I love it: Ben Earl on Murrayfield and Test rugby challenges February 21, 2024 England back-row Ben Earl has said he loves the niggle and atmosphere Murrayfield provides ahead of his side’s clash with Scotland in the Calcutta Cup on Saturday. England head to Edinburgh on a run of three consecutive losses in the fixture but have won their opening two matches of this year’s Six Nations. Scotland are [...]
England face Calcutta Cup conundrum with returning centres February 20, 2024 England have confirmed that they’ll have centre partnership headaches ahead of this weekend’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland after the return of both Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence this week. Steve Borthwick’s side have previously used Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade in the centres for their wins against both Italy and Wales but could use [...]
Ollie Phillips: Ireland top my Six Nations half term report card February 16, 2024 It’s half term and even the Six Nations is taking a week off. So in this fallow week, after two rounds, it’s about time we handed out some reports and grades. I am a firm but fair teacher and my grades reflect that, so here goes. Top of the Six Nations class Ireland – A+ [...]
Rugby round up: Descriptive audio, colour blindness and England A February 15, 2024 Despite the lack of Six Nations this week to get fans and others alike talking about rugby, the sport has seen a number of exciting announcements this week. From new audio description at the Six Nations to changes to aid colour blindness and the England A announcement. Here’s what you may have missed. Six Nations [...]
Tuilagi returns to England Six Nations squad after injury recovery February 14, 2024 England have recalled centre Manu Tuilagi to their 36-man training squad ahead of their Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland next weekend. Tuilagi missed England’s wins over Italy and Wales with a groin injury but the 108kg centre is back as they seek to beat Scotland for the first time in three years. The Sale Shark [...]
Neil Barnes: Netflix, coaching Italy, Eddie Jones and Six Nations February 13, 2024 When you meet ex-Italy assistant coach Neil Barnes in Six Nations rugby’s Netflix drama Full Contact, his bluntness scares the bejesus out of you. “For F**k’s sake”, “hit that p***k” and “give the ball to Capu-whatever-his-name-is [Ange Capuozzo], he’s f*****g quick” were just some of the wholesome proverbs that the non-Italian speaking New Zealander utters. [...]
‘Rugby can’t be seen as boring to new fans. It will drive them away’ February 12, 2024 Deputy Sport Editor Matt Hardy talks England’s Six Nations atmosphere, boring rugby and glorious Ireland in this week’s column. “There was a lot of stopping and starting, nothing seemed to happen and the people around me kept saying how boring it was.” That was the one sentence review from a colleague after their first ever [...]
Six Nations: Ireland Grand Slam mission alive after Italy thrashing February 11, 2024 A clinical Ireland side toppled Italy 36-0 yesterday in the final match of the second round of the Six Nations to stamp their authority as tournament favourites. Dan Sheehan crossed for a brace while Jack Crowley, Jack Conan, James Lowe and Calvin Nash contributed to the whitewashing of the Azzurri, in round one only lost [...]
Where can I watch the Six Nations in London this weekend? February 9, 2024 The Six Nations is up and running across Europe and London’s pubs and bars are loving it. England, Scotland and Ireland won in round one but round two sees a huge England vs Wales clash. Here are the top spots that City A.M. have tried for you to get stuck into. Flat Iron Square, London [...]
Ollie Phillips: England will solve defensive holes to beat Wales February 8, 2024 My prediction of an England Six Nations title is still on, just about. And I don’t see that being derailed this weekend against Wales. Wales didn’t actually play that badly against Scotland but I just don’t think they’ve got it in them to pull off an upset at Twickenham. When you look at their 23 [...]