THE Rugby Championship is a tournament I’ve always enjoyed watching. It’s brilliant rugby, played in great conditions and it involves some of the best players in the world.
For me, this year’s competition is vitally important and I’m talking here from a Northern Hemisphere perspective.
If I was Warren Gatland, or any of the senior Wales players or coaches for that matter, I’d be watching the action over the next few weeks like a hawk. It’s time to get the inside track.
In the next two years or so, Wales – not to mention England, Scotland and Ireland – are going to meet the best sides in the Southern Hemisphere on a regular basis.
We’ve got the November Tests later this year and before you know it we’ll be preparing for the next World Cup in Japan in 2019.
From a Welsh point of view, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will all arrive in Cardiff in the next few months. Those games are an absolutely crucial chance to get into a winning habit. Psychologically, it’s vital we believe we can beat these teams.
That’s why we need to get to know our opposition inside out. What better way to do that than by watching them in action? The Rugby Championship provides the perfect opportunity to do exactly that which is I’m really interested to see what will happen in the tournament.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 13, 2017 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 13, 2017 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Cunningham-South gunning for Boks
CHANDLER Cunningham-South is aiming to be a big hit against the Springboks on Saturday after adding New Zealand to his highlights reel.
Baxter backing Slade to adapt to changes
EXETER are confident that the decision to change their defensive system will not jeopardise Henry Slade's place in the England side.
Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Boks
LAWRENCE Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend.
Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'
DEFLATED Jamie George declared his side were not up to scratch after they slumped to another dismal defeat at England headquarters.
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.