Wales coach Warren Gatland says he is relishing the prospect of facing Australia and believes his side have what it takes to prevent them achieving a European Grand Slam. Australia head into the match having already beaten England, Ireland and Scotland. However, a win for Wales could see them climb to 4th place in the [...]
Carter determined to beat England
New Zealand captain Dan Carter says he is determined to lead his country to victory over England and complete a Grand Slam over the home nations. The All Blacks have already convincingly seen off Wales, Scotland and Ireland and with England struggling Carter believes his side have every right to feel confident. “This is the [...]
All Blacks upset by Welsh Haka disrespect
New Zealand’s Ma’a Nonu has spoken of his disappointment over how Wales responded to the haka prior to the match between the two sides. Wales opted to stand their ground in an act of defiance but Nonu believes it showed disrespect to both his team and his country. He commented, “People back home will have [...]
Dallaglio asks critics for time
Lawrence Dallaglio is urging critics of the England side to give both the players and coach Martin Johnson time to gel and build up an understanding. Dallaglio says many people have already forgotten that in 1997, South Africa claimed a similarly emphatic victory at Twickenham, only for many of that England team to go on [...]
Australia ring changes for Wales clash
Australia have made significant changes to their starting line-up for the match against Wales on Saturday. Richard Brown comes in at number eight in place of Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh is in for George Smith at open-side flanker and Hugh McMeniman will play at blind-side. Ryan Cross comes in for Adam Ashley-Cooper, leaving Cooper and [...]
Cipriani dropped from England side
Danny Cipriani has been dropped from the England side for the match against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. The Wasps fly-half has come under fire after poor individual performances against Australia and South Africa and has now paid the price. Leicester’s Toby Flood comes into the starting line up at fly-half with Cipriani having [...]
Williams voted World Player of the Year
Shane Williams has been voted World Player of the Year by the IRB and becomes the first ever Welsh player to receive the accolade. The Ospreys wing beat competition from Mike Blair, Ryan Jones, Dan Carter and Sergio Parisse to take home the award and afterwards spoke of his disbelief. “It’s the biggest honour you [...]
Ospreys Evans out for the season
Ospreys and Wales lock Ian Evans will miss the rest of the season after it was confirmed he suffered serious knee ligament damage in the defeat to New Zealand. The 24-year-old will have surgery on the knee in the next couple of weeks but is expected to be sidelined for a further nine months whilst [...]
Gatland throws down the gauntlet to players
Wales coach Warren Gatland says his side must believe in themselves if they are to beat New Zealand tomorrow at the Millenium Stadium. Wales haven’t beaten the All Blacks for 55 years, but Gatland is confident that if all his players do their jobs and perform to their maximum ability, they can get a result. [...]
Johnson prepared for SA Test
England coach Martin Johnson says his side know exactly how big the challenge ahead of them is as they prepare to take on world champions South Africa at Twickenham tomorrow. It is the first time the two sides have met since the Springboks triumphed in the World Cup final and Johnson believes they are worthy [...]
Kidney looking to maintain Ireland’s ranking
Ireland coach Declan Kidney is looking for significant improvement from his side when they face Argentina on Saturday, hoping to maintain their top 8 ranking. If Ireland lose to Argentina, who are ranked one place above them, then Scotland can finish above them and claim the second-tier World Cup ranking. Kidney remains in confident mood [...]
Two changes for Springboks
South Africa have made two changes to their starting line up for the match against England on Saturday. Prop Bismarck du Plessis injured his hamstring and Juan Smith suffered a head injury in the victory over Scotland and both players aren’t available. Jannie Du Plessis comes in for his brother and Danie Rossouw replaces Smith [...]
Mears happy to shoulder scrum criticism
England Hooker Lee Mears has admitted that England were out scrummaged by Australia, which had a big part to play in the 14-28 defeat. After England’s victory over Australia in the World Cup, where the scrum played a key role, it was expected by many that this would again prove a huge weapon. However, Mears [...]
