The countdown now begins in earnest. Wales against England in Cardiff a week on Saturday will be some encounter. Warren Gatland insists the visitors will be the ones under pressure. A second-string Wales featuring 10 changes produced a disjointed display to edge past Italy in Rome. The result was predictable, the performance less so. Wales…
Month: March 2019
Women’s Six Nations: England’s Emily Scarratt warns of tough test in Ireland
England’s revolution begins in Dublin on Friday night, when the Women’s Six Nations kicks off in Dublin. Sarah Hunter, the England captain, will be anxious to show their Twickenham paymasters that awarding her and 27 other players full-time contracts will have the instant dividend of taking the grand slam title back from France. Ireland Women…
England pick Jack Nowell and Ben Moon to start against Wales
Jack Nowell and Ben Moon have been named to start for England against Wales on Saturday as Eddie Jones makes two changes to his side. Joe Cokanasiga, the 21-year-old winger who scored two tries in his first two England matches during the autumn, is also in line for a first Six Nations appearance having been…
The recipe for success – eating your way to Six Nations glory
If Eddie Jones is responsible for making sure England take the field for their first Six Nations fixture against Ireland with fire in their belly, a great deal of thought, science and dedication from a hidden team of experts goes into deciding what else ends up in there. Maro Itoje: England beating Ireland won’t be…
England’s Kyle Sinckler promises to keep his cool in white-hot Cardiff
Kyle Sinckler is adamant he does not have an anger problem. So adamant that he seems a bit angry about it. Take England’s last match against France. In the second half, Sinckler snapped and slapped the flanker Arthur Iturria on the top of his head. “There’s no need to do it, is there?” the referee,…
Ben Morgan’s late try gives Gloucester space to see off Exeter Chiefs
Gloucester beat the league leaders, Exeter, at Kingsholm thanks to a Ben Morgan try three minutes from time on Friday night. Jason Woodward and Willi Heinz scored Gloucester’s other tries while Billy Twelvetrees converted all three and kicked a penalty. Exeter’s tries came from Nic White and Tom O’Flaherty. Joe Simmonds kicked a penalty and…
Ireland 20-32 England: Six Nations player ratings from Dublin
Ireland 15. ROBBIE HENSHAW 5/10 A first appearance at fullback for six years and it may be just as long until his next. England continued to apply the pressure on a difficult afternoon for Henshaw. 14. KEITH EARLS 5/10 Off at half-time after he was whacked twice in the first 40 minutes, firstly by Curry,…
Michael Cheika survives as Scott Johnson is named Wallabies’ director of rugby
Michael Cheika will lead the Wallabies to the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year, but the head coach will have to report to a director of rugby after Scott Johnson was installed above him in a newly created role. As part of several changes to the national setup announced on Monday, the pair will…
England power past Ireland in Women’s Six Nations opener
The Women’s Six Nations kicked off on a freezing Dublin evening but, as the mercury dropped, England’s performance rose to the occasion. A dominant pack, aggressive defence and clinical finishing by Simon Middleton’s newly-professional side overwhelmed Ireland. England know things will not be this straightforward against the grand slam champions France next weekend but, with…
France cannot roar away from their blocks, warns England’s Billy Vunipola
Billy Vunipola has urged England to fly out of the blocks at Twickenham on Sunday, warning his teammates they cannot afford to let France build up a head of steam. England are hot favourites for victory against France, who collapsed to a humiliating defeat by Wales last Friday and have not won a Six Nations…