One has worked with him for four years, the other for four months – but both Neal Hatley and Mike Ford have no doubts Anthony Watson’s England call-up last week is the first of many.
The modern loose forward can be a man of many hats: specialist, scavenger or even a six-and-a-half. But Richard Hill believes there’s no substitute for a back row battering ram, and for Billy Vunipola, the cap certainly fits.
Paul Grayson cannot recall such intense competition for the England No.10 shirt but the second highest points scorer in Red Rose history believes Owen Farrell’s big-game mentality gives him the edge.
Mike Brown has scotched suggestions that Harlequins are in terminal decline, claiming a misfiring backline will not harm his hopes of nailing down England’s No.15 jersey.
James Rodwell, Dan Bibby and new boy Phil Burgess scored two tries each as England finished the opening round of the HSBC World Series on the Gold Coast in third position after beating South Africa 47-0 in the play-off.
With England spoilt for choice at full-back but injury-ravaged in the centres, Elliot Daly admits he would love some clarification from the international set-up as to where his best position lies.
England Sevens will go into the HSBC World Series as the reigning European champions after a strong display in Bucharest. For Simon Amor’s first outing […]
James Haskell was quick to brush off his latest England snub and with Tom Croft now ruled out for the season, opportunity knocks for the Wasps back row again.
Now is the time for England to let Freddie Burns off the leash, according to World Cup winner Andy Gomarsall, who says the Gloucester fly-half is Jonny Wilkinson’s heir apparent.
Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has included Brian O’Briscoll in his first squad ahead of the Autumn internationals. The 34-year-old veteran is part of the 42-man […]
Frustrated Quins boss Conor O’Shea has mounted a furious defence of club captain Chris Robshaw and backed him to see off all challengers by leading England into the autumn Tests.
Kvesic excelled on England’s summer tour of Argentina in the openside berth while captain Robshaw was rested – and the 21-year-old says he is hungry for more international honours.
Former national head coach Andy Robinson believes England have finally unearthed Jason Robinson’s successor in Christian Wade. Andy Robinson’s ill-fated reign began England’s post-2003 slump […]
Brian Ashton hopes that England’s new-found attacking style will be no passing ‘fad’. A young England team destroyed Argentina with some stunning running in the […]
England discard Charlie Sharples has put the pain of rejection behind him and wants to prove the selectors wrong by starring for Gloucester next season. […]
The man who gave George North his scything sidestep and Israel Folau his kangaroo kick believes Leigh Halfpenny combines the best both of both, claiming […]
Warren Gatland has dropped Brian O’Driscoll from his British & Irish Lions matchday squad ahead of the Series decider against Australia on Saturday. The Irish […]
Rookie Christian Lealiifano kicked a last-gasp conversion for Australia as they leveled the series against the British & Irish Lions with a 16-15 win in […]
Christian Wade’s England form earned a shock Lions call but Marland Yarde is the country’s best, according to Brian Smith, who claims the London Irish […]
Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie first clapped eyes on each other as five-year-olds playing mini rugby at Penzance & Newlyn and have been inseparable ever […]
Billy Twelvetrees has gone from uncapped England contender to Lions tourist in the space of five months but, remarkably, he was once considered surplus to […]
Warren Gatland has backed himself into a corner by naming Sam Warburton as Lions captain according to Jim Telfer, who believes Justin Tipuric is the man […]