Exclusive: Sexton World Cup swansong in doubt over conduct letter June 11, 2023 Johnny Sexton and Leinster have been slapped with a misconduct letter by European rugby chiefs in a move which could scupper the talismanic Ireland No10’s World Cup swansong, Morning Wire can reveal. Sexton stands accused of three counts of misconduct following his side’s loss to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final last month, where [...]
Let down, neglected and deflated: The thoughts of London Irish fans June 10, 2023 This week Premiership Rugby lost its third club inside one season when London Irish failed to prove they’d last for another financial year. And with a mixture of sadness, pain, anger and desire for change, fans have spoken to Morning Wire about the experience of losing their club. “Right now I feel numb. I doubt [...]
Ollie Phillips: England should let the shackles off at front row and midfield June 9, 2023 On Monday morning, England head coach Steve Borthwick will name his initial training squad for this year’s Rugby World Cup. Though players from the four sides who made the Premiership semi-finals will not be included in the first squad of the summer, it’s hard to get excited given some of England’s selection woes. Today I [...]
Rugby World Cup Barometer: London calling for adopted Frenchman Willis? June 8, 2023 In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year. Player of the week Amid the fallout [...]
London Irish owner hits out at rugby as club file for administration June 7, 2023 London Irish have filed for administration having been kicked out of English rugby on Tuesday. The club were unable to show proof of funds to operate next season – either by a new American consortium or by current owner Mick Crossan – and were therefore expelled from “any league” next season. Crossan said in a [...]
London Irish KICKED OUT of Premiership, not in ‘any league’ next year June 6, 2023 London Irish have been kicked out of English rugby after failing to meet funding deadlines set by its governing body the RFU. The club were given until 4pm today to either finalise a takeover of the Premiership outfit – who share a ground with Premier League football club Brentford – by an American consortium or [...]
Joining the Premiership XV: The rugby talent coming to England June 3, 2023 Last month we put together a XV of players leaving the Premiership so we thought we’d look at some of the stars joining England’s top flight to distract from the financial woes that the league is facing. Where we could we’ve left out players who have joined from temporary clubs following the fall of both [...]
‘Quality of rugby incredible but off field the sport is a total mess’ June 2, 2023 It has been a totally infuriating season as a rugby fan. There’s no denying the product on the field is outstanding – last week’s Premiership final showed that – but the sport needs to be honest with itself off the field and sort itself out. Rugby union as we know it is in bedlam; broadcast [...]
Rugby World Cup Barometer: England captain Farrell cements spot June 1, 2023 | Sponsored In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year. Player of the week Talismanic players shine [...]
London Irish handed last chance at Premiership survival May 31, 2023 London Irish have been given a one-week extension by the Rugby Football Union in a surprise move which could keep the Premiership outfit afloat. Under threat of being kicked out of the English top flight, the club – who finished fifth in the Premiership this season – have been afforded seven more days to prove [...]