Wales have rested all but two of their 12 players who toured New Zealand with the Lions last year for next month’s game against South Africa in Washington and two Tests in Argentina. The Gloucester flanker Ross Moriarty and the Northampton wing George North, who are joining Dragons and Ospreys respectively in the summer, have…
Month: March 2019
Mathieu Bastareaud the cult hero matures to give France stability
The foreword to Mathieu Bastareaud’s book Tête Haute (Head Held High), in which the Frenchman lays bare his soul, is written by Jonny Wilkinson. He speaks of the honour and privilege of playing alongside Bastareaud at Toulon but, first, he recalls the centre’s arrival at the club – “for an Englishman, he represented a real mystery”. Plus…
Warren Gatland reaches 100 with Wales but admiration remains elusive
Warren Gatland will on Saturday reach 100 Test matches as Wales’s coach. He will get to the landmark 20 years to the day since he took over from Brian Ashton in charge of Ireland: his sacking three years later, in circumstances that read like something from a spy novel, remains the low point in his…
Six Nations organisers hope to avoid bonus-point anticlimax
The Six Nations organisers will come under pressure to reverse their stance on bonus points if they decide the title winners in the penultimate round of matches on Saturday. If Ireland pick up a four-try bonus point in a victory at home to Scotland and England fail to do so in France, Joe Schmidt’s side…
Simon Berghan desperate to change Scotland story against England
Christchurch may be the most English of New Zealand’s cities but Simon Berghan, when he was growing up there, was always aware of being on the other side when it came to the Calcutta Cup. A Stirling-born grandfather was part of the explanation for that but perhaps the main reason was the habitual rivalry felt…
England’s tired Lions may be left out of summer tour to South Africa
Eddie Jones has revealed that some of England’s British & Irish Lions may be left out of the summer tour of South Africa after a worst Six Nations finish since it started in 2000. England have now lost three consecutive matches and were warned last week by the Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, that the…
Joy Neville: ‘Coping in a male-dominated world? I don’t know anything else’
Joy Neville never wanted to be a referee. The former Ireland rugby captain had only just retired – euphoric after winning the Six Nations in 2013 – and was planning some quality time with her family when the IRFU’s referee development manager, David McHugh, called and asked if she would consider a career change. “Absolutely…
Wallaroos lock in double-headers with Wallabies against New Zealand
Back-to-back double headers for the Wallabies and Wallaroos against New Zealand in August will be another step in Australia’s bid to host the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The Australian women’s team will play a double header with the men’s team on home soil for the first time when they tackle the world champion Black…
Ben Foden will leave Northampton and look to start a ‘new chapter’ abroad
Ben Foden is to bring down the curtain on his decade-long association with Northampton to commence a “new chapter” abroad. The former England full-back, 32, is set to sign off on Saturday by making his 250th appearance for the Saints when they play Worcester Warriors at Franklin’s Gardens. Having started in professional rugby as a…
Wales scramble into second spot after Liam Williams try subdues France
Rarely has a side clinched second place in the Six Nations with less conviction. Wales were outplayed for vast tracts of this game, but are indebted to France for allowing them not only to stay in it but to hold the lead for the vast majority. Wales could not score a single point in the…