Six Nations: Jones and rest of old guard need to go for Wales to progress March 3, 2023 Having watched Wales’ third consecutive loss in this year’s Six Nations, I am now more convinced than ever that Warren Gatland needs to drop Alun Wyn Jones. He has been an incredible servant to Welsh and international rugby and fully deserved each one of his record breaking 168 caps, but the 37-year-old isn’t what he [...]
England must beat poor Wales in Six nations to show growth February 24, 2023 England’s third round Six nations match against Wales on Saturday has an odd feel about it. On one hand Steve Borthwick’s men will travel along the M4 filled to the brim with confidence given their opponents across the Severn Bridge are in a state of disarray at the moment. The time is right for England [...]
Ireland duel in Dublin vs France could be the Six Nations decider February 10, 2023 I wouldn’t usually reveal my hand so early on in a Six Nations tournament, but I do think the winner of this match between Ireland and France will go on to claim the Championship this year. Many have had the same view prior to the tournament and I back it, though Scotland could be the [...]
Six Nations: ‘Wales for the Wooden Spoon? I think it could happen’ February 3, 2023 This year’s Six Nations is arguably both the most predictable and the least predictable in a long time – but I do think there is a good chance of Wales finishing rock bottom. I am in agreement with most that it will be between Ireland and France for the title, but beyond that it is [...]
Exodus of players to France is bad for the Premiership but the boys will thrive January 27, 2023 The amount of brilliant rugby players fleeing England for France and South Africa should be of extreme concern to those in charge of the domestic game here. But the reality is those players heading for pastures new – as I did when I joined Stade Français from Newcastle in 2009 – will have an incredible [...]
England squad can give the Six Nations a good go January 20, 2023 I’m not saying I didn’t expect it from a coach like Steve Borthwick but it’s great to see an England Six Nations squad picked on form at the moment. There are a few choices and calls I disagree with but off the back of what I read on Monday, I think England can give the [...]
Ollie Phillips: My hopes for rugby over the next 12 months January 13, 2023 The next 12 months have the potential to be game-changing for rugby. It’s a World Cup year and domestic leagues are becoming ever more competitive, so here are my three hopes for the coming year. Nothing to lose My main hope for 2023 is to see England give the Six Nations and World Cup a [...]
Ollie Phillips: My Premiership team of 2022 December 30, 2022 While many have taken the final week of the year to look at their best Premiership XV of the season so far, I have used this week to ponder over my XV of the entire calendar year. The last 12 months have seen Leicester win the Premiership, Saracens surge back into contention and some traditionally [...]
Ollie Phillips: My 2022 awards from year of incredible rugby drama December 23, 2022 The time has come to dish out a couple of gongs. My awards will take a look at the year that was and take into consideration all things 2022. We’ve seen records broken, world firsts take place and witnessed brilliantly encapsulating moments. Next week you’ll see my Premiership team of the calendar year but this [...]
Ollie Phillips: European rugby, McGuigan and Laporte December 16, 2022 The opening round of European Champions Cup action left me slightly confused; there were some cracking matches but also some really disappointing results. The SA Sharks’ win over Harlequins down in South Africa was proper entertainment, as was Lyon’s loss to the Bulls on the African continent. But Leinster’s demolition of Racing 92 was disappointing [...]
