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 [...]
Number of Brits buying sports tickets for overseas events skyrockets December 18, 2023 The number of Brits buying tickets for sporting events outside of the United Kingdom rose by 41 per cent in 2023 as the post-pandemic urge to attend live action continues to increase. It comes as the trend for overseas sport has risen by 50 per cent globally, according to Viagogo. This overseas demand was driven [...]
Tom Foley: English TMO abused after World Cup final quits international rugby December 4, 2023 Foley says he has received a "torrent of criticism and abuse".
Vile abuse that drove Farrell away from Test rugby a sad reflection of society December 1, 2023 Rugby columnist Ollie Phillips writes this week on the news that England Test captain Owen Farrell is walking away from international rugby for the Six Nations to manage his and his family’s well-being. How serious does abuse to our sporting stars need to get before real, severe and meaningful action is taken against mostly anonymous [...]
Gaucho’s Martin Williams interviews England rugby star Simon Shaw November 27, 2023 Martin Williams, founder of M Restaurant and owner of Gaucho, invites former England rugby player Simon Shaw for lunch at his newly refurbished Gaucho City