https://www.scmp.com/rss/323869/feed The Six Nations Championship 2017 will be the 18th running of Europe's premier international rugby competition and involves England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The tournament's five rounds run from 4 February to 18 March 2017 and the defending champions are England, who secured a grand slam last year. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Eddie Jones said New Zealand were “there for the taking” after his England side’s bid to better the All Blacks’ record winning streak ended with a defeat by Ireland in Dublin. Ireland, who had also ended New Zealand’s run, won 13-9 at a rainswept Lansdowne Road on Saturday to deny England a 19th successive test win and prevent them becoming the first side in the Six Nations era to win back-to-back grand slams. Irish lock Iain Henderson scored the only try of the match, although England’s defeat... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2080241/defiant-eddie-jones-shrugs-shock-england-loss-ireland-and-says-all-blacks-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2080241/defiant-eddie-jones-shrugs-shock-england-loss-ireland-and-says-all-blacks-are?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Mar 2017 02:22:16 +0000 Scotland gave departing coach Vern Cotter a successful send-off by beating Italy 29-0 in the final round of the Six Nations on Saturday. The Azzurri were left with five straight losses for the third time in the past four years. Finn Russell, Matt Scott, Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour – all members of the Scots’ improved back division – scored the tries in a bonus-point victory at Murrayfield that keeps them in contention for a second-place finish. Cotter – a tough New Zealander who rarely shows... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2080205/emotional-vern-cotter-given-perfect-send-scotland-beat-italy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2080205/emotional-vern-cotter-given-perfect-send-scotland-beat-italy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Mar 2017 15:27:17 +0000 Eddie Jones has joked that England can play New Zealand straight after Saturday’s grand slam match in Dublin. Victory at Lansdowne Road would see England, who’ve already retained the Six Nations title, set a new record of 19 successive test wins by a ‘tier one’ or leading rugby union nation and break the mark of 18 they currently share with world champions New Zealand. It would also see Jones’s men win the Triple Crown and become the first team in the Six Nations era to complete back-to-back... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2079810/eddie-jones-jokes-england-will-play-new-zealand-straight-after-ireland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2079810/eddie-jones-jokes-england-will-play-new-zealand-straight-after-ireland?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Mar 2017 03:46:17 +0000 England may have already retained the Six Nations Championship title but coach Eddie Jones has warned that a wounded Ireland will be desperate to scupper their grand slam plans. A 22-9 loss to Wales in Cardiff last week effectively ended Ireland’s own title hopes, and England coach Jones has put his side on alert as they bid to make history. “Ireland are an extremely well coached side and they’ll be grossly disappointed by their performance on Friday,” said England coach Jones. Last Saturday saw... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2078702/eddie-jones-warns-england-ireland-backlash-six-nations-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2078702/eddie-jones-warns-england-ireland-backlash-six-nations-history?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2017 07:01:13 +0000 Ireland are confident key half-back duo Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton will both be fit to face England in Saturday’s Six Nations climax in Dublin. Fly-half Sexton has been cleared of concussion after taking a blow during Ireland’s 22-9 defeat by Wales in Cardiff last week, with scrum-half Murray overcoming a ‘stinger’ injury to his left shoulder in the same match. “Johnny Sexton underwent a precautionary HIA [head injury assessment] at the weekend. Concussion has been ruled out and he’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2078690/johnny-sexton-and-conor-murray-cleared-irelands-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2078690/johnny-sexton-and-conor-murray-cleared-irelands-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Mar 2017 06:22:38 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones challenged his side to achieve “greatness” by completing back-to-back Grand Slams after they retained their Six Nations title with a round to spare following a 61-21 thrashing of Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday. Jonathan Joseph scored a hat-trick as England ran in seven tries, with Owen Farrell overcoming a leg injury to kick 26 points as they overpowered Scotland in posting a record score in the 135th edition of rugby union’s oldest international fixture. Victory... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2078172/seize-moment-greatness-eddie-jones-message-victorious-england?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2078172/seize-moment-greatness-eddie-jones-message-victorious-england?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Mar 2017 04:00:30 +0000 Wales coach Rob Howley’s courageous call to avoid tinkering with his stuttering side was vindicated after they notched up an emphatic 22-9 victory over Ireland in a thrilling Six Nations match. Fans, pundits and media turned on Wales players and coaches after they leaked 20 unanswered points in their defeat by the Scots, which followed a loss to England after an opening victory over Italy. But interim head coach Howley refused to bow to pressure for wholesale changes and picked an unaltered team... