Are the All Blacks feeling the pressure ahead of Eden Park showdown? July 12, 2024 There has been a lot of talk this week about the history of playing the All Blacks at Eden Park being a heavy burden for Steve Borthwick’s England team to shoulder. But I actually believe that the weight of being unbeaten at one ground for 30 years, as the All Blacks are at the Auckland [...]
England showed promise against All Blacks ahead of Eden Park finale July 7, 2024 Weirdly for England, Saturday’s 16-15 loss to New Zealand in Dunedin was their first match in three against the All Blacks that ended in defeat. In their last trio of games against the three-time world champions – in Japan at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, at Twickenham in 2022 and down in New Zealand at [...]
Cunningham-South, Baxter and Freeman: England players to watch in New Zealand July 5, 2024 The next fortnight will be one which could end up defining Steve Borthwick’s tenure as England manager. For their two-Test series against New Zealand could be the difference between establishing a winning side to take through to the next World Cup – in Australia in 2027 – or the realisation that England are not up [...]
England vs New Zealand: When did we last beat the All Blacks and when is kick-off? July 5, 2024 This weekend marks the first of two Tests between England and the New Zealand All Blacks as part of the summer rugby union tours. Steve Borthwick’s men head down to Dunedin this weekend and then Auckland in seven day’s time to face one of world rugby’s most ferocious teams. So when is kick-off, where are [...]
New Zealand favourites but England can cause issues June 28, 2024 The start of next month marks the start of England’s true test of strength, progression and ability as Steve Borthwick’s men look to topple the mighty New Zealand across two matches in the Land of the Long White Cloud. First in Dunedin and then in Auckland, England take on the All Blacks looking to win [...]
Summer rugby tours: Where are the home nations going this summer June 21, 2024 This summer the home nations – England, Wales, Scotland and the island of Ireland – will tour far-flung rugby nations. Traditionally the home nations head to the southern hemisphere but this season the tours have been expanded ahead of a new men’s global competition, set to start in 2026. So who is playing who, and [...]
England ‘determined’ to change losing habit in New Zealand June 10, 2024 England coach Steve Borthwick said he is “determined” to change a poor showing in New Zealand as he named his 36-man squad for the summer rugby tour. England will head to Tokyo later this month for a game against Eddie Jones’s Japan before two matches against New Zealand, where England have not toured since 2014. [...]
Slade named Premiership rugby player of the season at London award dinner May 22, 2024 Henry Slade was last night named Premiership Rugby’s player of the season at a glitzy Central London awards dinner. The Exeter Chiefs centre has been pivotal for a West Country team on a major rebuild having suffered an exodus of top players across the last 12 months. Premiership RUgby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said: “Henry [...]
England prop Kyle Sinckler named in Barbarians team for Fiji clash at Twickenham May 21, 2024 The fixture on 22 June, which is part of a double-header that sees South Africa take on Wales beforehand.
RFU and Premiership Rugby close in on £264m funding deal April 29, 2024 The Rugby Football Union, RFU, and Premiership Rugby have finally agreed a new Premiership Game Partnership, worth £264m, which will shape the English game for the next eight years. It is understood that legal details are all that remain between now and the new deal being signed, with the Telegraph suggesting the central policy will [...]