Eddie Jones’s mounting problems showed little sign of easing before England’s autumn squad announcement on Thursday. The latest casualty is Chris Robshaw, who has been ruled out for eight weeks following knee surgery and will miss next month’s series in company with Billy Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Sam Simmonds and a host of other regulars. Billy…
Month: March 2019
Bledisloe Cup is ‘pinnacle’ of rugby, says Australia’s Will Genia
Australia scrumhalf Will Genia would never turn down a World Cup win if one came along but the Wallabies playmaker believes wresting the Bledisloe Cup away from New Zealand would be an even greater prize. Michael Hooper aims to combat Wallabies player drain with long-term deals The Wallabies, twice World Cup winners, have not held…
David Strettle’s late tries a bonus for Saracens at Northampton
Much was made in the buildup about the size of Northampton’s Australia wing Taqele Naiyaravoro but even approaching 20st he was no heavier than the four defeats the Saints endured against Saracens last season in the league and European Champions Cup. They leaked 237 points and 33 tries then and while the champions recorded another…
Irish clubs have strength in depth but Saracens can reach European final
Reaching the last eight of Europe may yet prove the easy bit for those involved in this season’s quarter-finals. With the United Kingdom currently due to leave the European Union on that same March weekend, there is potential for travel disruption although tournament organisers say that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, they have…
Matt Banahan comes back to haunt his old side as Gloucester deny Bath
Matt Banahan returned to his old stamping ground and carried on what he used to do in Bath colours for his new side Gloucester with a vital corner try. Having left the Rec with 100 tries to his credit in 264 appearances for Bath, he certainly knew his way to the try line. The fact…
Harlequins full-back Mike Brown angry after no action taken over tackle
Mike Brown hit out at the officials at Twickenham for taking no action when he was taken out in the air and hit the ground head first during Harlequins’ 20-13 victory over Wasps. Sale’s Steve Diamond embroiled in media fracas after win at Gloucester The incident happened during the first half on Saturday when the…
Alex Cuthbert’s first try helps Exeter overcome Sale for best start
Three bonus-point victories from three for Exeter, 17 tries and further evidence they are by a distance the No 1 challengers to Saracens’ crown. Henry Slade’s early-season swagger continues and this is now the Chiefs’ beststart to a Premiership campaign. It will not rank among their very best performances but with Alex Cuthbert’s first try…
Wales lose Cory Hill for Six Nations in blow to grand slam hopes
Wales have suffered a blow to their hopes of securing the grand slam with news that the lock Cory Hill will miss the remainder of the Six Nations because of an ankle injury. Hill was hurt during Wales’s 21-13 victory against England at the Principality Stadium on Saturday. The Dragons forward scored a crucial try…
Michael Hooper aims to combat Wallabies player drain with long-term deals
Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper, who signed a five-year contract extension on Friday, believes long-term deals can be a big weapon in Rugby Australia’s attempt to combat player drain. Hooper is just the second player in Australian rugby history to take up a five-year deal after ex-rugby league star Lote Tuqiri in 2007. The flanker is…
Leaders Exeter punish errant Toby Flood to secure win at Newcastle
Exeter Chiefs extended their unbeaten run to stay top of the Premiership with a hard-fought 24-17 win at Kingston Park. “We came up here last season and lost but we came here this time and go away with a win and a win away from home in this league is something to cherish,” said Exeter’s…