Ben Te’o has been ruled out of England’s tour of South Africa next month. He becomes the latest player to sustain an injury in training and leaves Eddie Jones with a considerable midfield headache for the three-Test series against the Springboks. The Worcester centre was expected to play in the first Test in Johannesburg on…
Karmichael Hunt fined after arrest but free to play for Reds
Karmichael Hunt is free to play for the Queensland Reds but has been fined $10,000 after Rugby Australia completed their investigation into his arrest late last year. It was found Hunt committed a “low-level breach” of RA’s player code of conduct, according to a statement from the governing body, who also issued him a four-match…
Seven-try England overwhelm Scotland as Ireland power past Wales
England’s surge to another grand slam continued in Glasgow on Friday as they scored seven tries to overwhelm their opponents on another difficult night for the Scots. A much-changed side without their captain, Sarah Hunter, defeated Scotland for the 20th successive time. Simon Middleton’s team took advantage of the power of their forwards but once…
Maro Itoje says Saracens machine purring again before Wasps semi-final
Saracens have won the second halves of their past four matches by a 149-0 aggregate. Their average scoreline in the same four games is 54-11. It seems the fug that disrupted the middle of their season – some might call it international rugby – has well and truly passed. If November/December was a good time…
Israel Folau’s anti-gay comments ‘very disappointing’, Qantas says
Qantas has expressed its disappointment to Rugby Australia after the star player Israel Folau made homophobic comments on his personal Instagram account saying gay people were destined for “hell”. The 29-year-old fullback, who plays for the Australian Wallabies and the New South Wales Waratahs, is a devout Christian and posted a cartoon depicting “God’s plan”…
Ireland face the wrath of cornered foes as they target third grand slam
There are cold-fingered days when rugby is slightly less about running or tackling and more about heart and soul. Twickenham is about to witness one, with Ireland chasing only the third grand slam in their history and a cornered England side desperately seeking redemption. The St Patrick’s Day expectation levels are starting to make the…
Israel Folau’s anti-gay comments condemned by All Black, referee and players
All Black TJ Perenara has stated his “100%” opposition to comments on homosexuality made by the Australian rugby star Israel Folau in a series of tweets supporting “diverse” sexual orientations. The 42-Test New Zealand rugby star added his voice to a growing list of high-profile figures inside the game condemning Folau’s comments, including World Cup…
S’busiso Nkosi powers South Africa to stunning comeback win over England
Forget, for a moment, the crazy final scoreline and the inquest into a fourth successive Test defeat for an England team who cannot currently buy a victory. This was a simply wonderful rugby occasion, a triumph not merely for South Africa and their first black Test captain, Siya Kolisi, but for anyone anywhere who might…
Chris Ashton hat-trick makes forceful point in Barbarians’ defeat of England
Occasionally in sport the story feels pre-ordained. Chris Ashton’s return to Twickenham always had the potential to be proper box office and, with all eyes on him, a stirring hat-trick of tries for the former England wing duly materialised. That it came on the same day England conceded a record number of points at Twickenham…
Leinster’s ruthless edge can complete greenwash in Champions Cup final
The Champions Cup final has yet to be played but Leinster can already claim to be Europe’s best, having answered every question thrown at them by the pick of the domestic leagues. The Irish region’s route to Saturday’s showpiece in Bilbao took in a home-and-away double over the Premiership champions, Exeter, and the club that…