Test Rugby

Photo: Mike Egerton/PA/BackpagePix South Africa's Siya Kolisi in the sin bin after being shown a yellow card by Referee Wayne Barnes during the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Picture date: Saturday October 28, 2023.

Siya: Straight talk makes Boks great

Siya Kolisi says that “hard conversations” as a Springbok group has meant that every player, himself included, accepts getting subbed is for the good of the team.

epa10879645 Ireland’s Jack Crowley in action during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland in Saint- Denis, France, 23 September 2023. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Crowley ‘the kid’ steers post-Sexton Ireland

Jack Crowley has been entrusted with the challenge of replacing Irish legend Johnny Sexton as first-choice flyhalf in the Six Nations opener against France on Friday.

Photo: BackpagePix Ireland's Johnny Sexton (left) and head coach Andy Farrell during the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter final match at Stade de France, Saint-Denis. Picture date: Saturday October 14, 2023.

Ireland’s ‘massive’ Sexton conundrum

Ireland’s hopes of successfully defending their Six Nations title hinge on filling the “massive gap” left by Johnny Sexton, says former Irish fullback Hugo MacNeill.

Peyper: All Blacks vs Lions the best of my career

Recently-retired referee Jaco Peyper has listed two Test matches involving the All Blacks in his top three favourite games from his 21-year career.

England coach leaves Rassie’s lights in SA

Felix Jones has hailed Rassie Erasmus’ influence on his career, but dismissed notions of adopting the SA director of rugby’s out-the-box tactics in his new job with England.

epa10879661 Ireland’s James Ryan (C) in action during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Ireland in Saint- Denis, France, 23 September 2023. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Bok test awaits ‘haunted’ Ireland

Ireland haven’t recovered from last year’s Rugby World Cup trauma, and face a tough challenge away from home against South Africa in July, writes MARK KEOHANE.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Japan coach Eddie Jones faces the media during a Japan Press Conference at the Hilton Hotel on September 21, 2015 in Brighton, England.

Eddie set for England return

Former England boss Eddie Jones will be back in the coaches’ box at Twickenham when the Roses host Japan in November in their fourth and final Test of the 2024 season.

Triple blow for England

England’s preparations for their Six Nations opener away to Italy suffered a setback with the withdrawal of three players from the squad because of injury.

Farrell to grow, not ‘cut the legs’ off Ireland

Andy Farrell says he isn’t a believer in the four-year World Cup cycle and a radical overhaul of the Ireland squad would be damaging to their Six Nations title defence.