Major broadcast change for England rugby clashes as Sky Sports lose TV rights to Autumn Internationals
SKY SPORTS have lost the rights to this year’s Autumn International series. And that will lead to England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland rugby fans watching on a new channel. Steve Borthwick’s Red Rose face mouthwatering clashes at home to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, as well as Japan. And for the first time, TNT […]
Wales boss Warren Gatland calls up uncapped duo ahead of autumn internationals
Wales boss Warren Gatland has named two uncapped players in a 35-strong squad for the Autumn Nations Series.New Zealand-born Scarlets wing Blair Murray – he qualifies for Wales via his mother – and Gloucester’s former England Under-20 lock Freddie Thomas have both made the squad ahead of games against Fiji, Australia and South Africa in November.Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who has not played for Wales since 2014, is recalled along with the likes of Leicester prop Nicky Smith, Gloucester backs Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, plus Scarlets back Tom Rogers.Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake, meanwhile, retains the captaincy after leading...
Alex Mitchell ruled out of England squad with George Ford a doubt for autumn
England have suffered an injury blow with first-choice scrum half Alex Mitchell set to miss their autumn Tests.The Northampton Saints nine is yet to play this season due to a neck injury and has been left out of Steve Borthwick’s squad for November.Fly half George Ford is also seemingly a doubt for the opener against New Zealand at least, with the Sale Sharks fly half listed as rehabilitating and not named in a 36-man group. The playmaker suffered a tear in his quad while playing in the Premiership.Henry Slade is fit to return, though, after undergoing shoulder surgery in...
Ireland criticise 20-minute red card ahead of controversial trial in autumn Tests
The Irish Rugby Football Union has voiced its opposition to any permanent adoption of a 20-minute red card by World Rugby.Referees will be able to use that facility - it has been trialled this year - during the Autumn Nations Series, which kicks off on November 2 when England host New Zealand and Scotland tackle Fiji.But a variation will be available to officials, who will retain the ability to award a permanent red card for foul play that is deemed to be deliberate and dangerous, which the IRFU has welcomed.They will also have the option to award a 20-minute...
England omit Alex Mitchell from autumn squad due to neck injury
Alex Mitchell has been left out of England’s squad for the autumn with a neck problem that places his involvement in the series in doubt.Mitchell has not played this season because of an injury that has been treated with an injection and Northampton have been unable to provide a timeframe for his return.England’s first choice scrum-half is now battling to play any part in the fixtures against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan, with his omission from Steve Borthwick’s 36-man squad painting a bleak picture for his involvement.George Ford is also left out of the 36 as he...
Rugby to have two DIFFERENT red cards for Autumn Internationals as rule never seen in sport before is introduced
RUGBY is set to introduce a second red card as part of a never-before-seen rule. The new card will be trialled in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. There will be a big difference between the new red card and the pre-existing one. The referee will still be able to dish out red cards that will […]
Maro Itoje on the Lions, leadership and politics: ‘I’ll return to No 10 one way or another’
Maro Itoje has a mantra: “Keep the main thing the main thing”. The Saracens and England lock can’t quite recall how he first came across these words of wisdom but in a career now extending into a second decade, they have served him well.For there would be plenty to distract a true lock polymath, from a love of African art, to his charitable efforts with the Pearl Fund and his passion for politics. But his true obsession, he insists, is rugby – and, more specifically, winning. “Winning is what matters,” the ever considered and compelling Itoje tells The Independent....