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…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
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…
Ben Te’o out of England tour to South Africa after injury in training
Ben Te’o has been ruled out of England’s tour of South Africa next month. He becomes the latest player to sustain an injury in training and leaves Eddie Jones with a considerable midfield headache for the three-Test series against the Springboks. The Worcester centre was expected to play in the first Test in Johannesburg on…
Karmichael Hunt fined after arrest but free to play for Reds
Karmichael Hunt is free to play for the Queensland Reds but has been fined $10,000 after Rugby Australia completed their investigation into his arrest late last year. It was found Hunt committed a “low-level breach” of RA’s player code of conduct, according to a statement from the governing body, who also issued him a four-match…
Seven-try England overwhelm Scotland as Ireland power past Wales
England’s surge to another grand slam continued in Glasgow on Friday as they scored seven tries to overwhelm their opponents on another difficult night for the Scots. A much-changed side without their captain, Sarah Hunter, defeated Scotland for the 20th successive time. Simon Middleton’s team took advantage of the power of their forwards but once…
Maro Itoje says Saracens machine purring again before Wasps semi-final
Saracens have won the second halves of their past four matches by a 149-0 aggregate. Their average scoreline in the same four games is 54-11. It seems the fug that disrupted the middle of their season – some might call it international rugby – has well and truly passed. If November/December was a good time…