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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]