Ollie Phillips: England should embrace Premiership’s rugby style weekly column Last Sunday’s storming contest in which Exeter Chiefs edged Harlequins 43-42 was, in my opinion, a perfect example of where the tectonic plates of rugby are starting to move. Gone are the days of overly structured play and coming in are sturdy defences paired with incredible counter-attacking moves. I think that’s where we have seen [...]
Roc Nation Sport president: ‘Change in rugby needs to happen now’ bad omens Rugby is at a crossroads between growth and crisis point ahead of next year’s World Cup, according to Michael Yormark, president of Jay-Z’s agency Roc Nation Sports. Amid a series of financial woes threatening the sport – not least in England, where Premiership clubs are fighting for survival – there is a consensus among new [...]
Harlequins stars Lend An Ear for portraits to support new mental health campaign Rugby Union Harlequins stars have posed for a series of intimate portraits in support of a new mental health campaign, Lend An Ear. Players and coaches from the London rugby club’s men’s, women’s, academy and wheelchair teams sat for a series of images which focus on their sometimes gnarled ears to promote better listening skills. England internationals [...]
Saracens CEO: “Innovation and desire push people to think differently” September 27, 2022 When Saracens earned a last-second victory over Gloucester on Saturday, they did so in front of a semi-full new West Stand at their Stone X Stadium. The north London club have been one of the few looking towards expansion, modernisation and development at a time when domestic rugby in England is struggling to support itself. [...]
Worcester Warriors placed into administration after suspension September 26, 2022 Premiership rugby club Worcester Warriors have been placed into administration by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) after failing to provide proof of a “credible” financial plan. The financially stricken West Midlands outfit had until 5pm on Monday to provide the sport’s governing body, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), with detailed assurances [...]
Premiership rugby: Five things as barmy weekend comes to close September 25, 2022 Round three of the Premiership saw monstrous comebacks, outstanding clashes and what could be the last ever match for one particular club. The league is in full swing and you cannot take your eyes off of it. Here are five talking points from the weekend’s action. Sunday Funday Exeter’s 43-42 win against Harlequins perfectly rounded [...]
Ollie Phillips: Bath will sneak win against troubled Wasps September 23, 2022 I’m going to call it: I think Bath will pick up their first Premiership win of the season this weekend against Wasps. While they struggled against Bristol Bears and Sale Sharks in their opening two matches, I get a sense that they could be about to snap out of their losing habit. There’s an opportunity [...]
Exclusive: Saracens CEO says “financial model of rugby doesn’t work” September 22, 2022 As one Premiership rugby club teeters on the brink of going under and another considers administration, Saracens’ chief executive Lucy Wray has admitted that English rugby’s finances are broken. But Wray has faith in Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union to make the changes needed to ensure no more clubs face the same threats [...]
Worcester Warriors given until Monday to prove they have credible plan September 21, 2022 Troubled Premiership rugby club Worcester Warriors have been given until 5pm on Monday to prove they can operate as a organisation going forward. In a statement released by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the governing body finally put a hard deadline in place for a club who have been struggling financially in recent weeks. “The [...]
Worcester Warriors creditor raises questions over Sport England loan September 20, 2022 Sport England have been dragged into the row over financially troubled Premiership rugby outfit Worcester Warriors with one creditor raising questions around a £15m Covid-19 loan. In allegations set out in summarised correspondence to Sport England seen by City A.M., the creditor, who wishes to remain anonymous, alleges that the organisation – which acted as [...]