Another win this morning in Hamilton and the British and Irish Lions are starting to build momentum ahead of this Saturday’s first test at Eden Park in Auckland; a ground at which the formidable All Blacks have achieved a 37 game winning streak spanning some 23 years. The win, against one of the leading New … Continue Reading
The British and Irish Lions Tour 2017 is nearly upon us, kicking off on the first weekend of June this year. As with other traditions associated with the Lions, such as the youngest player in the squad having to look after the Lions’ mascot for the duration of the Tour, selection of the Lions squad … Continue Reading
It has been a busy few days in the world of Rugby Union. On 10 May 2017, the draw for the pool stage of the 2019 World Cup in Japan was confirmed during a ceremony in Kyoto, with England once again finding themselves placed in the dreaded “pool of death”, along with France and Argentina. … Continue Reading
Another week, another drugs scandal in Southern Hemisphere rugby. Or more accurately another four scandals. On Monday, it was announced that New Zealand rugby league captain Jesse Bromwich and international teammate Kevin Proctor would not be selected for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup having breached the team’s code of conduct following allegations that both … Continue Reading
Earlier this month, it was reported that Premiership Rugby had voted against a proposed investment in Gloucester RFC by the France-based billionaire Mohed Altrad. Under the terms of the proposed investment, Altrad would have purchased a 45% stake in the Cherry and Whites, who compete in the Aviva Premiership and will face Stade Français in … Continue Reading
Yesterday saw the squad announcement for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand which kicks off against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei on 3 June this year. The Lions have only had a single successful tour in the land of the long white cloud when John Dawes led them to a … Continue Reading
On 6 April 2017, it was confirmed that a majority of the twelve clubs who make up Rugby League’s premier division, the Betfred Super League, had voted in favour of four proposals that had been put forward by the Rugby Football League (“RFL”), all of which were subsequently ratified by the RFL’s board of directors. … Continue Reading
The final day of the 2017 RBS 6 Nations saw three cracking games and whilst the dust has settled on the on-field activity the repercussions of the final weekend continue. Scotland gave a winning send off to super coach Vern Cotter after a 29-0 whitewash of Italy. In doing so they held on to their … Continue Reading
On Friday 17 March 2017, Sports Shorts posted about the unlikely proposed merger of two of France’s largest and most prestigious club rugby sides: Racing 92 and Stade Français. The announcement, made by the Racing 92 Chief, Jacky Lorenzetti and the Stade Français President, Thomas Savare, on 13 March 2017 sent shockwaves through the rugby … Continue Reading
The Six Nations provides rugby fans with a couple of months every year packed to the rafters of rugby-related issues to talk about. This year in particular provides even more analysis fodder with a group of the best British and Irish players touring New Zealand to take on the mighty All Blacks in the summer. … Continue Reading
In an attempt to move on from the nightmare Calcutta Cup fixture on 11 March 2017 (in which Scotland lost to England 61-21, a score line that equalled Scotland’s greatest margin of loss against its old rivals), this author went on the hunt for some of the biggest sporting defeats in history. A little background … Continue Reading
As Rugby League’s Super League season continues in earnest, a media report has suggested that the Rugby Football League (“RFL“), the governing body for Rugby League in the UK, would support any current Super League clubs that expressed a desire to move from their current well-established locations and relocate to other cities in the UK … Continue Reading
With the second fallow weekend of the Six Nations fast approaching, the common consensus amongst both fans and pundits is that the 2017 incarnation of the tournament has been one of the most competitive and entertaining in years. Under Guy Novès, the French have begun to show signs of emerging from years of relative torpor; … Continue Reading
During the Autumn Internationals in November last year Australian jackal-in-chief David Pocock seemingly loitered in an offside position before intercepting a pass from Ireland’s Connor Murray and nearly scoring a try. It subsequently transpired that Pocock was aware of, and exploiting, a loophole in the rules of the game created when no ruck is formed … Continue Reading
On Sunday 19 February 2017, the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) launched ‘Lift the Weight’, its online hub and campaign, that ‘aims to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues and offer the necessary tools and support to enable our members to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life, both on the field and off it.’. … Continue Reading
Last month, Sports Shorts considered Tom Arscott’s sacking by the Aviva Premiership Rugby side Sale Sharks. Not only was this a fairly novel occurrence of a member of a sports team being sacked by their current employer for a breach of confidentiality, it also served to highlight, in a broader employment context, the obligations of … Continue Reading
For some, mainly rugby fans, the 6 Nations Championship truly represents the most wonderful time of the year. 15 test matches played over 7 weekends provide an opportunity to renew sporting and national rivalries in one of sports great annual competitions. In the last 2 years the rugby has culminated in nail-biting finishes with Ireland’s … Continue Reading
When a professional athlete tests positive for a prohibited substance, the consequences can be severe. The athlete may be banned (either for a set period or for the remainder of their lifetime), they may have their results revoked, they may face the imposition of a financial penalty (together with any financial loss that occurs as … Continue Reading
Confidential leaks and allegations of espionage have abounded in recent months in both sporting and political contexts, whether that be the furore surrounding alleged hacking relating to the US presidential election or the shadowy Fancy Bears gaining access to the databases of both the World Anti-Doping Agency and the United States Anti-Doping Agency. And now … Continue Reading
Concussion is a contentious issue in sport and is a topic that has previously been covered by Sports Shorts here, here and here. Many sports involve physical contact and, in the professional era where sportspeople are stronger, faster and more athletic than at any time before, the risk of serious injury is high. The onus … Continue Reading
A fortnight ago, Sports Shorts commented upon the liquidation of Bradford Bulls and the challenges that this posed to Rugby League’s governing body, the Rugby Football League (“RFL”). To briefly recap the events that preceded the liquidation of the former World Club and Super League Champions and its immediate aftermath: Bradford Bulls, a former giant of … Continue Reading
Back in November 2016 World rugby announced the introduction of a new tougher approach to accidental and reckless head contact through two new categories of dangerous tackle within the laws of the game. The effect of these changes is to promote and encourage a lower height in the tackle situation which in turn it is … Continue Reading
Last week, the world of Rugby League was rocked by the news that Bradford Bulls, one of the giants of the game in the UK, had been placed into liquidation with reported debts of £1m and funding shortfall of a further £1m. On a purely financial front, the liquidation may not have come as a … Continue Reading
Last month, my colleague Rosie Duckworth wrote a great blog about the Denny Solomona situation following his ‘retirement’ from rugby league to pick up a contract with rugby union side, Sale Sharks. Rosie referenced another brewing situation and now the Johan Goosen story is simmering towards boiling point. Goosen is/was a South African international rugby … Continue Reading
