Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
Warren Gatland, the British and Irish Lions coach has made three changes to the side that won the first test. Mako Vunipola comes in for Rory Sutherland, Chris Harris replaces Elliot Daly and Conor Murray is in for Ali Price. There are also changes on the bench that sees Taulupe Faletau replace Hamish Watson. Elliot […] READ MORE
It was not a classic, far from it but as befitting a British and Irish Lions series the first Test had its fair share of tension and controversy. The Lions won 22-17 but in truth, neither side excelled in what was an error-strewn and nervy affair. The Springboks barely broke sweat to take a first-half […] READ MORE
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland hasn’t ran away from tough selection decisions. Taulupe Faletau, Conor Murray, Mako Vunipola and Jamie George have all been excluded from the squad. In come Jack Conan, Duhan van der Merwe, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ali Price, all of whom have been rewarded for their form on this tour. […] READ MORE
There are some big decisions for Warren Gatland ahead of the Lions first test, not least who is his starting captain. Wyn Jones returned against the Stormers off the bench to stake his claim to be starting next weekend as captain. However, Gatland also faces other selection headaches in the back row, scrum-half and in […] READ MORE
In the space of a couple of hours, the meticulously laid plans of Warren Gatland have been thrown into disarray. Talisman and captain Alun Wyn Jones is out of the tour with a dislocated shoulder. This is a huge blow given his experience, leadership and presence on and off the field. The subsequent appointment of […] READ MORE
The Gallagher Premiership semifinals over the weekend propelled English rugby to the forefront of European rugby. Contrast France’s Top 14 semifinals which were tight, turgid affairs dominated by the forwards. The Gallagher Premiership will never be able to match the salaries that the Top 14 can dish out. However, for any southern hemisphere player wanting […] READ MORE
As ever, a new British and Irish Lions squad announcement never disappoints – and 2021 was no different. As Lions coach Warren Gatland alluded to this was “such a difficult selection” given the player pool available in certain positions. As predicted by this rugby website, Alun Wyn Jones deservedly takes the captaincy honours. That was […] READ MORE
The 2021 British and Irish Lions squad announcement is hugely exciting, with choices coming from all sectors of the game. As such, our final Last Word on Rugby squad selection looks to reinforce the status and recent player examples from the just completed Six Nations Championship. Given the form coming out of the home nations, […] READ MORE
Retaining Eddie Jones as the England rugby coach is the right decision. The RFU were absolutely correct to do a full debrief on what was a disastrous 2021 Six Nations campaign. Many feel England rugby need an overhaul and to an extent this is true, but Jones is the right man to do the job still. […] READ MORE
The British and Irish Lions selection discussion will be hugely entertaining now that the tour is assured to go ahead in South Africa. The 2021 Six Nations proved that the Six Nations has to be the premier tournament in world rugby. There were last-minute win’s, shocks and general entertainment to keep everyone happy. Wales were […] READ MORE