39 h. ago Maro Itoje hits back at Will Carling over criticism of England coaches

Former skipper Carling had questioned the calibre of Steve Borthwick’s staff earlier this week

Events

58 h. ago Maro Itoje hits back at England critics as they seek strong Six Nations finish

Steve Borthwick’s side remain in title contention but they sit fourth in the try-scoring table.

Events

59 h. ago Maro Itoje urges England to prioritise victory over big points haul against Italy

England retain slim hope of winning Six NationsItoje: ‘It’s not going to be a straightforward game’Maro Itoje has called on his England side to put Italy to the sword on Sunday before worrying about a bumper points haul that could boost their hopes of clinching the Six Nations title.England go in search of a third straight victory of this year’s championship and are hot favourites to do so, having never lost to the Azzurri. Both their recent victories, against France and Scotland, were secured by a solitary point, however, with question marks raised over their clunky attack. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Jamie George took inspiration from Joe Root after losing England captaincy

The 34-year-old succeeded Owen Farrell as England skipper ahead of last year’s championship before being demoted to vice-captain.

Politics

5 d. ago Jamie George inspired by Joe Root to kick on after England captaincy blow

Hooker feared international career could be overGeorge replaced by Maro Itoje on eve of Six NationsJamie George questioned whether he had an England future after being left hurt by Steve Borthwick’s decision to strip him of the captaincy on the eve of the Six Nations. George said he was blindsided by the England head coach but after receiving advice from his inner circle – including the Saracens director, Mark McCall, Owen Farrell, and his family – he has set his sights on a fourth World Cup, revealing the cricketer Joe Root is his inspiration.George was installed as captain for the 2023 Six Nations and despite a difficult run of results in his year in charge – England won five of their 12 Tests – he was a hugely popular leader, both within the squad and among supporters. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Carling questions calibre of England coaching staff and ‘sensitive’ players

‘Some of them are learning, some of them are very young’Former captain dismisses charge of being out of touchThe former England captain Will Carling has questioned the quality of the coaching within the national set-up and suggested it is holding the team back. Carling, who was part of England’s backroom staff under Eddie Jones, has also rejected complaints from squad members such as Ellis Genge that ex-players are “out of touch” after their criticism of last month’s win over Scotland.Carling, who captained England from 1988 to 1996 and presided over one of the country’s most successful periods, says the players look restricted by a gameplan that prevents them from replicating the ability they show at club level. “You look at the calibre of the England coaching team and you have to question whether that’s the best we can put out there,” Carling said on Radio 4’s Today programme. Continue reading...

Sport

5 d. ago How Dolly Parton’s husband Carl Dean inspired her hit song ‘Jolene’ – and how he felt about it

Country music icon’s husband of almost 60 years died this week

Events

5 d. ago Dolly Parton pays tribute to husband Carl Dean after he dies aged 82: 'Words can’t do justice to the love we shared'

Carl Dean was the inspiration behind the country superstar’s hit song Jolene

Events

6 d. ago 'Dolly Parton told me the real truth about her marriage to Carl Dean

Dolly Parton's husband Carl Dean, who inspired her 1973 hit Jolene, has died in Nashville, Tennessee - some 64 years after the pair met outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat

Politics

6 d. ago Carl Dean dead: Dolly Parton's heartbreaking agony as husband of 60 years passes away

Dolly Parton, the country legend, says she and Carl Dean - who inspired her timeless hit Jolene - "spent many wonderful years together" following the man's death

Events

6 d. ago Sale of new leasehold flats to be banned under Labour plan to end 'feudal' system

There are around five million leaseholders in England and Wales, and the system has come under increased criticism in recent years.

Economics

6 d. ago Sale of new leasehold flats to be banned under government plan

There are around five million leaseholders in England and Wales, and the system has come under increased criticism in recent years.

Politics

8 d. ago 'I was romantically linked to Princess Diana – here's my side of the story'

Princess Diana was never out of the media spotlight, and it was no surprise when former England rugby captain Will Carling was rumoured to be seeing her that it hit the front pages

Politics

9 d. ago It blew my mind – Ellis Genge left bewildered by ‘out of touch’ England critics

England have won their last two Six Nations matches against France and Scotland but have still come under fire.

Politics

1 week ago 'Clown': Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand clash over Mohamed Salah AFCON row

Liverpool legend criticised by ex-England team-mate after appearing to dismiss idea that the Africa Cup of Nations is a major tournament

Politics

1 week ago The Breakdown | Perennial eligibility debate over rugby’s project players rears up again

The qualification maze might seem unsatisfactory to some, but often it comes down to personal preferenceThere was no disputing the most iconic rugby image of the weekend. Maro Itoje hoisting the Calcutta Cup might normally have secured the crown but did you see that magnificent picture of Bundee Aki in Cardiff, complete with heroically battered nose and blood-stained Ireland shirt? As the BBC commentator Andrew Cotter wryly observed: “Bundee Aki looks like he’s about to wrestle the whole of Cardiff  and I would back him.”As warrior portraits go it was up there with some of rugby’s all‑time greats: a blood-soaked Jean-Pierre Rives, a mud-plastered Fran Cotton, a truly terrifying Sébastian Chabal. Test rugby is a game of light and shade and, for all its shafts of beauty, the sport also has its fearsome competitors. The internet loved it, not least the ArtButMakeItSports account on X which drew a brilliant parallel between the striking Aki picture and the work of the late American...

Sport

1 week ago The Calcutta Cup moment that showed Jamie George’s value to England

Replaced as captain by Maro Itoje before this campaign, George has added real value as a bench leader in England’s last two wins

Politics

2 w. ago England player ratings vs Scotland: Maro Itoje delivers huge moments in nervy Calcutta Cup win

Fin Smith unshakeable again as Ben Curry delivers a monster performance off the bench in Twickenham thriller

Sport

2 w. ago England to show ‘nastiness’ as Itoje backs side to wrestle back Calcutta Cup

Captain calls on his team to ‘create our own history’Assistant coach Tom Harrison: ‘there’s a nastiness to us’England have vowed to show their nasty side against Scotland on Saturday with the captain, Maro Itoje, calling on his team to buck the trend of recent history by clinching the Calcutta Cup for the first time in five years.Buoyed by their one-point victory over France last time out, England have been champing at the bit all week with Tom Curry saying there was an edginess to training on Monday and Ben Earl revealing the squad were subjecting to a series of video clips showcasing their failings in recent defeats by Scotland. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Maro Itoje outlines England's gameplan to end Six Nations losing streak against Scotland

Captain admits England can’t rely on ‘blind, beating-your-chest’ fury

Politics