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2078044/george-north-rebound-sees-wales-end-irelands-six-nations-hopes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2078044/george-north-rebound-sees-wales-end-irelands-six-nations-hopes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Mar 2017 02:52:59 +0000 Leigh Halfpenny accepts he made a mistake turning down a penalty-goal chance in Wales’ defeat by Scotland that effectively ended their Six Nations hopes, kicking coach Neil Jenkins said on Tuesday. The fullback decided he could not go for the posts when given the opportunity to level the match at 16-16 on Saturday at a pivotal moment. There was confusion at Murrayfield with Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones indicating to referee John Lacey they were going for the posts only for fly half Dan Biggar to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2075021/i-screwed-badly-admits-wales-star-leigh-halfpenny-after-six-nations-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2075021/i-screwed-badly-admits-wales-star-leigh-halfpenny-after-six-nations-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Mar 2017 02:55:22 +0000 Italy’s no-ruck tactic bamboozled England in the Six Nations but Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien believes his side would have had no such problems. Masterminded by coach Conor O’Shea and defence coach Brendan Venter, Italy’s ploy of not contesting rucks flummoxed England on Sunday at Twickenham. Expecting to put 50 points on the board at least, England actually trailed 10-5 at half-time to a team it has never lost to. The Azzurri’s strategy of refusing to compete for possession after a tackle so... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2074778/we-wouldnt-fall-italys-six-nations-ploy-eddie-jones-men-did?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2074778/we-wouldnt-fall-italys-six-nations-ploy-eddie-jones-men-did?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Feb 2017 09:10:40 +0000 England fly half George Ford urged rugby chiefs to outlaw the spoiling tactics employed by Italy at Twickenham on Sunday, saying they had the potential to “kill the game”. Six Nations champions England eventually won 36-15 to remain on course for back-to-back Grand Slams and extend their winning run to 17 successive victories. But the final score did not tell the story of an extraordinary match where perennial whipping boys Italy, against all predictions, led 10-5 at half-time. England were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2074279/italys-six-nations-tactics-will-kill-game-warns-george-ford-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2074279/italys-six-nations-tactics-will-kill-game-warns-george-ford-after?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Feb 2017 01:36:58 +0000 Scotland aim to keep rolling back the years by defeating England at Twickenham for the first time since 1983, after beating Wales for the first time in a decade. Vern Cotter’s side scored 20 unanswered after the break at Murrayfield on Saturday as a 13-9 interval deficit was transformed into a 29-13 victory, their first against Wales since 2007. Second-half tries by wings Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser, plus five penalties and two conversions by stand-off Finn Russell, mean the Scots on March 11... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2074129/scotland-eye-england-glory-six-nations-after-ending-wales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2074129/scotland-eye-england-glory-six-nations-after-ending-wales?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Feb 2017 03:49:17 +0000 Johnny Sexton’s masterful performance in returning from a five-week injury break to steer Ireland to a 19-9 win over France came as no surprise to coach Joe Schmidt. The 31-year-old fly-half kicked 11 points to keep alive Ireland’s Six Nations title hopes and will be expected to do it all again against Wales in a fortnight. Victory in Cardiff, against a Wales side whose title hopes disappeared with a 29-13 defeat by Scotland on Saturday, could set up a potential title-decider against defending... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2074126/schmidt-hails-sextons-playmaking-skills-ireland-stay-track-six?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2074126/schmidt-hails-sextons-playmaking-skills-ireland-stay-track-six?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Feb 2017 02:59:09 +0000 Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell shone as Scotland staged a rousing comeback to beat Wales for the first time in 10 years in an absorbing 29-13 Six Nations victory at Murrayfield on Saturday. After an early exchange of penalties Wales winger Liam Williams crossed in the corner for an eye-catching opening try as the visitors opened up a 13-9 halftime lead. Scotland wingers Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser finished tries set up by sublime Hogg passes after the break while Russell kicked 19 points with a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2074070/scotland-end-10-year-wales-hoodoo-29-13-victory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2074070/scotland-end-10-year-wales-hoodoo-29-13-victory?