Sam Whitelock on the Cusp of All Blacks History
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyWhen the great Richie McCaw hung up his boots for the last time with 148 Test caps for his country, most people thought no man could ever come close to breaking his record. Eight years later,...
UPDATED: Manfredi replaces injured Bigi in Italy squad
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyItaly head coach Kieran Crowley has called up hooker Marco Manfredi for the team's Rugby World Cup squad following Luca Bigi's injury. (changes to original announcement appear in bold) Forwards PropPietro...
Allan (ITA) - 'My mum is cap No.2 for Italy'
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyComments from Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan as he reflects on learning the game from mother, an Italian international, before looking ahead to a defining seven days with Italy playing New Zealand and France. Tommaso...
Ireland report clean bill of health after bruising South Africa showdown
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyIreland emerged from a blockbuster win over South Africa with a clean bill of health but wary there are “big tests on the horizon” at the Rugby World Cup. Andy Farrell’s men...
A look at some of the best off-field tales from Rugby World Cup 2023.
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbySeveral public appeals and even the offer of a reward later and still a distraught Lima Sopoaga is searching for his beloved kicking tee. The Samoa fly-half, who has been converting tries and nailing penalties...
Johan Deysel apologises to Antoine Dupont after clash causes facial fracture
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyNamibia captain Johan Deysel has apologised to Antoine Dupont following a head-on-head collision that has left the France star’s Rugby World Cup campaign in doubt. Dupont suffered a facial fracture...
'We'll wait 48 or 72 hours and then we'll know more' - Antoine Dupont in doubt
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyLaurent Labit, assistant coach On how the squad is coping with Antoine Dupont's injury: "We're like everyone else. We're worried, we were happy with the match but it was a difficult evening for us. We're...
Rugby World Cup 2023 Match Preview: Georgia v Portugal
2 years ago by Ultimate Rugby“We have a lot of things to analyse,” Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said after their 35-15 defeat to Australia on the first weekend of Rugby World Cup 2023. He wasn’t wrong. Georgia...
France reaction (Penaud, head coach Galthié, Ollivon, Jelonch, Ramos, Danty, Baille, Cros, Bourgarit, Fickou, Flament)
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyMIXED ZONE François Cros, back row On the performance: "We got off to a great start and stayed on course for 80 minutes. It's positive that we managed to build up the match and win by such a...
Italy Assistant coach Marius Goosen - 'Uruguay's Manuel Ardao reminds me of David Pocock'
2 years ago by Ultimate RugbyComments from Italy assistant coach Marius Goosen on Thursday, the day after his side beat Uruguay 38-17 in Pool A at Stade de Nice. Marius Goosen, assistant coach On hooker Luca Bigi...
