Jeff Probyn

The old guard will be on bus to France for 2023

31 October 2021 1 comment

JEFF PROBYN HOW old is too old to play interational rugby – and who should be the judge? That’s a question often asked, usually just […]

Autumn series may be best for some years

24 October 2021 1 comment

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME If there was one thing that last week’s game between Bath and Saracens proved, it was […]

My concussion test puts me in the clear – for a few years anyway!

24 October 2021 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN AROUND five years ago, I took part in a brain study and the results have just been published so I know at long […]

Diversity’s problem? Lack of Asian stars

17 October 2021 1 comment

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Why is rugby so keen to raise issues and set out to change things when the need […]

Exodus of players is real threat for game

10 October 2021 0 comments

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME A few weeks ago this paper had an interview with Peter Winterbottom, probably the best openside flanker […]

Loss of county pathway has blocked young stars

3 October 2021 1 comment

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME It’s interesting to note that there are people out there who profess to know about the game […]

Do England have so many coaches to spread blame?

26 September 2021 1 comment

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME As Eddie Jones takes a first look at some of the hopefuls for this season’s autumn games, […]

Ringfence is here, so let’s see adventure

19 September 2021 0 comments

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Friday night’s Bristol v Saracens match showed some of the drama we have all missed since the […]

Forget 12s, Rugby Tens is ready-made product

12 September 2021 1 comment

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME The announcement of a new idea is always something to look forward to but if it is […]

Sadly, rugby now chases money rather than the ball

5 September 2021 1 comment

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Iread an interesting piece in a paper this week by Emma John which was essentially about cricket […]

RFU funds needed to maintain leagues

29 August 2021 0 comments

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME The way it was: a great Championship clash between Ealing Trailfinders and Cornish PiratesPICTURE: Lissy Tomlinson/rugbymattersWhen it […]

I sat on the bench for four years unused! | Jeff Probyn

22 August 2021 1 comment

Substitutes, replacements, tactical subs, impact players or finishers… whatever you like to call them they are the bone of contention for many changes and confusions […]

Lions should have put pressure on Boks’ backs

15 August 2021 0 comments

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME What we hoped would be a successful Lions series turned into a loss that’s still hard to […]

Our water breaks were called half-time!

8 August 2021 0 comments

JEFF PROBYNA FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Well just as I suggested two weeks ago, we have had a series worthy of the name […]

Home-grown talent at Bristol Bears? Don’t make me laugh | Jeff Probyn

7 August 2021 1 comment

Jeff Probyn’s take on the philosophy at Bristol Bears

Erasmus had every right to sound off like he did | Jeff Probyn

1 August 2021 1 comment

What a week we have had, between the First and Second Lions Tests with most of the Home Unions rugby media attacking Rassie Erasmus for […]

Fiji’s double gold shows they have so much more to give | Jeff Probyn

1 August 2021 0 comments

How can World Rugby set a structure to aid the development of Fiji and the Pacific Islands?

Incessant TMO calls become so annoying | Jeff Probyn

25 July 2021 0 comments

The tour should be ended without the third Test being played if the Lions win again next week, argues Jeff Probyn

Now the Lions know just what they are up against | Jeff Probyn

18 July 2021 0 comments

A step up from the rest of their tour matches on Wednesday night for the Lions

Small props always give Springboks big trouble | Jeff Probyn

11 July 2021 0 comments

As the Lions continue their crusade through South Africa on Warren Gatland’s quest to find a team to beat the current world champions, the next […]

Grassroots game must get fairer funding | Jeff Probyn

4 July 2021 0 comments

When I sat on the RFU council, no matter what was happening in the rugby world the CEO’s review of the year at the annual […]

South Africa are perfect fit for the Six Nations | Jeff Probyn

27 June 2021 0 comments

With more South African teams joining the PRO14 to make it a 16-team Rainbow Cup competition, it can only be a matter of time before […]

Crowds or not, I just focussed on the opposition | Jeff Probyn

27 June 2021 0 comments

I WAS a little puzzled when I read Danny Care and Rob Baxter’s reaction to fans being allowed back into the game, even in reduced […]

Ealing’s drubbing should not open ring-fence door | Jeff Probyn

20 June 2021 0 comments

Ealing Trailfinders’ dream didn’t so much fade away last week as completely collapse against the might of a fullstrength Saracens team, revealing the differences between a […]

Academy scattergun not best way to find talent | Jeff Probyn

30 May 2021 1 comment

Putting a value on EQP within the Premiership

RFU need to source other players to end this ransom | Jeff Probyn

16 May 2021 0 comments

The past few weeks have provided interesting reading re Francis Baron’s thoughts of how things have got out of hand at the RFU with an […]

Ugo Monye has a big battle to end elitist stigma of rugby | Jeff Probyn

25 April 2021 0 comments

Has the shift in development from its pyramid state two years ago to Premiership-pwned academies kept rugby’s ability to reach more ethnic groups limited?

