https://www.scmp.com/rss/321550/feed The Six Nations Championship 2016 will be the 17th running of Europe's premier international rugby competition and involves England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The tournament's five rounds run from 6 February to 19 March 2016 and the two-time defending champions are Ireland. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com England defence coach Paul Gustard will not be downcast by head coach Eddie Jones’ frank assessment of his work and plans to use it as motivation to improve. Jones has told Gustard, credited with turning Premiership champions Saracens into one of the best defensive teams in Europe, that he “has got to get better” despite England’s perfect record since the Australian took charge last year. “I worked with Eddie before and knew he would be frank. I don’t mind that. I don’t want to be an ordinary... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2025020/england-defence-coach-paul-gustard-challenge-eddie-jones-demands-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2025020/england-defence-coach-paul-gustard-challenge-eddie-jones-demands-more?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Oct 2016 11:30:30 +0000 An international recall for winger Chris Ashton was considered remote after he was banned for 13 weeks for biting by the English Rugby Football Union. Ashton was found guilty of biting Northampton prop Alex Waller on the arm while playing for Saracens last Saturday in the Premiership. A second charge of biting, a minute later in the match, was dismissed. A minimum 12-week ban was enforced, and a week added on because Ashton was suspended in January for 10 weeks for making contact with the eye... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2021332/will-he-ever-learn-saracens-winger-chris-ashton-gets-13-week-ban-biting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2021332/will-he-ever-learn-saracens-winger-chris-ashton-gets-13-week-ban-biting?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:15:15 +0000 The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby Limited have agreed on an eight-year partnership to strengthen the England team and domestic rugby in the country, the organisations said on Monday. The agreement, worth over £200 million (HK$2.04 billion), will give head coach Eddie Jones more flexibility in squad selection and additional training time ahead of test matches. England players who pass a minimum threshold of minutes played in the November tests and the Six Nations will have a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1994594/englands-rugby-football-union-and-premiership-rugby-agree-eight-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1994594/englands-rugby-football-union-and-premiership-rugby-agree-eight-year?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Jul 2016 11:45:15 +0000 Australia great George Smith has promised his compatriots his time assisting the ”old enemy” England is coming to an end. The former Wallabies open-side flanker, set to appear for Wasps in their European Champions Cup semi-final against English rivals Saracens on Saturday, acted as a coaching consultant to compatriot Eddie Jones, his former Australia boss, during England’s victorious Six Nations grand slam campaign this season. But the 35-year-old flanker, still an active player, has also been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1937663/australias-george-smith-says-end-sight-him-helping-out-old-enemy-england?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1937663/australias-george-smith-says-end-sight-him-helping-out-old-enemy-england?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Apr 2016 02:45:45 +0000 England’s head coach Eddie Jones has warned several of his Grand Slam winners they could be dropped for the tour to Australia because he is unhappy with their complacent attitudes. Jones is frustrated with the way four or five of the players who helped England land the Six Nations title have performed since returning to their clubs. While refusing to name those at risk of missing the three-Test series against the Wallabies in June, Jones has made it clear they must use the remainder of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1936286/eddie-jones-warns-englands-complacent-grand-slam-winners-shape-australia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1936286/eddie-jones-warns-englands-complacent-grand-slam-winners-shape-australia?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Apr 2016 02:00:00 +0000 England’s Joe Marler was given a two-game ban and fined £20,000 (HK$220,000) by a World Rugby misconduct hearing on Tuesday for calling Wales prop Samson Lee a “gypsy boy”, the global governing body said. Harlequins front-row forward Marler was reprimanded by England coach Eddie Jones for his comment to Lee, who is from a traveller community background, during a 25-21 Six Nations win over Wales at Twickenham last month. Joe Marler has been suspended for two matches and fined £20,000 to be paid... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1933892/englands-joe-marler-gets-two-game-ban-and-stiff-fine-gypsy-boy-remark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1933892/englands-joe-marler-gets-two-game-ban-and-stiff-fine-gypsy-boy-remark?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Apr 2016 02:45:30 +0000 Ireland ended their Six Nations campaign on a winning note against Scotland, but skipper Rory Best admitted they will view this year’s tournament in a negative light. Defending champions Ireland were looking to create history by becoming the first team to win three titles in a row. However, a draw against Wales in the opening game put paid to hopes of a grand slam, and the title was surrendered following narrow defeats to France and England, despite holding second half leads in both... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1927660/too-little-too-late-ireland-rue-disappointing-six-nations-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1927660/too-little-too-late-ireland-rue-disappointing-six-nations-campaign?