Billy Vunipola has a reputation as one of the most disarmingly honest players around, but even by his standards his latest admission is startling. The Saracens and England No 8 has revealed he has played for club or country “easily 10 times” while harbouring serious doubts over his fitness and believes that rugby union is…
World Rugby’s Agustín Pichot warns international game is facing ‘ruin’
One of rugby’s most senior officials has warned that the entire future of the international game is under threat unless the sport takes urgent action within the next 12 months. Agustín Pichot, World Rugby’s vice-chairman, has called for unions and clubs to hammer out a fresh collective 10-year blueprint before next year’s World Cup in…
Ireland grand slam and Leinster double make it a green-tinted 2018
This was the year of the Irish, if not London Irish, who plunged back into the Championship at the first attempt. Ireland won the grand slam and beat New Zealand at home for the first time and Leinster secured the Pro14 and European Champions Cup double. Ireland were named team of the year at World…
CVC’s Premiership bid may have been rejected but it could signal change
The response of one Premiership club official to the takeover bid for the league by the private equity company CVC was succinct: the devil will be in the detail. An immediate cash injection for each side of £17m was the lure but a halving of income from central funds made the longer-term prospect look risky….
Jonny May hopes his trip to Texas will keep him up to speed
While Jonny May acknowledges a 100-metre sprint between the world’s fastest wings is a fanciful if fascinating idea, it is a safe bet the England international would make the podium if it ever were to happen. For they do not come much quicker than May, who last autumn revealed he set a new personal best…
Rugby union: talking points from the Champions Cup weekend action
Pool 1: Leinster primed to swat Wasps next There is no stopping Leinster, that defeat at Toulouse proving a blip, and they will surely be too powerful for Wasps when the champions travel to Coventry next Sunday. Johnny Sexton watched his replacement Ross Byrne give a dominant display in the 29-13 win over Toulouse, once…
Manu Tuilagi keeps Australia guessing as Jones retains him in England squad
Eddie Jones has lobbed a tantalising curveball in Australia’s direction by retaining Manu Tuilagi in his 26-man squad for this Saturday’s Test at Twickenham, barely 24 hours after the head coach described the centre as “very doubtful” and suggested England would not rush him back prematurely. With England not due to confirm their lineup until…
Premiership Rugby decides selling majority share is ‘not preferred option’
Premiership Rugby has declined to accept a £275m offer from the private equity firm CVC for a 51% share because the clubs are fearful of handing control to a third party. With collective losses of around £35m, the clubs remain on the lookout for fresh investment but at Tuesday’s board meeting they unanimously agreed that…
Danny Cipriani waiting on England call after Owen Farrell hand surgery
Danny Cipriani will find out in the coming days if Owen Farrell’s thumb injury leads to an England reprieve and a place in the squad to prepare for their Six Nations opener against Ireland. Last week Cipriani was omitted from England’s 35-man squad but Eddie Jones has yet to decide whether he needs an extra…
Steve Hansen to step down as New Zealand coach after 2019 World Cup
Steve Hansen’s all-conquering reign as the New Zealand coach will end after the 2019 World Cup. The 59-year-old, who has been in charge of the All Blacks since 2012 and has had 16 years within the setup, will leave after his side’s title defence in Japan. “I think change after the World Cup will bring…