“I can’t see the point of keeping him.” He did not get much of a word in, but Jamie Redknapp made it count on a couple of occasions. In the box-office TV that followed Manchester City’s 4-1 thumping of Manchester United, Redknapp spoke for only about three minutes, but he still made the best point. […]

4 years ago

“Good luck to them!” Eddie Jones was far too busy trying to tee up a clash with his underdog England side against the mighty Ireland to concern himself with what a couple of pundits here have been saying. The England coach is trying to do what he so nearly pulled off to perfection in 2019 […]

4 years ago

“Shane was an icon, wasn’t he?” As a proud Australian, a self-confessed trundler and a huge cricket fan, England head coach Eddie Jones was understandably reeling over the recent passing of Shane Warne. The Australian star’s sudden death, last Friday, came as a huge shock and it was since confirmed that he suffered a heart attack […]

4 years ago

“I’m enjoying being back in and around the team.” This is a purely personal, but having Joe Launchbury in your squad – Wasps, England, Lions, whatever – makes it better. The 30-year-old is back in the England set-up after a [too] long spell on the outside, looking in. Eddie Jones has included him in a […]

4 years ago

“And I was always saying to myself, ‘Why would you do that?’” George North was only 21 years old when he was selected for his first ever British & Irish Lions tour. However, such was the undoubted talent of the lad, he had already amassed 31 Test outings and 11 tries. Then part of a […]

4 years ago

“Still, to this day, that is one of my best Lions memories.” It is almost nine years on from the British & Irish Lions heading Down Under to get back on winning track. Justin Tipuric will never forget the words of Paul O’Connell, early on that journey. In 2013, Tipuric was selected for his first […]

4 years ago

Just what Eddie Jones needs, more ex-players wading in with strong opinions. Jamie Heaslip, Fiona Coghlan and Stephen Ferris all shared their opinions of England after their 23-19 victory over Wales, at the weekend. None of the former Ireland internationals are fully convinced of the latest direction England head coach Eddie Jones is taking his […]

4 years ago

ENGLAND 23-19 WALES In the end, at Twickenham, the forwards won enough penalties for Eddie Jones’ side to cruise home. Our England ratings and marks out of 10 for the Welsh players have the usual mix of heroes, lads that will be questioning their performances and plenty in between. In a first half that most […]

4 years ago

SCOTLAND 17-36 FRANCE Scotland fans were left fuming, 25 minutes into their side’s Six Nations clash with France, when Melvyn Jaminet clattered into Sam Skinner. On first viewing, it looked as though there was a case to answer. Les Bleus were 12-3 up after early tries for Paul Willemse and Yoram Moefana, when the incident […]

4 years ago

“They’re singing Delilah and it’s absolutely bouncing!” If he casts he mind back, and he is more than happy to do so, Justin Tipuric can place himself back out on the Principality Stadium pitch as Wales did a double that gave them immense, immense pleasure. Back in 2013, when it was still called the Millennium […]

4 years ago

The Big Bash is back. Eddie Jones has named his England team for the pivotal Six Nations clash with Wales, and some big-hitters return. For their recent win against Italy, Jones made eight changes to the team that started their Six Nations campaign with a narrow away defeat to Scotland. Knowing that their title hopes […]

4 years ago

“That’s all I can really give you, if I’m honest!” After an opening weekend loss to Scotland was followed up with a bonus point win over Italy, Ellis Genge is not getting too deep into the weeds on England’s 2022 Guinness Six Nations campaign. He knows how much is resting on beating Wales at Twickenham […]

4 years ago

“It’s going to be cool, it’s going to be epic. Can’t wait.” After going on his travels to Edinburgh and Rome for the opening rounds of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations, Maro Itoje has the passport squirrelled away and is excited to be playing at a sold-out Twickenham again. Saturday’s visit of Wales to London […]

4 years ago

“I was trying many times to call home.” Born and raised in Faleloa, on a chain of small Tongan islands called Ha’apai, Malakai Fekitoa moved to New Zealand as a teenager when he was offered a rugby scholarship to attend Wesley College. The Auckland school has had the likes of Jonah Lomu, Sitiveni Sivivatu and […]

4 years ago

Setting the alarm for those early sessions. George Furbank and the rest of the England squad are getting a couple of days off, after their win against Italy, but they should assemble again with head coach Eddie Jones, on Wednesday. The England fullback will be hitting the on-field, skills and gym sessions in and effort […]

4 years ago

“Maybe it’s fine if the best Irish, Welsh and American female players are playing in those leagues, for a short period of time.” World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin believes England and France are “flying ahead” in the women’s rugby, particularly in 15s. His short-term club rugby solution may not please everyone. Gilpin suggests it […]

