Eddie Jones wields axe and drops centre Jonathan Joseph from England squad to face Italy February 22, 2017 England head coach Eddie Jones will field a new-look midfield against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday after axing Bath centre Jonathan Joseph from his training squad. The favourite to fill the void left by Joseph, who has played in all 15 Tests under Jones, is Wasps utility back Elliot Daly, having featured on the wing [...]
Rhys Webb heaps pressure on Scotland’s new Six Nations kicker after Greig Laidlaw’s injury February 22, 2017 Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb has heaped pressure on Scotland’s kicker prior to their Six Nations showdown at Murrayfield on Saturday following the tournament-ending injury to Greig Laidlaw. Gloucester No9 Laidlaw was ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations after suffering ankle ligament damage during Scotland’s 22-16 defeat to France in Paris earlier this [...]
Shane Williams interview: Legendary Wales wing on how long-distance running filled the gap left by his rugby retirement February 22, 2017 After a 17-year career spent flying past and sometimes crashing into men nearly twice his size, Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams could have been forgiven for taking a breather after finally calling it a day. It notoriously took the diminutive Welsh winger a number of attempts to quit the game before he hung up his [...]
Prop Joe Marler set to retain place and face Italy despite Mako Vunipola’s return to fitness February 21, 2017 Harlequins prop Joe Marler is set to start ahead of Mako Vunipola in England’s Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham on Sunday despite the Saracens loosehead’s return to fitness. British and Irish Lion Vunipola only made his return to action for the Allianz Park club on Friday night, having been sidelined since December with [...]
Marmite coaches, swelling crowds and now star signings: why Newcastle Falcons are soaring higher than their better-resourced rivals February 20, 2017 Light has been cast on the omnipresent shadow of relegation long lurking behind Newcastle’s Falcons, with the North East club well-installed at the mid-point of the Premiership table having staged a remarkable second half comeback to beat Northampton Saints 46-31 on Sunday afternoon. The club’s new artificial playing surface has produced multiple exciting performances and [...]
Wasps boss Dai Young denies complacency despite Sale Sharks setback February 19, 2017 Wasps director of rugby Dai Young denied suggestions of complacency after the Premiership leaders succumbed 34-28 at lowly Sale Sharks. Wing Denny Solomona scored a hat-trick for the north west outfit, taking his tally to seven tries in five matches since switching codes and joining Sale from Castleford Tigers. Sale led 31-9 at the break [...]
England head coach Eddie Jones pays tribute after former Australia and Northampton lock Dan Vickerman dies at the age of 37 February 19, 2017 England head coach Eddie Jones has paid tribute to Dan Vickerman after the former Northampton and Australia lock died, aged 37. No cause of death has been given for the unexpected passing of Vickerman, who represented Australia in three World Cups and retired in 2012 after persistent injury problems. Australian Jones, who coached Vickerman during [...]
Scotland lose captain Greig Laidlaw for the rest of the Six Nations – but hooker Ross Ford insists they will cope February 15, 2017 Hooker Ross Ford believes Scotland boast the leadership and experience to cope without captain Greig Laidlaw after he was ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations. Scottish rugby chiefs confirmed on Wednesday that scrum-half Laidlaw suffered ankle ligament damage in Sunday’s 22-16 defeat to France, meaning he will miss their remaining three matches. [...]
Dylan Hartley’s presence in camp more important than minutes for Northampton, insists assistant coach Paul Gustard February 14, 2017 England assistant coach Paul Gustard believes skipper Dylan Hartley’s presence in camp during the build-up to his side’s Six Nations clash with Italy is more vital than potential game-time with Northampton. Hartley, who served a six-week suspension immediately prior to the tournament, played just 47 minutes against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday before being replaced [...]
Sacked Tom Arscott found guilty of leaking tactical secrets to rivals – but escapes with a warning February 13, 2017 Sacked former Sale wing Tom Arscott has been spared further punishment by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) despite an investigation finding him guilty of tipping off opponents Bristol with inside information. The RFU concluded that Arscott leaked details of Sale’s line-out tactics to his brother, Bristol full-back Luke Arscott, and that the information was then [...]