Starting role for Sam Burgess speaks volumes of faith shown by Bath
1 decade ago by The TimesTwo significant decisions were made about Sam Burgess this week: on Wednesday he was selected in England’s 50-man World Cup training squad and yesterday he was picked to start at blind-side flanker...
The world-beaters and the woeful in England’s class of 2015
1 decade ago by The TimesStuart Lancaster revealed his World Cup squad this week. As ever on these occasions, there was plenty of upbeat, optimistic noise. “We feel we have tremendous strength in depth,” England’s...
Best of enemies
1 decade ago by The TimesRivals go head-to-head for their clubs today in the play-off semi-finals before they do battle for World Cup places with England Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) v Maro Itoje (Saracens)Blind-side flanker Wood...
Dylan Hartley seeks to keep emotions in check
1 decade ago by The TimesThe top four English teams have played 1,760 minutes of rugby in the Aviva Premiership this season, but the survival of their hopes and dreams for the season will be condensed into a mere 80 minutes...
‘Winning the World Cup is easier than watching it’
1 decade ago by The TimesExclusive: Martin Johnson tells Matt Dickinson that he is already nervous at the thought of England playing for the biggest prize From the way Martin Johnson is squirming and gurning on the sofa of a...
Alastair Kellock craves a happy ending after farewell is cut short
1 decade ago by The TimesWarriors’ departing players had mixed fortunes on a dramatic night at Scotstoun. Lewis Stuart reports I will have had more last shows than Frank Sinatra,” said Al Kellock, the Glasgow Warriors...
DTH Van der Merwe has the final word as Glasgow dig deep
1 decade ago by The TimesGlasgow 16 Ulster 14 An evening of heart-stopping drama ended with Scotstoun in tumult and Glasgow Warriors in the final of the Guinness PRO12 for the second year in succession. Gregor Townsend will...
'The Premiership standard is going up and up'
1 decade ago by The TelegraphMick Cleary How has season been at the sharp end: tougher than ever and more competitive? Jim Mallinder (Northampton) It hasn’t been tougher than I imagined, it has lived up to expectations. I knew...
Bold Warriors within touching distance of final breakthrough
1 decade ago by The TimesGlasgow must call on all their experience to turn the tables on Ulster tonight and earn the chance to go one better than last year Rugby history might throw up a few counter-examples but as a general...
Brad Thorn focuses on one final summit
1 decade ago by The TimesThe successful climber, according to folklore, feels only fleeting satisfaction upon reaching a summit. Soon, inevitably, his eyes and his thoughts turn to conquering the next peak. This metaphor...
