I want Ireland to win the Rugby World Cup, but they’ll run out of steam March 24, 2023 I really do hope that Ireland win the World Cup this year, but so many bones in my body are telling me they’ll blow it in France later this year. They haven’t lost since last summer – in the first Test of their 2-1 series win against New Zealand down in the land of the [...]
World Rugby wades into tackle height debate with new recommendations March 13, 2023 World Rugby has waded into the debate over tackle height by asking national unions to trial “belly tackles” at grass roots level in a bid to make the sport safer. England’s Rugby Football Union provoked a fierce backlash earlier this year when it announced plans to ban tackling above the waist in the community game [...]
MLR’s Utah Warriors CEO: Rugby needs to put commercialism first February 20, 2023 If you were looking for a nation to grab something traditional by the horns and zhuzh it up, it would be the United States wouldn’t it? Well, now rugby is entering the rodeo ring to have that treatment. Because last month, Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise Utah Warriors announced a partnership with five-time European champions [...]
Six Nations: Where do Italy play, when did they last win, what is their anthem and who is their coach? February 1, 2023 The newest side in the competition have something to prove in this year’s Six Nations. Here’s what you need to know about Italy. Italy History Italy are the baby of the Championship, joining in 2000 to form the Six Nations. In that time, they have finished bottom the most and have never won the title [...]
Six Nations: Where do Ireland play, when did they last win, what is their anthem and who is their coach? January 31, 2023 Ireland are world No1 heading into the Six Nations and have two mighty games – against France and England – at home this season. Ireland History They are seen as one of the fiercest competitors in the Six Nations with passionate fans and a strong domestic system feeding quality players. The Republic of Ireland and [...]
Six Nations: Where do France play, when did they last win, what is their anthem and who is their coach? January 30, 2023 France are the defending Six Nations champions heading into this weekend’s tournament but what do you need to know about Les Bleus? France History They haven’t always been part of the rugby party in Europe having joined the competition in 1910. They have won the last two Championships with their 2022 success being completed with [...]
EXCLUSIVE: Six Nations unions and Netflix producers yet to agree level of access for documentary January 29, 2023 Six Nations teams and producers of a new Netflix documentary about the Championship are yet to agree how much access will be granted just days before the opening matches, City A.M. understands. With the tournament kicking off in Cardiff and London on Saturday, questions still remain over how much intrusion will be allowed, with some [...]
Rugby MUST get off its moral high horse if it’s ever going to become global January 29, 2023 It’s about time rugby got off its high horse about its so-called values. For too long the oval balled sport has claimed moral superiority over every challenger because fans are silent for opposition kicks and can drink in stands (really?!). But the truth is, rugby is as rotten as the rest and only a rebuild [...]
Exodus of players to France is bad for the Premiership but the boys will thrive January 27, 2023 The amount of brilliant rugby players fleeing England for France and South Africa should be of extreme concern to those in charge of the domestic game here. But the reality is those players heading for pastures new – as I did when I joined Stade Français from Newcastle in 2009 – will have an incredible [...]
Six Nations: Warburton on Wales, Gatland, England, Sinfield and Borthwick January 20, 2023 Former Wales captain Sam Warburton is “excited” to see what the return of head coach Warren Gatland can bring and says that Kevin Sinfield is a “masterstroke” for England ahead of the Six Nations. Gatland returned to the Welsh fold at the end of last year when his predecessor Wayne Pivac was sacked following a [...]