Agustín Pichot’s plan for a World League would reinvigorate an international scene under threat as the clubs wield their powerNot for the first time the world of international rugby union is holding its breath. As outlined to the Guardian a fortnight ago, World Rugby’s vice-chairman Agustín Pichot believes significant change is required for the global game to flourish financially and his proposed solution will be debated in Sydney this Wednesday. Should he gain sufficient support, it will spell the end of the traditional matrix of June and November tour fixtures.Pichot and his supporters want to see a new “World League” run along similar lines to European football’s new Nations League, rather than the current succession of (so-called) “friendlies”. The top...
He delivered that lovely grubber kick against South Africa and has been key to Gloucester’s unbeaten start but somehow the fly-half still does not float Eddie Jones’ boatIncreasingly Danny Cipriani looks fated to be a quiz answer for years to come. Name the most gifted English sportsman of his generation who never played in a major tournament? Not since English football regularly chose to ignore Matt Le Tissier in the 1990s has there been a more baffling selectorial omission.Le Tissier won only eight caps while the more prosaic Carlton Palmer won 18. Cipriani has started only five Tests in the past decade and has never featured at a World Cup. Talent writes its own cheques (even in these contactless days)...
A year from the World Cup, New Zealand look good for a hat-trick of titles but Ireland, South Africa and Wales are all on the rise with England and Australia heading in the other directionDefeat by South Africa in Wellington reminded the world that the All Blacks can be beaten – no bad thing with 12 months to go until the World Cup – but they are still the overwhelming favourites for a third straight win. They were not brilliant against France over the summer but then thrashed Australia twice, displaying an ability to find a gear their opponents cannot live with. It will be fascinating to see their response to defeat; do they add a dose of pragmatism to...
It has been forgettable year so far for England’s coach but he knows a strong autumn with key players back could paint a much brighter picture for the World CupThere have been better times to be an Australian rugby coach working in the UK. Leicester’s decision to sack Matt O’Connor after one game of the season is the latest dent to antipodean pride, leaving Eddie Jones as the last prominent wizard from Oz still in charge in England. Like so many boomerangs the rest are heading back whence they came.Every nationality to be fair tends to find coaching in the northern hemisphere trickier than expected. Partly it is the length of the season, partly the tribal nature of the rugby...
The fly-half took a leaf out of Barry John’s book to unleash a perfect kick to the corner for Jonny May to score and seal a third-Test victory over South Africa at NewlandsThe venue for Danny Cipriani’s first Test start for a decade was fitting. Newlands was hosting what may turn out to be its final international and the England fly-half had a last opportunity to salvage his Test career. The conditions were ideal for England, a saturated pitch ensuring a slow game in which Chris Robshaw could act as a mop, but not for Cipriani, who could have been forgiven for trying too hard in an attempt to impress Eddie Jones. He did not touch the ball for the...