New Zealand dare, England wear down – Eddie Jones is playing patience as counterpoint to the All Blacks’ artistrySteve Hansen reflected this week on how much European teams had improved since the 2015 World Cup when, for the first time, they failed to provide a semi-finalist. In Japan this time around there should be at least one semi-finalist from the north, more likely two. The group match between Wales and Australia on Sunday will reveal more but, at a World Cup in which the team with the best defence has tended to prevail, the deliberation with which they have started the tournament – no nonsense and fewer frills – has not been lost on Hansen. Related: Cokanasiga helps England crush...
Pressure is on the favourites and our knowledge of players from Premiership encounters can be used to help inflict an upsetPeople will fully expect England to beat the United States on Thursday. That is entirely understandable: they have to be regarded as one of the World Cup favourites. At least we know our opponents well. It helps that our coach, Gary Gold, has spent many years coaching in England and AJ MacGinty, Joe Taufete’e and Paul Lasike are involved on a weekly basis in the Premiership. There is strength in understanding your enemy, something we can look to use come kick off in Kobe.At World Cups it is funny how such small things can make a big difference and lead...
In the first piece from our Rugby World Cup columnist, the USA fly-half talks about how his side are looking to shock the worldWhen people discover I’m playing for USA, the first thing they ask about is my accent. My partner laughs at me for calling Coca-Cola “soda” but I’m still sounding as English as ever. Related: Maro Itoje’s will to win can lead way for England in Rugby World Cup Conditioning has been a priority, led by Huw Bevan, who has previously worked with England’s cricketers Related: Third time lucky for All Blacks’ unlikely hero Matt Todd | Matt McIlraith Continue reading...
Earn three more points than Fiji in Paris and Mike Friday, Perry Baker and the rest of the Eagles will be in sevens heavenIf the USA men’s sevens team earns three more points than Fiji in Paris this weekend, they will be crowned world champions. Related: 'We were attracted by the aggression': how rugby rescues lives in America Related: Major League Rugby expands with care – is the Premiership watching? Continue reading...
The US competition is adding three teams but it is also switching to conferences, aiming for sustainable growthMajor League Rugby will add three teams for its third season, allowing for the creation of two six-team conferences. Related: Coney Island, baby: New York wait for pro rugby ends with win over Toronto Related: Why European fans should give raw-as-hell Major League Rugby a go | Martin Pengelly Continue reading...