How do England beat Scotland at Murrayfield in Six Nations? February 23, 2024 Scotland have not been kind to England in the last couple of years and this weekend’s Six Nations clash at Murrayfield gives the home side the chance of winning a fourth consecutive Calcutta Cup. But since the tournament expanded to include Italy in 2000, the 12 fixtures in Edinburgh have seen England win six to [...]
I love it: Ben Earl on Murrayfield and Test rugby challenges February 21, 2024 England back-row Ben Earl has said he loves the niggle and atmosphere Murrayfield provides ahead of his side’s clash with Scotland in the Calcutta Cup on Saturday. England head to Edinburgh on a run of three consecutive losses in the fixture but have won their opening two matches of this year’s Six Nations. Scotland are [...]
England face Calcutta Cup conundrum with returning centres February 20, 2024 England have confirmed that they’ll have centre partnership headaches ahead of this weekend’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland after the return of both Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence this week. Steve Borthwick’s side have previously used Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade in the centres for their wins against both Italy and Wales but could use [...]
Investec Champions Cup Barometer: Leicester roar towards silverware February 19, 2024 | Sponsored In the lead up to the 2023-24 Investec Champions Cup Round of 16, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with Investec to assess which teams are hot – and which are not – ahead of April’s knockouts. Team of the week: Leicester Tigers Leicester Tigers may be fighting on the European front [...]
Ollie Phillips: Ireland top my Six Nations half term report card February 16, 2024 It’s half term and even the Six Nations is taking a week off. So in this fallow week, after two rounds, it’s about time we handed out some reports and grades. I am a firm but fair teacher and my grades reflect that, so here goes. Top of the Six Nations class Ireland – A+ [...]
Rugby round up: Descriptive audio, colour blindness and England A February 15, 2024 Despite the lack of Six Nations this week to get fans and others alike talking about rugby, the sport has seen a number of exciting announcements this week. From new audio description at the Six Nations to changes to aid colour blindness and the England A announcement. Here’s what you may have missed. Six Nations [...]
If football is pricing you out, try a new sport. You’ll love what’s out there February 15, 2024 Morning Wire columnist Ed Warner issues a rallying call to those who cannot afford to go to the football. There are incredible sporting experiences out there for just a few quid, so get Goggling and take in a new sport. Fancy watching your favourite Premier League team at an away match? Think again. You’ll likely [...]
Mapletoft: Pathways must be key in upcoming rugby recalibration February 14, 2024 England under-20 head coach Mark Mapletoft has issued a rallying call to rugby chiefs to recalibrate the game and prioritise pathways to improve the national team when stakeholders decide on the future of the sport. The Professional Game Agreement was last officially signed eight years ago and is due for renewal in July this year. [...]
Tuilagi returns to England Six Nations squad after injury recovery February 14, 2024 England have recalled centre Manu Tuilagi to their 36-man training squad ahead of their Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland next weekend. Tuilagi missed England’s wins over Italy and Wales with a groin injury but the 108kg centre is back as they seek to beat Scotland for the first time in three years. The Sale Shark [...]
Neil Barnes: Netflix, coaching Italy, Eddie Jones and Six Nations February 13, 2024 When you meet ex-Italy assistant coach Neil Barnes in Six Nations rugby’s Netflix drama Full Contact, his bluntness scares the bejesus out of you. “For F**k’s sake”, “hit that p***k” and “give the ball to Capu-whatever-his-name-is [Ange Capuozzo], he’s f*****g quick” were just some of the wholesome proverbs that the non-Italian speaking New Zealander utters. [...]