In the city where England’s men saw their grand slam hopes reduced to rubble, their women’s side continued to build an unstoppable momentum in their own bid for a Six Nations clean sweep. At a sun-drenched Cardiff Arms Park, England helped themselves to nine tries to overwhelm Wales. On the Arms Park’s plastic pitch England…
Month: March 2019
Luke McGrath shines as Leinster romp to runaway win over Wasps
Even by their usual high standards Leinster could not have launched their defence of the Champions Cup in more emphatic style. This runaway eight-try win over a depleted Wasps represented a major statement of intent and the Irish province have now equalled their best-ever run in Europe with 10 successive victories. By any standards this…
Owen Farrell is an England certainty. But where he plays is less clear
Eddie Jones smiles when he is asked if he is anxious as he approaches next month’s encounters with the southern hemisphere’s big three and the team he coached in the last World Cup, Japan, given England’s chronic injury list. The Australian is one of the few head coaches around who enjoys sparring with the media,…
Newcastle remain rock bottom after directionless defeat at Bath
Newcastle’s hold on the bottom position in the table is becoming that bit securer by the week, but there was little suggestion in their fourth consecutive league defeat that they were preoccupied by a fear of going down. Premiership Rugby wants an immediate end to relegation while allowing the Championship champions this season to be…
Welsh connection will not distract Billy Vunipola from England’s cause
People say love comes in different shapes and sizes, and in Wales on Saturday it will be 6ft 3in and 20st 7lb. Billy Vunipola says he wants to show the Welsh just how much he cares by helping England win at the Principality Stadium. No joke. Vunipola moved to Wales when he was six years…
Six Nations relegation not on the agenda, tournament organisers say
Relegation from the Six Nations has been dismissed as “absolutely not on the agenda” by tournament organisers despite ongoing talks over the significant remodelling of the international game. Chief executives of the leading unions met in Los Angeles this week to discuss the creation of a new world league, made up of the leading 12…
Eddie Jones stands by Owen Farrell over controversial Australia tackle
Eddie Jones has defended Owen Farrell’s controversial tackling technique after another lucky escape for his co-captain against Australia, insisting: “I like people being hit hard.” Owen Farrell has got away with it twice – he won’t a third time | Nick Evans The Australia head coach, Michael Cheika, was furious his side were not awarded…
England 44-8 France: Six Nations player ratings from Twickenham
England Elliot Daly 8 Getting better at full-back, with the pace to spot gaps and go through them. Kicked well to boot. Chris Ashton 7 Did not take him long to come off his wing to look for work. Clever grubber for May’s third score and forced the penalty try. Will be disappointed not to…
Steve Hansen was right, Ireland really are the world’s best rugby union team
Steve Hansen at his most animated is deadpan, so when he called Ireland the best team in the world after they had beaten New Zealand, who remained at the top of the rankings, he was hard to scrutinise. Was he paying ritual homage to be seen to be magnanimous in defeat or did he, teeth…
Exeter look to outmuscle Saracens when Premiership top two collide
Exeter believe they possess both the muscle and the mental strength to stop Saracens’ front-row tanks in their tracks when the top two sides in the Premiership meet at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon. Saracens are top of the table and unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions but their forwards can expect a heavy-duty…