#Anthony Watson

With Steve Borthwick set to announce his chosen 36-man squad on Monday morning, former England number eight and ex-Worcester Warriors defence coach Nick Easter spends a morning playing selector, with balance and Premiership form at the top of his thinking. "Borthwick's first England side is obviously a key selection," Easter said. "The simple truth…

Bath Rugby CEO Tarquin McDonald has written an open letter to supporters setting out the club's long-term coaching structure, vision and ambitions from next season onwards. Here is the letter in full.... "Dear supporter, There has been a lot of discussion and speculation in the press regarding Premiership coaches and their futures following changes…

England face their day with destiny as they take on South Africa with the title of being world champions on the line England are the bookmakers' favourites heading into the Rugby World Cup Final. South Africa stand in England's way of their second-ever world title - and already have a victory over the Red Rose in this fixture. Back in 2007, they…

Ireland travel to Rome to face Italy in the Six Nations this weekend. This year's tournament has not gone to plan so far for Andy Farrell, with his side losing their opening two games against Wales and France. They face an Italian side who are also winless in the competition after defeats to France and England. Farrell has made seven changes to the…

While the 2020 Six Nations has only just got underway, we are already braced for one of its most hot-tempered clashes - Scotland versus England. The Auld Enemies will once again do battle for Calcutta Cup as they each try to recover from losing starts to this year's competition, the first of a new four-year World Cup cycle. As with all Six Nations…

The grandest stage in European club rugby has begun its shows for another year. With a new, faraway country in the mix to try their hand at the European Rugby Champions Cup, things got spicy quickly. South Africa's proud rugby history was injected into the Champions Cup for the very first time in the competition's existence this past weekend, and…

Eddie Jones might have said this week that they don't look at the bookies after their outstanding semi-final win against New Zealand - but he surely can't have resisted a cheeky peek at the odds, which see his side as clear odds-on favourites to win a first Webb Ellis trophy since 2003. The England coach masterminded one of the most complete…

Eddie Jones has been keen to manage expectations and play down England's tag as favourites to win the 2020 Six Nations, pointing to how sides have "deteriorated" after playing in a World Cup final, but the state of the teams around England suggest he should be quietly confident. England were some way ahead the other northern-hemisphere sides in…

Following a 23-17 victory for Leicester Tigers over the Ospreys in their Champions Cup fixture, here's our five takeaways from the match at Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday. This was an outstanding win by a particularly inexperienced but youthful Tigers side playing away against the Ospreys boasting some seven Test Lions and something north of 700…

Here are the latest rugby evening headlines for Thursday, February 3, after a busy day of Six Nations team announcements. England have demanded clarity over the ruck law ahead of the Six Nations kicking off this weekend. Eddie Jones' men take on Scotland in the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield and World Rugby have revealed they have been asked for…

Thirteen weeks on from the World Cup final England will walk out at the Stade de France on Feb 2 - here is the team I would pick to get the job done and start the 2020 Six Nation s with victory in Le Crunch in Paris. This is the first time in a long while I have had to think about this position. Saracens' issues, his brother's injury (Mako always…

South Africa's Autumn International Series 27-13 demolition of England on Saturday at Twickenham was a brutal reality check for English rugby. England were completely dominated in every department. To further compound what was one of the worst displays by an England rugby team in many a year, the Springboks were down to 14 men going into the final…

Bath Rugby head into Friday night's showdown with Leicester Tigers looking to make it three wins on the bounce in the Gallagher Premiership as Johann van Graan's side look to be settling into their new identity under the South African head of rugby. Leicester achieved a Premiership Rugby season's double over Bath last year for the first time since…

3pts Scotland to score six or more tries at 8/11 (Paddy Power) 2pts Scotland (-27) to beat Italy on the handicap at evens (General) 1pt Scotland to win by 31-40 points at 7/2 (Paddy Power, Betfair) 1pt Chris Harris anytime try-scorer in Scotland v Italy at 5/2 (Paddy Power, Betfair) 1pt England try first scoring play v Ireland at 4/1 (Betfair,…

No other Irish U21s or U20s squad has produced as many Lions as the squad from 2012. The 2007 squad came close, with Cian Healy, Seán O'Brien, and Keith Earls (Luke Fitzgerald, who was of that age group, went straight from school into the Irish and Leinster senior teams). Not only were Lions made from the 2012 crop, there was an ensemble of…

Last year's Six Nations was the perfect illustration of just how tight the tournament is and how fine the margins are. Winners Wales were sent off 16-1 shots after a poor 2020 campaign, 6-5 favourites England finished fifth, while the three teams who finished between the pair ended up with identical records of three wins and two defeats. Of the ten…

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Scotland v England in the Six Nations on Saturday. BBC One, 4.45pm Saturday Scotland to win by one to 12 points 1pt 2-1 Betfred Scotland penalty first scoring play 2pts 8-5 bet365 England coach Eddie Jones has claimed that Scotland are "red-hot favourites" for this Calcutta Cup clash and while he may be…

The 2022-23 Gallagher Premiership season kicks off on Friday with a west country derby between Bristol and Bath at Ashton Gate. It is the 26th Premiership campaign, and 11-time champions Leicester will defend the crown they won after a thrilling Twickenham final against Saracens. Here, the PA news agency looks at the 13 runners and riders,…

Bottom of the pile last season but with Johann van Graan's arrival comes a degree of optimism that things will improve. At the very least supporters can expect more commitment than was shown in the humiliating defeat by Gloucester in April and in Chris Cloete, Dave Attwood and Quinn Roux, the South African coach has added some heft to his forwards.…