England can win World Cup if they believe in now
1 decade ago by The TimesThis was the weekend when talk of England doing anything other than winning the World Cup should have ended. The evasive “short, medium and long-term” phrasings that littered the announcement of...
Owen Farrell’s fervour drives Saracens into battle with Bath cavaliers
1 decade ago by The TimesNorthampton 24 Saracens 29 In this season belonging to George Ford, there is something appropriate in that in the Aviva Premiership Final on Saturday, he will come up against Owen Farrell, his long-time...
David Strettle expected to join Clermont Auvergne
1 decade ago by The TelegraphDavid Strettle, the Saracens wing who last week celebrated a surprise recall into England’s World Cup training squad, is expected to join the French Top 14 club Clermont Auvergne next season. Reports...
Bath stick to attacking style to tame Leicester Tigers 47-10 in Aviva Premiership semi-final
1 decade ago by The TelegraphThey make it sound so simple. Catch and pass, attack space, play what’s in front of you whether that is from your own or the opposition’s five-metre line. When Bath’s coaches and players discuss...
Jonny May has final word to end thrilling contest in Gloucester’s favour
1 decade ago by The TimesGloucester 40 Connacht 32 (aet; 25-25 after 80 mins) Jonny May scored a memorable try in extra-time to keep Gloucester’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s European Champions Cup on track. ...
Northampton Saints lack quality when they need it most
1 decade ago by The TelegraphThe fact that everybody knows the rules concerning the Aviva Premiership play-offs doesn’t lessen the pain of finishing top of the table at the end of the regular season but not having your day of glory...
How Sir Clive Woodward can revive France
1 decade ago by The TelegraphI will admit it was a surprise to see Sir Clive Woodward’s name linked last week with the France coaching job that will become vacant after the Rugby World Cup. If it is indeed true, and I have no...
England will be 'fittest ever' says Stuart Lancaster
1 decade ago by The TelegraphStuart Lancaster, the England head coach, has vowed that his squad will be fitter and leaner than ever before for the Rugby World Cup in September, warning his players that they face a “grim” time...
England squad greater than sum of its parts
1 decade ago by The TelegraphIt would be very easy to dismiss England’s 50-man training squad for the Rugby World Cup as a declaration of uncertainty, of bets being hedged. Prop Joe Marler could make a World XV And you could...
Bath smash Leicester Tigers to set up Twickenham date with Saracens
1 decade ago by The TimesBath 47 Leicester Tigers 10 Matt Banahan scored a hat-trick of tries as rampant Bath defeated Leicester Tigers with a performance of ruthless accuracy to reach their first Aviva Premiership final in...
