Rugby world champions

Anthony Watson says he will not watch England’s World Cup final defeat for as long as he is playing rugby. The Bath fullback was one of the star performers in Japan, ending more than a year of injury hell with a series of top class displays. He earned rave reviews in the semi-final against New Zealand, as England turned in one of their best ever displays. Yet Watson will not be watching that again - just as he won’t be tuning in to see how England got it wrong against South Africa in the final. “I won’t go back and relive those games, whilst I’m still playing anyway,” said the 25-year-old, who lines up against Harlequins in the Champions Cup on Saturday “Definitely the full 80 minutes I won’t watch. It’s been and gone. There’s more to do, more to achieve.” The final is understandable, given the hammering inflicted by the Springboks that day in Yokohama. Surely, though, the All Blacks game is one to see again? “No, … [Read more...] about Anthony Watson won’t watch England’s World Cup final loss as he focuses on the future

Eddie Jones has been told by Saracens that he has no reason to fear England’s Six Nations campaign being wrecked by the withdrawal of their players. Two days after accepting a 35-point deduction and a fine of £5.36 million for breaching the salary cap, the Premiership champions held clear the air talks with their entire playing squad. Team boss Mark McCall addressed the group, answering questions and assuring the players that withdrawing them from England duty in order to bolster Saracens’ relegation fight would not happen. Sarries have plunged to the foot of the table, 26 points adrift and five of their remaining 18 league games clash with the Six Nations. But McCall said: “To be clear, I support our players playing for England 100 per cent. I genuinely want them to. It's the absolute pinnacle of the game.” Saracens supplied six of the team that started the World Cup final and Jones reckons the club’s plight could have a “significant … [Read more...] about Eddie Jones assured that Saracens players will put country first in Six Nations

Increasingly it feels as if European club rugby is turning into La Liga. In the ever-familiar world of Spanish football the domestic title has been won for 13 of the past 14 years by either Barcelona or Real Madrid, with only Atlético Madrid briefly interrupting the established hegemony. This year’s Champions Cup has a similar vibe before a ball is passed or kicked. Since 2011 just three teams have won Europe’s elite club trophy – Leinster, Toulon and Saracens. Substitute a fading Toulon for their French rival Racing 92, the most extravagantly backed French side in this year’s tournament, and you have the three main candidates for this season’s podium. As far as rugby is concerned, Europe is a shrinking concept regardless of Theresa May’s next move. This is not simply a consequence of the relentlessly high standards at Leinster and Saracens, two organisations apparently twinned in their desire to grow stronger every day. Talks are already … [Read more...] about Saracens and Leinster shoulder burden of Champions Cup’s pan-European dream

Pool One Dan Biggar returns at fly-half for Northampton in the match of the round between teams who have lost one match between them in the league and Europe this season. The Wales international was a late withdrawal from the side that defeated Leicester last weekend, along with Courtney Lawes who remains out. Leinster’s last defeat was in last May’s Champions Cup final against Saracens in Newcastle. Eight of the starting lineup that day will take the field at Franklin’s Gardens but Rob Kearney, Luke McGrath and Tadhg Furlong are all on the bench. The Saints are unbeaten at home in the Premiership and Europe since the beginning of April but Leinster have lost only two group matches in the last four seasons, both in France. Lyon welcome Treviso in the other match. The losers will be free to focus on qualifying for next season. Lyon v Treviso Saturday 1pm Northampton v Leinster Saturday 1pm Pool Two Two victories in the opening rounds have given Exeter, who are … [Read more...] about Champions Cup preview: Munster expect monster crowd for Saracens visit

Elliot Daly insisted he had no regrets at committing his future to crisis-hit Saracens after a man-of-the-match display on his debut. The England star thought he had secured a dream move when signing for the Premiership and European champions before heading to the World Cup. He returned from Japan to find the Londoners docked 35 points for breaching the salary cap and plunged into a desperate relegation fight. Yet after pulling on Saracens colours for the first time in the Champions Cup stuffing of Ospreys yesterday, Daly stood behind his decision. “I have no regrets,” said the fullback, who only arrived at the club on Monday and played after just three sessions - one of them in the pub. “I needed a new challenge and coming to a club like this and having that opportunity is something you are never going to turn down. “Everyone here is moving in the right direction and are going to push me in the right direction.” Team boss Mark McCall hailed the … [Read more...] about Elliot Daly goes from beers to cheers and insists no regrets at joining Saracens