Rugby RSS feed

Folly of critics on the outside looking in

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The three England games that I have just been through are the first autumn series I have played in since 2002. I have watched all the others and so I know what it is like to be on the outside. I say this because I want to explain how I feel about criticism and what it is like to be on the wrong end of it.

Martin Johnson must take time before revising his England squad

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Having watched his England side lose to the All Blacks on Saturday, Martin Johnson’s busy schedule as team manager now takes him to New Zealand.

Alex Grove: We must ensure that win over Australia is not a one-off

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Are you still looking for an explanation of what happened at Murrayfield on Saturday?

Argentina are aiming to find psychological advantage

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Recent history and the immediate future will add an extra dimension to Scotland’s international against Argentina on Saturday.

Folly of critics on the outside looking in

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

England determined to recapture women’s rugby World Cup on home soil

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

England will play Ireland in their opening match when the sixth women’s World Cup is held in London next year.

The streaker who upstaged a captain's breast-beating

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:56:48 GMT

Most readers of a certain age will know the name Erica Roe. For those who don’t, or are too young, in 1982 Erica became the first streaker at Twickenham. It happened during an England v Australia international, on my watch as England captain.

England's women open World Cup campaign against Ireland

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:13:38 GMT

England will open their assault on the world title against Ireland next year when the sixth women's World Cup is held in London.

Bad management is crucifying English rugby, says Stuart Barnes

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:02:06 GMT

What have England learnt from the autumn series?

London Irish challenge the lawmakers after home defeat

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:48 GMT

Even London Irish appear unable to lift the thick black cloud that has lingered over English rugby for much of November.

The rugby republican's date with the Queen

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:28 GMT

O2, the official team sponsors, had organised an open top bus to take the squad and management on a procession through the streets of London, finishing in Trafalgar Square. Most of us were fairly sceptical and had serious doubts about anyone turning up, but the procession was going to be followed by a champagne reception at Downing Street with Tony Blair and then on to afternoon tea with Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace, so we couldn’t not turn up.

Fearless Lewis Moody puts his head where it hurts and rises above the mediocrity

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

In a grey old England world, where creativity and invention are concepts as foreign as opposition trylines, let us not ignore what gives cause for celebration. Let us not forget that through these last three weeks, one great, splendid, blond beacon of indestructible determination has been magnificent in his attempts to stitch some hope into England’s grim cause.

Andy Robinson must try to maintain the momentum

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Sport stirs the passions and the sight of the underdog bravely standing up to an opponent who everybody expects to win easily stirs them in a way that few other things can manage. Add, that in rugby it is not just stubborn determination that matters but genuine physical courage, and everybody in Scotland has every right to feel proud to be part of what their team achieved on Saturday.

Graham Steadman misses final act but salutes heroic defence

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

He may have been the real architect of Scotland’s triumph, but Graham Steadman, the defence coach, could not bring himself to watch the final act of the game as Matt Giteau lined up the conversion that could have undone 80 minutes of blood and guts courage from the Scotland defence.

Scotland’s bravery brings its reward

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The volume of noise told its own story. Every person at Murrayfield knew that as soon as Matt Giteau, the Australia fly half, had pushed the final kick of the game a couple of yards wide of the posts, they had witnessed history. Relief and elation were mixed in equal measure, but both were subdued by a sense of awe for the Scotland players who drove themselves to exhaustion and beyond in one of the most heroic defensive efforts seen at Murrayfield.

Shane Williams provides the entertainment in Wales victory

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

It was Shane Williams who referred last week to the present trend for interminable kicking duels as aerial ping-pong, although the term seems more than a little unfair on table tennis.There was more of the same during this game on Saturday, so thank goodness that Williams was around, adding two vivid splodges of colour to an otherwise grey canvas.

England rugby's snobbery drove sweet chariot into the ditch

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Let us go back to the autumn of 2002. In the course of 15 splendid days, England beat New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The first two were tight matches that emphasised the unity of the victors. South Africa tried to sucker England into a punch-up; England, coldly aloof, punished violence with points.

Clinical Saracens maintain their winning habit

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The pragmatic, no-frills Guinness Premiership now has the clear leader it deserves as Saracens established a six-point advantage at the top with their eighth win in eight matches after this powerful and clinical defeat of London Wasps yesterday.

Charlie Hodgson’s accuracy with the boot lifts Sale Sharks

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Whatever doubts crept into the minds of the Leeds Carnegie team cost them dear in a hair-brained last 20 minutes after they had led 17-3. Their lead should have been greater still against inept opponents, who gratefully seized the lifeline thrown their way yesterday.

How the England players rated

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Mark Cueto Good effort for someone who has not played full back this season, and good leadership behind the scenes 7

England’s women respond to inspiring example of Catherine Spencer

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Where England’s men failed, the team in white led by Catherine Spencer succeeded two hours later at Twickenham by beating New Zealand 10-3 in the women’s international and drawing the two-match series.

Martin Johnson must go back to basics

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMT

When in doubt, do the simple things well. It could have been Martin Johnson speaking. In fact, it was New Zealand clinching success at Twickenham on Saturday and it was the difference between two countries in search of sport’s holy grail, the winning formula.

How England and New Zealand rated

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:40:07 GMT

ENGLAND

Loyal fans short-changed by lack of tries

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:46:00 GMT

NO DOUBT quite a few thousand people with money to spare and time on their hands went along to watch all three of England’s autumn internationals, at what would have been a basic cost to them of around £230 each. Good on them, rugby needs its diehards.

Warren Gatland answers critics

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:40:00 GMT

WARREN GATLAND was feeling deservedly smug yesterday evening after Wales not only survived a physical examination from Argentina, but made it two wins in three autumn games.