‘Pretty much everything has been given to Leinster and, indirectly, to Ireland,” Stuart Lancaster says when he considers how the knowledge he gained during seven years at the heart of English rugby has been jettisoned by his own country. The Leinster coach speaks without bitterness and, having reflected movingly on the recent death of his…
Author: THEJOHNANTONIOBLOG
England v All Blacks, delicious drop shots and teen strikers
1) It’s England against the All Blacks at Twickenham this weekend, which is a rivalry of sorts … albeit deeply one-sided as New Zealand have won 16 of the 23 contests there since 1925. The Red Rose’s last victory was in 2012, featuring three tries in eight minutes and a show-stopping performance from Manu Tuilagi;…
Teenager apologises to Gareth Thomas over homophobic attack in Cardiff
South Wales police said a 16-year-old boy has admitted and apologised for assaulting the former Wales rugby player Gareth Thomas, who said he had been the victim of a homophobic attack in Cardiff. The former Wales rugby captain posted an emotional video on social media in which he said he had been attacked. Thomas, who…
Jacob Stockdale scores only try as Ireland earn historic win over All Blacks
Brutal does not even begin to describe the contest but, for Ireland, the outcome was as beautiful as any in their rugby history. For the first time they have beaten the All Blacks on Irish soil and not a single Kiwi can say it was undeserved. If New Zealand are still officially the world’s best…
Warren Gatland beefs up Wales bench in bid to turn tide against Australia
Wales may have lost their past 13 internationals to Australia but Warren Gatland has left three of his senior players on the bench for Saturday’sTest with the Wallabies in Cardiff along with the co-captains on last summer’s tour to Argentina. The Northampton fly-half Dan Biggar and the Saracens wing Liam Williams, who both toured New…
Eddie Jones finds a back-row trio who are singing from the same song sheet
In the beginning Eddie Jones made it look easy. He had an idea what was wrong with England’s back row, had even explained the problem in a column for the Daily Mail while Stuart Lancaster was still in charge, and he knew a quick fix for it too. When Jones took over as head coach…
Edinburgh sink Montpellier to qualify for quarter-finals with Glasgow
Edinburgh sealed Champions Cup quarter-final places for themselves and Glasgow with a 19-10 victory over Montpellier. Exeter target finest Champions Cup feat with qualification on line at Munster The win secured top spot in Pool 5 and a home contest for Richard Cockerill’s side in the last eight, and ensured Glasgow will finish as one…
Maro Itoje set for Saracens layoff after playing for England with knee injury
Maro Itoje played the whole of England’s autumn campaign with the knee injury that has now deteriorated to the extent his participation in England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland is in question. The Saracens second-row has a chipped bone in his knee but it is understood he picked up the initial problem during England’s training…
England fans urged to ‘be vocal’ and drown out All Blacks’ haka
England supporters have been urged to drown out the haka with Swing Low, Sweet Chariot before Saturday’s showdown against the All Blacks. Eddie Jones said this week he pays so little attention when the haka is taking place “they could be playing the Spice Girls and I wouldn’t know”. But it has become a tradition…
Danny Cipriani sent off for shoulder to face as Munster beat Gloucester
Danny Cipriani capped a bad week with a first-half red card for a high tackle that sent 14-man Gloucester spinning to defeat against at Thomond Park. Cipriani, snubbed by Eddie Jones on Thursday when England’s autumn series squad was named, was sent off in the 28th minute by the French referee Alexandre Ruiz after the…