England v France: Should Eddie Jones rotate his squad for Pool C decider? October 8, 2019 Ever since the Rugby World Cup draw was made, England’s final pool game against France has been billed as the decisive fixture in the tournament’s so-called group of death. It will, as widely anticipated, decide who tops the pool, but with both sides having already guaranteed qualification to the knockout phase following wins over Argentina, [...]
Ollie Phillips: Argentina are a potential banana skin, but exactly the kind of test England need October 3, 2019 England are in good form and their World Cup has been wholly positive so far, but Saturday’s game against Argentina definitely represents a banana skin. Eddie Jones’s side have enjoyed plain sailing in Pool C, comfortably beating Tonga and the USA, and on paper the No10-ranked team should be no different. However, they haven’t been [...]
England 45-7 United States: George Ford stars as Red Rose click into gear in Kobe heat September 26, 2019 After their meek opener against Tonga, today’s World Cup game with the USA was an opportunity for all of England’s players, but none more so than George Ford. Named captain by Eddie Jones, the Leicester Tigers fly-half was handed responsibility for leading the side, directing traffic and implementing tactics. He grabbed the chance with both [...]
RUGBY WORLD CUP BETTING TIPS: ENGLAND COULD HAVE WINGS CLIPPED BY EAGLES September 25, 2019 THERE have been some upsets in Japan so far. Uruguay’s win over Fiji yesterday followed an opening few days of predictable outcomes but closer than expected score lines. Italy were only able to overcome Namibia, who are the real minnows of this Rugby World Cup, by 25 points, just a point less than Ireland dismissed [...]
Which Premiership clubs will be hardest hit by the Rugby World Cup? September 17, 2019 It is always a special occasion when Bath Rugby play Bristol Bears under the floodlights at Ashton Gate in a West Country derby, even more so when it is the opening fixture of a new Premiership season. On this occasion, however, there will be some notable differences. The Premiership’s opening weekend will take place later [...]
George Ford has given Eddie Jones a dilemma with his excellent World Cup warm-up September 12, 2019 I wasn’t convinced to start with but it seems Eddie Jones has been pretty crafty by selecting his 31-man squad as early as he did. It has given those going to the World Cup an extra four weeks to prepare for the tournament, rather than wasting emotional energy on fighting to make it. There are [...]
Ollie Phillips: Still places to play for in England’s final World Cup warm-up against Italy September 5, 2019 England head to Newcastle United’s St James’ Park for their final warm-up game against Italy tomorrow before they fly to Japan for the World Cup — and what an occasion it will be. Newcastle seems to be turning into a real hotbed of rugby after hosting the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup in May, so [...]
Ollie Phillips: George Ford’s Ireland performance gives Eddie Jones a World Cup selection headache August 29, 2019 I was busy getting married on Saturday so didn’t watch England against Ireland live, but it’s fair to say the best day of my life got even better when I saw the score. Watching the recording back after tying the knot I couldn’t help but be encouraged by what I saw. England are on fire [...]
Britain’s Luke Campbell on his world title shot, facing pound-for-pound No1 Vasiliy Lomachenko and rediscovering his happiness August 28, 2019 It was just under two years ago that British boxer Luke Campbell lost his father and then his first world title fight in the space of two weeks. The 31-year-old former Olympic champion pushed through the pain to fight Jorge Linares but would ultimately lose to the Venezuelan by a split decision in California – [...]
Pressure on England to beat Ireland as Eddie Jones names probable World Cup XV August 22, 2019 For England’s third World Cup warm-up match, against Ireland on Saturday, Eddie Jones has selected a team that almost looks like his first choice XV for the tournament. Only Mako Vunipola coming in for Joe Marler at loosehead prop could make this side stronger. But there is a concern over how reliant England have become [...]