Why England Must Not Change Stance and Select Steffon Armitage

The “should he/shouldn’t he” debate over Stuart Lancaster’s decision not to pick Steffon Armitage for England has confounded pundits and coaches for the last 12 months. With Ben Morgan’s broken leg, sustained on January 9, seemingly ruling him out at least until England’s World Cup warm-up matches, per the Daily Mail, the Toulon back-rower’s worth as a member of the Red Rose squad has again bubbled to the top of the agenda.   A quick recap of the situation The Rugby Football Union’s position is that no player can be considered for England selection... 

10 Young Stars of World Rugby to Watch out for in 2015

Predicting the “next big thing” is a common pursuit among sports pundits and enthusiasts, where the urge to uncover hidden talent before anybody else is often as intriguing as discussion of the world’s current superstars. The ever-changing landscape of rugby is no different in this regard, and 2015 will be another year in which countless prospects break the mould and weave their way into the spotlight. We’ve amassed a selection of the 10 most promising assets aged 23 and below, each of whom are poised to make big impact over the next 12 months if they manage to fulfil their... 

10 Big-Name Players Who Could Retire from International Rugby in 2015

Rugby fans around the world are anxiously awaiting this year’s World Cup, but with the arrival of such a landmark also comes the inevitable retirement of certain international veterans. The temptation to prolong one’s international career for as long as possible is a dilemma that afflicts every professional, but knowing when to call it a day can also be a finely cut choice in itself. Whether they’re contending to bow out on the highest of highs without promising prospects or simply because age and injury are taking their toll, we’ll bid farewell to a number of international... 

Power Ranking Europe’s Top 15 Club Teams After Weekend of Jan. 9-11

The year’s first phase of domestic action signed off to make way for the finale of the European pool stages next weekend. In England, the leaders stumbled while the race for the playoff intensified with a win for Harlequins. Meanwhile, Sam Burgess opened his account. In the Pro 12, the Ospreys recovered from defeat to the Scarlets to regain top spot with victory over the Dragons, while Munster and Leinster both stayed in pursuit of the top two. French action centered around impressive wins for top two Clermont Auvergne and Stade Francais, with Toulon returning to winning ways. As a refresher... 

Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of January 9-11

The build-up to this year’s Six Nations is well underway, but England head coach Stuart Lancaster has already suffered a significant blow in his chances of making a run at the 2015 title. That’s after a particularly important member of his squad suffered an injury this past weekend. But said absentee won’t be the only elite figure missing in the coming months after it was announced Super Rugby won’t be seeing some of its biggest names too soon. Meanwhile, Top 14 sides have responded tremendously to recent tragedies unfolding in Paris, while a certain Bath centre finally... 

Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of January 9-11

As we head back into Europe next week, the top domestic leagues served up a feast of good rugby. Sale downed Northampton, and Bath’s big-name signing got his first try. Gloucester won with a last-minute thriller, and Harlequins looked like their old selves with a fine win over Leicester. The Ospreys powered on in the Pro 12 as both Munster and Leinster scored away wins, while in France, Clermont Auvergne looked in rich form as they dismantled Brive. It all gave us plenty of performances to pick from this weekend. Here is your team of the week. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

10 Uncapped Players Who Should Gain International Honours in 2015

International representation is seen as the pinnacle of rugby among many players, a stage upon which many hope to feature but only a select percentage will ever make the cut. Down the years, many stars who were perhaps deserving of caps never went on to play for their countries, either because competition was too fierce in their position or the stars just never aligned in their case. Coming into 2015, numerous contenders are staking their claims for international honours, some considered long-term possibilities while others are knocking on their nations’ doors for the first time. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

Why Sam Burgess Should Not Be Included in England’s Six Nations Squad

There was great fuss and fanfare at the arrival of Sam Burgess to rugby union. After a glittering career in league with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the lad from Dewsbury decided to leave his brothers Down Under and try his hand at 15-a-side. No sooner was the news out than Burgess was being heralded by many as the answer to England’s midfield dilemma; the man who would make the difference in the 2015 World Cup and who would take the sport by storm. So far, those hopes don’t look like being fulfilled quite as quickly as English fans would like. His cheekbone injury, sustained in the... 

10 Rugby League Stars We’d Love to See in Rugby Union

For those select few versatile enough to adapt, the transition from rugby league to union can be an appetising venture and one that former South Sydney Rabbitohs talisman Sam Burgess recently embarked upon. Down the years, stars have tried their hand at converting with mixed success. For every Jason Robinson, there sits a failed experiment such as Benji Marshall; for every Sonny Bill Williams, a Henry Paul, unable to hit the heights of their league success. Examining the cream of the league crop, we’ve picked out a selection of players who would be welcome additions to the 15-a-side code,... 

Fly-Half Rhys Priestland and Bath Rugby Make Big Mistake in Move

Rhys Priestland, the Welsh international fly-half, confirmed his move to Bath Rugby from the Scarlets on Tuesday. Priestland will join up with the club after the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. But from both Bath’s point of view and Rhys Priestland’s, the move will prove to be a big mistake. Bath already have a very good fly-half in George Ford who, at 22, is five years younger than Priestland and already a better player. In addition, Ford’s creativity and distribution make him a better fit for Bath’s expansive style of play than Priestland, who is a more conservative No.... 

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