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Mar 2016 05:00:15 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones said he was “ecstatic” to have won the Six Nations grand slam, but immediately turned his focus on the summer tour to Australia. The Australian has overseen five straight wins since taking over from Stuart Lancaster following England’s disastrous World Cup, his team recording wins over Scotland (15-9), Italy (40-9), Ireland (21-10), Wales (25-21) and finally France (31-21) to wrap up a first Grand Slam since their World Cup-winning year of 2003, when Jones was in charge... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1927623/no-time-relax-eddie-jones-sets-sights-australia-after-englands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1927623/no-time-relax-eddie-jones-sets-sights-australia-after-englands?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Mar 2016 02:30:30 +0000 Danny Care and Mako Vunipola will start for England on Saturday after coach Eddie Jones announced two changes to his side to play France in Paris where a win would secure a Six Nations grand slam in his first season. Scrumhalf Care again swaps places with Ben Youngs, who drops to the bench, while prop Vunipola also continues his on-off battle with Joe Marler for the starting loosehead slot. Marler was named among the replacements having been cleared on two counts following a citing for use of an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1926829/danny-care-mako-vunipola-start-england-paris-secure-six-nations-grand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1926829/danny-care-mako-vunipola-start-england-paris-secure-six-nations-grand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Mar 2016 11:15:00 +0000 England won the Six Nations for the first time in five years when France lost to Scotland 29-18 for the first time in 10 years on Sunday. We’re delighted to finally get that win against France, it’s 10 years that we’ve been waiting for Stuart Hogg France had to win at Murrayfield to keep the championship alive going into the last round, when they host England next weekend. But all France can do now is hope to ruin England’s grand slam bid. Scotland led 18-12 at the break, and only 21-18 when... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1924495/england-win-six-nations-first-time-five-years-france-fall-scotland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1924495/england-win-six-nations-first-time-five-years-france-fall-scotland?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Mar 2016 02:00:30 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones said his side needed to demonstrate greater tactical awareness if they were to mark the Australian’s first season in charge with a Six Nations grand slam. Jones saw the team maintain his perfect record as England boss with a 25-21 win over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday – their fourth victory in as many games under the former Australia and Japan coach. You have to increase your intensity and it was only in the last three minutes of the game we increased the intensity... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1924037/england-must-play-clever-pin-down-six-nations-grand-slam-says-eddie?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1924037/england-must-play-clever-pin-down-six-nations-grand-slam-says-eddie?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Mar 2016 03:15:15 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones jokingly said he didn’t even know what a grand slam was after his side moved closer to a Six Nations clean sweep with a 21-10 win over Ireland at Twickenham. I’m still trying to work out what a grand slam is Eddie Jones Saturday’s success made it three wins out of three for England under the Australian and left them top of the table. Jones was appointed after England axed Stuart Lancaster following a Rugby World Cup where they became the first host nation to crash out... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1918041/whats-grand-slam-asks-victorious-england-coach-eddie-jones-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1918041/whats-grand-slam-asks-victorious-england-coach-eddie-jones-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Feb 2016 03:00:45 +0000 George North’s comical try and a robust defensive display steered Wales to a 19-10 win over France in the Six Nations on Friday in a low-quality match that has been the theme of the competition so far. George came up to me and said ‘I’m definitely not going to be a footballer’ Sam Warburton An attritional game swung on a decisive three-minute period early in the second half when Wales scored 10 points to push into a 16-3 lead. That haul included the 46th-minute try from North, who swiped at thin... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1917604/watch-comical-george-north-try-helps-wales-overcome-france-19-10-dull?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1917604/watch-comical-george-north-try-helps-wales-overcome-france-19-10-dull?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Feb 2016 02:45:45 +0000 Saracens lock Maro Itoje will make his first England start after being named in coach Eddie Jones’ run-on side to face Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday. The 21-year-old came into the starting 15, having made his debut off the bench in England’s 40-9 win over Italy, after Joe Launchbury was ruled out with a hamstring problem. Playing our first game at Twickenham after two away fixtures will be huge for us England coach Eddie Jones Courtney Lawes, who started against Italy with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1916978/rising-star-maro-itoje-make-first-england-start-six-nations-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1916978/rising-star-maro-itoje-make-first-england-start-six-nations-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:15:30 +0000 While Eddie Jones has a “pretty good idea” of his squad for a crucial Six Nations clash against Ireland in a fortnight, there is a pretty good chance Jonathan Joseph will be in his starting XV. For each game we’ll have a particular gameplan and depending on who is suitable for that game will play Eddie Jones England, who flopped out of the World Cup as hosts last autumn, saw Joseph score three second-half tries on his second consecutive start as Jones’ men followed last week’s battling 15-9 win... