Michael Rhodes has been playing with a broken collar bone for four years which makes his outstanding form for Saracen even more remarkable. Rhodes, with a piece of his hip now attached to the bone thanks to surgery in the summer, will continue his bid to become part of England’s international future by starting for Read More …
EXCLUSIVE;LIAM WILLIAMS admits he is “in awe” of new Saracens team-mate Owen Farrell after working alongside the England fly-half on the Lions’ summer tour to New Zealand. Williams, whose brilliant attacking play created one of the greatest tries ever seen on a rugby pitch in the First Test defeat by the All Blacks in Auckland, Read More …
Captain Sarah Hunter insists defending champions England still have enough energy “ in the tank” to defeat World No1 New Zealand in Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup final in Belfast despite having to battle through a strength sapping semi-final with France, emerging 20-3 winners last night. The Red Roses have now reached the last five Read More …
Maro Itoje’s remarkable rugby story started at Eden Park in Auckland in 2104 where he captained England U20’s to a Junior World Cup triumph and now, just three years later, the Saracens forward returns to that formidable sporting arena to help the British and Irish Lions make history by defeating the All Blacks in a Read More …
It was assumed that Ireland’s historic win over the All Blacks in Chicago last November would provide key to a British and Irish Lions triumph in New Zealand. However, with the series tied 1-1 heading into Saturday’s titanic decider, it is Ireland’s 21-9 loss to the All Blacks in Dublin two weeks later that now Read More …
Jonny Wilkinson had to endure the mental pressure of having to win a Lions second test in Wellington in 2005 having been beaten a week earlier by the All Blacks and believes the current players have to adopt an “ all or nothing” approach tomorrow if they are to keep this series alive. Twelve years Read More …
Warren Gatland has made big decisions in his rugby life and refused to back down when they evoked widespread condemnation which makes his incomprehensible handling of the “Geography Six” on the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand so worrying. He brought in the Welsh quartet of Gareth Davies, Tomas Francis, Kristian Dacey and Read More …
Warren Gatland faces four massive selection calls at the start of the ultimate Lions challenge against the World champion All Blacks and he has to get every one of them right to give the team a chance of replicating the 1971 triumph. Gatland is under severe pressure as the first New Zealander to coach the Read More …
ALL BLACKS great Sean Fitzpatrick believes the most daunting fixture schedule to ever face the Lions will ensure they are battle-hardened for the three-Test series against the reigning world champions in New Zealand. The Lions start the 10-match tour with the easiest game — against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday — and, as Read More …
Joe Launchbury is the best player not in the British and Irish Lions tour squad and frustration could dominate his every waking hour, but the chance to lead Wasps to the Aviva Premiership title against Exeter at Twickenham on Saturday is demanding all of his attention. Launchbury picked up yet another Man of the Match Read More …
