Altrad to replace AIG as All Blacks and Black Ferns front-of-shirt sponsor as French-Syrian billionaire Mohad Altrad increases rugby influence August 27, 2021 Construction conglomerate Altrad has increased its presence in rugby union by becoming the new front-of-shirt sponsor to the All Blacks, Black Ferns and New Zealand’s other national teams. Altrad, which owns Montpellier Herault in the Top14 and is a sponsor of the French national teams, has agreed a six-year deal with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) [...]
Ollie Phillips: Lions series win would be heroic in the circumstances but momentum has swung behind South Africa before deciding Test August 6, 2021 As the British and Irish Lions prepare for their series-deciding third Test, it feels like all momentum has swung behind South Africa. Fair play to the Springboks; they nailed their game plan in the second match last weekend. It was set-piece perfection allied to a moment of magic from Handre Pollard, whose cross-field kick set [...]
British and Irish Lions: Warren Gatland rings the changes for decisive third and final Test in South Africa August 3, 2021 British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has made six changes for the third and final Test against South Africa on Saturday. Josh Adams will make his Lions Test debut on the right wing, replacing Anthony Watson who drops out of the squad altogether. Duhan van der Merwe keeps his spot on the other [...]
Why the British and Irish Lions brand has gone from strength to strength – and what the future holds for the touring side July 30, 2021 Ahead of this weekend’s second Test between the British and Irish Lions and South Africa, City PM examines why the touring side’s brand has endured and how it might evolve. “It shouldn’t work,” former England captain Lewis Moody says of the British and Irish Lions. The concept of a band of disparate players from the [...]
Ollie Phillips: Rassie Erasmus rant shows how huge second Test is – and that Lions coach Warren Gatland has got under his skin July 30, 2021 If you needed any further proof of how big the second Test between the British and Irish Lions and South Africa is this weekend, look no further than Rassie Erasmus. The Springboks’ director of rugby this week issued a bizarre, hour-long video rant about refereeing decisions in the Lions’ first-Test win, even hinting he could [...]
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Team GB star Dan Bibby calls RFU cuts to Sevens funding ‘a joke’ July 29, 2021 Team GB Rugby Sevens star Dan Bibby has criticised funding cuts to the sport’s programme, calling the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) plans “a joke”. Bibby’s comments come after GB narrowly missed the podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics yesterday, losing to Argentina 17-12 in the bronze medal match. The team’s central contracts ended last August [...]
Ineos strikes deal with New Zealand Rugby to add All Blacks to sporting stable that includes Formula 1, cycling and football teams July 28, 2021 New Zealand Rugby has announced Ineos is to become its official performance partner in a six-year deal beginning in 2022. The deal sees New Zealand Rugby’s national teams, including the All Blacks and the Black Ferns, join the growing Ineos sporting stable, which is owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. They will join Mercedes-AMG [...]
Saracens and Ulster to clash in the City at iconic Square Mile venue the Honourable Artillery Company on eve of new Premiership season July 27, 2021 Saracens will return to the City in September for a pre-season match against Ulster. The teams will clash on the lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) on Thursday 9 September, six days after they meet in Belfast. The fixture comes a week before Saracens resume life in the Premiership, having been promoted back to [...]
Why the British and Irish Lions have never been more popular with players, rugby fans and sponsors July 24, 2021 “It shouldn’t work,” former England captain Lewis Moody says of the British and Irish Lions. The concept of a band of disparate players from the four Home Nations thrown together, shipped to the other side of the world and tasked with beating rugby’s strongest nations does feel anachronistic, a relic from the game’s amateur days. [...]
Ollie Phillips: I’m predicting a British and Irish Lions victory in the first Test – and the series – in South Africa July 23, 2021 I’m really intrigued by the upcoming British and Irish Lions Test series with South Africa, which starts this weekend. The Springboks are the world champions but have barely played together in the last 18 months because of Covid-19’s impact on sport. They are not totally wet behind the ears, of course, but any lack of [...]
