The most recent clash between Rugby League and Union, centred on New Zealand born winger Denny Solomona, came to a head last week when, on 13 December, Solomona formally announced his retirement from Rugby League (leaving club Castleford two years before the expiry of his contract) for a move to Union club Sale Sharks on a … Continue Reading
When he first became a handball goalkeeper, Maroš Kolpak probably never thought that his name would later become synonymous with a European Court ruling which has been crucial in allowing many sportspersons from countries outside Europe to play their sport within the EU. Not a bad claim to fame! In 1995, the European Court of … Continue Reading
After Eddie Jones was named Head Coach of the England rugby team a little over a year ago one of his first controversial decisions (see here for some others) was to name Dylan Hartley as captain in place of Chris Robshaw. Several pundits questioned the logic of replacing Robshaw with New Zealand born Hartley who, … Continue Reading
The November Internationals have made for some interesting viewing, not just for the fans, but the neutrals too. Japan were only just beaten with a drop goal in the dying minutes by Wales in Cardiff. England continued their winning streak under Eddie Jones, despite playing Argentina with a man down for the majority of the … Continue Reading
It will be well known to the readers of this blog that media companies will pay eye watering amounts of money for the rights to broadcast major sporting events. It is reported that the most valuable of these deals are as follows: $5.3 billion per year for the NFL. $2.7 billion per year for the … Continue Reading
Sports Shorts recently wrote about the England rugby Elite Player Squad’s (“EPS”) autumn training camp during which a number of injuries were picked up by players looking to cement their place in Eddie Jones’s (as yet still unbeaten) starting England XV. The cost for those missing out on playing in these matches has been highlighted … Continue Reading
This time last year, rugby union was building up to the crowning match of its showpiece, the World Cup Final. It was not a surprise to see the All Blacks win for a third time. Given the retirements of half a dozen greats, including Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, it would have been harsh of … Continue Reading
The 1927 New York Yankees, the 1985 Chicago Bears, the 1996 Chicago Bulls, Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ and the 2007 Australian Cricket Team. Add to this list the 2017 New Zealand All Blacks. What do they have in common? Claims to be the greatest sports team of all time. The All Blacks recently equalled the World Record … Continue Reading
OK, you may be more used to political correctness being inserted into this phrase but I would argue Health and Safety is a (relatively!) close second. I am sure you will all have heard grumblings from time to time about safety regulations making everything take longer or be more difficult than it used to. Recently, … Continue Reading
The England rugby team’s recent training camp in Brighton has come under close scrutiny as a result of a number of significant injuries to members of the Elite Player Squad (“EPS”) and caused a rift between key stakeholders the RFU and Premiership Rugby Limited (“Premier Rugby”). Eddie Jones, keen to improve England’s performance at the … Continue Reading
It was reported on 26 September 2016 that formal discussions are being held to determine whether the Team GB Rugby 7s squad should become a permanently funded programme. In practice, this would mean a pooling of resources between the Rugby Unions of England, Wales and Scotland (each of whom currently fund a team which competes … Continue Reading
RFC. If asked what the letters stand for, what would your answer be? This might be starting to sound like the sort of riddle one finds in a terrible Christmas cracker but it is in fact a question that has been asked (seriously) of the UK Intellectual Property Office (“IPO”) twice, thanks to a disagreement … Continue Reading
Sunday brought more silverware for the Squire Patton Boggs rugby 7s team with victory in the Robert Walters Law Society 7s. Group wins over the Law Society RFC and Clyde & Co saw the team advance into the Cup competition unbeaten as the dark horses. Quarter and semi-final wins over Travers Smith and Simmons & … Continue Reading
The line between winning and losing is often thin. Throughout the history of sport, sportsmen and women have consistently demonstrated that they will go to remarkable lengths to gain any advantage they can, no matter how marginal. For this reason, sports governing bodies implement rules and regulations. The purpose of these is to set out … Continue Reading
Rugby’s history at the Olympic Games 18 May 1924, Colombes Stadium, Paris: in front of 50,000 predominantly French fans, the USA beat France 17-3 to win the gold medal and claim the coveted Olympic Champion title. Fast forward 92 years to Rio 2016 and the American rugby team are still reigning Olympic Champions without their … Continue Reading
