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‘Greatness is defined by being able to do it on the big stage and the great thing about Saturday is that it is a big stage isn’t it?’ Eddie Jones was right, England hosting Wales is the largest of RBS 6 Nations stages and it was one that his side almost slipped up on. However this time around their opening endeavour and steely resolution guided them to a hugely satisfying 25-21 victory. The importance of Saturday’s victory cannot be underestimated, England needed to beat their fiercest rivals for several key... Read More

By Emma Thurston #OutOnTheFull         Eddie Jones was very clear about what he wanted his side to achieve during their trip to Rome, they were to give Italy a ‘good hiding’ and nothing less would suffice. When he stated this loud and clear for all to hear it was yet another indication of how things will be, and are, different under the forthright Australian. Some will say that his words fuelled Italy’s fire however from where I’m sitting, like everything that Eddie offers up to the media,... Read More

This year’s Canterbury kit design workshops saw students from the All Schools Programme learn about the history, heritage, values and importance of the rugby shirt. Bridgewater College Academy’s Jack Salter tells us about his experience so far: “I think that the kit design workshop was really effective. It was a great experience to have and the people running the day were very helpful in giving ideas which made it easier to finish the final design. We got the opportunity to look at all the other kits that they have made... Read More

The Calcutta Cup has been a part of rugby history since 1882 and in recent years the fixture has been largely dominated by England. However leading into this year’s meeting the feeling was that it was going to be tighter, and closer, than ever before. Scotland’s World Cup was extremely productive and, by in large, positive whereas England’s was testing and taxing to say the very least. The view in Scotland, and many other places, was that this would be the year that the Scots finally re-gained the Calcutta Cup and in doing so... Read More

The first game to kick off the 6 nations is France v Italy. Both teams will want to start off with a good win. It’s Guy Noves first game in charge of the new look French team. He’s left a few big names out of his first squad, but they will be favourites and playing at home will give them a little advantage. I would like to see the French flair come out in their attacking game, moving the ball around to find space. Like the French we know of... Read More

With the Lions tour to New Zealand just over a year away, players from the home countries have just the upcoming Six Nations and that of 2017 to stake a claim for a place in the touring party and the chance to pit themselves against the reigning world rugby champions. But what does it take to be a Lion and who is in the running to wear that red jersey? New talent must prove itself: Lions touring parties typically include few, if any, uncapped players, the last one being Will... Read More

Highlights: The game had the highest level of build-up I have seen since 2003, perhaps even more so than the final in 2011! The dreaded ‘pool of death’ has created hype surrounding the pressures of the three teams, Australia, England and Wales in that conversations have been discussing who it would be that fails to make the quarter finals. Pressure brings about so much constraint in test matches as players simply don’t want to make an error. A fear of failure is prominent as teams work each other out, playing for penalties –... Read More

Brighton and Hove were hosting what was supposed to be a run of the mill rugby match with a conventional outcome. However the stadium was home to one of the greatest sporting fairy tales ever seen. Japan, ranked 13th before the match were set to play the big South African brutes, ranked 3rd in the world (prior to the match), you can see where this blog is going… Japan were not phased by the Bok’s physicality or reputation as 2 time RWC winners, starting with a calm and relaxed aura,... Read More