Tag Archives: eddie jones

The spectral sceptre

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Sam Roberts

Please click this link to read this piece on RugbyPass It was telling that two individual moments of brilliance were all that England could proffer in Paris. Against a defence fatigued by work already done, England’s Jonny May jinked forth … Continue reading →

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The heartbreakingly simple truth

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Sam Roberts

Read my words on the heartbreaking Rugby World Cup final for RugbyPass

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From Twickenham, with love

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Sam Roberts

So, there we go. The World Cup is on. England are a very good team and they can go to Japan full of hope and expectation. God help them. These things are always better when they sneak up on you. … Continue reading →

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Alacritous England end Ireland’s reign

Posted on February 3, 2019 by Sam Roberts

“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly…” Macbeth, Act I, Scene VII. Alacrity is a lovely word. And few better sum up the way England set about Ireland in the opening round of … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a feint No.3

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Sam Roberts

Sam Underhill’s running style is distinct. Indeed, it isn’t really a run, it’s a scamper. His shoulders are hunched, his body compact, perhaps from all of those lung puncturing tackles he makes. As he gallops, his head is pushed slightly … Continue reading →

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Old Eddie and the Sea

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Sam Roberts

It was a test match of which Ernest Hemingway would have approved. A trial of colossal strength, of titanic willpower. The American loved his bloodsports, loved to see men arm-wrestle for hours on end, and Saturday afternoon had two heavyweights … Continue reading →

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It’s a mad world…

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Sam Roberts

It’s a mad world my masters. Now, more than ever. And to prove it so, European Rugby was comprehensive in its lunacy. The sublime and the ridiculous; the mundane and the daft. If you had any reason to doubt how … Continue reading →

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Confessions of a No.7

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Sam Roberts

My interview with Luke Wallace of Harlequins on RugbyPass

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Babchenko-ing and the Boks

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Sam Roberts

Babchenko. Soon to be a verb. As in, he’s babchenkoed himself on the end of that move. Meaning: assumed gone, only to appear alive and well to the surprise of everyone. If a commentator doesn’t describe a player babchenko-ing themselves … Continue reading →

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Lions, England and an unsatisfactory Six Nations

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Sam Roberts

To rest or not to rest, that is the question. Slings and arrows of outrageous fortune at having so many Lions and a club system that just wants their players to play. England are trying to pick over the bones … Continue reading →

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