The former Test full-back wants Steve Borthwick's team to enbrace the positive side of kicking, instead of box ticking, box kicking.
The former Test full-back wants Steve Borthwick's team to enbrace the positive side of kicking, instead of box ticking, box kicking.
Shelved in 2016, the RFU revived the A-team concept earlier in 2024 for a February match against a Portugal development XV that had Gloucester's George Skivington at the helm.
Shelved in 2016, the RFU revived the A-team concept earlier in 2024 for a February match against a Portugal development XV that had Gloucester's George Skivington at the helm.
Having drawn their last two matches with Ireland, they finally put the squeeze on the age-grade rivals, dominating in the scrum and choking the life out of the opposition in a one-sided second half to convincingly win 31-20 after an end-to-end opening half had finished 22-20.
It was music to New Zealand ears. They had won the final of the U19s tournament that was staged in Ireland in 2007, and it was only natural that they carried over that success into the following year at U20s level with a 38-3 win in the final in Wales in June 2008.
The West Country giants currently have six titles to their name – the same as Saracens and Wasps – but are still five short of the most successful team, Leicester Tigers, who won their 11th crown in 2022.
The RFU have backed themselves into a corner after attempting to explain away their PR gaffe and all they’ve really done is stoke the fire even more.
There was a lot of love going around on Friday morning when the Irishman was announced as the RFU's new performance director, but some fans weren't buying it.