David Pocock and Israel Folau might disagree fundamentally on the issue of LGBTI rights but the Wallabies are united in believing their diametrically opposed views will not have an impact on the Australia team. Folau, a fundamentalist Christian, caused a stir earlier this year when he responded to a question on social media with the…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
Rory Best: We won’t be distracted by Eddie Jones’s ‘scummy Irish’ remarks
Rory Best said he has no intention of using Eddie Jones’s “scummy Irish” comments in his pre-match team talk on Saturday and plans to focus instead on ensuring Ireland do not go into their shells at England’s “big fortress”. Best is one of only two members of his side to have won a grand slam – alongside Rob…
Danny Cipriani in talks for summer move from Wasps to Gloucester
Gloucester hope to win the race to sign Danny Cipriani when the fly‑half leaves Wasps this summer. The 30-year-old playmaker, having been recalled to England’s squad for the tour of South Africa next month, is looking for a new club and has had talks regarding a possible move to Kingsholm. Eddie Jones puts heat on…
Saracens move to top as Liam Williams scores only try in win at Sale
Sale Sharks 3-13 Saracens Premiership’s faltering form in Europe could spell trouble for England | Robert Kitson Saracens moved to the top of the Aviva Premiership table following a 13-3 triumph over Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium. Saracens controlled the majority of the first half and moved 10-3 ahead thanks to Liam Williams’…
Owen Farrell steers Saracens to Premiership final in blitz over Wasps
Normal service has been resumed. Saracens are back in the Premiership final. The mischievous had wondered whether they were a fading force, surrendering their Premiership title last season and suffering an unprecedented slump in the middle of this, but they have played their way back into form. Wasps were unable to cope. The visitors managed…
Super Rugby: ‘Very poor’ Tahs draw with Sharks while Rebels undefeated
NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has praised the fight in his side but slammed them for a poor performance after a 24-24 Super Rugby draw with the Sharks in Durban. A rib cartilage injury to star centre Kurtley Beale, which required a scan, was another concern for Gibson, though his side produced a barnstorming finish…
Liam Williams may face France despite sin-binning and withdrawal against Italy
Liam Williams is in contention to face France in Cardiff on Saturday despite being substituted at the end of his period in the sin-bin during Wales’s victory against Italy on Sunday. The Saracens and Lions’ full-back was shown a yellow card for a tackle in which his shoulder hit the neck and face of his…
Newcastle move restores reputations of Dean Richards and the Falcons
It is 20 years almost to the day since Newcastle last won English rugby’s domestic league title. Coincidentally, 1998 was also the year the iconic Angel of the North sculpture, designed by Antony Gormley, was erected in Gateshead. Both were towering achievements but, for a long time, just one of them seemed to have been…
Mark McCall hails England contingent after Saracens lift title
Saracens are accustomed to consistent success but, even by their high standards, their fourth Premiership title in seven years was particularly sweet. In the bright sunshine of May it is easy to overlook their dark midwinter sequence of seven consecutive defeats and disruptive injuries to key players. To bounce back and crush a team of…
Pete Samu’s selection for Wallabies blocked by New Zealand
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has been blocked from picking Pete Samu for the upcoming three-Test series against Ireland, but says there is a spot waiting for him if the green light comes from New Zealand Rugby. Wallabies prop James Slipper banned after positive cocaine test There are five uncapped players in Cheika’s 33-man squad but…