Premiership Rugby will next week discuss a £275m deal with a private equity firm, CVC, but if it hands over control the Rugby Football Union would need to give its consent. A report this week said CVC would take a 51% controlling interest in Premiership Rugby in return for the money which would give each…
George Ford defiant over battle with Danny Cipriani to be England No 10
George Ford believes he has sharpened his attacking instincts after he was ousted by Danny Cipriani as England’s fly-half, but denied that losing his place was “a wake-up call”. Cipriani made his first England start in a decade in the third Test against South Africa in June with Ford dropping out of the squad altogether….
England dealt another blow as Mako Vunipola joins Eddie Jones’s injury list
England’s plans for the autumn series have been plunged into chaos after Mako Vunipola was ruled out for up to six weeks. He joins his brother Billy on the sidelines and swells the ranks of England’s walking wounded as Eddie Jones prepares to name his squad for Tests against South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and…
Manu Tuilagi ready to make ‘explosive’ England comeback, says George Ford
England’s Six Nations rivals have been warned to brace themselves for a resurgent Manu Tuilagi when the tournament kicks off in just over a fortnight. The injury-plagued centre has not started a Six Nations game since 2013 but his teammate George Ford believes the Leicester man is primed to make a significant impact this season….
Freddie Burns insists that Todd Blackadder rumours are nonsense
Freddie Burns has dismissed as “nonsense” speculation that Todd Blackadder was facing the sack as Bath’s director of rugby following a player revolt after the defeat against Bristol on the opening night. Bath go into the fourth round of matches next weekend fourth in the table after coming from 21 points down to draw with…
Saracens beat gritty Newcastle as Alex Lewington scores twice on debut
It may be the start of a brand new season but for Newcastle this was a particularly frustrating case of deja vu. To describe the Falcons’ historic success rate against Saracens as modest is a sizeable understatement and, predictably, the visitors left the north east with a 20th consecutive victory over their hosts in all…
England’s domestic rugby union season to extend deep into summer
The much-debated changes to England’s traditional domestic rugby calendar will be announced on Tuesday at Twickenham. Rather than lasting from early September to late May the Premiership season will extend deep into June with all summer tours earmarked for July. Despite months of compromise talks between the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and the Rugby…
John Mitchell gets to work for England by setting sights on World Cup
England’s new defence coach, John Mitchell, thinks Eddie Jones’s squad can still win the 2019 Rugby World Cup despite their disappointing results this year. The former All Blacks head coach has been recruited by Jones to add fresh impetus to the team following a run of five defeats in the past six Tests. “I really…
Wallabies fitness questioned by All Blacks great ahead of second Test
The fitness level of Australia’s players is being questioned for a second straight year as they struggle to keep pace with New Zealand. Former All Blacks great Jeff Wilson believes the Wallabies had either over-trained heading into last week’s 38-13 loss in Sydney or are simply unfit. He could not otherwise explain their dramatic drop-off…
Joe Marler to face no punishment over England suspension comments
Joe Marler will not face any disciplinary action from the Rugby Football Union over comments outlining how he used to try to get himself suspended to avoid England duty. It is understood Marler was contacted by the RFU for clarification over his remarks but the matter will not be taken any further. The 28-year-old announced…