Talent-spotting is not an exact science, particularly in rugby. Some players develop late or fail to tick the obvious physical boxes, others are crowded out, not least in England, by the sheer weight of numbers. How many hidden gems might have worn the red rose had they not been injured at the wrong moment, been…
Bedroom coffee shop helps Manu Tuilagi gear up for England return
As and when Manu Tuilagi comes off the England bench on Saturday you can be sure of two things: first, that his arrival is greeted by the loudest cheer of the match; second, that the first time he gets his hands on the ball there will be 80,000 people holding their collective breath. ‘I was…
Weakened Scotland bidding to expose self-belief of unpredictable France
Having failed to win in Paris so far this century, Scotland will attempt to end that trend on Saturday with something akin to a second-string side. Of the team’s key quartet, only the captain, Greig Laidlaw, is in the squad, Finn Russell having joined Stuart Hogg and Willem Nel on the injury list this week….
Eddie Jones will not rule out title as Warren Gatland chases grand slam
Wales are on course to mark Warren Gatland’s final year in charge with a grand slam after their first victory over England in the Six Nations since 2013 but Eddie Jones has not abandoned hope of a third title in four years. Wales moved above England by winning the clash between the two unbeaten sides…
Alex Goode: ‘Everyone wants to knock Saracens off our perch’
It was hard not to feel sympathy for Alex Goode during England’s autumn internationals campaign. Not so much for his continued snub – the Saracens full-back is now well accustomed to life in Eddie Jones’s blind spot – but more for his role as guest pundit at Twickenham, inches from the pitch he so desperately…
Katy Daley-Mclean’s big night lit up as Red Roses overpower USA
England’s women celebrated the 100th cap of their fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean with an emphatic victory over the USA at Allianz Park last night in miserable, rainy conditions in north London. But Simon Middleton’s new-look team had unexpected help with the USA reduced to 14 players for 65 minutes of the game after the referee, Hollie…
Champions Cup pool-by-pool preview: Saracens’ Brad Barritt chases home tie
Pool One Jonathan Joseph makes his first appearance for Bath since April after recovering from a long-term foot injury. Joseph, who was left out of England’s squad for their Six Nations opener against Ireland, comes back into the side at outside-centre while Dave Attwood and Francois Louw return for the trip to Toulouse. Zack Holmes…
Champions Cup preview: Carbery to start for Munster, Kruis back at Saracens
Pool One Premiership clubs in danger of building mental block about Europe | Robert Kitson Wasps are without the injured back-rows Nathan Hughes and Brad Shields for their must-win encounter with pool leaders Toulouse. As a result, Ben Morris makes his European debut at blindside flanker while Billy Searle comes in a fly-half for Dai…
Rugby Championship: Wallabies produce 24-point comeback win
The Wallabies have produced a huge second half comeback to beat Argentina 45-34 and potentially save coach Michael Cheika’s skin. But it may not be enough to avoid change to his coaching panel after a listless first half in Salta left them staring down the barrel of a Rugby Championship catastrophe – and Cheika, potentially,…
Gary Gold’s US Eagles face stiff challenge against Māori All Blacks
For rugby union in America, nothing is ever simple. The Rugby Weekend in Chicago is no exception. Ireland v All Blacks is pick of autumn feast with strong World Cup flavour | The Breakdown On Saturday at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, the USA women kick off a fascinating triple-header against the New…