Ireland face Italy on Saturday seeking to recover from their worst start to a Six Nations campaign. Andy Farrell’s team have suffered successive defeats to Wales and France, while the hosts are also searching for a first win of the tournament. Here, we take a look at some of the main talking points ahead of the game in Rome. Must-win […]

We look at some of the talking points ahead of Wales tackling fierce rivals England in the Six Nations at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday… Wales can take pole position in title race Unbeaten Wales, Grand Slam champions two years ago, will take a firm grip on this season’s tournament if they topple England. That would represent a surprising revival following […]

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones Eddie Jones has placed England on alert for any scheming from wily Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones when the Guinness Six Nations title rivals clash in Cardiff on Saturday. Jones has warned his players about the prospect of being targeted with wind-ups by the Lions second row, who on the most recent visit to the […]

Outgoing Rugby Australia chief executive Rob Clarke has launched an blistering attack on broadcaster Alan Jones, labelling the former Wallabies coach “vitriolic” and “bitter and twisted” for his continuing criticism of rugby and the game’s leadership. After stepping into the role of interim CEO at Rugby Australia following Raelene Castle’s ugly departure in April last year, Clarke finished up on […]

England are ready for battle with Wales captain and wind-up king Alun Wyn Jones ahead of Six Nations clash, as Eddie Jones claims he has ‘targeted’ players in the past England are wary of Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones and his noted wind-up tricks Head coach Eddie Jones claimed Jones has targeted England players before Captain Owen Farrell said any […]

Eddie Jones reveals he met former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal for lunch in Amsterdam and the pair compared coaching notes – even though the Dutchman did not know the England rugby head coach ‘from a bar of soap!’ England head coach Eddie Jones has revealed details of an encounter in Holland The Australian had lunch with Dutch football […]

Leicester’s Jasper Wiese has been banned for four weeks and teammate Hanro Liebenberg for two weeks following an online disciplinary hearing. Wiese was suspended for dangerous play after catching the head of an opposition player and Liebenberg for tackling the jumper, Josh Bassett, against Wasps on Saturday. Wasps’ Kieran Brookes has been banned for three weeks for a dangerous tackle […]

Antoine Dupont tested positive for a coronavirus France vs Scotland has been postponed due to a positive coronavirus test in the French camp with the Six Nations match now set to be rescheduled. The decision comes after a new positive case forced Fabien Galthié’s side to cancel training on Thursday. Five new French players, including captain Charles Ollivon, tested positive […]

Courtney Lawes will target Dan Biggar with a trademark big hit when England and Wales clash in the Six Nations. But he expects his Northampton team-mate to ride out even the fiercest challenges. Saints marked Lawes’ 31st birthday on Tuesday by publishing a highlights reel of his most thunderous tackles and the forward hopes to produce more suitable material when […]

Mark Dodson says the Scottish Rugby Union remains in a “strong” financial position despite seeing hopes of welcoming fans back to Murrayfield for the Six Nations dashed. The SRU was forced to concede it would not be able to host fans at next month’s final two homes games against Ireland and Italy following the announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon […]