Sadly much of what we learnt about Canada and the USA this summer doesn’t make for overly positive reading, but Japan gave us plenty to cheer about. All three sides emerged winless from their two Test visits to the UK and Ireland, but in Japan’s case it was no cause for long faces. The USAContinue reading “What we learned about Japan, the USA and Canada in their recent tours of the British Isles”
Author Archives: Neil Olsen
In a weekend that had just as much relevance as the Lions trials and tribulations in South Africa – Ireland, Wales and England gave us plenty to think about while the USA and Japan gave their supporters plenty of reasons to be cheerful and Canada reached for some Advil!
In this post we take a whip round last weekend’s Test action which although not as dramatic as the high stakes Lions tour in South Africa, taught us a great deal about what might be available come the much bigger prize of the World Cup in two years time. Canada and the USA got toContinue reading “In a weekend that had just as much relevance as the Lions trials and tribulations in South Africa – Ireland, Wales and England gave us plenty to think about while the USA and Japan gave their supporters plenty of reasons to be cheerful and Canada reached for some Advil!”
The Lions tour continues its roller coaster ride – and despite the setbacks the show must go on!
First up sorry for the silence but I’ve been away on a training course and apart from catching up on all the rugby of the past ten days in the limited time available to me, there was precious little for sitting down and writing. As a result it’s a bit of a whip round thisContinue reading “The Lions tour continues its roller coaster ride – and despite the setbacks the show must go on!”
And so it begins – The Lions take on Japan as a preface to what could be one of the most important tours in International Rugby since the last World Cup!
The long wait is over, strap yourselves in and get set. Despite the controversy, the restrictions of COVID-19, the lack of crowds and so much more – this Lions tour surely must be one of the most eagerly anticipated in years. The excitement is building and this Saturday sees the slow start of a returnContinue reading “And so it begins – The Lions take on Japan as a preface to what could be one of the most important tours in International Rugby since the last World Cup!”
Erasmus and Nienaber appear reluctant to change the status quo, but include some exciting new prospects to face the Lions
With Director of South African Rugby Rassie Erasmus and new Springbok Coach Jacques Nienaber naming their sqaud to face the Lions next month there were relatively few surprises. It’s a side that is, for all intents and purposes, a mirror image of the one that won South Africa the World Cup under Erasmus’ tutelage almostContinue reading “Erasmus and Nienaber appear reluctant to change the status quo, but include some exciting new prospects to face the Lions”
The Arrows story so far – our Exiles put up a brave fight!
The Arrows 2021 season has so far been a bit of a rollercoaster. Arguably facing more than their fair share of hurdles to be even playing in the tournament at all as the only Canadian franchise, the Arrows have had a promising campaign at times but a glaring lack of consistency is clearly holding themContinue reading “The Arrows story so far – our Exiles put up a brave fight!”
The Lions Roar – Gatland picks his squad for the tour to South Africa
After much speculation, second guessing and will it won’t it musings, we are now so much closer to an event that despite all the pandemic controversy we are all eagerly awaiting. Lions Coach Warren Gatland has finally lifted the veil on his selections, and much to our surprise it’s a 37 man squad that, barContinue reading “The Lions Roar – Gatland picks his squad for the tour to South Africa”
Six Nations 2021 Report Card – Part 2
With the dust now settled on what for us has been one of the most riveting Six Nations in years, it’s time to hand out the marks. Despite the lack of crowds, the quality of rugby for the most part did not suffer and we were treated to a series of vintage games that areContinue reading “Six Nations 2021 Report Card – Part 2”
Six Nations 2021 Report Card – Part 1
With the dust now settled on what for us has been one of the most riveting Six Nations in years, it’s time to hand out the marks. Despite the lack of crowds, the quality of rugby for the most part did not suffer and we were treated to a series of vintage games that areContinue reading “Six Nations 2021 Report Card – Part 1”
The Six Nations that keeps on giving has one final hurrah this Friday night in what should be a thriller – even if you’ll need to bring your calculator!
Sure in a perfect world and all the controversy aside we should now be dissecting the ramifications of what has been one of the most enthralling Six Nations Championships we can remember in a long time. However, before we do that there is still the unfinished business of France and Scotland’s postponed Round 3 matchContinue reading “The Six Nations that keeps on giving has one final hurrah this Friday night in what should be a thriller – even if you’ll need to bring your calculator!”
The Lineout 