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1913204/eddie-jones-looks-jonathan-joseph-six-nations-glory-hunt-ireland-loom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1913204/eddie-jones-looks-jonathan-joseph-six-nations-glory-hunt-ireland-loom?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Feb 2016 03:00:15 +0000 A hat-trick of tries by centre Jonathan Joseph and a storming second-half performance swept a previously stuttering England to a 40-9 victory over Italy on Sunday that took them top of the Six Nations standings after back-to-back away wins. England were clinging to an 11-9 lead courtesy of a first-half George Ford try but struggling to build any cohesive attacks as Italy, with three Carlo Canna penalties in the bag, were holding their own. We got our rhythm and it was a pretty good performance.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1913184/jonathan-joseph-hat-trick-powers-england-40-9-victory-over-italy-six?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1913184/jonathan-joseph-hat-trick-powers-england-40-9-victory-over-italy-six?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Feb 2016 17:00:15 +0000 France burst into life when Maxime Medard’s second-half try inspired them to their first victory over Ireland in five years with a 10-9 win in the Six Nations on Saturday. Coach Guy Noves, who took over from Philippe Saint-Andre after last year’s World Cup, had promised spectacular rugby and Les Bleus did their best to deliver at the Stade de France, scoring the only try with 10 minutes remaining. Fly half Jules Plisson converted, adding to his first-half penalty, while defending champions... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1912823/france-come-life-six-nations-narrow-victory-over-ireland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1912823/france-come-life-six-nations-narrow-victory-over-ireland?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Feb 2016 17:00:45 +0000 Former Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has retired from all rugby on medical grounds with immediate effect, the lock announced on Tuesday. "It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice," O'Connell, 36, said in a statement published on the Irish Rugby website. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at Rugby Club Toulonnais for their understanding and support over the past few months." I have been blessed to be a professional... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1911342/ex-ireland-captain-paul-oconnell-retires-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1911342/ex-ireland-captain-paul-oconnell-retires-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:30:30 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones hailed Billy Vunipola as potentially the best number eight in the world after the Saracens back-rower played a major role in the 15-9 win over Scotland. Lock George Kruis and wing Jack Nowell scored the tries and inside-centre Owen Farrell kicked a conversion and a penalty as an England side captained by hooker Dylan Hartley overcame a disappointing Scotland in their Six Nations opener on Saturday. Jones, overseeing his first match as England coach, singled out... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1910475/my-eight-great-coach-eddie-jones-hails-billy-vunipola-bedrock-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1910475/my-eight-great-coach-eddie-jones-hails-billy-vunipola-bedrock-new?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Feb 2016 04:00:45 +0000 Ireland captain Rory Best admitted he had mixed feelings after drawing 16-16 with Wales at Lansdowne Road in their Six Nations opener on Saturday. Joe Schmidt’s side raced into a 13-0 first-half lead, but failed to score between the 27th and 74th minutes – when Johnny Sexton kicked a 40-metre penalty to earn the hosts a share of the spoils. An injury ravaged Ireland side stormed to the perfect start, with Conor Murray’s converted try and two penalties from Sexton giving them a double-digit lead... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1910472/was-strange-ireland-captain-rory-best-bemused-result-after-draw-wales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1910472/was-strange-ireland-captain-rory-best-bemused-result-after-draw-wales?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Feb 2016 03:30:00 +0000 All Blacks great Dan Carter gave Eddie Jones the thumbs-up for his revamp of England on Friday, as the new coach prepared for his first game in charge in the Six Nations. The world player of the year, speaking in Hong Kong ahead of the Hong Kong Rugby Union's Natixis Cup where he will play for France's Racing 92 against New Zealand's Highlanders, said England had exciting times ahead under Jones. “It’s an exciting time for England rugby with Eddie Jones taking over,” Carter told AFP in an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909958/dan-carter-backs-fantastic-coach-eddie-jones-revamp-england-hurry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909958/dan-carter-backs-fantastic-coach-eddie-jones-revamp-england-hurry?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Feb 2016 02:30:00 +0000 Eddie Jones will be looking to achieve what only one of England’s previous four head coaches managed to accomplish – an away victory over Scotland – when he starts his revival mission with his new team in their Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday. Scotland might not have beaten England home or away since 2008, but they have only lost at their Edinburgh base to English sides led by Jones’ immediate predecessor, Stuart Lancaster, since the reign of Clive Woodward. Martin Johnson, Brian... