Ollie Phillips: Farrell and Vunipola bans are almighty World Cup headache for England August 23, 2023 The banning of England pair Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola for the start of the Rugby World Cup has thrust tackling into the spotlight, and on that topic I share the view of Shaun Edwards. As the France defence coach says, it is a contact sport so accidental collisions are inevitable. That is made more [...]
Rugby’s disciplinary process betrays the very reason tough rules are in place August 17, 2023 Utterly ridiculous. Hugely embarrassing. Total disaster. These are some of the thoughts that have crossed my mind this week when I should instead be getting excited for the Rugby World Cup next month. Why? Because with the overturning of Owen Farrell’s red card from last Saturday, all of the sport’s decision makers have put the [...]
Owen Farrell is the only world class player in England’s Rugby World Cup squad August 11, 2023 Let’s address the fact staring us in the face that there’s only one current world class player in the England World Cup squad named by Steve Borthwick on Monday. The 33-man squad is largely experienced and capable, but it’s not a side I see lifting the William Webb Ellis Trophy come the end of autumn. [...]
‘Borthwick’s England must find French flair and adventure’ August 4, 2023 This is it for England, their World Cup gets real from this weekend. There is no easy fixture against Wales, there’s no friendly against the neighbours from over the Severn Bridge. It always has been, and always will be, war. And with Steve Borthwick set to name his final World Cup squad next Monday – [...]
Scotland and Italy may not make World Cup quarters, but warm-up is important July 29, 2023 I was over the moon this week when I discovered that the northern hemisphere Rugby World Cup warm-ups were getting underway this week. It may not be the likes of France or England but it’s good to see international rugby back ahead of one of the biggest and most unpredictable World Cup events in a [...]
Ollie Phillips: Lions is the pinnacle, I wish I could have worn the shirt July 21, 2023 I enjoyed my career, let’s get that straight from the off, but I wish I had donned the famous British and Irish Lions jersey at least once. It was back then, and remains to this day, the pinnacle of rugby for a British or Irish rugby player and it is an institution that we simply [...]
Steady Eddie and Australia have time before the World Cup. Others don’t July 14, 2023 Eddie Jones’s first match in charge of Australia was never going to be easy given the state the Wallabies were left in, but having to front up against South Africa last weekend looked brutal. Their 43-12 loss to the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld would have been crushing for the team given the positivity Jones has [...]
‘Borthwick’s England squad prolongs status quo, but that’s no bad thing’ July 7, 2023 When I looked at Steve Borthwick’s 36-man England World Cup training squad, which will be finalised next month, my first feeling was that it represented the status quo. There’s no huge shock inclusion; no Sam Burgess or Willi Heinz to throw fans into a frenzy. And while there are some shocking omissions – Alex Mitchell [...]
‘England must back Mercer if Vunipola can’t make Rugby World Cup’ June 30, 2023 It’s going to be a huge blow for England if Billy Vunipola is unable to play a part in the Rugby World Cup this year. The Saracens No8 is explosive from the base and one of the few lads in Steve Borthwick’s set-up who can provide consistent gainline-breaking ball. The fact that he is rehabilitating [...]
We love Bazball and Gazball, now England Rugby needs Borthball June 23, 2023 Wow. What a conclusion that was to the opening Ashes Test on Tuesday at Edgbaston between England and Australia. From day one to five it was so entertaining. England lost but I wasn’t sulking about the result. Instead I was thinking about the opening shot on the first day, Joe Root’s reverse ramp shot for [...]
