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.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 13, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 13, 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
