Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
With the 2021 World Rugby Awards winners announced over the last week, it ‘wraps up’ the winning players, coaches, and teams across all leagues and countries. Just in time for Christmas made it the perfect Xmas gift many all recipients. Awards might seem like the equivalent of Christmas gifts, yet they are all given on […] READ MORE
France are one big win away from a squad-defining moment. The young group enters the France Autumn Internationals optimistic that ‘their time is now’. This reporter joins many by asking ‘will it come for France against the All Blacks in the autumn internationals?’ After a disappointing summer tour in Australia and an under-par Six Nations, […] READ MORE
This was a classic Le Crunch, one of the very best. Both teams contributed to a non-stop, end-to-end Six Nations match. England to their huge credit deservedly won 23-20 in the final minutes of the game, having dominated the final quarter. After mounting criticism for a disappointing Six Nations campaign to date, England came roaring […] READ MORE
It was again not pretty, as befitting the general rugby theme in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations but Eddie Jones will have to refocus on the France Le Crunch fixture late Saturday afternoon. Round Four of this year’s championship and the Le Crunch match-up is always one to set the standard. Especially after what occurred […] READ MORE
Differing from their Autumn campaign, a strict ‘Covid-19 bubble’ will encompass the France Six Nations 2021 bid. In news from the French Rugby Federation, it has decreed that over the course of this season’s Guinness Six Nations, the external threat from Covid-19 will impose strict conditions. So unlike the rotation theory utilized in Autumn, this […] READ MORE
The 2020 Guinness Six Nations drew to a close on Saturday evening, as Ireland’s defeat in Paris meant England were crowned champions. Robert Rees selects his 2020 Team of the Tournament. 1. Rory Sutherland The Scottish loosehead has been in such quality form of late that he’s been tipped as a Lions starter. His set-piece […] READ MORE
Wales were outclassed 38-21 defeat to France at the Stade de France. Wayne Pivac’s side put up a limp second half performance in this Six Nations warm-up match. Lowri Jacob assesses five things we’ve learnt from Wales’ defeat to France. Wales’ loss is France’s gain Since arriving at France at the start of the year, […] READ MORE
France’s rugby team are now officially at rock bottom. If ever there was a misguided scoreline it was the 26-14 defeat that Ireland inflicted on France on Sunday afternoon. Ireland left at least 20 points out there if not more. With a bonus point in the bag early in the second half Ireland perhaps understandably […] READ MORE
The England rugby team under Eddie Jones is officially ‘back in a good place’. An impressive display in front of their adoring fans, answers many questions and emphasized twin victories to open the Six Nations. At times England were very good against France and ultimately, one cannot argue against a 44-8 scoreline. How good were […] READ MORE
The last few minutes of the Six Nations match at the Stade de France had tension, controversy, and heroism in equal measure as both France and Ireland sought to get their campaigns off to ideal starts. Jonny Sexton’s magnificent 83rd minute drop goal deservedly won the game for the visitors, but its the actions of […] READ MORE
Scott MacLean is an active rugby referee in Wellington (NZ), and writes for Last Word On Rugby predominantly from the ‘match officials’ viewpoint.