Try-scorer Foden talks after first Test with the Boks
England's late try-scorer against South Africa, Ben Foden, talks to Steve Jones from the RFU.com podcast following England's opening test defeat to the Springboks.
11 June 2012
Springboks outmuscle defiant England
By Harry Hawkins
A relentless second half attack proved the difference between South Africa and England at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon. A try apiece from Morne Steyn and Jean de Villiers in the third quarter gave Chris Robshaw’s England side too much to do and a promising final period was not enough to deny the Springboks victory.
It was England who started the brighter team, a strong carry from Dan Cole in the 6th minute ultimately winning a penalty which Owen Farrell coolly converted. Minutes later Robshaw won a promising turnover in South African territory, but Farrell’s grubber kick came to nothing.
| Dan Cole in action (Getty) |
It was England who started the brighter team, a strong carry from Dan Cole in the 6th minute ultimately winning a penalty which Owen Farrell coolly converted. Minutes later Robshaw won a promising turnover in South African territory, but Farrell’s grubber kick came to nothing.
9 June 2012
London Welsh launch appeal for promotion
London Welsh have confirmed that they have appealed against the RFU decision to block their promotion to the Aviva Premiership.
The club were informed that their chosen stadium, the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, had not reached the minimum requirements for entry into the Aviva Premiership just hours before the first leg of their Championship play-off final with Cornish Pirates.
8 June 2012
Chris Ashton ahead of facing Habana and the Boks
Chris Ashton talks to RFU.com about facing the world's best finisher Bryan Habana and not 'getting beaten up' by the Boks. Chris Ashton starts on the wing for England in Durban on Saturday with Mike Brown at full-back and Ben Foden on the opposite wing.
7 June 2012
Teams named for Wales vs Australia clash
By Jake Harvey - Welsh Correspondent

Wales and Australia have now named their sides to play each other on Saturday. Sam Warburton returns to the starting line-up to captain the Welsh team.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, George North, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Adam Jones, Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins Replacements: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Ashley Beck
Click 'more' to view Australia team
Wales and Australia have now named their sides to play each other on Saturday. Sam Warburton returns to the starting line-up to captain the Welsh team.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, George North, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Toby Faletau, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Adam Jones, Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins Replacements: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Ashley Beck
Click 'more' to view Australia team
Lancaster names England XV to face the Springboks
| Tom Johnson |
Mike Brown has been given a start at full-back, nudging Ben Foden onto the wing. Lancaster has chosen to stick with Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi in the centre with Ashton on the opposite wing to Foden. Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs will be England's starting halfback duo for Saturday.
Meyer unveils Starting XV to face England
| Eben Etzebeth |
South Africa: Z Kirchner (Bulls); JP Pietersen (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks), J de Villiers (Stormers, capt), B Habana (Stormers); M Steyn (Bulls), F Hougaard (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), J du Plessis (Sharks), E Etzebeth (Stormers), J Kruger (Bulls), W Alberts (Sharks), M Coetzee (Sharks), P Spies (Bulls)
Replacements: A Strauss (Cheetahs), C Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), F Van Der Merwe (Bulls), K Daniel (Sharks), R Pienaar (Ulster), P Lambie (Sharks), W Olivier (Bulls)
6 June 2012
Smit believes England can win opening Test
Saracens' John Smit thinks England have the upper-hand over the Springboks ahead of their opening Test match in Durban this Saturday.
The England squad arrived in South Africa last week for the three-Test series, but South Africa's new coach Heyneke Meyer has had less preparation for the opening match of the series and has included nine uncapped players in his squad.
The Springboks remain favourites to win the entire series, but former captain Smit, who helped South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007, still believes England have the best chance of victory this weekend.
The England squad arrived in South Africa last week for the three-Test series, but South Africa's new coach Heyneke Meyer has had less preparation for the opening match of the series and has included nine uncapped players in his squad.
The Springboks remain favourites to win the entire series, but former captain Smit, who helped South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007, still believes England have the best chance of victory this weekend.
4 June 2012
Why Did Harlequins Win the Premiership title?
By Rowan Birch

On Saturday 26th May, Harlequins defied the odds in their first ever Premiership final to beat firm favourites Leicester, in what was their eighth successive final.
So how did David beat Goliath? Firstly, Quins were the outright underdogs from the off. They had no experience of Premiership finals and the general consensus was a heavy victory for the Tigers.
But the underdog tag wasn't all bad. It put significant pressure on Leicester and allowed Quins to play how they wanted. It also allowed the Quins to play exciting, quick rugby - just the way they like it, as the London based club had nothing to lose.
On Saturday 26th May, Harlequins defied the odds in their first ever Premiership final to beat firm favourites Leicester, in what was their eighth successive final.
So how did David beat Goliath? Firstly, Quins were the outright underdogs from the off. They had no experience of Premiership finals and the general consensus was a heavy victory for the Tigers.
But the underdog tag wasn't all bad. It put significant pressure on Leicester and allowed Quins to play how they wanted. It also allowed the Quins to play exciting, quick rugby - just the way they like it, as the London based club had nothing to lose.
3 June 2012