As kids, Poppy and Bryony Cleall always sat back-to-back when they were unwrapping their birthday presents so they wouldn’t spoil the surprise if they were both given the same things. This stuff is always tricky for twins. Like the time Bryony got picked for England Under-18s but Poppy didn’t, or Poppy made the under-20s but…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
Bath ready to make unprecedented request for Toulouse replay
The Champions Cup organisers have confirmed Bath have signalled their intentions to request formally that last week’s defeat by Toulouse is replayed in what represents a remarkable course of action from the West Country club. Champions Cup pool-by-pool preview: Burns given chance of redemption | Gerard Meagher Bath have informed European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR)…
Expenses spared: Japan’s rugby union players are being paid just £13 per day
If Eddie Jones’s warning that they will be “physically smashed” against England on Saturday was not jarring enough for Japan’s players, their coach has revealed his squad are being paid only £13.64 a day (2,000 yen) to represent their country. That amount does not even cover a steak (£19.45) or burger with chips (£13.75) at…
Gareth Steenson: ‘My career is built on being told I wasn’t good enough’
Munster supporters visiting Devon for the first time this weekend should brace themselves for a strangely familiar experience. A south-west based band of brothers, deeply rooted in their local community, fiercely committed to putting their region on the European map and roared on by a passionate audience? The cathedral green of Exeter has a more…
Premiership looks like 10 in a scrum plus Saracens and Exeter on top
The Strictly Come Dancing sequins and heels may be absent but in every other respect club rugby union is poised to strut its stuff. Rarely has a season offered such opportunity for those bold enough to reach out and seize it: a World Cup is on the horizon and a can-do attitude could yet transform…
Six Nations: talking points from second round of fixtures
1) Player welfare should not be compromised Early this season officials were hard on players whose acts risked causing a head injury. It led to a flurry of cards and bans but then came a World Rugby directive that the TMO should be used sparingly so games did not become addled by hold-ups. As a…
All Black Sam Cane out for three months after breaking neck in South Africa
Flanker Sam Cane will miss the All Blacks tour of Japan and Europe after suffering a broken neck during their win over South Africa. Cane was to undergo surgery on Sunday and remain in Pretoria for another week to recover after departing with a grimace midway through the 32-30 win at Loftus Versfeld. New Zealand…
Eddie Jones lights fuse under Wales clash by questioning Gatland comments
Eddie Jones wasted no time lighting a fuse under England’s potential Six Nations grand-slam decider against Wales on Saturday week after crushing France. Jones pointedly challenged comments made by Warren Gatland last year that England and Wales were “poles apart” and turned up the pressure on the New Zealander by claiming his team were “the…
Reece Hodge to start at centre for Wallabies in Bledisloe opener
Utility back Reece Hodge will fill the Wallabies’ troublesome centre position for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks in Sydney. Hodge, who spent much of the season at flyhalf for the Melbourne Rebels, has played virtually every other backline position for the Wallabies and steps in for the injured Samu Kerevi and Tevita…
Wasps v Wigan, a young Marseille fan goes rogue and ping-pong wizardry
1) The Premiership rugby union season kicks off this weekend. There were some brilliant tries last season. Here are eight of the best of them. There were some shuddering tackles too. Saracens are the team to beat in 2018-19, having been crowned champions for the fourth time after beating Exeter 27-10 with a sizzling display…