Intensity at centre of Investec Champions Cup final between Toulouse and Leinster May 24, 2024 Without getting you all too excited, I do believe this weekend’s Investec Champions Cup could be one of the few finals that matches last year’s epic comeback by La Rochelle, who rallied from 17-0 down inside the opening quarter. Because Leinster versus Toulouse isn’t just Leinster versus Toulouse; it’s four-time winners against five-time winners, Ireland [...]
‘Premiership run-in is great. It is a shame about Gloucester and Newcastle’ May 17, 2024 It’s incredible – there are only 80 minutes left of the regular Premiership season and barely anything is decided. We know Northampton Saints are guaranteed a home semi-final, but they’re not yet confirmed as regular season champions. Saracens are definitely in the play-offs but aren’t sure of whether they’ll be home or away in the [...]
Ollie Phillips: Premiership top four play-off predictions May 10, 2024 The next two weeks of Premiership action will decide who makes the end of season play-offs. Eight of the 10 teams can still make the top four, and most of those can still earn a home semi-final. As it stands, Northampton Saints are four clear of Saracens at the top of the table. Bath are [...]
Women’s rugby must get radical to avoid making mistakes men’s game did April 26, 2024 For the women’s game to be truly successful I believe it needs a radical overhaul; a revolution that will change the face of rugby forever. Because the reality is that it is hard to get excited for this weekend’s final round of the Women’s Six Nations. England are expected to win, even against closest competitors [...]
Ollie Phillips: Harlequins play rugby fans deserve to watch April 19, 2024 When I watched Harlequins just about get past Bordeaux last weekend in the Investec Champions Cup, I understood why the south London club get such good crowds week in, week out at both the Stoop and Twickenham. They play a style of game that is just so addictive and attractive, and it is something other [...]
Vodacom Bulls have chance at shock Champions Cup upset April 12, 2024 And then there were eight. The Investec Champions Cup round of 16 threw up a couple of incredible ties as those with hopes of lifting club rugby’s most prestigious trophy were tested to the nines. So with four tantalising quarter-final ties ahead of us here are my predictions for the quarter-finals, as well my outside [...]
Ollie Phillips: Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 predictions April 5, 2024 The Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 takes place this weekend and the competition is so difficult to call. There are all-French ties, all-English ties and a number of multinational matches to get the taste buds salivating. I am backing three English Premiership, two United Rugby Championship and three French Top 14 teams to progress [...]
Red Roses dominance is bad omen for women’s game (but they’re great to watch) March 29, 2024 Having beaten Italy 48-0 with 14 players in their Women’s Six Nations opener, it is fair to say England’s Red Roses continue to be one of rugby’s most dominant teams ever. Yes, that makes successive World Cup failures harder to stomach but the England national team are otherwise seemingly unstoppable. However, their impressive win in [...]
Ollie Phillips: England can take encouragement from Six Nations March 17, 2024 Our rugby columnist give his-team-by-team verdict on the Six Nations.
Six Nations: Beating France would be bigger than Ireland win March 15, 2024 England’s 23-22 win over Ireland last week was the best by the team since their 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. I have questioned head coach Steve Borthwick and his plan for the side on numerous occasions, and I don’t think one win against a brilliant Ireland saves him from criticism, but at the [...]