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Feb 2017 16:30:42 +0000 Guy Noves insisted France’s error-riddled Six Nations victory over Scotland was not a step backwards. The hosts claimed a 22-16 victory at the Stade de France on Sunday despite being outscored two tries to one. But after narrow defeats against the world’s top three sides in their previous three matches, Noves said that victory, despite a slightly disjointed performance, was a step in the right direction. “We’ve been working on a rugby that suits our qualities for a year now,” said Noves, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2070331/france-head-coach-guy-noves-sees-positives-disjointed-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2070331/france-head-coach-guy-noves-sees-positives-disjointed-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Feb 2017 01:55:03 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones accepted his side had used up all their “get-out-of-jail cards” following a gripping 21-16 win away to Wales in the Six Nations. The grand slam champions were 16-14 behind with just four minutes left when wing Elliot Daly, following a poor clearance kick by Wales centre Jonathan Davies, surged past Alex Cuthbert for a superb try in the corner. As had been the case in their tournament-opening win over France the week before, England had come from behind to seal victory... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2070180/eddie-jones-wants-end-escapes-england-edge-wales-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2070180/eddie-jones-wants-end-escapes-england-edge-wales-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Feb 2017 03:57:54 +0000 Jack Clifford has been recalled to an inexperienced England back row in place of Tom Wood for Saturday’s Six Nations international against Wales in Cardiff. Clifford, fit following a chest injury, has been called into the starting side by coach Eddie Jones while Wood, who has been struggling with a chest injury, is demoted to the bench. The only other change to the England starting XV that beat France 19-16 at Twickenham in the grand slam champions tournament opener is on the wing, with Jack... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2069539/jack-clifford-novice-england-back-row-six-nations-clash-wales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2069539/jack-clifford-novice-england-back-row-six-nations-clash-wales?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Feb 2017 11:22:26 +0000 Wales just missed out on scoring a bonus point in the first round of the Six Nations championship but their thirst for one helped put them on top of the table on Sunday. For the first time this season, the tournament is employing a bonus-point system that operates in professional competitions across Europe and the southern hemisphere. At the end of the opening weekend, Wales topped the table on points difference after a 33-7 victory against lowly Italy, while the other weekend’s winners, England... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2068368/wales-inspired-bonus-point-mentality-top-six-nations-championship-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2068368/wales-inspired-bonus-point-mentality-top-six-nations-championship-after?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Feb 2017 02:56:18 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones promised to do a better job after his “awful” Grand Slam champions launched the defence of their Six Nations title with a scrappy 19-16 win over France at Twickenham. France had much the better of the play but England, yet to lose under Australian boss Jones, were able to grind out an ‘ugly’ win as they secured a national record 15th consecutive Test victory. The visitors were 16-12 up on the hour when replacement prop Rabah Slimani went over for a try France had long... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2068190/victorious-eddie-jones-vows-improve-awful-england-after-they-edge-france?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2068190/victorious-eddie-jones-vows-improve-awful-england-after-they-edge-france?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Feb 2017 03:50:48 +0000 Scotland hung on to beat Ireland 27-22 in a pulsating match at Murrayfield on Saturday and secure their first opening day win in the Six Nations for over a decade. Two late penalties from captain Greig Laidlaw snatched a victory for the Scots that was founded on a dazzling first-half display which pushed the hosts into a 21-8 lead at the break. Fullback Stuart Hogg, the player of last year’s tournament, scored Scotland’s first two tries and centre Alex Dunbar dotted down for an unconventional... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2068157/scotland-cling-upset-ireland-six-nations-thriller-first-opening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2068157/scotland-cling-upset-ireland-six-nations-thriller-first-opening?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Feb 2017 16:30:35 +0000 It was once billed as ‘Le Crunch’ but outspoken England coach Eddie Jones was ready for a rugby ‘war’ against France in the opening match of his grand slam champions’ Six Nations title defence at Twickenham on Saturday. England, on a 14-match unbeaten run – 13 of those wins since Australian coach Jones was installed after their lacklustre first-round exit at the 2015 World Cup – will be firm favourites. But Jones insisted ‘Les Bleus’ would prove as formidable opponents as any of the ‘teams’... