Magic Marcus Smith performance vindicates Borthwick call to release him March 6, 2023 With a ball as his baton, a rugby kit as his tuxedo, and Twickenham his symphony hall, Marcus Smith demonstrated what it means to orchestrate a sports team at the weekend. His pivotal, leading role in Harlequins’ 40-5 win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday not only reminded the rugby community of what the No10, born [...]
Six Nations: Jones and rest of old guard need to go for Wales to progress March 3, 2023 Having watched Wales’ third consecutive loss in this year’s Six Nations, I am now more convinced than ever that Warren Gatland needs to drop Alun Wyn Jones. He has been an incredible servant to Welsh and international rugby and fully deserved each one of his record breaking 168 caps, but the 37-year-old isn’t what he [...]
Six Nations: France set up bruising battle of the back rows in Le Crunch February 27, 2023 England’s crucial Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham in two weeks is set for a monumental back row battle with Francois Cros expected to come into Les Bleus’ starting XV. Cros is expected to replace Anthony Jelonch in the starting line up after the Toulouse flanker suffered a serious knee injury (ACL) in his [...]
Six Nations: What we learned from England’s 20-10 win over Wales in Cardiff February 26, 2023 It has always been one of those Six Nations matches fans look for when the fixtures are released, but Saturday’s clash between Wales and England did little to extinguish what has been a fiery couple of months for the home side. Given threats were made by players to strike in the days leading up to [...]
Six Nations: Late France try ends Scotland Grand Slam hopes February 26, 2023 A late Gael Fickou try earned France a 32-21 bonus-point win and denied Scotland a sensational comeback in the third round of the Six Nations in Paris. Fly-half Romain Ntamack put les Bleus ahead early on before Scotland were reduced to 14 men when Adam Gilchrist was red carded in the sixth minute for a [...]
What sport is on this weekend, when is it on and how can you watch it? February 24, 2023 There are two major finals this weekend and a multitude of free-to-air sport on the television. Here are five sporting events to put into your diaries for this weekend. Golf: LIV Mayakoba, Friday – Sunday The second season of LIV Golf gets going today from El Camaleon Golf Course in Mayakoba, Mexico. Last year’s season [...]
Watson starts as England name team for Six Nations clash against Wales February 23, 2023 Anthony Watson will start for England for the first time in two years on Saturday after Steve Borthwick named his side to take on Wales this Saturday in the Six Nations. The Leicester Tigers winger replaces the injured Ollie Hassell-Collins and is joined in the back-three by Max Malins and Freddie Steward. This weekend’s crunch [...]
Wales coach Warren Gatland calls for compromise as strike threatens England Six Nations match February 21, 2023 Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland has called on his players and the country’s union to compromise in a contract stand-off that has cast doubt on Saturday’s Six Nations match with England. Gatland cancelled a training session and delayed naming his team for the weekend fixture as a result of the row, and insists that the [...]
George Ford back in the England fold after returning from injury February 19, 2023 George Ford has returned to the England Rugby fold with the fly-half being called up to a training squad ahead of this weekend’s fixture against Wales. The Sale Sharks No10 is part of a 36-player squad having played his first Premiership game since last year’s final on Saturday – he hasn’t featured for England since [...]
Explainer: Welsh Rugby’s toxicity and can players strike? February 15, 2023 Toxicity in professional Welsh rugby started 20 years ago when clubs became regions, and since then there’s always been points of friction to keep the discourse over the Severn Bridge ticking over. But in the last couple of years the debate and disagreements over minor administrative issues have given way to a dire set of [...]