Springboks should dismantle England by 20 points in World Cup October 20, 2023 Watching South Africa edge France in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday evening was extraordinary, maybe one of the very best games of oval ball I have ever seen. And I am in no doubt that the Springboks will beat England this weekend, despite my run of poor predictions last week in the quarter-finals. South [...]
England not looking at 2019 final thrashing ahead of Boks semi October 18, 2023 England’s World Cup final defeat to South Africa in 2019 is not motivation for Ollie Chessum with the second-row eager to be part of his side’s semi-final against the Springboks on Saturday. England were beaten 32-12 four years ago in Japan and nine of England’s 23 from that day aren’t in Steve Borthwick’s squad as [...]
England’s survival shows beautiful unpredictability of World Cup rugby October 16, 2023 After this spring’s Six Nations championship, many collectively decided that England would not challenge in this Rugby World Cup and that they could even find themselves dumped out in the group stages. Instead Europe’s fancied teams were Ireland and France. But after Sunday’s 30-24 victory over Fiji in Marseille, and then France’s 29-28 loss to [...]
Farrell deserves more credit from fans, says England coach October 16, 2023 Fans should give England captain Owen Farrell more credit, according to the team’s attack coach Richard Wigglesworth. Fly-half George Ford was dropped to make place for the captain ahead of Sunday’s 30-24 victory over Fiji at the Rugby World Cup to much fan criticism. “We are lucky to have Owen. As ever, the tallest trees [...]
Steve Borthwick hits back at England critics after Rugby World Cup thriller with Fiji October 15, 2023 Steve Borthwick said his players had been written off before their Rugby World Cup run.
Rugby World Cup: Ireland go from ‘Zombie’ to the ghost of tournaments past October 15, 2023 Ireland and Johnny Sexton received a brutal lesson from New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup.
France are hosts with most, rugby needs them to succeed October 13, 2023 As it stands, prior to this year’s tournament, there’s a 33.33 per cent recurring chance of lifting the World Cup as competition hosts. New Zealand did it at Eden Park in 1987 as co-hosts, South Africa achieved the feat at Ellis Park in 1995 and the All Blacks ensured they’d never lost a home final [...]
Best places in London to watch the Rugby World Cup October 12, 2023 The Rugby World Cup has reached the knockout stages, with just eight teams remaining in the hunt for the William Webb Ellis Cup. We’ve scouted out the best spots in London to watch the four quarter-finals, and here’s what we have found. Sound Cafe, Marble Arch Located within the Cumberland Hotel, Sound Cafe is actually [...]
Ford to be dropped with Smith at No15 for England quarter-final October 11, 2023 George Ford is set to be dropped from the England starting XV as Steve Borthwick’s looks to return to play-maker Owen Farrell on Sunday against Fiji. The Sale Sharks No10 started three of England’s four pool stage games at the Rugby World Cup – versus Argentina, Japan and Samoa – but is set to be [...]
Matt Dawson on World Cups, England, Fiji and drop goals October 10, 2023 It has been 16 years since Fiji last reached the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup and this weekend confidence will be high when they take on an England side they beat at Twickenham just two months ago. The Pacific island overcame Australia to reach the quarter-finals and the pressure will be on England [...]