Wales were on Monday night finalising their Six Nations side to face England at Twickenham on Saturday. What would ordinarily have been a short conversation following the bonus‑point victory against Scotland was complicated by the return to fitness of two of their injured British & Irish Lions outside backs, Liam Williams and George North. North…
Category: Rugby
‘We don’t use history, we don’t look at trends’: inside the mind of Dylan Hartley
Many people believe Dylan Hartley is fortunate still to be captain of England. Maybe he is in some respects but every footsoldier loves a lucky general. Then again, how much luck is ultimately involved when you have led your team in 24 Test matches and lost once? The more I practise the luckier I get…
Greig Laidlaw urges Scotland to be disciplined not frantic against France
Gregor Townsend’s stated aim of playing the highest-tempo rugby in the world has been much misunderstood – not least, it seems, by some of his Scotland players. As they bid to get their Six Nations campaign back on track after it came badly off the rails in Cardiff, Scotland know they will need a more…
Winter Olympics gaming, pep talks and Spurs v Arsenal at Wembley
1) The Winter Olympics is back, baby. Ample reason to once more open the retro computer games cupboard, featuring Winter Games 1985 (including hot dog ski jumping, biathlon and bobsled!), Winter Challenge in 1991 and everyone’s favourite Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (which includes mild cartoon violence, apparently). 2) To…
Gregor Townsend gears up for Scotland’s ‘twin challenge’ in Dublin
After ending the famine in his first Calcutta Cup match as Scotland coach, Gregor Townsend has turned his attention to curing his side’s travel sickness. If buoyant Scotland can clinch a first win in Ireland since 2010 on 10 March they will be catapulted firmly into contention for the title – but to do so…
Eddie Jones tells England to be ruthless against Italy or face the axe
Back when Eddie Jones rose early to watch Six Nations games in his native Australia one thing always caught his eye. The matches tended to be played at a slower pace than in the southern hemisphere but their physicality and set-piece intensity struck him every time. Now he is coaching England those first impressions remain…
Warren Gatland trains his sights on England after Scotland rout
It has rarely paid to dismiss a team coached by Warren Gatland. Ten years after his side confounded expectation by winning at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years in his first match as head coach, the manner of Wales’s victory against a Scotland side that for once went into a Six Nations campaign…
Wily Warren Gatland talks up England after naming unchanged Wales side
If Wales show the same composure and quick thinking that Warren Gatland displayed during his team announcement for Saturday’s match at Twickenham, England’s six-year home unbeaten record in the tournament will come under threat. After the head coach had said the decision to keep faith with the side that had started the 34-7 victory over…
Scotland make six changes for France clash after drubbing by Wales
Gregor Townsend believes it was not the “true” Scotland who were well beaten by Wales in their Six Nations opener and he is backing his players to salvage their hopes in the competition at home against France on Sunday. Townsend’s team were expected to mount a serious bid in the Six Nations this year after…
Wales 34-7 Scotland: how the players rated in the Six Nations game
Wales Leigh Halfpenny 6/10 The full-back had not scored a try for Wales for five years but crossed the line after 11 minutes and again just after the hour. Flawless place-kicking and 24 points in total. Josh Adams 7/10 The Worcester wing has been a prolific try-scorer for his club and, although he will come…