World Cup-winning hooker Naka Drotske is said to be in a stable condition after the former South Africa international was shot three times during an attempted robbery in Pretoria on Thursday. Local media reported that the former Cheetahs player and coach had lost almost a third of his blood in the incident, was in intensive…
Owen Farrell to play for England against New Zealand despite fitness concerns
Eddie Jones has revealed Owen Farrell is not 100% fit for Saturday’s long-awaited encounter with the All Blacks but said his co-captain will “put his body on the line” after urging England to rewrite history against New Zealand. Jones admitted leaving his “warrior” fly-half out of his side was never an option but also suggested…
Decision on Michael Cheika’s Wallabies future to be made ‘ahead of Christmas’
Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne has declined to guarantee or clarify the position of Michael Cheika following a presentation from the Wallabies’ coach, but says a thorough review will be completed before Christmas. Clyne came out seven hours into an unfinished RA board meeting on Monday, but spent just 50 seconds giving a statement to the…
South Africa stick with their back-up scrum-halves as De Klerk stays at Sale
Faf de Klerk has played a significant role in South Africa’s revival this year, but the scrum-half will again be playing for Sale this weekend rather than lining up for his country. The Springboks have first call on him under World Rugby regulations, but they have allowed him to remain with the Sharks despite their…
England’s finest seek Champions Cup atonement at feet of Leinster
The pressing question in European rugby union as the Champions Cup starts is how do you stop Leinster winning it for a record fifth time. At the launch in Newcastle, where next May’s final will be played, Bath’s director of rugby, Todd Blackadder, suggested it is a tournament where cultures collide – and that the…
Mark Wilson set for ‘dream’ start at No 8 for England against Springboks
For a club sitting bottom of the Premiership this is proving a surprisingly satisfying few weeks for the coaches and players of Newcastle. In the past month in Europe they have beaten two French giants, Toulon and Montpellier, and on Saturday one of their favourite sons is finally set to run out at Twickenham as…
Dylan Hartley left out of England’s initial Six Nations squad with injury
Dylan Hartley has been omitted from England’s Six Nations squad due to injury and will miss their opening fixture against Ireland next month. Hartley has not played for Northampton since 21 December because of a knee problem and Eddie Jones has revealed he will not travel to England’s training camp in Portugal next week as…
England braced for bruising epic as they seek to storm Ireland’s citadel
James Joyce once wrote: “When I die Dublin will be written in my heart.” England’s players and coaches may yet feel similarly if they can fly home with perhaps the most satisfying victory of Eddie Jones’s tenure. Win or lose, the visitors’ first outing of 2019 will define more than just their immediate Six Nations…
Wales 21-13 England: talking points from the Six Nations game
1) England’s scrum-half options look unbalanced Two years ago England used their bench in the final quarter to come from behind to defeat France and Wales, but the half-backs Dan Robson and George Ford never left it on Saturday. Dan Biggar was the replacement who turned into a game finisher and it raised a question…
Australia’s Michael Cheika furious over ‘ridiculous’ Owen Farrell tackle
Australia found themselves at the wrong end of crucial refereeing decisions for the second successive year against England here at Twickenham, leaving their under-fire head coach, Michael Cheika, to lament Jaco Peyper’s refusal to award the Wallabies a penalty try at the end of the first-half after another Owen Farrell no-arms tackle. Farrell got away…