Category Archives: Uncategorized

I was at the Rugby Writers’ Awards a couple of weeks ago. Dan Carter picked up the top prize. Unable to be in the room, he spoke via recorded video message. He had already done some joint hosting with Alastair … Continue reading →

Ah yes, here we are, an England squad. Pull up a chair, let’s peruse it together. There’s him and him; mm-hh, and oh look he’s back; good, good, yes I like him; and I haven’t heard of him; yes and … Continue reading →

Nobody said this was going to be easy. And if Eddie Jones is finding the plush surroundings of English Rugby’s headquarters to his liking, what’s happening on the field will have the Australian squirming in his seat. Not in a … Continue reading →

Eddie Jones has been sworn in. With a double quick march, (highlighting the haste with which some things can be done) a ‘foreign’ coach takes control of England for the first time in English rugby history. Jones’ CV includes words like … Continue reading →

Craig Joubert was an accident waiting to happen. The way this Rugby World Cup has wrapped itself up in Television Match Official cable, it was always going to asphyxiate someone. And Joubert, a referee not unused to RWC controversy, slipped … Continue reading →

The World Cup: rugby’s biggest party. All the countries invited have been asked to put together a squad of 31 players. That number created on the premise that you be able to name two players in each position and an … Continue reading →

My chest sighs heavily, my eyes prickle and a lump forms in my throat. It is Friday morning of a normal week and I sit on the side of my bed, not quite sure why I find myself crying. The … Continue reading →

“When money talks, I hate to listen, but lately it’s been screaming in my ear.” Ben Folds Here’s some news for you: Billy Vunipola has agreed terms with Racing Metro; Courtney Lawes has gone to Pau; Chris Robshaw and Joe Marler … Continue reading →

Ian Ritchie’s peculiar summing up of Stuart Lancaster’s previous attempts at Six Nations as ‘unacceptable’ sits uncomfortably with me. Many of those who watched the denouement of this year’s campaign would agree that although Wales and England both came very … Continue reading →

I feel like I did in the back of the car heading to my grandmother’s. Before anything electronic or beepy had been invented, my head slumped against the window, watching the world whistle by as we traipsed across the country … Continue reading →