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…
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 …
England take heart from All Blacks defeat, Springboks’ power will test Scotland’s growing optimism and Italy prove a point In 2012 England also went 15-0 up on New Zealand at Twickenham and went on to win 38-21. This time they could not score a point a…
A year from the World Cup New Zealand look good for a hat-trick of wins but Ireland, South Africa and Wales are all on the rise with England and Australia heading in the other directionDefeat by South Africa in Wellington reminded the world that the Al…
Black Ferns concede first points before beating US EaglesFrance shock world series champions AustraliaAmerica’s women fell in the semifinals of their own Rugby World Cup Sevens, losing an entertaining game to New Zealand at AT&T Park in San Francis…
New Zealand 49-14 FranceReferee awards try after blocking French playersWinger Rieko Ioane scored three tries while Damian McKenzie crossed twice in a full display of his attacking abilities as the All Blacks completed a 49-14 victory over France in Du…
France have been on wrong end of decisions against New Zealand, with World Rugby and referees disagreeing over vital interpretationsSteve Hansen was asked this week if he would consider putting the series trophy on the line for the All Blacks’ dead rub…
Fullback Ben Fall takes out Beauden Barrett in the air All Blacks put in sloppy display in 26-13 victoryAn early red card to France fullback Ben Fall ensured the All Blacks sealed a 26-13 victory in the second Test in Wellington and wrapped up the thre…
• New Zealand 52-11 France• All Blacks had trailed 11-8 at half-time in first of three TestsA questionable yellow card to France lock Paul Gabrillagues allowed New Zealand to score three quick tries and set up a thumping 52-11 victory in the first Test…
Southern hemisphere sides dominated the 2015 World Cup in England but since then three out of the four have struggledMaro Itoje was in reflective mood as he sprawled himself in a chair that struggled to contain his 6ft 6in frame at England’s Bagshot ba…
The players of the tournament, the outstanding matches, best and worst moments and team of the championshipRobert Kitson: Conor Murray. Epitomises the team Ireland have become: classy, smart, consistent, strong, versatile. Probably the world’s best scr…
• ‘We were happy to win ugly against France,’ says Taulupe Faletau• Coach Warren Gatland must explore new ideas on tour of AmericasLike all the coaches bar Joe Schmidt, like all the teams bar Ireland, Warren Gatland and Wales finished the Six Nations C…
Ireland and England’s campaigns were summed up by their final few seconds in the French capital, with Ireland surging to victory and England losing after a fumble at the breakdownThe outcome of the 2018 Six Nations was settled in Paris. It was where Jo…
• Wales 14-13 FranceRarely have a side clinched second place in the Six Nations with less conviction. Wales were outplayed for vast tracts of this game, but are indebted to France for allowing them not only to stay in the game but to hold the lead for …
Six Nations updates from the tournament finaleScotland snatch victory over Italy with late penaltyAnd email Niall here or tweet him here, if you fancy 9.44pm GMT The Six Nations comes to a close in Cardiff, but the tournament’s final match may lack a t…
Coach laces abandon with pragmatism in Six Nations against French side who rely on power and straight-line runningPoints make prize money in the Six Nations. The title may have gone west but the cost to the Welsh Rugby Union of defeat against France in…
• Captain Alun Wyn Jones returns for home match against France • Mathieu Bastareaud to lead France after Guilhem Guirado injuryWarren Gatland has made seven changes to Wales’ starting lineup for Saturday’s Six Nations finale against France in Cardiff.A…
A loss of key players and refereeing interpretations in the Premiership have weakened Eddie Jones’s hand in the area where international rugby is won and lostOne statistic highlights why Ireland have taken over from England as the Six Nations champions…
• Wales full-back was substituted immediately after time in sin-bin• Warren Gatland says player must retain but control his emotionsLiam Williams is in contention to face France in Cardiff on Saturday despite being substituted at the end of his period …
France must not get carried after beating England, while Ireland will need to bolster their defence at TwickenhamWhen the post-match debate centres on whether England were poorer in Murrayfield or Paris, there is definitely trouble at mill. They never …
