A Celtic one, two, three in the Six Nations for the first time was followed by two sides from Ireland and one from Wales making the semi-finals of the Champions Cup for only the second year in which all the major European countries have taken part. The other occasion was 2009, when Leinster went on…
Month: March 2019
‘A very monumental occasion’: NOLA down Houston in Major League Rugby
“It’s got to start somewhere,” said Tim Falcon, owner of the NOLA Gold. Firefighters and cops face off as New York’s pro rugby team debuts Somewhere was a no-frills Texas high school stadium by an elevated freeway and a depressed shopping mall, where a new American professional rugby union competition kicked off on Saturday. The…
England’s nightmare continues as South Africa complete series victory
One hundred and twenty-six days have now elapsed since England last won a game of Test rugby and the long wait goes on. In terms of this series the clock has already stopped ticking, South Africa having taken an unsurpassable 2-0 lead with one left to play in Cape Town on Saturday. Five Test defeats…
Harlequins hope Jess Breach is available for Saracens final showdown
Harlequins are hopeful their star wing Jess Breach will be available for the inaugural Tyrrells Premier 15s final on Sunday after flying in from England sevens duties in Japan. The Harlequins coach, Gary Street, admitted he does not yet know how much of a part Breach will play on Sunday, if at all, following her…
Owen Farrell’s leg problem is unlikely to stop him facing Scotland
England are confident Owen Farrell will be fit to face Scotland on Saturday despite the leg problem which has restricted his ability to train fully over the past 10 days. Farrell has not participated in the squad’s more physical sessions since the hard-fought win over Wales but is expected to prove his fitness on Thursday…
Eddie Jones relishes next chapter in his history with South Africa
Alun Wyn Jones’s dry wit aside, Eddie Jones is rarely described as avuncular. Uncles are not known for feuding with Premiership club owners nor belittling neighbouring countries but a return to South Africa shines a different light on England’s head coach. Eddie Jones catapults Brad Shields on to England bench against South Africa Jones and…
England coach Eddie Jones and his methods still in favour with RFU
The Rugby Football Union has insisted it still has faith in Eddie Jones and has no plans to review his contract despite England’s sharp decline in recent months. South Africa’s series‑clinching win on Saturday was England’s fifth successive Test defeat and is set to push them down to No 6 in the World Rugby rankings this…
‘A monumental moment’: women’s rugby sevens kicks off at the Commonwealth Games
The chance to make history fell to Caroline Crossley after just 51 seconds at Robina Stadium. The Canadian forward burst over the line and touched down to become the first woman to score a try in a Commonwealth Games rugby sevens match. “It was definitely special,” Crossley, 19, said after her effort set up a…
French red card in second Test hands series to All Blacks
An early red card to France fullback Ben Fall ensured the All Blacks sealed a 26-13 victory in the second Test in Wellington and wrapped up the three-match series with a game to spare. Fall, who arrived late in New Zealand due to the Top 14 final and missed the 52-11 first Test loss, was…
Eddie Jones: ‘We have to change the players’ behaviours and that isn’t easy’
Eddie Jones attempted to play down an incident in the tunnel at Ellis Park following his side’s thrilling 42-39 defeat by South Africa. Jones was verbally abused by supporters leaning over the railings after the final whistle and stood his ground for 10 to 15 seconds before being ushered away by players and staff. Jones,…