England’s Rugby Realities (2) Just as we are all ruminating on the right structures to give England rugby success, some fascinating takes have appeared in the press on the England coaching job by Rob Baxter and then Mark McCall. Primarily that they wonder what exactly is the role and who is accountable for […]
England’s Rugby Realities I said it was complicated and in a whole generation of English rugby, only three groups have ever been really successful and all three had the same characteristics. Trust in each other, exceptional off-field management, significant leadership on-field and stability in selection. Not to mention a winning mentality built on […]
SIX NATIONS – A (DIS)PASSIONATE LOOK BACK. Rugby romance, drama and crass stupidity at the close in Cardiff was a stunning feature of an ultimately predictable Six Nations as France and Ireland were streets ahead of the rest. I am not one for shouting at the television, and hardly when Wales is playing Italy. […]
Frustration and Pride in equal measure as 6 Nations glory beckons les Bleus. The 2022 Six Nations Championship lurched into its final weekend with no shortage of drama. I say that because there was immense frustration as well as variations on the level of discipline needed to succeed at this level. All 3 […]
The sporting world has made it quite clear over the last two weeks how the Ukraine invasion should be seen, through its actions in the mass exclusion of Russia from all sport. There has been no more poignant sight than the former President of Ukraine Rugby taking up arms in defence of his country at […]
Les Bleus leave Ireland in a stew after Englands tasty Hors D’Oeuvre. Entirely appropriate that the theme this week has been blue and French after they backed up their awesome All Blacks performance against Ireland who really did fancy their chances. In big away games you simply have to be on terms after […]
Determined Irish Eyes are smiling as Paris beckons. Despite the obvious competition in this years 6N, there was something predictable about the opening round, although no less dramatic for that. Ireland had already set the bar and after witnessing at first hand their stunning triumph over the All Blacks I have already said that there […]
Club Form the key as unparalleled 6 Nations rivalry looms This last three weeks I have lived the intermittent pain of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup – as well as the enduring quality of the Premiership. A tournament which is Pan-Europe, cross border, suffering different health protocols depending on government, region, or […]
Happy New Year! When the Pandemic hit the world in 2020 and impacted the sporting landscape as well as our whole way of life, I observed that it was a chance for rugby to reset and go back to the future, ie embrace some traditional values and I believe I was right. There has been recently so […]
This year of all years has been incredibly tough on professional rugby. All the touring teams from the Southern Hemisphere have been in ‘ bubbles ‘ for months and must be mentally and physically exhausted. The injury lists at professional clubs are at epidemic levels and when are we going to respond to the trend […]