Gregor Townsend has suggested the match officials for the Calcutta Cup match this weekend have a particular responsibility for ensuring England’s defence stay onside. The Scotland head coach, who has named an unchanged team for the Six Nations game at Murrayfield on Saturday, took care not to directly accuse England of habitually offending but he…
Category: Rugby
Robbie Henshaw injury mars rampant win for Ireland as Italy are laid to waste
Very rarely in Ireland’s Six Nations history has there been a bad time to play Italy. Their experiences in Rome in 2011 and 2013 went from uncomfortable to bizarre, but otherwise this fixture has been largely about banking points. When Italy come to Dublin the hosts’ record is unblemished. Meeting on a mild and dry…
All Blacks cut loose against France after yellow card opens floodgates
A questionable yellow card to the France lock Paul Gabrillagues allowed New Zealand to score three quick tries and set up a thumping 52-11 victory in the first Test of their three-match series at Eden Park on Saturday. With the match locked at 11-11 early in the second half, Gabrillagues was sent to the sin-bin…
Stephen Jones expects ‘special night’ as Scarlets host La Rochelle
The Scarlets have always been a refuge for romantics. A side who spawned Barry John, Phil Bennett and Carwyn James have long been known for their adventure and skill but, in a town that has produced tinplate for the past 71 years, success was also built on steel. The Welsh region, who have followed last…
Sale deny interest in signing trial pair Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding
Sale’s owners have dismissed talk of the club signing Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, the two Irish international players sacked by Ulster last month. The Sharks had reportedly been considering employing at least one of the pair but appear to have had a change of heart. Billy Vunipola’s hamstring adds to England’s injury worries In…
Australian rugby sevens captain James Stannard’s skull fractured in alleged one-punch attack
Australian rugby sevens captain James Stannard has fractured his skull after being allegedly punched by a British man outside a kebab shop early Friday morning. The 35-year-old was allegedly struck by a man in an unprovoked attack after reportedly having a “nice conversation” with him at around 3.10am. Stannard had earlier attended a farewell dinner…
New Zealand hammer France with helping hand from referee
Click:cnc cutting machine wood Winger Rieko Ioane scored three tries while Damian McKenzie crossed twice in a full display of his attacking abilities as the All Blacks completed a 49-14 victory over France in Dunedin on Saturday that gave them a 3-0 series sweep. McKenzie’s second try early in the second half gave the world…
Andy Farrell signs extended Ireland deal to dampen England’s hopes
Andy Farrell’s chances of replacing Eddie Jones as England’s next head coach look slim after he signed a contract extension with Ireland until the summer of 2020. Farrell, who was announced as Joe Schmidt’s defence coach in January 2016 – a month after he was shown the door by the Rugby Football Union – has…
Uninspired England’s title hopes ended in scrappy defeat by France
England should seek sponsorship from the RAC. Their title challenge broke down in the French capital, their chariot not so much swinging low as missing a wheel and a couple of cylinders. They secured a bonus point, as they had needed to in order to at least delay Ireland’s coronation, but lacked the breakdown cover…
Wallabies stick with winning formula for second Test against Ireland
The Wallabies have retained their winning line-up as they look to secure the three-Test series against Ireland on Saturday night at Melbourne’s AAMI Park. Signs good for a Wallabies side learning to coach itself | Bret Harris Australian coach Michael Cheika has stuck with the same squad after their 18-9 victory in game one in…