Ollie Phillips: Chiefs vs Saracens could be the match of the season… so far December 2, 2021 The international players are back at their clubs and so is the Premiership, and in this blockbuster weekend of games we have the hottest match-up of the season so far. Chiefs vs Saracens There is no love lost between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens. Tony Rowe was shouting from the rooftops about Sarries deserving relegation after [...]
Rugby chaos: Further nine Munster personnel test positive for Covid-19 November 30, 2021 Munster rugby club have announced that nine more of their personnel have tested positive for Covid-19. The province are currently stranded in South Africa, having traveled to the country for United Rugby Championship fixtures. Having been given clearance to travel home, on the basis Munster players would isolate upon return to Europe, the positive cases [...]
Omicron: New Covid-19 strain could scupper sport further November 28, 2021 The Omicron variant of Covid-19 could derail the upcoming sports calendar, having already been the cause of chaos over the weekend. The strain, prominent in Southern Africa but also appearing elsewhere, has put governments across the world on red alert. And sports organisations are no different. International sports events in the southern hemisphere are prominent [...]
Get tested: Fears for 80,000 rugby fans after England game as rules tightened over Omnicron variant November 28, 2021 Tens of thousands of rugby spectators have been urged to take a Covid test following the England versus South Africa match at Twickenham Stadium amid alarm over a new variant. Spectators have been advised to get a test if they are showing Covid symptoms while the UK readies to tighten its international travel and mask [...]
Ollie Phillips: My autumn internationals team of the tournament November 26, 2021 I have been really impressed with how the northern hemisphere in general has performed across this autumn, and I truly believe we’re on top now. I had a pop at picking my Six Nations-based XV based on this November. Forwards 1 CYRIL BAILLE – FRA The power Baille possesses is simply incredible. He is very [...]
Can fans truly have a bigger role in sports clubs? November 26, 2021 The recommendations within the Crouch review will be, quite simply, a symphony to many sports fans up and down the country. But they are just that… recommendations. So just how can real-world examples of fans holding authority in sport push what are currently ideals into actions. Long have sports clubs been toys for owners: left [...]
Competition Law likely to have a place in sport long into the future November 26, 2021 Although historically associated more with corporate CEOs in smoke-filled rooms than the world of sport, competition law has certainly hit the back pages in 2021. The ever-increasing commercialisation of sport means that this crossover is only likely to continue and, in the case of football, could soon ultimately decide the future. European Super League While [...]
The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields: The newest, oldest trophies in rugby? November 25, 2021 It’s the one thing clubs strive for. Silverware. A piece of, usually, silver metal or varnished wood shaped into something teams grow to idealise. The trophies of note tend to be the ones which have been around for the longest, and adopting new ones doesn’t always have a lasting effect. So just what happens if [...]
International rugby players will soon be allowed to switch allegiances, World Rugby says November 24, 2021 From the beginning of next year, rugby players will be allowed to adopt a second international side – assuming they’ve given up playing for the first. Players will only be able to make the transfer once, and will need to stand-down from their first country for three years before they become available for the second [...]
Retired professional rugby players more likely to be depressed, anxious and irritable November 24, 2021 A new study has found that retired professional rugby players were more likely to be depressed, anxious and irritable compared to amateur players or non-contact athletes. The former top players who took part in the study had suffered more concussions on the pitch than those in the other groups, and the researchers believe this could [...]