In 2009, when I was coaching Ulster, World Rugby proposed a few sensible law changes that would allow players to execute quick lineout throws. Hardly a radical change. At that time, the coaches of the leading professional teams were invited to vote on whether the new laws should be adopted. To my great bewilderment, I … Read more
15 Thomas Ramos (France) France’s Thomas Ramos lines up the winning kick during the Six Nations match against England at Stade de France. Photograph: Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images One of the main reasons France are champions, and ultimately the key man. Yet again, the most points (74) and the best kicking ratio (87.5 per … Read more
Six Nations: France 48 England 46 A wild, whacky, madcap and ridiculously fluctuating 2026 Six Nations had a Super Saturday that was just that. Alas for Ireland, despite a pulsating 43-21 win over Scotland which had ensured they retained the Triple Crown, Thomas Ramos’ 45 metre-penalty with the last kick of the game in Paris … Read more
France 38-39 England 63 mins: France win a breakdown penalty inside their own 22 and it’s all kicking off. SUrprise surprise, Henry Pollock is in the middle of it all. 60 mins: Attisogbé’s athleticism to keep that ball in play from an England kick is worth the price of admission alone. The game that keeps … Read more
England’s Six Nations finale in Paris on Saturday could descend into farce with France set to wear a special edition pale blue kit that threatens to clash with the white strip worn by Steve Borthwick’s side. Fabian Galthié’s side have confirmed they will don the anniversary kit, which is significantly lighter than their traditional blue … Read more
When will we ever learn? As in learn not to rush to judgment after just one round. Recall way back in time – well, a mere four weeks ago – when all three Celtic nations lost on the opening day for the first time since 2000. Warnings followed about the championship being on the road … Read more
A classic Six Nations has the finale it deserves, if not quite the one many anticipated. Scotland’s stunning 50-40 win over France at Murrayfield on Saturday has made their clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday (kick-off 2.10pm) the most meaningful between the two countries in Six Nations history. Not since Scotland won … Read more
All the trends in this piece come with some degree of a health warning, given three Six Nations games is not a large sample size. Regardless, we can still learn plenty about how sides are approaching this tournament. Plenty of data points throw up interesting tactical trends. Some were largely predictable, others show how teams … Read more
Steve Borthwick has wielded the axe and made nine changes to his England team from the one that lost to Ireland for Saturday’s game away to Italy in Rome, picking an entirely different back line as he seeks to salvage his side’s Six Nations campaign with the most radical selection of his tenure. Borthwick has … Read more
In an interview with The Scotsman newspaper last November Rory McIlroy was asked about Tommy Fleetwood’s breakthrough victory at the Tour Championship. After 30 top-five finishes, including six as runner-up, Fleetwood had finally won a tournament on the PGA Tour at the 164th attempt. Because of his popularity and his perceived vulnerability, Fleetwood’s triumph was … Read more