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...
With a professional squad thanks to the advent of Major League Rugby, the USA have taken their first major scalpOut of chaos, Nietzsche said, comes order. Of late, American rugby union has been particularly chaotic: political upheaval at the governing body, a lawsuit from the owner of a dormant professional league. But on Saturday night in Houston the men’s national team put all that aside, achieving a historic win over Scotland. Related: USA beat Scotland in Houston for first win over major rugby nation Related: HR McMaster on rugby: 'The warrior ethos is what a good team has' Continue reading...
Southern hemisphere sides dominated the 2015 World Cup in England but since then three out of the four have struggledMaro Itoje was in reflective mood as he sprawled himself in a chair that struggled to contain his 6ft 6in frame at England’s Bagshot base. “I have been in camp for only two days but you get the feeling something big is about to happen,” said the Lions and Saracens second‑row before Eddie Jones’s squad flew out to South Africa.He was talking about England’s odyssey but his words apply also to international rugby’s changing landscape. The last World Cup not only saw England become the first hosts to fail to make the knockout stage but, for the first time, the semi-finalists...
The players of the tournament, the outstanding matches, best and worst moments and team of the championshipRobert Kitson: Conor Murray. Epitomises the team Ireland have become: classy, smart, consistent, strong, versatile. Probably the world’s best scrum-half. Related: From Ireland’s win to England’s loss, the Six Nations was settled in Paris | Paul Rees Related: Six Nations: England v Ireland on St Patrick's Day – in pictures Related: Conor Murray gives Ireland reason to dream of making it big in Japan | Gerard Meagher Continue reading...
Ireland and England’s campaigns were summed up by their final few seconds in the French capital, with Ireland surging to victory and England losing after a fumble at the breakdownThe outcome of the 2018 Six Nations was settled in Paris. It was where Johnny Sexton, on the opening weekend, delivered a precious away victory for Ireland four minutes after time was up with a 45-metre drop goal after his side had taken play through 41 phases, and it was where England surrendered their crown, fumbling at the breakdown in the last play of the game after France had wasted an opportunity to end the match. Related: Conor Murray gives Ireland reason to dream of making it big in Japan |...