Tommy Bowe: Ireland need to ignore England’s war of words March 11, 2022 Former Ireland winger Tommy Bowe insists they must not be drawn in by England head coach Eddie Jones’s pre-match talk as the men in green look to keep their Six Nations hopes alive at Twickenham tomorrow. “I think Ireland are favourites,” Bowe told City A.M. “I think they’ll feel that they have that responsibility on [...]
Ollie Phillips: I would have Ireland down as favourites March 11, 2022 When you look at the England and Ireland squads on paper ahead of tomorrow’s Six Nations match in London, I do think that the away side might nick it. It’s all about what is going on up front and I think that’s where Ireland have the edge. They’ll no doubt be targeting England’s line-out, which [...]
Jack Nowell desperate to be part of England World Cup run March 7, 2022 England winger Jack Nowell insists he is desperate to be part of next year’s World Cup squad as Eddie Jones’s players look to use the Six Nations to cement their place in his future plans. “I hope I can be part of that [the World Cup],” said Nowell. “I am desperate to be part of [...]
After Italy farce rugby needs to take a look at its law book March 2, 2022 Ireland’s Six Nations victory over Italy on Sunday saw an officiating decision which by the letter of the law was correct but in practice ruined a game of rugby. Here is what was so wrong about it and two more rules that World Rugby should address before the World Cup next year: Red card replacement [...]
Jones praises young England side as Six Nations race goes on February 28, 2022 It was a match of three or four moments, moments that could prove defining in this year’s Six Nations. But in England’s 23-19 win over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, it was so nearly a disaster for the home side. Up by 17 points early in the second half, England let their opposition back in, [...]
Jones urges fans to get in seats early ahead of England v Wales February 25, 2022 England head coach Eddie Jones has urged fans to take their seats early at Twickenham for tomorrow’s Six Nations match against Wales as his side, boosted by the return of key players, look to burst out of the blocks. “The first 20 minutes of a Test match is always the quickest,” said Jones. “I think [...]
Ollie Phillips: Super Six Nations could be bettered by Boks February 18, 2022 This really is a belting Six Nations Championship. We may only be two weeks in but what a set of performances we have seen across the opening six games. France are just massive. They’re a group of juggernauts ripping balls, rucking hard, carrying everywhere. They’re just so good to watch. They might just be one [...]
Hard not to love France as they keep Grand Slam hopes alive February 14, 2022 As the Six Nations rolled on into round two on Valentine’s weekend, of course it was an evening in French capital Paris that stole the show. France and Ireland served up an absolute peach of a Test match which provided the 80,000 onlookers at the Stade de France a showcase of skill, power, perseverance and, [...]
Smith proved himself as England get Six Nations campaign back on track February 14, 2022 It wasn’t brilliant and it wasn’t woeful, but the result stuck to type: another England win against Italy in the Six Nations and a yet another loss – their 99th in the competition – for the Azzurri. While England’s 33-0 victory was expected, however, there were moments of magic in Rome that signalled a brighter [...]
Rugby’s domestic derbies should not be played in the international window February 8, 2022 The East Midlands derby between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints is one of the fixtures fans look for when the schedule is released. Saracens against Harlequins, Bath against Gloucester, Tigers against Saints – these are the staples of English domestic rugby, the bitter rivalries decades, if not centuries, in the making. So its beggars belief [...]