Ed Warner: The row over sport banning Russian players will be even bigger in 2023 January 12, 2023 Wimbledon will be here before we know it. Expect the debate about banning Russian and Belorussian stars to start soon. The tug of war over the two bellicose nations’ participation at next year’s Paris Olympics and Paralympics has already begun. Schisms within sports and between their leaders and politicians are inevitable. Last year, backed (or [...]
How England captain Owen Farrell escaped a Six Nations ban despite being found guilty of dangerous tackle January 11, 2023 England rugby captain Owen Farrell has avoided a ban for the Six Nations Championship despite being found guilty of dangerous play. Farrell was hauled in front of an independent disciplinary panel last night after being cited for a high tackle in Saracens’ Premiership trip to Gloucester last week. The fly-half argued that his challenge on [...]
Cowan-Dickie ruled out of Six Nations with ankle injury January 10, 2023 England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is a doubt for the Six Nations next month due to an ankle injury that could require surgery. The Exeter Chiefs hooker limped off during the second half of his side’s big Premiership win over Northampton Saints on Saturday. The 29-year-old, who has signed for French Top14 champions Montpellier ahead of [...]
The Champions Cup used to be sexy, now it’s a turn-off January 10, 2023 The Champions Cup is back but I just don’t really care. When I was a toddler in the stands of England’s Premiership grounds, I loved the top flight European Cup – seeing my club play in it meant so much more than watching domestic rugby. That aura has vanished. I don’t know whether it is [...]
Here’s why England rugby captain Owen Farrell is facing a Six Nations ban January 9, 2023 England rugby captain Owen Farrell could be banned for the Six Nations after he was cited for a dangerous tackle. Saracens fly-half Farrell faces a disciplinary hearing tomorrow over his challenge on Gloucester’s Jack Clement on Friday, which was not punished by referee Karl Dickson. If found guilty of a top-end offence, he could be [...]
Karl Dickson’s Owen Farrell oversight shows rugby referees MUST get big calls right January 8, 2023 Let’s be clear, no game of rugby is ever decided by a singular refereeing decision; there are ample opportunities within a match to convert chances and clinch a victory. But sometimes a game is overshadowed by a single refereeing decision, one which could have ramifications for a number of individuals and groups – and that’s [...]
Sports on the TV? The action you must watch this weekend January 6, 2023 This weekend sees a break in the Premier League but that doesn’t mean the sports grind to a complete halt across the coming days. Here are City A.M.’s pick of five events to watch over the coming days to stay across the sporting landscape. Football: FA Cup, Friday to Monday, ITV and BBC The third [...]
Rugby: The new laws, rules and guidelines referees will now use January 5, 2023 Rugby is a game of constant rule changes and 2023 is no different with a number of new guidelines coming into the sport to speed up the game. As of 1 January this year, referees have been handed a bunch of new directives in order to make rugby more understandable and watchable. So what’s coming [...]
English rugby attendances reach season high, but there’s more to do January 3, 2023 Attendances in rugby union’s English Premiership reached a season high across the New Year weekend, when five games saw an average crowd of 13,160. Gloucester Rugby’s low-scoring 8-6 win over London Irish sold more than 16,000 tickets, while Bath, Saracens and Northampton Saints claimed sell-outs too. Sale Sharks did not sell out at the weekend [...]
Best of 2022: What can England Rugby learn from the Lionesses? January 1, 2023 After the success of the Lionesses, City A.M. looked at what rugby can learn from women’s football as England look to host the 2025 Rugby World Cup. Article originally published 9 August 2022. The iconic Chloe Kelly goal celebration, the record attendance for a final, success on home soil; England Women’s Euro 2022 victory felt [...]