Benjamin Kayser: ‘It’s coming together – but don’t call France favourites’ February 3, 2022 The planets have begun to align for French rugby. From the player pool to the coaches, the government to the league structure – everything is in place to achieve the goal of a victorious home World Cup in 2023. There’s clearly a common goal for the sport in France at the moment and that is [...]
Rob Henderson: ‘Strong spine and squad depth make Ireland team to beat’ February 3, 2022 Ireland are my pick for this year’s Six Nations, naturally. There’s a resurgent French side, a rebuilding Welsh team and strong representation elsewhere but I think the Irish have the depth to win the tournament. I am not at all worried about the absence of players like Chris Farrell and James Lowe, for example, when [...]
Zinzan Brooke: ‘Why I’m backing Les Bleus for the Six Nations’ February 3, 2022 The Six Nations is fantastic. It’s great for rugby and a thoroughly enjoyable set-up every year but I have a funny feeling that the 2022 tournament in particular will be one to watch because of how strong some of these teams were in the autumn. The November internationals saw European sides perform especially well, resulting [...]
Premiership five things as league returns from break January 31, 2022 As the Premiership Rugby show returned from its interval, 12 of the 13 sides were in action and looking to hit the ground running. There was another win on the road for Gloucester, a return of top-flight rugby to free-to-air television and a tightening top-six battle. Here are five takeaways from Round 14. Warning for [...]
Ollie Phillips: Absent internationals will help and hinder Premiership clubs January 28, 2022 I’m in Seville for the World Sevens Series, whetting my appetite for the festival of international rugby that is the Six Nations. It’s the best championship on the planet, and what will be interesting this year is how the Premiership clubs cope with losing internationals. Only Worcester failed to get a player in the England [...]
Exeter Chiefs to drop Native American branding with new badge January 27, 2022 Premiership rugby club Exeter Chiefs will alter their branding and drop Native American associations following widespread criticism. The new branding, which cites its roots from an Iron Age tribe, will be in operation from June. Native American groups have previously called for the former European Champions to drop the branding, which featured a Native American [...]
England coach says ‘we will get on with the job’ amid absentees January 27, 2022 England head coach Eddie Jones insists his team will “get on with the job” despite an injury crisis ahead of next week’s Six Nations. Jones’s side, who begin their campaign on 5 February against Scotland at Murrayfield, have been dogged by a series of setbacks, including captain Owen Farrell being ruled out with ankle surgery [...]
England captain Owen Farrell ruled out of Six Nations January 26, 2022 England’s Six Nations injury crisis has escalated after captain Owen Farrell was ruled out of the entire championship. Farrell needs surgery on an ankle injury that prevented him from making his comeback for club Saracens last weekend. Wing Jonny May will also miss next week’s opening fixture with Scotland, while Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler and [...]
Worcester have lost an exciting coach but Diamond can strike gold January 26, 2022 We may be in a frenzy of managerial sackings and player transfers in the world of football, but it’s rare to see seismic change at this point in a rugby season. The sporting world has, however, failed to inform Premiership club Worcester Warriors, after the club confirmed an overhaul of their current coaching staff. Former [...]
Champions Cup: Round of 16 draw confirmed after last series of games January 24, 2022 Rugby’s most prestigious club competition has completed its pool phase. Through to the round of 16 are teams from three countries, each with a shot at the Champions Cup in May’s finals weekend in Marseille. Here’s what we have learned from the group stage. English challenge Although Harlequins romped to a surprising domestic title last [...]