4 years ago

Three English picks from the former Bath, England and Lions star. Several England players vaulted their arms in the air for round three of the Six Nations, and their match against Wales, after seeing off Italy in Rome. Ireland may have fallen short at the second Grand Slam hurdle, but they are still in the […]

4 years ago

“We wanted to make a big splash.” This Gloucester rugby calendar should go down a treat with fans of the club, and anyone that is a fan of suggested photography using props! Gloucester rugby has taken the plunge this Valentine’s Day, by going the full monty in aid of a charity calendar. Inspired by the […]

4 years ago

ITALY 0-33 ENGLAND Eddie Jones’ men got back on track, in Rome, thanks to a couple of their Harlequins stars. They score well in our England ratings, along with Harry Randall. Alex Dombrandt clearly had a point to prove, starting in the No.8 jersey, and his paw prints were all over the first half. England […]

4 years ago

The malaise continues at Old Trafford, and Man United seem incapable of shaking themselves out of it Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United often went in 0-0, or 1-0 down, at the break only to get their act together in the second half. Despite a number of comebacks and late goals, it was never going […]

4 years ago

Eddie Jones trying out some new combinations and giving prospects a chance to shine. Jones has named a much-changed England team to the one that lost the Six Nations opener to Scotland, but it is still full of class acts and players with points to prove. The England head coach has made eight changes to […]

4 years ago

“Get them all in, and we can have a party with the Baa Baas!” For the past decade, Italy have been dealing with calls for relegation to be brought into the Six Nations, or for another side to take their place. Playing a Barbarians side in the Six Nations, though? That is a new one. […]

4 years ago

“We’ve had a couple of conversations.” Following the raging success of sports documentaries like Drive to Survive, The Last Dance and the All or Nothing series, in the NFL and Premier League, talk of a Netflix rugby documentary, or similar with another major streamer, has ramped up. The increased interest, and viewing figures, in Formula […]

4 years ago

The Cardiff star was not having it, but he could have no complaints with the call. Watching from the upper level of the West Stand, at the Aviva Stadium, on Saturday, it was clear as day that Josh Adams had diverted course to thump into Johnny Sexton. Wales were trailing 17-0 at this point [48 […]

4 years ago

“Where does it stop?” Luke Cowan-Dickie will have been in a low place on Saturday night as he and his England teammates went back to the dressing room with the cheers and songs from Scottish players and supporters ringing in their ears. For the first time since 1984, Scotland managed to retain the Calcutta Cup […]

4 years ago

SCOTLAND 20-17 ENGLAND Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 1984 after rallying in the second half to stun Eddie Jones men. Our full Scotland and England ratings feature some heroes and villains. Smith had put England 3-0 ahead and the Scots had Ali Price off for a Head Injury Assessment when […]

4 years ago

“I don’t know what we would have done if we could not have found another hotel.” England fullback George Furbank laughs when he hears that Eddie Jones had secretly wanted his squad to go camping overnight in the Cotswolds, during their Six Nations preparations. The England training sessions are a tad… extreme. The England coach […]

4 years ago

Tom Curry will lead his country for the Six Nations. With Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes and Jonny Hill all out injured, Eddie Jones has made some bold calls in his England team to face Scotland in their Six Nations opener. Jones has paired Elliot Daly (13) and Henry Slade (12) in his midfield as he […]

4 years ago

“He is a proven try-scorer.” The Six Nations countdown is on, and Alex Goode has helped set the scene for players that could light up the championship. Goode and his House of Rugby co-host Sean O’Brien were tasked with selecting a dream team with players from all this year’s 2022 Six Nations squads available to […]

4 years ago

“This was probably the easiest pick for me. At 7, Tom Curry.” Big praise for Tom Curry as the Sale Sharks back-row embarks on another championship tilt. The Six Nations countdown is well and truly on, and a season of rugby debates is about to kick into overdrive. Sean O’Brien has stepped up to make […]

4 years ago

Early days yet, but a real boost to all the nominated lads. The EPCR has released the names of 15 nominees for early voting in the race for the European Player of the Year prize. It includes Harlequins and England duo Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt. With the pool stages of the Challenge and Champions […]

4 years ago

“Forget Italy, forget Georgia or Spain. Let’s just have a Northern Hemisphere Baa Baa’s side for the Six Nations!” If you ever watched big rugby matches, saw the commentators, analysts and pundits holding fort and thought, “I’d fancy a go at that”, well, we have a challenge for you. We are looking for rugby’s next […]

4 years ago

Manchester United are shifting a lot of lads out for loan deals We have already seen Anthony Martial and Amad Diallo heading out from Manchester United, on loan. Phil Jones could follow them before the transfer window closes. Earlier this year, Jones made his first United start in almost years, following injury and rehab set-backs. […]

