• ‘Jones must flinch every time the English teams play in Europe’• Johnny Sexton wins annual Rugby Union Writers’ Club awardEddie Jones has been warned he faces a struggle to keep his England squad fresh given the demands placed on some players by the …
• Flanker damaged ligaments playing for Bath in December• Underhill ruled out of action for up to three monthsSam Underhill will miss England’s Six Nations campaign after undergoing an ankle operation. Related: Meet the Clealls: the Saracens twins forg…
For all the philosophical rights and wrongs, those in charge must reach a definitive, far-sighted consensus – just tinkering with tackles will not do if rugby is to be made saferSay what you like about the Rugby Football Union but it leads the world wh…
The flanker has not progressed as quickly as some of his former England Under-20 teammates but has been listening and learning from those around him at Franklin’s GardensThis time last year England were fretting over the lack of options at openside fla…
• Northampton omit England hooker from squad to face Wasps• Hartley has only one match to prove fitness to Eddie JonesDylan Hartley has been ruled out for Northampton with a knee injury for the second consecutive week, less than a month before England …
England’s former defence coach refuses to look back as he prepares to take his Harlequins team to Newcastle on SaturdayPaul Gustard does not look like a man laden with regrets. If anything, on a chilly lunchtime in the first week of 2019, he appears ha…
With Ireland threatening New Zealand and a host of new head coaches on the way, 2019 feels a watershed like no otherWorld Cups always feel like watersheds. Eddie Jones has reminded us often enough that everything else is just sparring; that all that ma…
The England and Saracens fly-half on how a degree course has helped him examine his mistakes and become calmer on the pitch“The thing I liked about it most,” Owen Farrell says, “was having a look at yourself and what you’re doing. Seeing and understand…
• Ryan Mills’ injury gives England centre his chance• Te’o had break in New Zealand after internationalsBen Te’o will make his long overdue first Worcester start of the season against Saracens on Saturday after he was given extended rest following Engl…
Until 1988 Peters, whose father died in a lion’s cage, was the only black man to play rugby union for England. The sport’s historians are now starting to piece together his storyA century later the truth of exactly what happened to Jimmy Peters is just…
Premiership leaders head to Exeter on Saturday and their full-back says maintaining hunger when you have tasted success is always the hardest taskIt was hard not to feel sympathy for Alex Goode during England’s autumn internationals campaign. Not so mu…
Fly-half remains philosophical about his England exile and is enjoying his new leadership role at GloucesterIf Danny Cipriani feels messed around by England he hides it well. You might expect confusion, resentment, even betrayal at how he again finds h…
• Wing damaged medial ligament in loss to Leinster• Eddie Jones due to name squad on 16 JanuaryThe England wing Joe Cokanasiga is set to be out of action until the new year and faces a battle to prove his fitness for the Six Nations after Bath confirme…
• ‘I’ve never spoken to Nigel Melville,’ says Leinster coach• Lancaster’s contract in Ireland ends next yearStuart Lancaster has revealed that he has not given any thought to the prospect of replacing Eddie Jones for a second spell as England’s head co…
• England and Saracens lock has chipped bone in knee• Itoje to miss European double-header against Cardiff BluesMaro Itoje’s participation in England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland has been placed into question by a chipped a bone in his knee. Th…
• RFU’s Melville plans to speak to Wales coach about his future• Jones’s predecessor Stuart Lancaster also a candidateThe Rugby Football Union interim chief executive, Nigel Melville, is planning to speak to Warren Gatland as part of his search for Edd…
Now that the autumn internationals have been completed we take a look at the prospects for the opening stage in JapanIreland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa Continue reading…
Co-captain is blossoming at fly-half and embodies an England side that will go into Six Nations with a taste for winning uglyGraham Henry used to complain when he was in charge of Wales that rugby there was like a shower without a temperature control: …
Our ratings show Ireland are in pole position and New Zealand have slipped back, while Wales and England have made good progress and South Africa and Australia have much work to doSteve Hansen knew what he was doing when anointing Ireland as the world …
• Tournament hosts England crashed out in pool stage• Burgess defends his performance after crossover from leagueSam Burgess has claimed “individual egos” and “selfish players” contributed to England’s painful 2015 World Cup demise.Burgess was part of …
