Match Preview: England v Samoa
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyIt’s all about Samoa in Lille. England will finish first in Pool D and have qualified for the quarter-finals whatever the result here. Not that England are taking any chances. Head coach Steve...
England side to face Samoa in Lille
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyWholesale changes have been made to the side that beat Chile 71-0, with Owen Farrell the only player from that fixture returning to the starting XV. The captain moves to the inside centre position, while...
Maro Itoje keen to reach ‘another level’ after England secure quarter-final spot
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyMaro Itoje has emerged from a difficult period of his career confident that he can reach new levels of performance as England progress deeper into the World Cup. Itoje revealed during this year’s...
I’m never happy – Kevin Sinfield not getting carried away with England’s defence
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyEngland’s defence may have turned a corner since arriving at the World Cup but Kevin Sinfield is still refusing to smile. Steve Borthwick’s team are expected to win Pool D at a canter, in...
Tom Curry ‘in phenomenal shape’ ahead of England’s final World Cup group game
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyTom Curry has been pushing himself through the pain barrier in training to ensure he is ready to face Samoa in England’s final World Cup group match. Curry has played less than three minutes of...
Marcus Smith set for first England start at full-back against Chile in World Cup
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyEngland are set to to accelerate their experiment of deploying Marcus Smith’s running skills at full-back in Saturday’s World Cup clash with Chile. Smith has filled the position as...
Rugby rule makers 'have lost the plot' with World Cup showing sport 'in an awful place'
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyFormer England star James Haskell believes that rugby chiefs have 'lost the plot' amid confusion over tackling rules. Officials at the Rugby World Cup have faced fierce scrutiny during the early stages...
England reaction (Ludlam, Marler, Chessum, Itoje, Ford, captain Lawes, head coach Borthwick)
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyMIXED ZONE REACTION Lewis Ludlam, number eightOn the England performance:"I don’t think we were 100 per cent with our performance. There are heaps there we can work on. But ultimately it is a great...
Maro Itoje will take England victories at the World Cup ‘by any means necessary’
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyMaro Itoje insists England will do whatever it takes to win if a substance over style approach emerges as their blueprint for success at the World Cup. George Ford kicked all 27 points in their...
Rugby World Cup 2023 Match Preview: England v Japan
1 year ago by Ultimate RugbyVeteran Michael Leitch will become Japan’s most capped Rugby World Cup player when he runs onto the pitch at Stade de Nice for his 15th tournament match on Sunday. He is one of 13 survivors...