Eddie Jones has claimed he loves having a target on his back despite conceding that his side are in the midst of their most testing period since he took charge. A chastening defeat by France has led to his most radical team selection to date but England’s head coach is unfazed by the heightened criticism…
Month: March 2019
Wallabies prop James Slipper banned after positive cocaine test
James Slipper has been banned for two months by Rugby Australia after testing positive to cocaine twice, with a tribunal factoring in the Wallabies prop’s mental health issues before settling on the most lenient punishment available. Punishment for cocaine use while taking part in sport does not fit the crime | Sean Ingle Slipper returned…
Waratahs win inaugural Super W grand final in golden point thriller
Click:HE 5000 Captain Ash Hewson has landed an after-the-siren extra-time penalty goal to give NSW a dramatic 16-13 win in the inaugural Super W women’s rugby final at Allianz Stadium. Fullback Hewson pulled off a sensational try-saving tackle on Queensland counterpart Samantha Treherne just before full-time on Friday evening with the scores locked at 13-13….
England are not learning fast enough, says Eddie Jones after title surrender
Eddie Jones has vowed to crack England’s problems at the breakdown after defeat in Paris ended their defence of the Six Nations title and left them in danger of finishing in the bottom half of the table, but said it would take time. England conceded 10 penalties in the tackle area against France, most of…
Wales’ Gareth Anscombe seeks strong finish to Six Nations campaign of near misses
Gareth Anscombe believes Wales can finish the Six Nations strongly and that they will have nothing to regret when they look back at their 2018 campaign. He is also well aware how close the Welsh came to being title contenders. Warren Gatland’s side will finish among the also-rans in the Six Nations but they would…
Nolli Waterman: ‘I’m very driven – what I do after retiring must be challenging’
Much of Britain has been carpeted in white this week, pristine and unblemished. The top of the women’s Six Nations table is similar: there is still one white-shirted team with a perfect record and a grand slam in their sights. Should England emerge from their igloos to beat France and Ireland in the next fortnight…
Nick Isiekwe close to first Test start for England against South Africa
With the Indian Ocean sparkling in the sunshine outside their hotel, England’s first few days in South Africa have not been awash with stress. All that is about to change, with Eddie Jones preparing to name a starting lineup that will differ substantially from his side’s last Test outing against Ireland at Twickenham in March….
Leinster complete double to join the elite with victory over Scarlets
Irish rugby’s remarkable season continued as Leinster became only the sixth side to achieve a European and domestic double. Given Ireland’s recent Six Nations Grand Slam, this season has been a rhapsody in green and blue. Sexton and Nacewa kick Leinster to Champions Cup glory against Racing 92 The Guinness Pro14 may have been lower…
Resilience keeps England on the right side of fine margins
There is no more tantalising – or irrelevant – phrase in the sporting lexicon than “if only”. Modern Test rugby is almost entirely about outcome, particularly when England and Wales share the same rugby field. Post-match regrets – and goodness, Wales will have a few – must be buried six feet deep or privately tucked…
Australia win rugby sevens world series title ahead of final
Australia’s Olympic champion women’s rugby sevens team will receive another trophy to put in their cabinet when they take out the World Rugby sevens series in Paris on Sunday. Australia reached the final on Saturday with a 21-17 win over the host nation France. London Sevens offered a perfect template for rugby league nines That…