Johnno’s men avoid Tri Nations in group stages

There was a 75% chance that England would end up in a ‘group of death’ for the 2011 World Cup, with either New Zealand, Australia or South Africa, all of whom they lost to in recent weeks.
But they got lucky, and landed in a group which they will [...]

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Do England stand a chance against New Zealand? Our pals at Chicken Dinner have put together this preview of Saturday’s game…

Almost 12 months have passed since England’s rugby team were recognised as the best British sporting team of the year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. Since then it’s gone downhill.
First they [...]

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Axed England star makes it awkward for WAG

Danny Cipriani showed off his driving skills when he picked up girlfriend Kelly Brook last night. The beleaguered fly-half parked so close to the wall of the Comedy Theatre, where Brook is currently starring in Fat Pig, that she struggled to open the door of his Land Rover.
According [...]

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This is how you deal with the haka

This good old-fashioned stare-down by the Welsh boys must ranks as one of the best ever responses to the All Blacks’ scary war dance. Wales went on to lose the game, but they won this battle. Brilliant, spine-tingling stuff that really puts to shame the degree of passion [...]

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After two shockers for England, Cipriani is dropped

Oh dear. English rugby’s golden boy doesn’t look so shiny and handsome now, does he? After two horror shows at Twickenham, against Australia and South Africa, Martin Johnson has taken action and dropped his fly-half for this Saturday’s game against New Zealand. Toby Flood replaces Cipriani.
At 21, Cipriani [...]

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Can England and co. get back to winning ways? Our friends at Chicken Dinner have put together this preview of the weekend’s internationals…

England v South Africa
This is the first time the two nations have clashed since last year’s World Cup final and England have lost their last five encounters with the Springboks. The good news [...]

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Welsh rugby bosses not impressed with singer’s druggy past

Big-voiced - and big-chested - singer Katherine Jenkins admitted recently that she took cocaine and ecstasy when she first came to London. Big deal, you might think. But the frank admission has cost Jenkins her gig as the mascot of the Welsh Rugby Union - she had [...]

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Right back at you, All Blacks

Before Munster’s clash with the All Blacks last night, the Irish side’s quartet of Kiwis performed their own haka. To watch the New Zealand XV stand there, respectfully, and watch their own war dance acted out before them was truly a memorable moment in modern rugby union.
Munster’s mini haka was [...]

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They breed ‘em tough in the Pacific Islands

Not much to report from the weekend’s rugby union internationals. England had their shorts pulled down by the improving Aussies, New Zealand eased to a win over the Irish, Scotland played their tartan socks off but didn’t have enough in the tank to beat the world champion Springboks, [...]

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Next season, rugger buggers will mostly be wearing this…

Here’s a first look at the new British Lions shirt, which the team will wear on next year’s tour of South Africa.
It’s red, it’s made by Adidas (for the fourth tour in succession) and it looks, er, like every other Lions shirt… except it has no collar. [...]

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