Opinion
Ox, Koch and Polly
The last dance comes down to toe-to-toe combat between two familiar Southern Hemisphere heavyweights in Paris
Graham Simmons
23 Oct 2023, 5:38
Contributors
Graham Simmons
Graham is now a rugby coach but for 25 years he was Sky Sports' rugby union reporter, working on Lions' Tours, England Internationals at home and abroad, the Heineken Cup, the Top 14, the Premiership and the Pro 14. He also spent a decade broadcasting for Sky from Ryder Cups, US Opens and USPGAs.
Opinion
Cojones and Corleones...
Has there ever been a better weekend of Test Rugby? Fans have been spoilt with quarter-finals from the ages
Graham Simmons
16 Oct 2023, 6:20
Opinion
Threads, twists and objets trouvés
The deep joy of the Portuguese, the domination of the Irish, the despondency of the Scots and Wallabies; the final Pool round had …
Graham Simmons
10 Oct 2023, 5:11
Opinion
Plates, Bowls and Shields
The knockout stages are shaping up with a few final duels to settle before France 2023 really starts heating up
Graham Simmons
03 Oct 2023, 12:22
Opinion
Tales of the unexpected
Eddie Jones' downfall, Wales's resurrection and the match of the tournament between Ireland and South Africa lit up the rugby worl…
Graham Simmons
25 Sep 2023, 12:23
Opinion
Symphonies and fractional crystallisation
Ireland play in glorious, aesthetically-pleasing patterns, while England plod on, the big question is, are the Wallabies heading t…
Graham Simmons
18 Sep 2023, 11:53
Opinion
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Spectacular tries, thunderclap collisions and contentious decisions defined a blockbuster opening World Cup weekend
Graham Simmons
12 Sep 2023, 10:07
Exclusive
Nick Evans: ‘One win against Argentina, two feet in the quarters, three games from the trophy.’
The respected Harlequins attack coach gives his verdict on Steve Borthwick's England as they look to stage a turnaround in form
Graham Simmons
05 Sep 2023, 8:46
Opinion
Mission Impossible?
It's a tough ask to park all the negativity and be upbeat about England's World Cup chances, nonetheless, let's give it a go
Graham Simmons
25 Aug 2023, 5:53
Opinion
Sweet serendipity
Will the lopsided draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup be the making or the breaking of the tournament?
Graham Simmons
18 Aug 2023, 8:55
Opinion
Graham Simmons: 'Scotland were the revelation of the opening weekend'
The Six Nations routinely provides drama few tournaments can match and the only certainty is more surprises lie in store
Graham Simmons
06 Feb 2023, 17:02
Opinion
It all comes down to the F-Words
The Six Nations will take us from the biting winds of winter to the first buds of Spring, but what can we expect?
Graham Simmons
01 Feb 2023, 13:44
Opinion
Now is the Autumn of our discontent...
There has been a change in temperature at Twickenham and Eddie Jones is feeling the heat after a series of poor results
Graham Simmons
30 Nov 2022, 3:14
Opinion
The pitch side poker
Many TV audiences think the role of a post-match reporter is a cinch, but for those who have done the job, it has moments of unadu…
Graham Simmons
20 Oct 2022, 3:28
Opinion
Time gentlemen, please
The Wallabies are incandescent about Mathieu Raynal's refereeing of the Bledisloe's dying moments, in a denouement that has divide…
Graham Simmons
20 Sep 2022, 3:18
Opinion
How the forward pass has tied rugby up in knots
Rugby needs its continuity but if a ball is clearly caught ahead of the point it was passed can we not turn a blind eye amidst rug…
Graham Simmons
17 Aug 2022, 6:37
Opinion
Sledging, shithousery and smack
In the summer Tests there was niggle which saw protagonists like Jonny Hill and Darcy Swain reprimanded, while Sam Cane and Peter …
Graham Simmons
25 Jul 2022, 4:53
Opinion
Freddie and the Dreamers
Leicester Tigers completed their comeback to the top table of English rugby with a most unlikely of heroes as Saracens' bruisers w…
Graham Simmons
20 Jun 2022, 7:48
Opinion
The Road To Perdition
While the first European penalty shoot out in 13 years played out to engrossed fans, many were left wondering if there's not a bet…
Graham Simmons
11 May 2022, 8:59
Opinion
To Europe with love
The Champions Cup quarter-finals are upon us and history tells us that the fans are in for an intoxicating mix of nail biting dram…
Graham Simmons
05 May 2022, 7:18
