Focus on Barnsbury: An elegant oasis between Islington and King’s Cross November 8, 2019 Barnsbury counts bustling King’s Cross and lively Upper Street among its neighbours. But if you were blindfolded and dropped in the middle of one of its streets you’d probably think you were in a sedate suburb rather than the heart of N1. Firstly, it is very quiet – so quiet that, in 2013, one of [...]
The six best players at the 2019 Rugby World Cup November 4, 2019 From Cheslin Kolbe’s dancing feet in South Africa’s opening weekend defeat against New Zealand to Manu Tuilagi bursting through the gain line in England’s quarter-final with Australia, the 2019 Rugby World Cup was filled with individual moments of brilliance. Here, City A.M. picks six of the best performers at the tournament. Maro Itoje, England Where [...]
Eddie Jones’s future a key part of England’s next four-year cycle for 2023 Rugby World Cup in France November 3, 2019 After a Rugby World Cup comes a period of flux. Win or lose, success or failure, a new cycle begins now for the teams who competed in Japan, with planning for France 2023 under way already in the back rooms of the country’s governing bodies. For the likes of Australia, New Zealand and France that [...]
Rugby Betting Tips: Ford and Farrell to steer the chariot home October 31, 2019 EDDIE Jones said from the start of his appointment as England head coach in 2015 to judge him on how his side perform at the 2019 World Cup. It is fair to say he’s been a success, with his team just 80 minutes away from their second Webb Ellis Cup. The Red Rose have been [...]
England v South Africa: Rugby World Cup final victory can top the achievement of 2003 October 31, 2019 It’s the eve of the Rugby World Cup final and I could hardly be more confident. England come into their clash with South Africa on the back of a near-perfect performance in the semi-final, while their opponents did the bare minimum to reach the showpiece in Japan. England were sensational in beating New Zealand 19-7 [...]
England v South Africa: What previous meetings can tell us about this weekend’s Rugby World Cup final October 30, 2019 When pondering England’s Rugby World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday there is one obvious point of reference to consider. The two teams met in the 2007 tournament showpiece in Paris, where the Springboks kicked five penalties to England’s two in a 15-6 win remembered for Mark Cueto’s disallowed try. But whether Cueto’s foot [...]
England should not fear South Africa’s physical but one-dimensional style in World Cup final October 27, 2019 Back in the pool stage, the consensus was that England would be taking the hardest path to the Rugby World Cup final. Finishing top of Pool C meant being in the same side of the draw as New Zealand, the No1 side in the world and winners of the last two tournaments. Now, having overcome [...]
Rugby Betting Tips: Jonny May come good in All Blacks clash October 24, 2019 ENGLAND’S last triumph over New Zealand came down to a minor scoring oversight and an emphatic super over in the Cricket World Cup, and another nail-biting clash between the two nations is expected tomorrow. Rugby union is the game this time around, a sport in which New Zealand have dominated like no other, and many [...]
What areas can England exploit in their World Cup semi-final with New Zealand? October 23, 2019 It has been a while since England beat the All Blacks – seven years to be precise – but last year’s narrow 16-15 defeat at Twickenham was the first time they had played since 2014. In the 11 months since, both teams have come a long way. On Saturday, ranked as the No1 and No2 [...]
England’s win over Australia vindicates Eddie Jones as he gets big calls correct October 21, 2019 A number of questions hung over England and Eddie Jones ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia on Saturday. Were they undercooked? Was dropping George Ford a mistake? Were Mako Vunipola and Henry Slade ready to start? Could Owen Farrell be a decisive leader during the heat of battle? All of those questions [...]