Ollie Phillips: Marcus Smith ready to start against Australia November 12, 2021 He is a mercurial talent who was destined to be in an England jersey and tomorrow against Australia Marcus Smith will get his first taste of top-level international rugby. Smith’s previous two England starts have come in under-strength sides who played the USA and Canada during the summer. This weekend he will wear No10 against [...]
Ollie Phillips: The Premiership is just so competitive October 28, 2021 The Premiership is producing some of the best rugby that it ever has, and the lack of England internationals over the coming weeks will make games even more unpredictable. Eddie Jones’s autumn squad is already at a training camp in Jersey, meaning a host of stars are unavailable for selection on a weekend full of [...]
Ollie Phillips: Marcus Smith can be the catalyst for a new England team October 15, 2021 Marcus Smith is the name on everyone’s lips as Eddie Jones prepares to name his England squad for the Autumn Nations Series on Monday. The Harlequins fly-half was on fire on his first Premiership appearance of the season last Friday, coming off the bench to help Quins surge from 21-0 down to beat Bristol 52-24. [...]
Ollie Phillips: Quins are tough to beat when they’re on a roll October 8, 2021 Harlequins and Bristol love playing expansive, broken-field rugby but I think the Bears will continue their rocky start when the teams meet tonight. Last year’s Premiership semi-final between the two sides was the best game of the season, and definitely the best comeback I’ve seen in my life. Quins and Bristol specialised in chucking the [...]
Ollie Phillips: Steve Borthwick succeeding Eddie Jones is written in the stars September 30, 2021 Two of the most likely contenders to succeed Eddie Jones as England coach face off on Saturday when Steve Borthwick’s Leicester Tigers host Mark McCall’s Saracens. Speculation over who could get the job when Jones departs in 2023 resurfaced this week when England forwards coach Richard Cockerill ruled himself out of the running. Borthwick and [...]
Ollie Phillips: Eddie Jones’s England reboot is exciting and long overdue September 24, 2021 Two years out from a World Cup you expect Eddie Jones to make big calls and do some culling, and the result, announced this week, is an exciting England autumn training squad. Of the new faces, Newcastle Falcons youngster Adam Radwan is one of those I’m looking forward to watching get a chance. His footwork [...]
Ollie Phillips’ Premiership season preview: Harlequins vulnerable, Saracens favourites, and Leicester and Sale to join Exeter in play-offs September 17, 2021 The new Premiership Rugby season has a lot to live up to after the fireworks of the last campaign but I think there’s reason to believe it will match or even better it. Removing relegation last term allowed every team to play without fear and the result was enterprising, adventurous rugby and perhaps the most [...]
Ollie Phillips: Why well-drilled Saracens will be too strong for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership final May 30, 2019 The Premiership final is here and it’s no surprise to see Saracens and Exeter Chiefs facing off at Twickenham on Saturday. They’re simply head and shoulders above the rest at the moment. It will be the third final meeting between the two and one of them has been involved in each of the last five [...]
Ollie Phillips: Don’t expect a shock – Saracens and Exeter are streets ahead of their Premiership play-off rivals May 23, 2019 The Premiership semi-finals are upon us this weekend and it is very much a case of challengers taking on heavy favourites. Saracens and Exeter have been dominant over the past few seasons and it will take a mammoth effort from Gloucester or Northampton to reach the final. Saracens have won three of the last four [...]
Ollie Phillips: Premiership play-off place in Harlequins’ grasp ahead of trip to under-performing Wasps May 16, 2019 The final weekend of the Premiership season is upon us and there’s plenty to play for, with the last play-off spot still up for grabs. As it stands Northampton Saints are in pole position, occupying fourth, one point ahead of fifth-placed Harlequins. But despite their points advantage I’d rather be in Quins’ position – and [...]
