Samoa ready to call up ex-All Blacks to make England World Cup task tougher

England’s bid for Rugby World Cup glory in France next year is about to become tougher with Samoa aiming to add former All Blacks Lima Sopoaga and Steve Luatua to their Pacific Nations Cup winning squad, although including 103 cap Ma’a Nonu looks unlikely. Head coach Seilala Mapusua has revealed his plans to RugbyPass as Read More …

Rising coaching star Nick Evans is a fan of LQB rather than KBA

Former Ireland outside half Ronan O’Gara is getting his La Rochelle team to embrace the concept of Keep Ball Alive (KBA) as they bid for European glory but All Black Nick Evans prefers LQB as he steers Harlequins towards a Gallagher Premiership title challenge. Former All Black Evans admires O’Gara’s KBA edict but sees the Read More …

Do not compare Cokanasiga to Jonah Lomu says former team mate Brooke

Zinzan Brooke believes Joe Cokanasiga has the talent to become a force for England at the World Cup but does not deserve to be compared to Jonah Lomu, his former All Blacks team mate. Brooke was at Twickenham to see Cokanasiga help England defeat Italy and although the Bath wing failed to get on the Read More …

Lions are not a target for Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has ruled himself out of taking charge of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021. Schmidt and Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, have made it clear they will both be taking a break from rugby after the World Cup in Japan and have not lined up Read More …

Lawes admits he may have to “take a step” to ensure he is onside for England

Courtney Lawes has admitted that “maybe I need to take a step” after being controversially penalised for offside which ruled out Sam Underhill’s solo try that would have given England victory over New Zealand. Instead, television match official Marius Jonker ruled Lawes had come up too quickly on New Zealand scrum half TJ Perenara to Read More …

Nigel Wray paid £180,000 for the most famous All Black jersey

The All Blacks are to pay homage to their country’s most famous rugby jersey which Saracens owner Nigel Wray paid £180,000 to buy and is on display at Twickenham’s World Rugby Museum in the build-up to Saturday’s test with England. Wray has temporarily loaned the jersey Dave Gallagher, captain of the legendary 1905 “Originals” wore Read More …

Hansen reveals close bond with opposite number Jones

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has revealed his close relationship with England opposite number Eddie Jones and says the pair speak “probably every second week”. England will face New Zealand for the first time in four years at Twickenham on Saturday, with Hansen dismissing suggestions Jones is under severe pressure in his head coach role. Read More …

With Danny Cipriani you get what you expect – on and off the pitch

Danny Cipriani is consistent on and off the pitch. With ball in hand the outside half has always been able to unlock defences with handling and vision that few of his rugby generation can match. Off the pitch, he is a walking accident waiting to happen. He even opted out of Britain to escape his Read More …