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909953/eddie-jones-looks-break-scottish-steel-england-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909953/eddie-jones-looks-break-scottish-steel-england-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Feb 2016 02:00:15 +0000 The Americas Rugby Championship, a second-tier competition for the six best northern and southern American rugby union national teams, kicks off Saturday with regional power Argentina taking on the United States in Houston. Uruguay will visit Canada and Chile will host Brazil in the other opening-day matches in the round-robin contest. The ARC, styled after Europe’s Six Nations Championship, which also starts Saturday, will be played over five weeks with a champion decided on March 5. While not... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909815/joy-six-pumas-hot-favourites-first-ever-americas-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1909815/joy-six-pumas-hot-favourites-first-ever-americas-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Feb 2016 08:00:00 +0000 The latest edition of the Six Nations Championship, Europe’s elite international competition, begins February 6 amid much soul-searching in northern hemisphere rugby union. Last year’s Rugby World Cup was the first time no European side had made it into the semi-finals of the showpiece tournament, with the last four places filled by eventual champions New Zealand, runners-up Australia, South Africa and Argentina. Given there had been calls for Argentina to be included in the Six Nations before... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1906557/six-nations-victories-alone-wont-cure-european-blues-says-warren-gatland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1906557/six-nations-victories-alone-wont-cure-european-blues-says-warren-gatland?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Jan 2016 02:42:58 +0000 England on Monday named Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, the “bad boy” of English rugby, captain for the Six Nations Championship despite him missing more than a year of his career for disciplinary bans. Hartley, 29, replaced Chris Robshaw after the Harlequins flanker was criticised for his role in England’s disastrous World Cup last year when they crashed out in the first round. Hartley missed the tournament because of suspension. “Dylan is an honest, hardworking bloke and I admire his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1905283/bad-boy-dylan-hartley-named-england-captain-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1905283/bad-boy-dylan-hartley-named-england-captain-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jan 2016 01:00:00 +0000 Controversial Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley is the frontrunner to succeed Chris Robshaw as England’s Six Nations captain with an announcement due on Monday, British media reported Friday. Hartley, 29, is believed to be new head coach Eddie Jones’ first choice as captain. Jones is due to announce the successor to Robshaw after speaking to senior players at the squad’s training base in Surrey, southern England. Hartley said that he was only concentrating on holding down a place in the team,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1903989/firebrand-hooker-dylan-hartley-tipped-be-named-new-england-skipper?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1903989/firebrand-hooker-dylan-hartley-tipped-be-named-new-england-skipper?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Jan 2016 07:00:30 +0000 Eddie Jones once said his idea of retirement was watching cricket in the Caribbean so it was no surprise when the Australian used the summer sport as a reference point when explaining why his first England side might be shorn of debutants come next month’s Six Nations opener away to Scotland. “I always think about when Australia played test cricket against the West Indies when they had those four pace bowlers and were seriously good,” said Jones, who included seven uncapped players in his first... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1901745/eddie-jones-declares-his-england-intentions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1901745/eddie-jones-declares-his-england-intentions?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Jan 2016 01:15:00 +0000 Ian Peel has joined Eddie Jones’ backroom staff and will serve as scrum coach for England’s Six Nations campaign, the Rugby Football Union said Tuesday. The 39-year-old former Newcastle Falcons prop has also joined Saracens on a permanent basis. Peel has coached England’s under-20s since 2013 but will give up that role to be part of Jones’ senior set-up at least through the 2016 Six Nations.“This is a huge opportunity and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in with lots of the guys who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1896475/scrum-master-england-engage-ian-peel-six-nations-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1896475/scrum-master-england-engage-ian-peel-six-nations-push?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Dec 2015 03:45:00 +0000 France's most-capped player Thierry Dusautoir retired from international rugby on Friday after a career which saw him play 80 times and skipper his country on 56 occasions. The 34-year-old Toulouse forward told L'Equipe he had discussed his future with new coach Guy Noves after not wanting to make a hasty decision in the aftermath of France's 62-13 mauling by the All Blacks in the World Cup quarter-finals. "I saw him (Noves) this morning and we came to the same conclusions," said the captain. My... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1886970/france-captain-thierry-dusautoir-calls-time-his-international-career?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1886970/france-captain-thierry-dusautoir-calls-time-his-international-career?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Dec 2015 00:45:30 +0000 Eddie Jones has insisted there will be no conflict of loyalties when he coaches England against his native Australia for the first time next year. Jones was in charge of the Wallabies when they lost the 2003 World Cup final to England in Sydney. But on Friday the 55-year-old became England’s new head coach after Stuart Lancaster stepped down following the team’s humiliating group stage exit at the Rugby World Cup. Jones’ first match in charge of England will be their Six Nations opener away to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1881339/totally-committed-eddie-jones-vows-hell-be-100-behind-england-against?