NZ call on Kahui for Wales match
The All Blacks have only had to make one change to the side that beat Ireland last week as they gear up for the challenge of Wales. Richard Kahui comes in for the injured Conrad Smith at centre in an otherwise unchanged team including three props. Coach Graham Henry believes that his side face a [...]
Argentina climb above England in IRB Rankings
The latest IRB World Rankings see England slip down to 5th place with Argentina moving up to 4th position. England’s defeat to Australia last weekend combined with Argentina’s 22-14 victory Italy was enough to see the Pumas leapfrog Martin Johnson’s men. Meanwhile, Wales, Ireland and Scotland remain 7th, 8th and 9th respectively. IRB WORLD RANKINGS [...]
South Africa stars out of England clash
South Africa will have to do without hooker Bismarck du Plessis and prop Guthro Steenkamp when they face England on Saturday. Steenkamp twisted his ankle in the victory over Scotland, while du Plessis suffered a more serious hamstring tear. The world champions head to Twickenham on the back of wins against Wales and Scotland, while [...]
NZ coach Henry claims dominant victory
New Zealand coach Graham Henry believes his side were more than worthy winners in their 3-22 victory over Ireland. Despite only being 3 points ahead just before the interval, the All Blacks pushed on to claim a comfortable win and Henry says they were always in control. “We’re pleased with the result. The guys played [...]
Wasted opportunities cost England – Johnson
Martin Johnson believes England were the architects of their own downfall in the 28-14 defeat to Australia at Twickenham. England gave away 10 penalties which Johnson admits cost them dearly, but believes it was his side’s inability to create in Australia’s 22 that made the crucial difference. “I don’t think indiscipline cost us. Yes we [...]
Hadden targeting competetive showing
Scotland coach Frank Hadden is in confident mood ahead of the clash with South Africa, after seeing positive signs in the heavy defeat to New Zealand. Hadden believes the pace of the southern hemisphere game can be difficult to live with at times, but says his side can head into the match with high confidence. [...]
Cipriani given Aussie warning
Danny Cipriani has been warned that he must perform well defensively as well as in attack when England face Australia at Twickenham tomorrow. The 21-year-old fly-half was in good form against the Pacific Islanders, but England defence coach Mike Ford believes there is still a lot of room for improvement, particularly with his defensive game. [...]
Northampton Saints Rugby Shirts
Northampton Saints 2010/11 home rugby shirt. Manufactured by Burrda. Made from polyester, this shirt contains Cooldry (TM) technology and mesh insert to ensure that you are comfortable and dry whilst wearing it. Buy Northampton Saints rugby shirts – We’ve listed some of the leading online suppliers of Northampton Saints rugby shirts to ensure you always [...]
South Africa set up to smash Scotland – Hastings
Gavin Hastings believes Scotland will face the toughest challenge in international rugby when they take on South Africa on Saturday. The former Scotland and British Lions skipper has been impressed with the world champions recent performances and believes they have an alternative motivation for performing well in the Autumn tests. “The South Africans are absolutely [...]
Jones injury blow for Wales
Duncan Jones will miss the remainder of the Autumn tests for Wales after a long term foot injury flared up, leading to his withdrawal from the squad. The 30-year-old Ospreys forward was only on the bench against South Africa but was expected to play some part against Canada on Friday. Wales physio Mark Davies commented, [...]
O’Leary in for New Zealand clash
Ireland have drafted in Tomas O’Leary for the match against New Zealand this weekend. The Munster scrum-half comes in for Eoin Reddan and is one of six changes that has been made to the side that secured a convincing 55-0 victory over Canada. Rory Best, John Hayes, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace and Girvan Dempsey are [...]
Hook to come back stronger – Jenkins
Wales fly-half James Hook has been tipped to come back stronger against Canada after his error effectively saw the match slip away against South Africa. It was Hook’s pass that was intercepted by Jean De Villiers that led to the decisive try, which was then converted to give the world champions the 20-15 victory. However, [...]