Renfred Dazel has been added to the Blitzboks’ coaching staff, while Paul Delport has been promoted to head coach of the Springbok Women’s Sevens team. Former Blitzbok stalwart Dazel, who had coached the Springbok Women’s Sevens team since October 2013, has joined Neil Powell as an assistant coach. Delport has been elevated to the women’s sevens role after serving as SA Sevens… Read more →
Sharks fullback Rhyno Smith has been included in the SA Rugby Sevens Academy squad that will play tournaments in Uruguay and Chile. Besides the inclusion of Smith, coach Marius Schoeman has selected teenagers Angelo Davids and Muller du Plessis along with capped Blitzboks Marco Labuschagne, Zain Davids, Ryan Oosthuizen, Dewald Human, Stedman Gans and Selvyn Davids. SA Rugby Academy regulars Impi… Read more →
Former Stormers loose forward Mike Rhodes says he would ‘jump at the chance’ to play for England once he qualifies in July. Rhodes spent time with the Sharks, Lions and Stormers before making the move to Saracens in 2015, where he has enjoyed great success. The 30-year-old is now close to completing his three-year residency qualification, and he told The… Read more →
Finn Russell kicked 12 points to guide the Glasgow Warriors to a 17-0 win over Edinburgh, while there were also Pro14 wins for Treviso, the Scarlets and Ospreys. In a substandard first half, Russell landed a penalty as the Warriors took a 3-0 lead. But the first half came to an abrupt end when Scotstoun Stadium had to be evacuated… Read more →
Brive beat Montpellier 29-10, while La Rochelle, Racing 92, Stade Français, Toulouse, Lyon and Castres also secured wins in the French Top 14. Languishing in the bottom half of the table and locked in a relegation battle with Agen and Oyonnax, Brive were up against the odds before their match against log leaders Montpellier. But the hosts avoided what many predicted… Read more →
Marcus Smith inspired Harlequins to a 50-21 win over Northampton, while there were also English Premiership victories for Newcastle, Gloucester, Saracens, Wasps and Exeter. It was one-way traffic in front of a 77,825 crowd at Twickenham, as Northampton suffered their 11th consecutive loss in all competitions. The 18-year-old Smith had a hand in five of Harlequins’ seven tries, while kicking five conversions… Read more →
Juan de Jongh scored a try as Wasps beat Bath 31-26 at The Rec to move to second on the English Premiership log. Wasps raced into a 19-0 lead after 20 minutes. Fullback Willie le Roux’s offload in the tackle put left wing Marcus Watson away for the opening try. Scrumhalf Dan Robson then dotted down, before Watson grabbed his second. Watson… Read more →
Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw believes England will pose the biggest threat to New Zealand in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup. England have improved a great deal since Eddie Jones was appointed head coach in the wake of the 2015 World Cup. The side has won 22 of its 23 Tests, and claimed two Six Nations titles,… Read more →
Former Sharks lock Anton Bresler has joined the Worcester Warriors from Edinburgh. The 29-year-old played 61 matches for Edinburgh and attended Scotland’s 41-man training camp in August. However, he did not play for the national side, who he had qualified for on residential grounds, in November. ‘I’m genuinely excited at the prospect of playing Premiership rugby and can’t wait to get out on the field… Read more →
Guy Novès has been sacked as France coach and replaced by Jacques Brunel. Novès was in charge for 21 Tests over the past two years, of which Les Bleus won just seven, lost 13 and drew one. Novès’ assistants, Yannick Bru (forwards) and Jean-Frederic Dubois (backs) have also lost their jobs. ‘I wish it had lasted all the way to [the… Read more →
