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Posted 68 days ago
IN THE latest instalment of Rugby World TV we review the penultimate round of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations. We pick our Lions contenders, and name and shame those who we think should get the chop. Do you agree with our views? Join in the discussion on Facebook Rugby World Magazine and Twitter @rugbyworldmag
Thanks to Tom Macleod and We Are…
Posted 71 days ago
JUST LIKE his French counterpart Kidney is a man under pressure. At the beginning of the tournament, it was expected the fourth round in Dublin would be a defining moment in the tournament but instead of either team going for the Championship, it was a battle to avoid the bottom of the table.
Posted 73 days ago
France remain winless in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations as their visit to Dublin resulted in a draw. On a wet, grey day in the Irish capital, the hosts were the ones who initially looked to be gritting their teeth, and were rewarded on the scoreboard in the first half, earning a 13-3 lead by half-time. Ireland came out of the changing room full of confidence at the start of the second half, only to lose their way in the third quarter of the game.
Posted 77 days ago
The 1981 chart-topping song Stop the Cavalry may be a Christmas classic, but in truth it is a protest against war. Appropriate, then, that during the continent’s biggest celebration of rugby, the RBS 6 Nations, it could be the cavalry of fresh players lolloping over the horizon that help decide the rest of the championship.
Posted 82 days ago
“IF YOU any good ideas, give them to me,” said Philippe Saint-Andre in the aftermath of Saturday’s Six Nations defeat to England. The coach of France was responding to a question from a French journalist about the search for a No 10, the problem position for the Blues for the last couple of seasons. Actually, it’s been France’s problem position for years, decades, even. The evidence? Look at the all-time list of Test top points scorers – not one Frenchman in the top 20, the only nation from the Big Ten not represented.
Posted 85 days ago
ENGLAND TOOK a giant step towards their first Grand Slam in a decade with a 23-13 victory over France. The most important statistic is that Stuart Lancaster’s men found a way to win. They are getting very good at that. But it was a far from perfect performance. There will be much for the England management to address over the next fortnight.
Posted 89 days ago
ENGLAND are 1-5 on to win the Six Nations and evens to claim a first Grand Slam for a decade – but such odds cut no ice with Will Carling. Abject as France have been ahead of Saturday’s visit to Twickenham, the former England captain sees only a flashing danger light for Stuart Lancaster’s side.
Posted 90 days ago
IN THE letters page of the latest issue of Midi Olympique one irate reader has addressed the editor in no uncertain terms on why the Top 14 isn’t helping the national side: ‘Limit the Number of Foreigners’ his rant begins. Oh, the irony! For this Saturday at Twickenham France will be hoping that one of these same etrangers can get in among the English back-row.
Posted 101 days ago
This was a drab game, full of errors and lacking inspiration, with little to entertain as players trudged from scrum to scrum. In fact, it look like the pitch was going to be the main talking point until George North dived over the line. That try broke the deadlock after an insipid 72 minutes and from there Wales closed out a memorable win against a dire French side.
Posted 103 days ago
PHILIPPE SAINT-ANDRE has kept faith with his fumbling French side for the visit of Wales to the Stade de France on Saturday evening. Instead of bringing down the guillotine on the heads of players following their stunning defeat to Italy on Sunday the French coach has made just unenforced change. Mathieu Bastareaud replaces Florian Fritz in the centre, the big man’s first start for France since he played against England in the 2010 Six Nations.
