There was never any danger of what happened in Jersey cowing Danny Cipriani. The England fly-half marked his competitive debut for Gloucester by showing typical virtuosity, influencing the match not through the quantity of his output but its quality. He was the catalyst for Gloucester’s two first-half tries, often standing at second receiver to give…
Woeful Wallabies stunned as Argentina win in Australia for first time since 1983
Australia slumped to their first home loss to Argentina in 35 years, falling 23-19 in Saturday night’s Rugby Championship Test. The Wallabies were once again left wanting in key departments as an energetic Los Pumas outfit continued their stunning rise under new coach Mario Ledesma. Not since 1983, in the first Test meeting between the…
Ireland’s Joe Schmidt prepares to host England in ‘brutal’ Six Nations opener
The 2019 Six Nations championship will not conclude until mid-March but rarely has the grand old tournament’s opening weekend been so pivotal. Even Ireland’s usually understated head coach, Joe Schmidt, is warning his players to brace themselves for a “brutal” first-round collision with England, with the visitors intent on easing the hurt of their fifth-placed…
Worcester’s Alan Solomons: ‘It is a different-level Premiership this year’
It is not yet Christmas and already this is a Premiership season like no other. Even Alan Solomons, Worcester’s much-travelled and vastly experienced director of rugby, cannot recall anything like it. Nine clubs, ranging from fourth-placed Wasps to bottom-placed Newcastle, being separated by a mere nine points is not conducive to a relaxing festive period….
England set to start Manu Tuilagi in Dublin after Ben Te’o injury
England’s Six Nations preparations have been dealt a significant blow by an injury to their powerful centre Ben Te’o. The Worcester player had been expected to start against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday but has been ruled out with a side strain, forcing Eddie Jones to reshuffle his midfield plans. Following the injury, sustained during…
Joe Marler rocks England’s World Cup plans with international retirement
Joe Marler has dropped a bombshell by retiring from England duty less than 12 months before the World Cup. The Harlequins prop has cited spending time with his young family as a key reason, stating he is unable to give all of himself to the England cause. The 28-year-old, who has won 59 caps, informed…
Controversial Leicester red card spoils eight-try classic as Wasps prevail
In terms of breathless, end-to-end entertainment this frenzied blur of a midlands derby was unquestionably the club game of the season so far. For Leicester, however, the bitter comfortably outweighed the sweet in the wake of the 40th-minute red card shown to their lock Will Spencer which swayed an eight-try thriller in Wasps’ favour and…
John Mitchell finally begins new role as England rugby defence coach this week
John Mitchell has finally been appointed as the England defence coach after the Rugby Football Union agreed a compensation package of £200,000 with the Blue Bulls. Scott Wisemantel will also continue as England’s attack coach, having taken on the role during the summer tour of South Africa. Mitchell, who was the All Blacks coach at…
Wales’ Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of Springboks match due to concussion
Wales will be without Leigh Halfpenny against South Africa on Saturday. The Lions’ full-back has not recovered from the concussion he suffered after being clattered by Samu Kerevi during the victory over Australia this month, creating a dilemma in his position and at outside-half for a side seeking a first autumn clean sweep. South Africa…
Mike Brown dropped by Eddie Jones for England Test against South Africa
Eddie Jones has omitted Mike Brown, Ben Morgan and Michael Rhodes from his England squad to face South Africa on Saturday, with Courtney Lawes also ruled out through injury. Bath’s Zach Mercer and Ben Moon of Exeter are in line to play in a Test for the first time, with the New Zealand-born back-row Brad…