Epic sporting weekend proves sport can be cog in any government agenda May 28, 2024 With a General Election in full swing across the nation sports fans were treated to an epic weekend of action. So with so many events pencilled in across the next five years and numerous more beyond that, our politicians should promote sport to a priority talking point. Morning Wire Deputy Sports Editor Matt Hardy writes. [...]
Red Roses’ standards are high, they can be disappointed with 50,000 crowd April 19, 2024 This weekend when 50,000 fans flood into Twickenham Stadium’s famous bowl to watch England’s Red Roses take on Ireland in the Women’s Six Nations it’ll be another achievement for the women’s game. Because gone are the days of celebrating filling a single stand for the women’s game in England, and gone are the days of [...]
Ed Warner: Why invest in hosting sport? Mainly because it’s bloody fun March 14, 2024 Our columnist gives his take on the sport business world.
Gladiators star and Exeter Chiefs winger targets Red Roses cap March 8, 2024 Exeter wing and Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley has targeted a place in the England 15s squad after hanging up her super-hero outfit and changing back into a rugby kit. The 23-year-old from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, is already an England Sevens international and has set the bar high following her exploits as Fury on the revamped [...]
Sport’s coming home: Women’s World Cup, Ryder Cup and Tour de France on UK’s list of 70 targets for next decade March 5, 2024 The Solheim Cup and World Athletics Championships are also on the list.
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. [...]
Ollie Phillips: Farrell move tough for Premiership but he’s made the right call January 26, 2024 I can do nothing but commend Owen Farrell’s move from Saracens to Racing 92. He owes nobody anything and can really start to relax into the twilight of his career. I cannot say the news shocked me given the abuse so-called fans and others had heaped upon the England No10, but to see him leave [...]
New Georgia coach Richard Cockerill: There should be more opportunities for up and coming rugby nations January 18, 2024 Richard Cockerill has insisted that teams like Georgia deserve more opportunities at international level in the Englishman’s first comments as Los Lelos boss. The former Leicester Tigers head coach has long been linked with the Georgia job with the news confirmed today. Cockerill honoured Cockerill said: “I’m really excited and honoured to be taking on [...]
Jamie George: England players split with RPA for independence January 8, 2024 England hooker Jamie George insists that the internationals team’s split from the Rugby Players Association (RPA) in favour of negotiating their own contracts with Twickenham chiefs was simply about independence. Saracens No2 George is one of five player-directors of Team England Rugby Ltd, alongside fellow internationals Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler and Anthony Watson, [...]
2023 rugby review: Jones, Sexton, England, London Irish and Hunter December 22, 2023 It’s been quite the 2023 in rugby. This year South Africa won the Rugby World Cup, La Rochelle lifted the Champions Cup after Leinster No10 Johnny Sexton abused the referee, the women’s game has grown further and Australia had 12 months of Eddie Jones. Well, almost. It has had it all. English rugby lost two [...]