Ford to be dropped with Smith at No15 for England quarter-final October 11, 2023 George Ford is set to be dropped from the England starting XV as Steve Borthwick’s looks to return to play-maker Owen Farrell on Sunday against Fiji. The Sale Sharks No10 started three of England’s four pool stage games at the Rugby World Cup – versus Argentina, Japan and Samoa – but is set to be [...]
Matt Dawson on World Cups, England, Fiji and drop goals October 10, 2023 It has been 16 years since Fiji last reached the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup and this weekend confidence will be high when they take on an England side they beat at Twickenham just two months ago. The Pacific island overcame Australia to reach the quarter-finals and the pressure will be on England [...]
France will not take “slightest risk” with star Dupont at World Cup October 9, 2023 France have insisted that it would be “unthinkable” not to treat Antoine Dupont’s potential return to international rugby this weekend with the greatest of care. The Les Bleus No9 was forced off injured against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup where scans showed he had broken his cheekbone. But just three weeks and an inserted [...]
Think of the fans: Why stadium experience matters as much as TV production October 9, 2023 It feels like we’re at a new low point for customer experience. After Covid, the services we used to rely on seem like they’re getting worse. Of course, it’s understandable how shutting the world down for two years is going to have an impact on fragile supply systems but the pandemic has also reset our [...]
‘Test match animal’ Underhill ready for Rugby World Cup, says Sinfield October 8, 2023 England defence coach Kevin Sinfield has described Sam Underhill as a “Test match animal” after the flanker was added to the national squad ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final this weekend. The back-row has 27 England caps and joins the set-up in place of Jack Willis, who has left France injured. England already qualified [...]
England’s supposed rebuild is yet to establish rock solid foundations October 8, 2023 England came just metres away from an historic defeat at the hands of Samoa last night at the Rugby World Cup, and it would have been a loss they deserved. Steve Borthwick’s men were all over the place, struggling in the midfield and unable to take the chances they were given. The 18-17 victory in [...]
England v Samoa: 10 Rugby World Cup facts ahead of kick-off October 7, 2023 England take on Samoa knowing they are through to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup. Here are 10 facts about the two sides ahead of their clash on Saturday. 10 Rugby World Facts
‘It’s all on the line this weekend at the Rugby World Cup’ October 6, 2023 This is the crunch point, where those nations who have not yet secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup find out whether they’ve got any bottle. Because when everything is on the line, and there is no get-out-of-jail-free card in the following week, you really see what you are made of. [...]
Where to watch the Rugby World Cup in London October 5, 2023 It is the final weekend of fixtures in the pool stages of this Rugby World Cup and bars and pubs across London are waiting to be graced with your presence. Here’s where Morning Wire are watching this weekend. Tyrwhitt Arms Charles Tyrwhitt, whose ambassadors include former England internationals Matt Dawson and Jason Robinson, occasionally open [...]
England need best players playing in Premiership, says Care October 3, 2023 England international Danny Care has said he sees the positives of proposed hybrid international contracts if it keeps the country’s top rugby players in the English Premiership. A number of stars, such as Henry Arundell and Jack Willis, have fled overseas after the collapse of the rugby clubs last season while the surviving 10 outfits [...]