Wednesday 30 April 2014

Romanian champions Timisaora confirm collaboration with Saracens

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It has now been confirmed that English Premiership leaders Saracens are to join a partnership with the reigning Romanian SuperLiga champions Timisoara.


Canada's win over England in 1993

Match picA lookback at one of Canada's greatest wins and their only ever win against England, as a tough tackling side won out against their Lions tour effected opponents in Burnaby May 1993.

Monday 28 April 2014

Roundup: Japan vs Asia Pacific Dragons

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A roundup of the Asian 5 Nations warm up game between where Japan's second string fell to a defeat against Asia Pacific Dragons.

Thursday 24 April 2014

Team News: Japan v Asia Pacific Dragons

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Team news as Japan open their international season with a pre Asian 5 Nations match against the Asia Pacific Dragons.

Monday 21 April 2014

Japan promoted to Junior World Cup for 2015

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A roundup on the final day of Junior World Rugby Trophy for 2014, where Japan after 3 previous losses in the final finally gained promotion to the Junior World Cup for 2015.

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Why "rout of the Unions" may be good for those outside the 6 Nations

imageWhy the end of the ERC and so called "rout of the Unions" could put the rest of Europe on a slightly more even playing field both in domestic and international rugby.

2014 JWRT pool stages come to a finish

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The playoffs for the 2014 JWRT are now confirmed, but several teams in the tournament will leave Hong Kong disappointed with final to be played with two sides who's merits as the two best sides are less than conclusive.

Friday 11 April 2014

JWRT 2014 state of play after round 2

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A quick roundup on the state of play after two round of the Junior World Rugby Trophy 2014 which looks to be very wide open.

FIRA-AER President Octavian Morariu makes statement on confirmation of European rugby reforms

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FIRA-AER Chairman Octavian Morariu has released a statement on the now official new reforms to European rugby which includes more involvement for Tier 2 nations.

Thursday 10 April 2014

Good riddance to the ERC

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European Rugby Cup Ltd hasn't just made a mess with it's dealings with the 6 Nations. Here is explained why the soon to be defunct governing body also was shambolic in their dealings with the Tier 2 nations in the ENC as well.

New European deal finally confirmed

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An accord for a continental European rugby tournament for 2014/15 has finally been agreed. The new qualifying tournament for Tier 2 sides is also confirmed although there is still scant amount of precise detail on it.

The key area Japan must improve in 2014

Match picAs the Japan group together this month for another year of international rugby, there is one particular area that let them down last year in several matches and was the root cause of a lot of crucial points conceded. Can Eddie Jones and his coaching team improve this area as dramatically as they improved the key scrum problem of 2012?

Romania set to field more foreign players in the near future

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FRR president Alin Petrache has confirmed that Romania are thinking of selecting more players who become available through qualifying through the 3 year residency rule.

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Michael Leitch replaces Toshiaki Hirose as Japan captain

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Japan have announced New Zealand born flanker Michael Leitch as their new captain. He will takeover from 32 year old wing Toshiaki Hirose who has led the team since 2012.

Friday 4 April 2014

Should the IRB Nations Cup be shifted to Russia?

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Should the IRB shift the venue of their June IRB Nations Cup tournaments to other nations, notably Russia who get little opportunity to play in front of a home crowd.

Will the USA scrum crisis force them to chase overseas options?

Match picThe USA have quite simply the worst scrum of any of the nations likely to appear at the World Cup. It has been a long standing problem that just won't go away, will it force them into looking back into the foreign US eligible options ahead of the 2015 tournament?

IRB confirm schedule for the second IRB Tbilisi Cup

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The IRB have confirmed the schedule and participating teams for the second edition of the IRB Tbilisi Cup to take place this June. The tournament will give teams the chance to experiment for more important tests to come.

Thursday 3 April 2014

When will Canada's unfortunate injury run end?

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The progress of results for the Canadian team during this World Cup cycle has been held up by some unfortunate luck with injuries. Will Kieran Crowley have better luck in 2014?

Wednesday 2 April 2014

ENC 1B restarts as Moldova travel to Poland for first in string of must win games

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This weekend kicks of the final month of fixtures in the second ENC division. The table is tightly poised to decide who is promoted to the top ENC division and who stays in the qualification race for the World Cup.

Clown of the Week: Alex Goff

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Rugby Mag chief pundit Alex Goff has been penning down some strange comments in regards to the USA's under pressure scrum half Mike Petri following his try in the win over Uruguay.

Tuesday 1 April 2014

IRB Nations Cup schedule for 2014 confirmed

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The IRB have confirmed the schedule for the 9th edition IRB Nations Cup, which again will take place at the Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest.

Hirotoki Onozawa to stay involved with the Japan national team

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The on field section of the international career of the most capped Japanese player of all time Hirotoki Onozawa appears to be coming to an end following injury problems. However coach Eddie Jones still wants him as part of the squad.