Rugby

Halfpenny: The real deal

March 23, 2013
Halfpenny

Since the Six Nations finished a lot of writers have been having a pop at selecting their own squad, or at least starting fifteen for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia later in the year, which will be overseen by future New Zealand supremo Warren Gatland. Some players have appeared in most of the lists, with Alun Wyn Jones and his international namesake Adam at the top of many lists, but the one name on every set of lips is Leigh Halfpenny after a set of performances that may have cemented him as the best full-back in world [...]

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Six Nations: Fallout

March 20, 2013
SLancaster

It’s never going to be easy for an Englishman to discuss a loss for the national team to one of the other home nations without being accused of complaining, bitterness and being a sore-loser, and in some respects that is right. Be it football, rugby or any other sport there is an added satisfaction for the ‘smaller’ nations in beating the English, historically subjugators of so many, and the very anger and resentment that accompanies the result should also lead to improved performances from and England squad that will feel it has let down the fans, and themselves as well. [...]

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Lions: what did we learn?

March 17, 2013
BoD

Before the Six Nations started the upcoming tour of Australia to be undertaken by an as-yet unannounced British Lions squad was considered a secondary prize for any man capable of some standout performances, regardless of their overall team form, but the irony may end up being particularly bitter for some men. The much-improved Scots, for example, had their best tournament in many a year and ended with a respectable points haul, but may see their standout players overlooked in favour of either better, or more familiar men when the coaches take their view.   Forwards: It’s hard to pick a [...]

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Italy v Ireland: preview

March 15, 2013
Kidney

Incredibly, this match between the Irish and the Italians could decide the spots all the way from third to bottom of the Six Nations table, and while the Italians and Scots were looking like favourites to pick up the wooden spoon it now could end up with any one of France, Italy or even Ireland that end up bottom of the table, depending on how results go. For these two teams the equation is simple, win today and see what goes on elsewhere, but it is the home team who will be the happier to be in this situation, one [...]

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Wales v England preview

March 15, 2013
Gatland

Much like with their World Cup campaign, this year the Welsh side were not expected to rock the boat in the Six Nations really, and I doubt anyone gave them much hope of getting to the final game with a chance at a Triple Crown, as well as the tournament win itself. However, as in New Zealand, the Welsh have proven they are always useful when things are tight and all that is required is to execute the basics, and now find themselves eighty minutes from a famous and unexpected moment in their rugby history. As for England it is [...]

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France v Scotland preview

March 14, 2013
Picamoles

The Six Nations is one of the few remaining bastions of British, or maybe European sport these days, still resolutely broadcasting on the BBC and not bothering with showing that much consideration toward the club games it so disrupts, and as has often been the case we’ve seen some pretty surprising results this year. One of the more interesting and obscure stats it has produced is in the try-scoring table, where Scotland’s Stuart Hogg share the lead with Alex Cuthbert and the French number eight, Louis Picamoles. Two of those three men will be on show this Saturday evening in [...]

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