Gareth Anscombe believes Wales can finish the Six Nations strongly and that they will have nothing to regret when they look back at their 2018 campaign. He is also well aware how close the Welsh came to being title contenders. Warren Gatland’s side will finish among the also-rans in the Six Nations but they would…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
Nolli Waterman: ‘I’m very driven – what I do after retiring must be challenging’
Much of Britain has been carpeted in white this week, pristine and unblemished. The top of the women’s Six Nations table is similar: there is still one white-shirted team with a perfect record and a grand slam in their sights. Should England emerge from their igloos to beat France and Ireland in the next fortnight…
Nick Isiekwe close to first Test start for England against South Africa
With the Indian Ocean sparkling in the sunshine outside their hotel, England’s first few days in South Africa have not been awash with stress. All that is about to change, with Eddie Jones preparing to name a starting lineup that will differ substantially from his side’s last Test outing against Ireland at Twickenham in March….
Leinster complete double to join the elite with victory over Scarlets
Irish rugby’s remarkable season continued as Leinster became only the sixth side to achieve a European and domestic double. Given Ireland’s recent Six Nations Grand Slam, this season has been a rhapsody in green and blue. Sexton and Nacewa kick Leinster to Champions Cup glory against Racing 92 The Guinness Pro14 may have been lower…
Resilience keeps England on the right side of fine margins
There is no more tantalising – or irrelevant – phrase in the sporting lexicon than “if only”. Modern Test rugby is almost entirely about outcome, particularly when England and Wales share the same rugby field. Post-match regrets – and goodness, Wales will have a few – must be buried six feet deep or privately tucked…
Australia win rugby sevens world series title ahead of final
Australia’s Olympic champion women’s rugby sevens team will receive another trophy to put in their cabinet when they take out the World Rugby sevens series in Paris on Sunday. Australia reached the final on Saturday with a 21-17 win over the host nation France. London Sevens offered a perfect template for rugby league nines That…
Leicester lose Tuilagi to injury but gain thrilling victory over Wasps
Manu Tuilagi’s hopes of making his England return on the summer tour of South Africa have been dealt a significant blow after he sustained the latest in a long line of injuries during Leicester’s nail-biting win against Wasps. To compound matters for England, Elliot Daly and Jonny May both came off with injuries in the…
Eddie Jones allowed to pick Brad Shields for England’s South Africa tour
Eddie Jones will have the green light to select Brad Shields for England’s summer tour of South Africa despite the fact that the New Zealand-born flanker could play up to six Super Rugby matches for the Hurricanes after the three-Test series against the Springboks. Shields, who joins Wasps next season, has been in excellent form in…
England fitness concern over Joe Launchbury before South Africa Test
Joe Launchbury is a doubt to start England’s opening Test against South Africa in Johannesburg due to a calf problem. I wouldn’t read too much into England’s Six Nations, says Stuart Lancaster The Wasps captain sustained the injury in training last week and was unable to join the squad for their first significant practice session…
Matt Toomua’s try turns game Leicester’s way against Harlequins
It was the 20th anniversary of the sacking of Bob Dwyer as Leicester’s director of rugby and there was a point in the second half when it seemed his compatriot Matt O’Connor was in danger of suffering the same fate. The Tigers were heading for their 11th defeat in 12 league and European Cup matches…