Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
The Springboks have roared back into being one of the favorites for the World Cup next year. They utterly destroyed England at Twickenham on Saturday despite being at half-strength. They join Ireland and France as genuine contenders. There were upsets, led by Georgia’s memorable win over Wales, last-minute thrillers, and plenty of controversies. Charlie Inglefield […] READ MORE
With suspensions announced for star players Antoine DuPont and Pieter-Steph du Toit, it comes at the wrong time for World Rugby. The last fully contested weekend of the Autumn Nations Series was bereft of two superstars that are both former recipients of World Rugby men’s Player of the Year. It is bad timing, especially for […] READ MORE
This Saturday on the last day of the World Cup, France wins bronze medal at Eden Park. This was France’s third-straight bronze medal, and while disappointing not to appear in the Cup final, they completed a confidence-boosting win. Rugby Canada finished in fourth place [for the fourth time] and must look closely at this result. […] READ MORE
Several of the November Internationals played over this weekend were won by just a single-point margin. Wins by France in the dying minutes showed that close contests might be the trend this Autumn – unless you are in New Zealand. The All Blacks [as per usual] flagged the normal standards of offence, putting 55 points […] READ MORE
The French stamped their mark today at the Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC2017), with the Australian Wallaroos bundled out of Cup contention. They came to Ireland looking for redemption but it wasn’t to be on WRWC2017 Day Two action. The Irish had to fight from two tries down to win, as competition heats up at the […] READ MORE
When appraising any World Rugby ranking rise, an observer can think specifically on ‘how it affects the right now?’, or whether peaking later is the right trajectory? Then realizing there is a full year out until France 2023, those same cyclic-rankings changes have not always proved the right barometer to which side triumphs on the […] READ MORE
For the first time, fans witnessed an Irish team win on New Zealand soil, among a stack of results that showed the ‘home unions’ rebounding from past losses. Ireland, England, Scotland, and then Wales all rebounded to defeat their Southern Hemisphere hosts, which also supported a new Number One ranked team ascending to the top […] READ MORE
With three rounds gone we now have a fallow week before the final two rounds of this year’s tournament. So now is a perfect time to take stock of what we have seen so far. Here are the major talking points of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations. A take on the Women’s Six Nations Professional […] READ MORE
It’s just a little more than 18 months until the Rugby World Cup, and the immediate goal for French rugby is right on track. The 2022 Les Bleus Six Nations squad’s Grand Slam dream continues. No dream now is one honest assessment. It seems like the right combination of development and good planning. Yes, they […] READ MORE
Andy Farrell has strongly backed James Ryan’s decision to kick for the posts late in the second half, following their 30-24 loss to France in Paris. At 27-21, and with nine minutes left on the clock, James Ryan’s decision was to kick for the posts (which was successfully landed by Joey Carbery) rather than to […] READ MORE
Alastair Telfer
22/NI-Liverpool/Aspiring Sports Journalist
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