rugby

Toulouse Tie Down French Rugby Star Ramos

December 24, 2019 4:02 pm

High-scoring French international full-back Thomas Ramos has extended his stay with Top 14 champions Toulouse until 2023, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old scored 259 points in the French league last season (seven tries, 39 penalties and 52 conversions) and was also selected internationally for the Six Nations tournament and the World Cup in Japan.

The club announced the news on their website with a photo of Father Christmas holding a contract as their sharp-shooter Ramos signed, beneath the headline ‘Thomas gets extension for Christmas’.

“We want to …

Former Scotland Rugby Captain Smith Reveals Cancer Battle

November 21, 2019 3:04 pm

Former Scotland rugby captain Tom Smith has revealed he is battling stage four colorectal cancer.

The 48-year-old prop forward, who won 61 Scottish caps and toured with the British and Irish Lions, has received intensive rounds of chemotherapy and is also undergoing radiotherapy after the cancer spread to his liver and brain.

“I was in my hospital bed and I said to staff, ‘I’m determined to fight this’,” Smith said on the Scottish Rugby Union website.

In an interview with the BBC, the former Scotland international, who lives in the south of France, recalled how earlier this year continued pain …

Home News O’Shea Resigns As Italy Rugby Coach

November 17, 2019 1:34 pm

Conor O’Shea has resigned from his role as Italy head coach with immediate effect, the Italian rugby federation announced on Saturday.

The 49-year-old Irishman’s contract had been due to run through to the end of May 2020.

“We have started a process and generated a new, well-founded hope, but I also believe that the end of the Rugby World Cup represents the best time for everyone to make changes in view of the new cycle,” said O’Shea.

“I loved every minute I spent in Italy and I really believe in what we have done and how it can be achieved …

Messi And Ronaldo Wouldn’t Do What Rugby Players Do: Jones

October 22, 2019 6:51 am

England coach Eddie Jones contrasted what he said was rugby’s down to earth attitude with that of football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as he lauded All Blacks boss Steve Hansen ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster World Cup semi-final.

Jones and Hansen are two of the most successful coaches in the modern game, with the New Zealander looking to guide the All Blacks to a third straight World Cup title in Japan 2019 and fourth in total.

But if he is to do that his side must first beat a resurgent England in Yokohama this weekend.

The coach of his …