Exodus of players to France is bad for the Premiership but the boys will thrive January 27, 2023 The amount of brilliant rugby players fleeing England for France and South Africa should be of extreme concern to those in charge of the domestic game here. But the reality is those players heading for pastures new – as I did when I joined Stade Français from Newcastle in 2009 – will have an incredible [...]
Six Nations: Warburton on Wales, Gatland, England, Sinfield and Borthwick January 20, 2023 Former Wales captain Sam Warburton is “excited” to see what the return of head coach Warren Gatland can bring and says that Kevin Sinfield is a “masterstroke” for England ahead of the Six Nations. Gatland returned to the Welsh fold at the end of last year when his predecessor Wayne Pivac was sacked following a [...]
England squad can give the Six Nations a good go January 20, 2023 I’m not saying I didn’t expect it from a coach like Steve Borthwick but it’s great to see an England Six Nations squad picked on form at the moment. There are a few choices and calls I disagree with but off the back of what I read on Monday, I think England can give the [...]
Former England captain Robshaw says Jones will want a win over old side January 18, 2023 Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw has said former Red Rose coach and now Australia head honcho Eddie Jones will definitely want to get one over his former side at this year’s World Cup. Jones took the Australia job just a month after being sacked as England manager and his Wallabies side could face England [...]
Ollie Phillips: My hopes for rugby over the next 12 months January 13, 2023 The next 12 months have the potential to be game-changing for rugby. It’s a World Cup year and domestic leagues are becoming ever more competitive, so here are my three hopes for the coming year. Nothing to lose My main hope for 2023 is to see England give the Six Nations and World Cup a [...]
Best of 2022: What can England Rugby learn from the Lionesses? January 1, 2023 After the success of the Lionesses, Morning Wire looked at what rugby can learn from women’s football as England look to host the 2025 Rugby World Cup. Article originally published 9 August 2022. The iconic Chloe Kelly goal celebration, the record attendance for a final, success on home soil; England Women’s Euro 2022 victory felt [...]
2023 sport schedule: What is there to look forward to? January 1, 2023 The year has hardly begun but the sport is coming thick and fast. Rugby, football and cricket all have World Cups while other sports continue to build on the foundations laid after the Covid-19 pandemic. Take a look at the Morning Wire sports schedule for 2023. January Darts (3rd): A new Darts World Championships winner [...]
Ollie Phillips: My Premiership team of 2022 December 30, 2022 While many have taken the final week of the year to look at their best Premiership XV of the season so far, I have used this week to ponder over my XV of the entire calendar year. The last 12 months have seen Leicester win the Premiership, Saracens surge back into contention and some traditionally [...]
Best of 2022: Six Nations rugby in talks with Netflix over series December 27, 2022 In October a Morning Wire exclusive revealed talks between streaming giant Netflix and the Six Nations over a documentary series for the 2023 tournament. Article originally published on 19 October 2022. Six Nations chiefs are hoping to develop their fanbase through a new series set to be shown on streaming site Netflix. Rugby bosses have [...]
Best of 2022: Australia ready for green and gold decade of sport December 26, 2022 Australia is on course to be a major sporting player over the next decade. Morning Wire took a look at why that is and what’s at stake politically for the country. Article originally published 15 August 2022. The sun-kissed nation of Australia is about to embark on a decade-long installation as the centre for world [...]