Taking live audiences for granted in return for £300m is a huge gamble for a sport with a thin link to the publicSometimes we overlook the fragility of the thread connecting rugby with the public. It is not a sport that necessarily appeals to everyone, even if they do have a vague grasp of the rules. For some it is too brutal and painful to watch in comfort; if you have never played there are plenty of reasons to doubt the sanity of those who do. You don’t get cauliflower ears playing badminton.It is also a sport heavily reliant on its heritage and history. England against Wales on Saturday would be just another game without its evocative past, its cross-border...
The spread of the coronavirus may mean the tournament’s end may be delayed until the autumnThe Six Nations organisers meet in Paris on Monday to discuss contingency plans after fears over the cross-border spread of the coronavirus forced the postponement of next Saturday’s match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin and put in doubt England’s trip to Rome on the final weekend. Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, has an extra week to prepare for his side’s final match against the leaders, France, in Paris, but he is not sure if it will go ahead. “We don’t know,” he said. “All we can do is prepare properly for it.”Ireland’s match against Italy is unlikely to be rescheduled before October. The Aviva...
For decades coaches spoke about up-skilling players so shirt numbers don’t matter. It’s happening now in the Six NationsThere are plenty of visions of the future around at the moment. One has three initials – CVC – and is entwining itself, triffid-like, around the commercial rights of almost every significant rugby competition worldwide. Another is the standing water on numerous pitches in England and Wales, a portent of what may await lower-lying communities everywhere should global warming intensify.On Sunday at Twickenham it was more a case of joining the dots. There was George Kruis, a lock, aiming to kick the ball out of hand like a taller, gangly version of Owen Farrell. Charlie Ewels, another lock, could be seen packing...
Home side consistently doubled up on Ireland’s attackers and when it comes to executing a territorial game Eddie Jones’s side are the best in the worldThere was plenty to admire in England’s performance against Ireland but the most impressive aspect was that they looked back to their destructive and dominant best in defence. Manu Tuilagi gives them such a launchpad in attack and he gets them over the gain-line, but it was a victory based on their outstanding effort in defence.First, their decision-making at the breakdown was excellent. Very rarely were they competing at the wrong times and as a result they always seemed to have numbers on their feet. Related: Six Nations: talking points from a thrilling third round...
France showed no signs of travel sickness to quieten the Cardiff crowd and remain in the hunt for a grand slam triumphIt used to be a cliche to say that France do not travel well in this competition and always save their best to spring when the sun of Paris is on their backs. This season’s Six Nations has already turned the cliche on its head with Fabien Galthié’s side winning so impressively against England and not so impressively against Italy in foul February weather in the French capital. And now this. Related: France stay on grand slam trail as Romain Ntamack shatters Wales Related: Stuart Hogg’s solo effort leads Scotland to hard-fought victory against Italy Continue reading...