Sarries stars will be fresh for Gatland | Jeff Probyn

28 March 2021 0 comments

THE good news that the Lions will be going ahead as planned in South Africa is no surprise and despite those who think the Six […]

Failing to plan, you plan to fail, Eddie! | Jeff Probyn

14 March 2021 0 comments

After what was a disastrous start to this Six Nations, yesterday’s and even next weekend’s result really can’t change the fact that England rugby, and particularly […]

Springboks will want their share of Lions flesh | Jeff Probyn

1 March 2021 0 comments

How should SA Rugby expect to be compensated for hosting a Lions ‘tour’ away from South Africa?

Lack of leadership on and off the field | Jeff Probyn

14 February 2021 0 comments

Jeff Probyn points the finger at England’s lack of leaders on the pitch for their loss to Scotland at Twickenham

Try-fests are no help in spotting true talent | Jeff Probyn

31 January 2021 2 comments

Spectators can enjoy the try-fests, but they will come as no comfort to Eddie Jones who will be measuring the quality of the Premiership relative to his selection

Probyn column: Cut Prem loose and redirect all funding

18 December 2020 1 comment

Jeff Probyn on the financial obstacle the Premiership presents to the RFU’s balance sheet and the radical change needed to help England

Probyn column: Bill Sweeney’s legacy will hinge on talks with Premiership

12 September 2020 0 comments

Sweeney’s skill for collective bargaining will be his biggest test, writes Jeff Probyn

Probyn column: Dylan Hartley a hard man? Not with his record

26 August 2020 0 comments

The former England captain, set to release his autobiography, is no ‘hard man’ in rugby’s traditional sense

Probyn column: Overseas players are both cheaper and always on call

21 August 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn analyses Chris Boyd’s claim that England’s senior Men’s team should have more English coaches and how its relative to players

Probyn column: Fight the good fight but beware disaster in wage cut negotiations

17 June 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn believes young players shouldn’t be impacted by the push to reduce wage bills

Probyn column: Give England stars Test fees but keep club pay down

5 June 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn looks at how central contracts would factor in today’s current circumstances if that’s the route the RFU went in 1995

Probyn column: Big guns will back Bill Beaumont to save them cash

24 April 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn contemplates what Bernard Laporte’s running for World Rugby vice-chairman means for Bill Beaumont’s bid to be re-elected

Probyn column: Now Eddie Jones can make up for mistakes at the World Cup

17 April 2020 0 comments

Well I guess it was no surprise that Eddie Jones got his contract extension even if he and many others thought it unlikely. For Jones […]

Probyn column: Marquee players could take bigger hit to wages

10 April 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn writes why top earners at Premiership clubs should go the extra mile in wage cuts

Probyn column: Rugby has changed so much and largely for the worse

2 April 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn has found himself watching old rugby clips on Youtube and sees a more balanced game than the modern day

Probyn column: RFU need a strategy to find successor to Eddie Jones

7 January 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn on the RFU’s need to no longer import expensive overseas assistant coaches and the newest turn in the Saracens saga

Probyn column: It’s time to be realistic about Lions tours

19 December 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn ponders how quickly the Lions will adapt to playing at altitude in their 2021 tour of South Africa

Probyn column: Dan Cole will carry the can just like Paul Rendall

12 December 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn sympathises with Dan Cole for being made a scapegoat for England’s capitulation at the scrum in the World Cup final

Probyn column: Stuart Lancaster predicted success at 2019 Rugby World Cup

7 November 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn charts the difference between England four years ago under Stuart Lancaster and where they are now with Eddie Jones

Probyn column: England favourites but so were All Blacks

31 October 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn tells from his own experience how teams look to exploit opponent’s weaknesses, especially in the knockout stages

Probyn column: Momentous days for Japanese rugby but place in Six Nations is a non-starter

24 October 2019 0 comments

Reaching the quarter-finals at the World Cup shouldn’t immediately open the door for Japan

Probyn column: Crooked feed call has cost Scotland

13 October 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn examines Gregor Townsend’s comments made about Japan’s win against Samoa, a result aided by a call by referee Jaco Peyper

Probyn column: The truth about why Mendez punched Paul Ackford

10 October 2019 0 comments

The first shock result of the World Cup fittingly provided by the hosts, Japan, against Ireland will certainly have focused the minds of all the Tier […]

Jeff Probyn

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