Live Blog European Champions Cup - semi-finals build-up
Monday, 13 April 2015
Friday, 10 April 2015
First Steffon Armitage, now Nick Abendanon... England boss Stuart Lancaster's exceptionally tricky World Cup problem
If an overseas-based player consistently delivers 'exceptional' performances, does that mean that England head coach Stuart Lancaster should pick him?
Since 2011, the RFU's stated policy on Englishmen plying their trade abroad is that they should only be selected for the national side in "exceptional circumstances".
And so far under Lancaster's reign, circumstances haven't been deemed sufficiently exceptional in order for the clause to the invoked. Although there have been plenty of raised eyebrows along the way.
But what exactly does "exceptional circumstances" mean?
An exceptional run of injuries at home? An exceptional loss of form by home-based players? Or exceptional form by overseas players?
The term is vague - and probably deliberately so, meaning that the RFU has some wiggle room.
The rampaging form of Toulon loose forward Delon Armitage has been testing the meaning of the term for some time. And now we have Nick Abendanon, who has been playing out of his skin for Clermont Auvergne since leaving Bath over the summer.
This blog is a long-standing champion of Abendanon's. And for all those who are suddenly making a big song and dance about him this week in the wake of a stunning performance against Northampton in the Champions Cup on Saturday, I humbly point you in the direction of this post and interview I did with him in February.
Tellingly, Abendanon has picked up three man-of-the-match awards against English teams on the biggest stage in European club rugby this season. He is performing on the big stage. And he is stating a pretty irresistible - sorry, exceptional - case to be called up for the biggest stage of them all: the Rugby World Cup.
For me, it's simple. In a World Cup year of all years, you absolutely have to have your in-form players playing for your country, whether they are playing their club rugby in England, France, Georgia or Venus. To fail to do that - particularly for a Cup on home soil - is daft at best, and a national betrayal at worst.
If Lancaster's still in any doubt, then here's a little clip that hopefully clinches the deal:
Since 2011, the RFU's stated policy on Englishmen plying their trade abroad is that they should only be selected for the national side in "exceptional circumstances".
And so far under Lancaster's reign, circumstances haven't been deemed sufficiently exceptional in order for the clause to the invoked. Although there have been plenty of raised eyebrows along the way.
But what exactly does "exceptional circumstances" mean?
An exceptional run of injuries at home? An exceptional loss of form by home-based players? Or exceptional form by overseas players?
The term is vague - and probably deliberately so, meaning that the RFU has some wiggle room.
The rampaging form of Toulon loose forward Delon Armitage has been testing the meaning of the term for some time. And now we have Nick Abendanon, who has been playing out of his skin for Clermont Auvergne since leaving Bath over the summer.
This blog is a long-standing champion of Abendanon's. And for all those who are suddenly making a big song and dance about him this week in the wake of a stunning performance against Northampton in the Champions Cup on Saturday, I humbly point you in the direction of this post and interview I did with him in February.
Tellingly, Abendanon has picked up three man-of-the-match awards against English teams on the biggest stage in European club rugby this season. He is performing on the big stage. And he is stating a pretty irresistible - sorry, exceptional - case to be called up for the biggest stage of them all: the Rugby World Cup.
For me, it's simple. In a World Cup year of all years, you absolutely have to have your in-form players playing for your country, whether they are playing their club rugby in England, France, Georgia or Venus. To fail to do that - particularly for a Cup on home soil - is daft at best, and a national betrayal at worst.
If Lancaster's still in any doubt, then here's a little clip that hopefully clinches the deal:
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
Mike Catt: England backs still have a lot to learn
England backs coach Mike Catt looks ahead to this weekend's 6 Nations showdown at Twickenham between England and France. Catt's in conversation with Russ Hargreaves of Talking Rugby.
6 Nations 2015 poll - who'll take the championship?
Four teams are still in with a shout of winning this year's 6 Nations. Ireland, Wales and England are all tied on six points going into Saturday's final round of matches, while France could sneak it if they beat England convincingly and both Wales and Ireland lose.
Register your view in the poll below, powered by Apester.
Register your view in the poll below, powered by Apester.
Sunday, 22 February 2015
Nick Abendanon: How England boss Stuart Lancaster tried to prevent my move from Bath Rugby to Clermont Auvergne
Former England full-back Nick Abendanon talks to me exclusively about how England head coach Stuart Lancaster and former club Bath staged a last-minute attempt to dissuade him from making his summer move to French Top 14 giants Clermont Auvergne.
Abendanon was last month nominated for European Player of the Year, and few would take issue with the assertion that he's the continent's in-form full-back. Yet, absurdly, he's off the radar during the 6 Nations.
Read my article in The Rugby Paper.
Abendanon was last month nominated for European Player of the Year, and few would take issue with the assertion that he's the continent's in-form full-back. Yet, absurdly, he's off the radar during the 6 Nations.
Read my article in The Rugby Paper.
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Danny Cipriani: England boss Stuart Lancaster explains fly-half decision ahead of Six Nations
Few can begrudge Danny Cipriani his recall to the England squad for the 6 Nations. Here, England head coach Stuart Lancaster explains his reasons for picking the Sale fly-half:
Thursday, 15 January 2015
Censorship, Charlie Hebdo and the Uses and Abuses of Social Media
Ok, this is hugely off-topic, but I thought I'd briefly use this blog to wear my other hat and publicise my thinking on the Charlie Hebdo killings and freedom of expression. Important stuff, after all.
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