Gerard Meagher
Sports Journalist and Sub-editor at The Guardian
Rugby union for @guardian_sport. Timaru, Tipperary and Twickenham. Views mine
Articles
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1 day ago |
theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher
When the Rugby Football Union launched its rebrand of the Championship last month, Henry Pollock was put front and centre, made the poster boy by virtue of his five loan appearances for Bedford Blues. You can hardly blame the union for trying to capitalise on the hype but there are better examples of players who epitomise the strengths of the second tier. None more so than James Williams, Bristol’s inside-centre who at 28 has taken the road less travelled to the Premiership semi-finals.
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3 days ago |
theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher
England are set to begin their inaugural Nations Championship campaign in just over a year’s time by playing Fiji – potentially in Europe – as well as away matches against the back-to-back world champions South Africa and Argentina, the Guardian understands.
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2 weeks ago |
theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher
Steve Borthwick believes Henry Pollock can force his way into the British & Irish Lions Test team for the series against Australia this summer despite having just one England cap as a replacement to his name. The 20-year-old was the headline inclusion in Andy Farrell’s Lions squad last month after a stunning breakthrough season in which he has helped Northampton into Saturday’s Champions Cup final against Bordeaux.
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2 weeks ago |
theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is on course to make his England comeback on the summer tour of Argentina and keep hopes of a late British & Irish Lions call-up alive. Steve Borthwick said the Exeter wing was straining at the leash during a mini training camp on Tuesday. Feyi-Waboso has been sidelined since late December after finally undergoing shoulder surgery that was put off amid confusion as to whether he would go under the knife or not.
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2 weeks ago |
theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher
For the class of 2017 it was the Geography Six and for the current crop, it may prove to be the Southern Hemisphere Seven. Andy Farrell’s squad announcement was low on controversy, on glaring omissions or shock inclusions, and even the Owen issue was dealt with diplomatically. In the days since, however, provenance has been raised as a problem. Farrell selected in his squad three players born in New Zealand, two in Australia and two in South Africa.
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Leinster v Glasgow and Bath v Sale finals would leave only 18 of the 38 selected Lions for first training camp in Portugal. Could be as few as 15 in (unlikely) event of Saracens v Northampton
🦁 This changes things a little, but would still be surprised if any of those starters then play for the Lions 6 days later... Given celebrations etc, probably won't be training until Monday, so a Lions test on what will likely be 3ish days in training feels unlikely.
Today is shaping up as a good day for a flashy fly-half or two...
Understand Maro Itoje will be named British & Irish Lions captain tomorrow. Still a long way to go with the squad but hearing Henry Pollock very much part of the conversation. Don't count out Owen Farrell either. https://t.co/Tr5cRX4yJX
Understand Maro Itoje will be named British & Irish Lions captain tomorrow. Still a long way to go with the squad but hearing Henry Pollock very much part of the conversation. Don't count out Owen Farrell either. https://t.co/Tr5cRX4yJX
