Ireland now know they need to lean on others if they are to defend their Six Nations title. They finish their campaign in Cardiff and will require England to stumble in the Welsh capital a week on Saturday. The champions recovered from their chastening defeat by England by going back to basics to end Scotland’s…
Month: March 2019
Wales use Italy Six Nations trip to test strength in depth for World Cup
Each country had an extended break in the Five Nations, the odd number of teams in the tournament meaning someone sat out a round, which were then every two weeks. It is almost like that now with six as sides tend to use the fixture against Italy as an opportunity to rest players. For all…
Eddie Jones: ‘In the second half we finally got stuck in – that’s pleasing’
Eddie Jones has come out strongly in support of the RFU’s departing chief executive, placing his weight squarely behind Steve Brown, whose departure is thought to have been the result of political infighting. “He’s a really good guy,” said England’s head coach. “He has good skills and a nice manner and was very supportive of…
Why the Jones and Gatland rivalry will fuel passion for Cardiff showdown
Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland are going to have some fun next week. So far we’ve heard them both desperately vying to be the underdog – it’s the only time coaches ever compliment each other – but when we get into Test week we’ll see a few grenades launched from each side of the border….
George North seals thrilling Wales comeback after France throw it away
Madness – but is it not always between these two? Or, at the very least, when France play. Still there is no knowing who or where they are. Les Bleus tore Wales apart in the first half – as much as any side can be torn apart in rain like this. The visitors did not…
Rugby union: talking points from the European Champions Cup
Pool 1: Leinster in control as they head to Wasps The pool of champions has polarised. Leinster, for all Toulouse’s attempts to recapture past glories, are the team in control, even if they trail the French club by two points. Their victory over Bath was imperious, and Toulouse, who rode their luck anyway in round…
Record-breaker Beauden Barrett scores four as All Blacks thump Wallabies again
Beauden Barrett was chief executioner as the All Blacks sliced the Wallabies apart 40-12 at Eden Park to extend their Bledisloe Cup reign into a 16th year. Barrett scored four tries and 30 points in a dazzling performance, heaping more trans-Tasman agony on a gritty but outclassed Australia at a venue where they haven’t won…
No threat seen as Rugby Australia gives blessing to rival competition
“A house divided against itself cannot stand” is a warning Rugby Australia seems to be heeding as the national governing body grapples with the advent of mining billionaire Andrew Forrest’s new venture, Rapid Rugby. Already hailed as an alternative to the established Super Rugby tournament, Rapid Rugby has the potential to tear the game asunder…
England joint-captains Hartley and Farrell ‘on the same page for a long time’
Owen Farrell says he will run out holding hands with his fellow England co-captain Dylan Hartley if required and insists there is no risk of mixed messages when the pair start their new job-sharing arrangement at Twickenham next week. Eddie Jones’ England to prepare for World Cup in heat of Italy With Hartley having missed…
Steve Hansen decision could lead to Ireland’s Joe Schmidt joining All Blacks
Steve Hansen will reveal a decision on his future before Christmas that could yet see Joe Schmidt join New Zealand’s coaching ranks after the 2019 World Cup. The All Blacks coach said he already knows his plans and will make them public before the turn of the year. Schmidt is out of contract with Ireland…