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1881339/totally-committed-eddie-jones-vows-hell-be-100-behind-england-against?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Nov 2015 04:45:45 +0000 England on Friday named Australian Eddie Jones as their first foreign head coach with the task of reviving the national team after their Rugby World Cup disaster. Jones has agreed a four-year deal in place of Stuart Lancaster.  The former Australia and Japan boss has been released from his contract with South African provincial side Stormers and will take up his England post next month. "The opportunity to take the reins in possibly the world's most high-profile international rugby job doesn't... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1880719/eddie-jones-be-appointed-england-coach-reports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1880719/eddie-jones-be-appointed-england-coach-reports?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Nov 2015 00:15:00 +0000 Montpellier boss Jake White insists he won't take part in a drawn-out application process for the vacant England head coach role. White, who coached South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning squad, is one of the leading candidates to replace Stuart Lancaster after he parted ways with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in the aftermath of England's dismal World Cup campaign. But the 52-year-old South African has twice been snubbed at the final hurdle by the RFU, when Martin Johnson took control in 2008... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878440/i-wont-be-messed-around-england-again-says-jake-white?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878440/i-wont-be-messed-around-england-again-says-jake-white?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Nov 2015 04:00:45 +0000 Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie said England were determined to appoint a coach of “proven international experience” in succession to Stuart Lancaster - however long it took. England's dismal World Cup campaign set the seal on Lancaster's three-and-a-half years in charge, with the RFU announcing on Wednesday he had left his post by “mutual consent”. Under Lancaster , who had little prior elite rugby experience, England became the first host nation to fail to get out of the group... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878060/jake-white-and-michael-cheika-fit-bill-england-seek-proven-coach-replace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1878060/jake-white-and-michael-cheika-fit-bill-england-seek-proven-coach-replace?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Nov 2015 01:30:15 +0000 Stuart Lancaster has stepped down as England head coach by “mutual consent”, England's Rugby Football Union announced on Wednesday. Lancaster's departure, three and-a-half years after his appointment, was expected in the light of England's disastrous World Cup campaign, which saw the hosts eliminated in the group phase. I ultimately accept and take responsibility for the team's performance and we have not delivered the results we all hoped for during this tournament Stuart Lancaster “I am... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1877893/it-was-mutual-stuart-lancaster-steps-down-england-rugby-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1877893/it-was-mutual-stuart-lancaster-steps-down-england-rugby-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:45:45 +0000 England rugby union international Sam Burgess has left Premiership club Bath with immediate effect in order to return to rugby league side South Sydney Rabbitohs, the BBC reported on Thursday. The 26-year-old Burgess had two years left on a three-year deal with west country side Bath. Burgess was a member of the England squad that recently became the first World Cup host nation to exit the tournament in the group stages, with coach Stuart Lancaster criticised for what many saw as the overly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1876133/sam-burgess-set-rugby-league-return-rabbitohs-bbc-report?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1876133/sam-burgess-set-rugby-league-return-rabbitohs-bbc-report?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Nov 2015 16:45:00 +0000 England dual international Sam Burgess is set to be lured back to Australia’s National Rugby League with the richest deal in the game’s 108-year history, reports said on Monday. The Daily Telegraph reported that Burgess’ contract with an NRL club would be worth A$1.5 million (HK$8.3 million) a season, placing him above the highest NRL earners, Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith, South Sydney star Greg Inglis and Dally M Medallist Johnathan Thurston. We decided to give him time off there and then,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1874889/flip-flop-sam-burgess-set-switch-codes-again-big-money-move-back?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1874889/flip-flop-sam-burgess-set-switch-codes-again-big-money-move-back?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Nov 2015 04:15:30 +0000 England coach Stuart Lancaster apologised and admitted his future is uncertain after Australia inflicted his side’s second devastating World Cup defeat in a week. The 33-13 loss at Twickenham on Saturday saw England become the first host nation to exit a World Cup before the knockout stage. Asked if he was considering his position after the loss, Lancaster said: “Yeah, obviously I think I’ve got to. It’s not just going to be my decision.” “The responsibility and accountability lies with me”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1863937/stuart-lancaster-admits-end-nigh-after-england-are-dumped-out-their-own?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1863937/stuart-lancaster-admits-end-nigh-after-england-are-dumped-out-their-own?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2015 01:30:00 +0000