SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE UP TO 35% Read Rugby World’s digital issue Subscribe to the Rugby World Newsletter

News


Lions 2013: 5 things we learned from Lions v Barbarians

Posted 16 days ago

in Blogs, Lions 2013, News / Comments Off

mike phillips lions

The 2013 British and Irish Lions made a very competent start to their tour with an eight try, 59-8 victory. The Lions dominated every aspect of the game. They secured 67% of the possession and a devastating 72% of the territory – if they had secured any more territory in Hong Kong it may have constituted an ‘invasion’ under UN protocols. The glut of possession meant that the Lions strike runners broke the line at will – Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts in particular made five clean breaks and beat eight defenders between them – more than the Barbarians squad combined.

Lions 2013: Match verdict: Lions 59-8 Barbarians

Posted 17 days ago

in Blogs, Lions 2013 / Comments Off

LIKE ANY first run out, the Lions took a while to get rolling with smart angles wasted and players not quite understanding each other, but once Warren Gatland’s opening XV starting putting passes to hand in the second-half they were able to burn off the Baabaas with consummate ease.

Lions 2013: The only man in Hong Kong happily sweating…

Posted 19 days ago

in Blogs, Lions 2013 / Comments Off

ON SATURDAY, during the Barbarians match against the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong, everyone will be toiling with the heat. That is except for one man. Local lad Rowan Varty, captain of the Hong Kong sevens team, has been handed a late and unlikely lifeline in his bid to play against the Lions after the Baa-Baas re-issued their teamsheet on Wednesday, almost immediately after coach Dai Young had confirmed his side for Saturday.

Falcons fly back into the Premiership

Posted 19 days ago

in Aviva Premiership, Blogs / Comments Off

THERE WILL undoubtedly have been roars of delight as Newcastle Falcons clambered out of the Championship at the first time of asking, but for one man watching Falcons 31-24 victory over Bedford Blues in the play-off second leg – winning with an aggregate score of 49-33 – there would have been a hefty sigh.

Lions 2013: The tour opener statistics

Posted 19 days ago

in Blogs, Lions 2013 / Comments Off

By Alan Dymock
On the eve of the opening match in sticky Hong Kong we ask: have you ever wondered how the British and Irish Lions have fared in their first matches of the tour throughout the years? Well, Rugby World have done all the hard work so you don’t have to, sweating almost as profusely as those on the island…

Top 14: Claassen and co. are ready to topple Toulon

Posted 21 days ago

in Blogs, News, Top 14 / Comments Off

THERE ARE still moments when Antonie Claassen has to pinch himself. Can it really be true? A French international and in the final of the Top 14? “It is hard to believe at times,” says the South African-born No8. “This time last year I was at about the lowest point of my career and now here I am, I’ve played for France and I’m about to play in my first Top 14 final. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better season.”

Mourad Boudjellal and rugby’s Cup Winners’ Cup

Posted 22 days ago

in Blogs / Comments Off

THE PHRASE more money than sense exists purely for moments when expensive splurges make the headlines. Building an exact replica of the Titanic or trying to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon may seem like pointless endeavours, but who can explain the mindset of the filthy rich?

Lions 2013 Player Profile: Rory Best

Posted 22 days ago

in Lions 2013, News / Comments Off

Rory Best

A SHOCK omission from Warren Gatland’s original squad, Best was called up after Dylan Hartley’s verbal assault on referee Wayne Barnes in the Aviva Premiership final saw the hooker banned for 11 weeks, the Saint turned sinner ending his tour before it had even begun. Best was far more disciplined in his domestic final, although he couldn’t help Ulster overcome Leinster to lift the RaboDirect Pro12, and has proved to be a consistent performer since making his Ireland debut in 2005.

Wheelchair rugby: first interview with new GB coach Paul Shaw

Posted 22 days ago

in Blogs, News / Comments Off

GB Wheelchair Rugby team

WHILE THE GB wheelchair players may have had a quiet few months, staff have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything is in place for their return. UK Sport and Sport England seem suitably impressed with GBWR chief executive David Pond’s plans to grow the game as between them they’ve provided more than £4m of funding to put their strategic plans in place. This includes the appointment of a new head coach, Paul ‘Tez’ Shaw.

Rugby World’s Alternative End of Season Awards

Posted 22 days ago

in Blogs / Comments Off

OBVIOUSLY AT Rugby World we have some proper awards to dole out at the end this season, rewarding the great, the good and the gutsy. However, let it never be said that we take things too seriously. Here are Rugby World’s Alternative Awards.

Previously
More Recently

Rugby World Shop