Month: October 2015

Should Georgia and/or Romania be Included in the Six Nations?

Including Georgia and Romania in the Six Nations? – unlikely, if not impossible for the time being.

There has been a lot of talk in recent years (basically since Italy joined) of including Georgia and Romania in the Six Nations. Their recent good performances in the World Cup have resurfaced this debate. However, expanding the top flight of International European rugby to a seven or eight nations has some inherent problems that make Georgia or Romania’s inclusion unlikely, if not impossible for the time being. Continue reading “Should Georgia and/or Romania be Included in the Six Nations?”

Historic Final This Saturday

New Zealand play Australia for the first time ever in a Rugby World Cup final.

After weeks of build up the Rugby World Cup final arrives this weekend. The All Blacks play the Wallabies for the first time ever in a Rugby World Cup final. Continue reading “Historic Final This Saturday”

Is Northern Hemisphere Rugby in Crisis?

After no northern teams ascended to the World Cup semi-finals. Is it THAT bad?

So after last weekend’s results there has been much debate in the media about the state of Rugby Union in the northern hemisphere – after no northern teams ascended to the World Cup semi-finals. Continue reading “Is Northern Hemisphere Rugby in Crisis?”

Aviva Premiership Predictions 2015/16

After a shock to the Premiership establishment last year looks set to be more open than ever this season – here’s my prediction for who might make the play-offs this season.

After a delayed start to the season, thanks to the Rugby World Cup, Rugby Union’s club game in England is back tonight, and perhaps unfortunately England’s best players will be able to join in thanks to their early world cup exit. After a shock to the Premiership establishment last year (with Bath coming second) the tournament looks set to be more open than ever this season.

So here’s my prediction for who might make the play-offs this season. Continue reading “Aviva Premiership Predictions 2015/16”

North vs South Weekend

This weekend the Northern and Southern Hemispheres go to war in the Rugby World Cup

This weekend the Northern and Southern Hemispheres go to war in the Rugby World Cup, with every game this quarter-final weekend consisting of a Northern side against a Southern one: Continue reading “North vs South Weekend”

RWC 2015 Player Bans

In a World Cup which has showcased some incredible talent from not just the top teams, but also many of the lower ranked teams, there is no place for dangerous behaviour.

A few bans have been issued during the pool stages of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. In a World Cup which has showcased some incredible talent from not just the top teams, but also many of the lower ranked teams, there is no place for dangerous behaviour. In the three incidents discussed below, the officials failed to identify any foul play at the time. Continue reading “RWC 2015 Player Bans”

Ireland’s World Cup Woes

With key senior players Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony ruled out with injuries, Ireland’s hopes are hanging in the balance.

Despite beating France for the first time ever in Rugby World Cup history, Ireland suffered a blow to their world cup hopes. With key senior players Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony ruled out with injuries, Ireland’s hopes are hanging in the balance. Continue reading “Ireland’s World Cup Woes”

England’s Word Cup Exit

England’s exit from the ‘pool of death’ has come as an embarrassing shock to much of the UK media and the RFU.

Anyone following the Rugby World Cup will know that England’s exit from the ‘pool of death’ has come as an embarrassing shock to much of the UK media and the RFU. As such, the blame game started almost immediately, with Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell, Chris Robshaw and Sam Burgess all in the firing line. Continue reading “England’s Word Cup Exit”