Explainer: Why have Championship rugby clubs been denied promotion? March 4, 2022 “Disappointed, dismayed and disheartened,” is how Championship rugby leaders Doncaster Knights reacted to news this week that they will not be promoted even if they win the league. The Knights were joined by Ealing Trailfinders in being denied entry to the Premiership, English rugby’s top division, for failing to meet a series of off-field criteria. [...]
Ollie Phillips: Corker of a weekend ahead of us in the Premiership March 4, 2022 While an absence of promotion and relegation in Premiership Rugby may be the talking point within the sport, it’s hard to deny that the lack of jeopardy has produced some cracking rugby this season. With Saracens in second on 54 points and Northampton in ninth on 42, it’s incredibly tight for the three play-off places [...]
After Italy farce rugby needs to take a look at its law book March 2, 2022 Ireland’s Six Nations victory over Italy on Sunday saw an officiating decision which by the letter of the law was correct but in practice ruined a game of rugby. Here is what was so wrong about it and two more rules that World Rugby should address before the World Cup next year: Red card replacement [...]
Jones praises young England side as Six Nations race goes on February 28, 2022 It was a match of three or four moments, moments that could prove defining in this year’s Six Nations. But in England’s 23-19 win over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, it was so nearly a disaster for the home side. Up by 17 points early in the second half, England let their opposition back in, [...]
Premiership talking points: Saints revived, Irish draw and the race is on February 27, 2022 It’s starting to feel like the beginning of the run-in to this year’s Premiership rugby season. There are less than 10 rounds to go but there are so many storylines to follow. Here are our talking points from the weekend. Luck of the draw The league saw its fifth draw of the season at the [...]
Jones urges fans to get in seats early ahead of England v Wales February 25, 2022 England head coach Eddie Jones has urged fans to take their seats early at Twickenham for tomorrow’s Six Nations match against Wales as his side, boosted by the return of key players, look to burst out of the blocks. “The first 20 minutes of a Test match is always the quickest,” said Jones. “I think [...]
Ollie Phillips: Key returnees could spice up England v Wales clash February 24, 2022 It’s not one of the hardest predictions I have had to make during this year’s Six Nations but I just don’t see any result other than a comfortable England win when they play Wales on Saturday. A large part of that, I think, comes down to Eddie Jones now picking a team around his No10 [...]
Championship Rugby’s deal with Premier Sports falls through February 24, 2022 Rugby fans should be witnessing one of the closest battles for promotion to the Premiership, with just five points currently separating four Championship teams in the tussle to go up. But in this most exciting of run-ins in the English second tier, they have been shut out of the action by a complete absence of [...]
Premiership Rugby CEO Simon Massie-Taylor on chasing audience reach February 23, 2022 When US presidents are sworn into office, they are often assessed on their first 100 days in charge. But less than 60 days into his new role as chief executive of Premiership Rugby, Simon Massie-Taylor is already judging himself against his own checklist of objectives. “My purpose in my first 100 days is to be [...]
Why sport is taking over terrestrial TV airwaves again February 21, 2022 If you’ve turned on your subscription-free, Nadine Dorries-unfriendly, terrestrial TV recently you may have been transported back to a time when moustachioed behemoths like Dickie Davies and Des Lynam ruled the afternoon airwaves – for we again live in an era of live, free-to-air sport. Of course, you may not have noticed. Sky and BT [...]