Category: Rugby Union

Rugby Union News

Posted on

Steve Borthwick retains full support of RFU despite England’s losing streak

  • England have won just four of 10 Tests in 2024
  • Under-pressure coach has “100%” backing from RFU

The England head coach, Steve Borthwick, retains the unequivocal support of the Rugby Football Union despite four consecutive defeats, the Guardian understands.

England have won just four of their 10 Test matches in 2024 and have lost six of their last seven matches against tier one opposition. On Saturday they conceded a record number of points against Australia at Twickenham, again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in losing 42-37. Since Borthwick took charge in December 2022, they have a 50% winning record.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Nayacalevu back to fire the Flying Fijians

Fiji coach Mick Byrne has told his players he doesn’t want a repeat of the nightmarish start his side experienced against Scotland when they face Wales at the Principality Stadium in round two of the Autumn Nations Series. Up against it from the start with none of their overseas stars playing in France and England […]

The post Nayacalevu back to fire the Flying Fijians appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Anscombe ready to steer Wales once again

Gareth Anscombe believes the new look Welsh team can build the momentum required to break the chain of recent results. The 33-year-old outside half will make his first appearance for Wales since Rugby World Cup 2023 when he starts on Sunday at Principality Stadium, in tandem with his Gloucester half-back partner Tomos Williams, and is […]

The post Anscombe ready to steer Wales once again appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Springboks fail to win hearts with brutal brand of rugby facing Scotland

There will be no love lost between rivals in reruns of World Cup pool matches also including Wales against Fiji

A 50-point frolic against the Fiji second team this will not be. Scotland welcome the Springboks, champions of the southern hemisphere, champions of the world, champions of the sort of rugby to make grown men cower, to Edinburgh on Sunday – and they know this is when it gets ­horribly serious.

It has been faintly amusing, faintly absurd, to watch South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, try to mount a charm offensive during the week, all touchy-feely, we-want-to-be-loved one minute, all seven-one-split-on-the-bench, hear-our-roar the next. The Springboks know how to win rugby matches; it seems winning hearts is their next directive.

Continue reading...
Posted on

England must turn potential into points in pivotal clash with Australia | Robert Kitson

With hosts stung by agonising losses and Wallabies eager to impress before Lions tour, much is at stake for both sides

Some games shape entire seasons and, for both England and Australia, another one is looming. Nail the Wallabies convincingly and the home side will believe their fortunes are finally reviving. Permit the visitors a morale enhancing first win in south-west London since the 2015 Rugby World Cup, on the other hand, and the horizon will darken swiftly.

England have already lost five of their past seven internationals dating back to Murrayfield in February. Next week the current world champions are due at Twickenham and, after a brief subsequent reunion with Eddie Jones’s Japan, the first two rounds of next year’s Six Nations championship pit Steve Borthwick’s team against, respectively, Ireland and France.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Lake wants ‘clinical and controlled’ Wales to get back to winning ways

Dewi Lake can’t wait to captain Wales for the first time on home soil – and wants his side to be clinical and stay in control against Fiji in the opening game of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. The Ospreys hooker will lead his country for the seventh time in his career on Sunday 10 […]

The post Lake wants ‘clinical and controlled’ Wales to get back to winning ways appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.

Posted on

Jamie George’s message to England: we need to be brave and take Australia on

  • Captain rallies team to ‘go out and play with courage’
  • England are odds-on to beat struggling Wallabies

Jamie George has called on his England side to have the bravery to stick to their guns and go for the jugular against Australia rather than go into their shells after making a losing start to their autumn campaign.

England will be seeking an 11th win in 12 matches against Australia, who arrive at Twickenham ranked ninth in the world, but Steve Borthwick’s side have lost four of their past five matches after slipping to a third straight defeat by the All Blacks last weekend.

Continue reading...