury set back as head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed the back-row would not be in contention to play in his side’s Six Nations clash with France on Saturday. Lawes, of Northampton Saints, is out of the 27-man side named by Borthwick yesterday with a shoulder injury. [...]
Magic Marcus Smith performance vindicates Borthwick call to release him March 6, 2023 With a ball as his baton, a rugby kit as his tuxedo, and Twickenham his symphony hall, Marcus Smith demonstrated what it means to orchestrate a sports team at the weekend. His pivotal, leading role in Harlequins’ 40-5 win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday not only reminded the rugby community of what the No10, born [...]
Weekend in sport: What’s on, when is it on and what channel is it on? March 3, 2023 The return of the Formula 1 season is the height of the sport action this weekend but domestic football and rugby, as well as the inaugural Women’s Premier League cricket continues. Here’s what you must watch this weekend. Golf: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Thursday – Sunday The PGA Tour continues this week with the Arnold Palmer [...]
Six Nations: Jones and rest of old guard need to go for Wales to progress March 3, 2023 Having watched Wales’ third consecutive loss in this year’s Six Nations, I am now more convinced than ever that Warren Gatland needs to drop Alun Wyn Jones. He has been an incredible servant to Welsh and international rugby and fully deserved each one of his record breaking 168 caps, but the 37-year-old isn’t what he [...]
Politicians must step in to protect sport in legal minefield of trans policy – Ed Warner March 2, 2023 The ruck over transgender women participating in female sport is fiercely contested. Opinions are polarised, each side shouting in its own echo chamber. Into my inbox and into the debate drops an email from a PR agent containing a legal opinion that is a reminder that this issue is nuanced. It reinforces my own view [...]
Women’s Lions ‘must be based on form’ after tour gets early green light February 28, 2023 Former England international Shaunagh Brown has backed the idea of a women’s Lions tour following a feasibility report but insisted that the squad must only be made up of the best players and not employ quotas to stop English dominance. The study, funded by Royal London, investigated key aspects of what would make up a [...]
Six Nations: France set up bruising battle of the back rows in Le Crunch February 27, 2023 England’s crucial Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham in two weeks is set for a monumental back row battle with Francois Cros expected to come into Les Bleus’ starting XV. Cros is expected to replace Anthony Jelonch in the starting line up after the Toulouse flanker suffered a serious knee injury (ACL) in his [...]
Six Nations: What we learned from England’s 20-10 win over Wales in Cardiff February 26, 2023 It has always been one of those Six Nations matches fans look for when the fixtures are released, but Saturday’s clash between Wales and England did little to extinguish what has been a fiery couple of months for the home side. Given threats were made by players to strike in the days leading up to [...]
Six Nations: Late France try ends Scotland Grand Slam hopes February 26, 2023 A late Gael Fickou try earned France a 32-21 bonus-point win and denied Scotland a sensational comeback in the third round of the Six Nations in Paris. Fly-half Romain Ntamack put les Bleus ahead early on before Scotland were reduced to 14 men when Adam Gilchrist was red carded in the sixth minute for a [...]