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2067795/six-nations-champions-england-ready-france-war-tournament-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2067795/six-nations-champions-england-ready-france-war-tournament-kicks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Feb 2017 04:59:50 +0000 Scotland coach Vern Cotter has warned his emerging side they face “a huge task” against Ireland in their Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday. The Irish arrive in Edinburgh still buoyed by their first-ever victory over world champions New Zealand in Chicago in November. Ireland, guided by Cotter’s fellow Kiwi and former Clermont Auvergne and Bay of Plenty assistant Joe Schmidt, achieved a stunning 40-29 success against the All Blacks at Soldier Field. That led Cotter to try to play down... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2067765/scotland-ready-gruelling-ireland-six-nations-championship-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2067765/scotland-ready-gruelling-ireland-six-nations-championship-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Feb 2017 03:14:28 +0000 Six Nations chief executive John Feehan says there are no plans for promotion and relegation to be introduced into European rugby union’s showpiece international tournament in the “short to medium term”. Following the 2015 World Cup in England, there were renewed calls for some form of promotion to give the likes of Georgia and Romania a chance of having access to more meaningful matches. But Feehan has little time for relegation talk, telling the BBC on Monday: “In the short- to medium-term... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2066742/six-nations-championship-chief-rules-out-suggestion-relegation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2066742/six-nations-championship-chief-rules-out-suggestion-relegation?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:40:44 +0000 England received a boost ahead of their defence of the Six Nations, with prop Joe Marler set for an extraordinary comeback for the grand slam champions against France on Saturday. Marler was informed he would be out of action for five weeks after withdrawing from the warm-up of Harlequins’ win over Sale on January 7 with what turned out to be a fractured leg. That ought to have ruled him out of the first two rounds of the Six Nations but Marler was back in training with England during their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2066736/fast-healer-joe-marler-delights-england-ahead-six-nations-kick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2066736/fast-healer-joe-marler-delights-england-ahead-six-nations-kick?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Jan 2017 03:04:45 +0000 England will look to become only the sixth team to win back-to-back grand slams in the Six Nations when this season’s championship gets underway next weekend. Their opening match against France at Twickenham next Saturday will see England bidding to extend their 14-match winning streak, with 13 of those victories under coach Eddie Jones since the Australian’s appointment following a first round exit at the 2015 World Cup. Another perfect Six Nations season would see England surpass world... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2066207/england-team-beat-british-irish-lions-loom-over-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2066207/england-team-beat-british-irish-lions-loom-over-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jan 2017 04:09:52 +0000 England coach Eddie Jones arrived at the Six Nations launch in London on Wednesday with a badly bruised face after a reported slip in his bathroom. The Australian, who has won all 13 of his matches in charge of England since taking over following the 2015 World Cup, had a wound dressing around his left eye, which was bruised. Jones hurt himself during a fall, said a Rugby Football Union spokesman refusing to give further details, although it is understood the coach may have slipped in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2065425/battered-and-bruised-eddie-jones-looking-worse-wear-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2065425/battered-and-bruised-eddie-jones-looking-worse-wear-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jan 2017 11:53:37 +0000 England forward George Kruis will be fit for the defending champions’ Six Nations opener against France next month, the Saracens lock’s club coach said on Tuesday. Mark McCall is confident a minor cheekbone fracture won’t stop Kruis, a member of the England side that won last season’s Six Nations with a grand slam, being available for the February 4 Twickenham clash. And he even suggested Kruis could face Toulon in holders Saracens’ European Champions Cup game on Saturday. “George will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2063119/englands-george-kruis-will-be-fit-france-six-nations-opener-says-club?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2063119/englands-george-kruis-will-be-fit-france-six-nations-opener-says-club?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Jan 2017 04:04:55 +0000 England rugby coach Eddie Jones is confident Dylan Hartley will be ready to captain the side when the Six Nations kicks off early next month. Northampton hooker Hartley, who has not played since December 9 when he was sent off for striking and handed a six-week ban, will be put through a series of tests on Wednesday to prove his match fitness ahead of the February 4 opener against France. “Dylan has been training the house down, and we expect him to be ready to go,” Jones told the BBC. “He’s got... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2062775/eddie-jones-confident-dylan-hartley-will-be-fit-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2062775/eddie-jones-confident-dylan-hartley-will-be-fit-six-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jan 2017 06:53:07 +0000