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…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
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,…
Owen Farrell can captain England with rule of fear, says Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones expects Owen Farrell to rule through fear as captain in South Africa next month but believes the playmaker cannot repair the north-south divide within the England squad alone. Farrell takes over from the absent Dylan Hartley for the three-Test tour against the Springboks and Jones has already expressed concerns of a lack of…
Karmichael Hunt avoids cocaine conviction but pleads guilty to lesser charge
Code-hopping footballer Karmichael Hunt has avoided a conviction for alleged cocaine possession but his future remains unclear after his latest court matter was brought to an end. Prosecutors on Monday told Brisbane magistrates court there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the 31-year-old Wallabies player over allegations he was caught with cocaine in Fortitude Valley on…
Chris Robshaw says England are braced for ‘dirty tricks’ before Calcutta Cup
England’s players insist they will not be affected by any “dirty tricks” which may be awaiting them before their Calcutta Cup game at Murrayfield. Down the years England have experienced everything from rogue bagpipers to tunnel stand-offs on their Six Nations travels and are collectively braced for whatever materialises . The Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw…
Super Rugby race ‘wide open’ after Tahs break New Zealand hoodoo
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has declared the 2018 Super Rugby title race wide open after watching his side become the first New Zealand team in two years to fall to Australian opposition. The NSW Waratahs’ 41-12 dispatch of a 14-man Highlanders outfit not only snapped New Zealand’s 40-match winning streak over their trans-Tasman rivals, but…