Relieved to have started an autumn campaign with a win at last, Warren Gatland dismissed the notion that next Saturday’s assignment against Australia represents an opportunity to shake off another hex. The last time Wales beat Australia was 10 years and 13 matches ago. Eight of those defeats came here in the autumn. George North…
Kurtley Beale ready to move on after creating ‘bad image’ for rugby with videos
An apologetic Kurtley Beale says his focus is now solely on the rugby after admitting videos featuring him had created a “bad image” for the game. The Wallabies and Waratahs playmaker was forced into damage control last month after two videos were released of him in the presence of white powder. Crucial World Cup year…
Rugby union’s World League plans criticised as ‘under-cooked’
Imagine a tent on an exposed clifftop being buffeted by gale force winds. Those inside are already grimly clinging on, only for so-called friends to sneak round and remove all the pegs. Welcome to the world of professional rugby union, where just about every aspect of the game’s future is up in the air. From…
Ireland need Welsh favours if Six Nations defence is to stay on track
Ireland now know they need to lean on others if they are to defend their Six Nations title. They finish their campaign in Cardiff and will require England to stumble in the Welsh capital a week on Saturday. The champions recovered from their chastening defeat by England by going back to basics to end Scotland’s…
Wales use Italy Six Nations trip to test strength in depth for World Cup
Each country had an extended break in the Five Nations, the odd number of teams in the tournament meaning someone sat out a round, which were then every two weeks. It is almost like that now with six as sides tend to use the fixture against Italy as an opportunity to rest players. For all…
Eddie Jones: ‘In the second half we finally got stuck in – that’s pleasing’
Eddie Jones has come out strongly in support of the RFU’s departing chief executive, placing his weight squarely behind Steve Brown, whose departure is thought to have been the result of political infighting. “He’s a really good guy,” said England’s head coach. “He has good skills and a nice manner and was very supportive of…
Why the Jones and Gatland rivalry will fuel passion for Cardiff showdown
Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland are going to have some fun next week. So far we’ve heard them both desperately vying to be the underdog – it’s the only time coaches ever compliment each other – but when we get into Test week we’ll see a few grenades launched from each side of the border….
George North seals thrilling Wales comeback after France throw it away
Madness – but is it not always between these two? Or, at the very least, when France play. Still there is no knowing who or where they are. Les Bleus tore Wales apart in the first half – as much as any side can be torn apart in rain like this. The visitors did not…
Rugby union: talking points from the European Champions Cup
Pool 1: Leinster in control as they head to Wasps The pool of champions has polarised. Leinster, for all Toulouse’s attempts to recapture past glories, are the team in control, even if they trail the French club by two points. Their victory over Bath was imperious, and Toulouse, who rode their luck anyway in round…
Record-breaker Beauden Barrett scores four as All Blacks thump Wallabies again
Beauden Barrett was chief executioner as the All Blacks sliced the Wallabies apart 40-12 at Eden Park to extend their Bledisloe Cup reign into a 16th year. Barrett scored four tries and 30 points in a dazzling performance, heaping more trans-Tasman agony on a gritty but outclassed Australia at a venue where they haven’t won…