England’s pursuit of a third consecutive Six Nations title shows no signs of relenting this week with Eddie Jones revealing he has arranged two full-blooded training sessions against Georgia. Jones had initially hoped to take his squad to Tbilisi to face what he has described as “the strongest scrum pack in the world” but Georgia are…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
George North finally plumps for move to Ospreys from next season
It took him five months to make up his mind but the British & Irish Lions wing George North will be joining Ospreys next season after signing a national dual contract. North made the decision to return to Wales last November after spending five seasons at Northampton. He joined them from the Scarlets, who had…
Irish Rugby Union to review futures of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding
Irish rugby executives will review the futures of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding after the Ulster pair were acquitted of rape following a nine-week trial in Belfast. Jackson and team-mate Olding had always denied raping the same woman at a house in south Belfast in June 2016. Jackson was also found not guilty of sexual…
Stadium for Cornwall moves step closer with £3m of council funding
A new stadium for Cornish Pirates rugby club is a significant step closer to being constructed after Cornwall council agreed to pay £3m towards the £14.3m project. Another £3m still needs to be raised, with pressure being put on the government to honour a commitment made by David Cameron, when he was prime minister, to…
Steve Hansen decision could lead to Ireland’s Joe Schmidt joining All Blacks
Steve Hansen will reveal a decision on his future before Christmas that could yet see Joe Schmidt join New Zealand’s coaching ranks after the 2019 World Cup. The All Blacks coach said he already knows his plans and will make them public before the turn of the year. Schmidt is out of contract with Ireland…
Doncaster prop forward Ian Williams, 27, dies after collapsing at training
The Doncaster prop Ian Williams has died at the age of 27 after he collapsed at training. Williams, who joined Doncaster from nearby Rotherham last summer, collapsed at the club’s Castle Park ground and could not be resuscitated. The Oxford graduate had made six appearances for the Knights since his arrival, including off the bench…
Elliot Daly: ‘I don’t think we can play more, it’s all year round at the moment’
By this stage of a post-Lions season there are usually only two sorts of professional rugby players: the ones already lying in a knackered heap and those about to join them. Rare to the point of invisibility are Englishmen who trekked all the way around New Zealand last summer, finished fifth in the recent Six…
England’s Ellie Kildunne dazzles again in Six Nations win over Ireland
England’s women, with their fly-half Katy Daley-McLean controlling the game impressively behind a powerful pack, secured a triple crown with victory over Ireland in Coventry on Friday night. But it was only a consolation. Half an hour after they had left the Ricoh Arena pitch they learned in the dressing room that France had won…
Ireland crowned Six Nations champions and set up grand slam shot in England
Ireland have won the Six Nations championship after England lost 22-16 to France in Paris and will have the chance to complete their third grand slam at Twickenham on Saturday. Joe Schmidt’s side had moved to within touching distance of their first title since 2015 by beating Scotland 28-8 in Dublin. Jacob Stockdale ran in…
England run rampant against Wales in Women’s Six Nations
England are on course for another grand slam. In miserable conditions at the Stoop they ran in eight tries against a Wales side every bit as outclassed as they had been in losing 63-0 in Cardiff last season. England played with ambition in the driving rain with their big, physical back row – Poppy Cleall,…