4 years ago

‘I’m delighted to be joining Rangers until the end of the season’ Rangers are delighted to have Amad Diallo with them, too. Signed from Atalanta by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in a £37.2million deal, Diallo got off to a bright start at Manchester United but has found first-team opportunities limited this season. While much of the […]

4 years ago

“The Marcus situation is no different from any other team in the world.” Henry Slade is coming into the Six Nations in good form, and he may hold the key for getting the best out of Marcus Smith. Owen Farrell (ankle) and Jonny May (knee) are both due for dates with the surgeon’s blade, while […]

4 years ago

“There may be one or two cross words exchanged between us next Saturday.” Barring another Lazarus-like return to rugby action from Alun Wyn Jones, next Saturday will see Dan Biggar captain Wales against Ireland. The Welsh are reigning champions, coming into the Six Nations, but are riddled with injuries. The likes of Jones, Talupe Faletau, […]

4 years ago

“I like your cardie, mate!” For all the disruptions they have endured in the past week – Covid, injuries and nearby “bonfires” – England head coach Eddie Jones is in buoyant form. The today’s virtual Six Nations launch, Jones held court on misogi sessions, dirt-biking, chats with ‘funny guy’ Roy Keane and still found time […]

4 years ago

“It couldn’t be just booze, to lose 10 kilos.” Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell is back in good nick, decent form and back in the England squad for the 2022 Six Nations. After revealing, a couple of weeks back, that cutting out drinking had helped him, in terms of losing weight and recovering from matches […]

4 years ago

“It’s a reminder to Liverpool that, no matter how good you are and how comfortable it is, if you get sloppy, you can get punished.” Liverpool put together a mostly scintillating 45 minutes against Crystal Palace, but still survived two self-inflicted scares. Roy Keane felt Alisson Becker saved them, on both occasions. The Reds went […]

4 years ago

Five English sides have made it into the Last 16. The pool stages of the Champions Cup wrapped up, this afternoon, with a couple of thrilling finishes and important results. Heading into the final day, after the EPCR were forced to cancel three more matches due to Covid cases, it was confirmed that five English […]

4 years ago

“A few lads enjoyed a cigarette, but not at half-time or anything like that!” When Montpellier travelled to Dublin with a weakened team, last weekend, and proceeded to ship try after try to a ruthless Leinster, Alex Lozowski was not entirely surprised. Lozowski was one of the Saracens players that took a brief sojourn away […]

4 years ago

Hold. Your. Nerve. Since its inception in 1888, there have been only 20 teams to win the First Division or [as it became in 1992] Premier League. Our latest football teams quiz is focused on more recent league history. We want to know the most successful football teams in the league over the past 50 […]

4 years ago

“For most guys, that’s way too much running.” The maddening beauty of intra-sports rivalry and ‘we’re better than you’ arguments, is most people are entrenched on the matter. Rugby fans, for example, are often triggered when American football followers claim their sport has the toughest or most athletic players. If that spat ever occurs again, […]

4 years ago

“That’s where Owen is so good.” Eddie Jones has named a 36-man squad for the opening rounds of the Guinness Six Nations, and asked Owen Farrell to captain his country again. Jones has included six uncapped players in a squad that does not have experienced players Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi, Sam […]

4 years ago

Eddie Jones has laid his cards on the table. The England squad for the 2022 Six Nations has been named and there are a few new faces coming in for a taste of championship action. As we saw last year, Jones looks to have moved on from Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola and George Ford. None […]

4 years ago

Absolute chaos in those final 14 seconds After a super wildcard weekend, the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers are all one and done for the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott, though, may have some difficulty moving on. Before we get to the pure, unadulterated madness […]

4 years ago

De Gea had another fine game but United’s defence was ropey, once again. Roy Keane has seen far too much of Manchester United, of late, to know a 1-0 lead is not worth much. His half-time words, on Sky, proved prophetic. Keane, to put it lightly, has not always been convinced by David De Gea. […]

4 years ago

“It was so casual, but so clinical.” In the United Rugby Championship, one of the best teams to watch right now are Edinburgh. The Scots may be leading the league right now, but it is their style of play that is so appealing. With Mike Blair in as head coach, taking over from Richard Cockerill, […]

4 years ago

‘The press have come to the wrong people.’ Victoria Rose, wife of Bath and England outhalf Danny Cipriani, has shared a statement regarding the arrest of an English rugby player, on suspicion of rape, on Sunday. Referring to the appearance of journalists outside of the couple’s family home on Wednesday morning, Rose strongly denied any […]

4 years ago

Ospreys and Leinster won’t be happy with this. The Heineken Champions Cup returns, this weekend, and, as of today, all fixtures in round three of the pool stages are set to go ahead. The waters are calm, for now. Montpellier have been dealing with a Covid outbreak in and around their senior squad but their […]

4 years ago