Are Ireland genuine contenders for Six Nations glory?
Ireland will no doubt seek revenge over the Welsh after Warren Gatland’s men sent them out of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, beating them by 22 points to 10 in Wellington in the quarter-final stages.
Ireland have many things in their favour. Their provincial representation in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals will surely act as a good omen for Declan Kidney’s side. Munster, Leinster and Ulster all making it into the quarter-final stages and hoping for big things on Europe’s elite club stage.
The only Irish side not making it through are Connacht, but they did manage to beat defending Amlin Challenge Cup champions and top of the Aviva Premiership, Harlequins, in their first ever Heineken Cup campaign.
The only Irish side not making it through are Connacht, but they did manage to beat defending Amlin Challenge Cup champions and top of the Aviva Premiership, Harlequins, in their first ever Heineken Cup campaign.
Italy - How far have they come for the 2012 Six Nations?
By David van der Merwe
The first Italian XV to take the field was in 1911 between US Milanese and Voiron of France. In 1928 Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) was born from its predecessor "The Propaganda Committee". On 20 May 1929 Italy played their first international match against Spain. Spain walked off the field 9-0 victors. Since then Italian rugby has come a long way and has grown in stature. They are fondly known by their supporters as the Azzurri (the Blues).
The Azzurri has taken part in every World Cup tournament. They have never reached the quarter finals of the World Cup but have managed on 3 occasions to win 2 group matches. This was in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Notably all three times are after their admission to the 6 Nations in 2000.
The Azzurri has taken part in every World Cup tournament. They have never reached the quarter finals of the World Cup but have managed on 3 occasions to win 2 group matches. This was in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Notably all three times are after their admission to the 6 Nations in 2000.
Six Nations Preview: The Captains
As the Six Nations draws ever nearer, it's time to take a look at the captains. You can still view our coaches preview by clicking here but to listen to interviews with all six captains, continue reading!IRB player of the year, Thierry Dusautoir, will lead France as they go into the tournament as favourites with Wales not far behind. Sam Warburton continues to captain Wales after his controversial red card in the semi-final down under whilst Ross Ford will come in as Scottish captain.
Tackling Rugby's Attendance Problem
Empty seats have become a sight far too common in the modern rugby game. The World Cup last year helped to increase rugby's exposure with large media attention but attendances for first division matches have become disappointingly low.
One of the key issues in the professional era of rugby union is the low attendances of the top leagues in the Northern Hemisphere. The largest stadium in the Aviva Premiership is the Madejski Stadium, a football stadium, with a capacity of 24,161.
Welford Road, surprisingly not a football stadium, is Leicester's home ground and holds 24,000 people. Another football stadium, Vicarage Road, holds just shy of 20,000 and Kingsholm, a rugby stadium, has the fourth largest capacity with 16,500.
LV Cup Round 3 Reaction
Nick Heath and Russell Hargreaves were on hand at today's LV Cup matches and spoke to the players and coaches post-match. Nick Heath spoke to Bath fly-half Olly Barkley after his side's 46-14 victory over Northampton at The Rec, a side they had lost to last month on Christmas Eve. Nick also caught up with Northampton boss Jim Mallinder.
Russell Hargreaves spoke to Harlequins coach John Kingston after his side were defeated by Leicester. Russ also chatted to Leicester boss Richard Cockerill following the victory.
Six Nations Preview: The Coaches
At the RBS Six Nations 2012 launch earlier in the week, the guys from Talking Rugby spoke to all of the Six Nations coaches.Warren Gatland remains the coach of Wales after a fantastic World Cup campaign whilst Philippe Saint-Andre replaces Marc Lievremont as coach of France. Former England Saxons coach, Stuart Lancaster, has replaced Martin Johnson as England boss after England's disappointing World Cup display on and off the field.
Declan Kidney remains the Irish coach and Andy Robinson keeps his job despite not taking Scotland into the World Cup quarter-finals in New Zealand. Jacques Brunel, the former assistant coach of France, will take over from Nick Mallett as coach of Italy. See what the coaches had to say in the audio interviews below.
Super Rugby vs Heineken Cup: Which has the better format?
By David van der Merwe
Having watched a lot of Heineken Cup action over the last couple of months and being exposed to the new Super Rugby structure has made me think which of the two competitions is the better one. Any Southern Hemisphere rugby fan will say Super Rugby and the Northern fans will say Heineken Cup. But let’s look at it realistically and see which is truly the better tournament. And when I say better I mean better for rugby and the fans not the coffers of the Unions and Administrators.
Having watched a lot of Heineken Cup action over the last couple of months and being exposed to the new Super Rugby structure has made me think which of the two competitions is the better one. Any Southern Hemisphere rugby fan will say Super Rugby and the Northern fans will say Heineken Cup. But let’s look at it realistically and see which is truly the better tournament. And when I say better I mean better for rugby and the fans not the coffers of the Unions and Administrators.
Interview with Cotton Traders founder Fran Cotton
England legend and founder of Cotton Traders, Fran Cotton, recently spoke about the upcoming Six Nations tournament, the highlights of his playing career and more.
Cotton played for England and the British Lions several times at prop and his clothing brand has been used by professional clubs like Gloucester Rugby. Click 'more' to read this interview.
LV Cup Round 3 Preview
After two weeks of tense Heineken Cup action it's time to welcome back the Anglo Welsh Cup. This preview includes interviews with Harlequins fly-half Rory Clegg, London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth and Harlequins Academy Manager Tony Diprose.Round 3 of the competition will see big clashes including Bath and Northampton who last played on Christmas Eve, Cardiff Blues will travel to Gloucester, top-of-the-table Harlequins will take on Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons will play Sale Sharks in a North of England derby.