RC Toulon tough Investec Champions Cup path can be making of new Galacticos April 11, 2025 Dynasties rise and fall in sport, often taking years to reach their summit before fading into the darkness at pace. Between 2013 and 2015, RC Toulon were the “it” team. Probably the best club rugby team in the world. They won a Top 14 title in 2014 and were European champions three years in a [...]
Which English teams can win this weekend in the Investec Champions Cup? April 3, 2025 There’s always a fuzzy feeling when the Investec Champions Cup returns to the calendar, especially during the knockout stages. There are six French teams, five English sides and five URC outfits left in the competition but I do fear for the Gallagher Premiership contingent this weekend. Usually the five competing teams – Northampton Saints, Saracens, [...]
Who has played themselves into and out of the British and Irish Lions tour? March 21, 2025 If the Six Nations taught us anything it’s that picking a squad for this year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia is going to be very difficult. For some players a strong Six Nations has catapulted them from nobody to somebody, or from a fringe player into a starter. And for others it has [...]
Six Nations Super Saturday a perfect crescendo to tournament March 14, 2025 It feels like an age since rugby fans had the pleasure of watching a Super Saturday when all three games will be crucial to the outcome of the Six Nations. Ireland, England and France are all able to realistically win this year’s title heading into the weekend, while Scotland can mathematically do it, however unlikely. [...]
Six Nations needs France to beat Ireland before Super Saturday March 7, 2025 The recent clashes between Ireland and France in the Six Nations have all been superb occasions; whether it be in Paris or Dublin, the teams always serve up a brilliant match. And this weekend in the Irish capital it is the home side who are favourites. But for the good of the tournament it is [...]
Why rugby union should get its own Riyadh Season event February 28, 2025 One gripe I have with the 2025 Six Nations is the second rest week; it stifles interest and really damages the flow of the rugby tournament. As least, then, I had spare time to watch Chris Eubank Jr slap Conor Benn with an egg during their face-off ahead of their bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. [...]
How can England beat Scotland in the Calcutta Cup? February 21, 2025 It may not be a fixture famed for deciding Rugby World Cups, nor a major intra-hemisphere clash, but the Calcutta Cup game between England and Scotland is, and will always be, a date for the diary. It’s the oldest international match in the world, dating back to the 1870s, and a real grudge fixture between [...]
Welsh rugby is in the pits no matter who passes through Gatland’s Gate next February 14, 2025 Warren Gatland’s legacy is already secured; when Wales players arrive at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium they do so by driving through Gatland’s Gate. He may be remembered for 14 consecutive losses in his second stint as Wales boss – the last of which was a 22-15 humiliation by Italy in which the score completely flattered the [...]
Wales beyond embarrassment, they need to show Six Nations fight February 7, 2025 I couldn’t concur more with former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar when he said their Six Nations clash with Italy this weekend is the team’s biggest game in the last 20 years. On paper this match should be a walk in the park for Wales; the last time they lost to Italy on the continent was [...]
France will win the Six Nations but round 1 will be key January 31, 2025 It is here, the greatest annual international sports tournament in the world. The Six Nations has it all and I expect this year to be closer than ever. Ireland are on good form but below their recent best, Scotland continue to build but the championship remains elusive, Wales are desperate for a win, England are [...]
