#Home Nations

IMAGO/Sipa USA England needs to avoid heavy defeat to qualify for the Round of 16 Wales will need to beat England and hope the USA and Iran draw to qualify from Group B If you're looking for the latest World Cup predictions for Wales vs England, then look no further than Vegas Odds. Jump to: All England and Wales fans have been waiting for this…

The blue and white striped Argentina jersey worn by Diego Maradona during the infamous "hand of God" 1986 World Cup tournament has been voted the greatest international football shirt of all time - but can you recognise it in this football kit quiz? With just days to go until the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, a poll of 2000 football fans has…

Their only victory came against Azerbaijan during the last international break having previously suffered a humiliating draw with them and defeat to Luxembourg. Portugal arrive in Dublin determined to win with their place at the World Cup under some threat. Serbia currently top Group A by one point having played a game more than Portugal. Cristiano…

England have opened their World Cup campaign with one win and one draw and face a Wales team who are yet to pick up three points in the competition. BetUK are offering £66 in free bets to prepare you for the action. BetUK have given their World Cup free bet offer a lift by upping it to £66, so now is the best time to join in the football frenzy and…

There's no question America has borrowed traditions from the British. Even the melody to the national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" derives from an old British tune called "To Anacreon In Heaven." While America's most popular sport is football, the game evolved from 19th century British rugby. Rugby is much older than football, going back to…

Scotland are currently second in Group F, seven points adrift of Denmark but four points ahead of fourth-placed Austria, with Israel sandwiched between. Victory for Scotland would solidify their position in second with a four-point gap and just three games to go. Steve Clarke will ensure his men are well aware of how critical this match is. Israel…

Some time ago we ran a series based on the 1980s. It was a look at the (mostly) domestic football happenings and events of each of the years from a calendar viewpoint rather than a season one. We ran the series in random, non-chronological order and while we mainly stuck to events in the public domain, we did include a few personal tidbits with an…

The wait is almost over as this Saturday, the Six Nations returns to our screens and with fan-filled stadiums to boot. After last year's tournament was played behind closed doors, players, coaches and fans will be thrilled that all matches are set to feature no such restrictions after the Welsh government dropped relevant Covid-19 rules in…

So what then are we to make of rugby's new world order? The northern powerhouse that swept aside its southern rivals over the course of an extraordinary Saturday has challenged some preconceived notions. Ireland celebrate their second Test win over New Zealand at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) An unprecedented…

John Egan scored his first ever international goal to put Ireland in the driving seat until the 89th minute when Ronaldo equalised. He struck again in the 96th minute to break Irish hearts - and no doubt put a few smiles on Manchester United fans' face. Stephen Kenny knows that victory is essential here. Both teams in this one have now lost three…

All the latest odds ahead of this weekend's quarter-final The countdown to the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup is underway. All eight teams will have optimism filling the air around them as some hope to upset the odds while others will be looking to prove why they are the favourites. England, Wales and Ireland will be representing the Home…

The 12 highest-ranked sides in the Nations League that have not booked their place at the next European Championships via the qualifying groups will reach the play-offs, with three spots for the competition available. Northern Ireland have been unable to make the most of that benefit in the past due to their traditionally poor record in this…

Rugby lovers from Wales will be firmly focused on South Africa this summer as the men in red look to upset the odds and topple the world champions in their own backyard. Such a feat, however unlikely it may seem in the eyes of many, would be historical. The odds are long but stranger things have happened and it is poised to be an intriguing series…

Wales' first World Cup since 1958 comes to an end and England go through to the knock-out stages. Our blog for tonight also ends here. Thanks you for being with us. Have a good evening. You can hear them singing "We can see you sneaking out!" Wales fan Huw Godfrey, 50, and England supporter Amy Godfrey, who married after meeting in London 25 years…

While England's failures this month have been well documented, the other home nations experienced a range of fortunes during the Autumn Nations Series. In the rugby world rankings, European pair Ireland and France have maintained their hold at the summit while New Zealand have jumped South Africa for third. Beyond that, Wales have plummeted from…

With RLWC2021 done and dusted, League Express reporter STEPHEN IBBETSON considers the potential legacy of the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments. MEN If the World Cup has achieved one thing, it is to reinforce that international Rugby League is the best way to grow the game to new supporters and new markets. IMG said as much when they…

They wasted chance after chance before Eduard Spertsyan's long-range strike secured a famous victory for Joaquín Caparrós' team and will be determined to raise their game against their next opponents, who have some very dangerous players in their ranks. Ukraine's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wales on Sunday was a heartbreaker, ensuring that they…

Julie Nelson made history as the first ever Northern Irish goalscorer on the big stage, but her solo strike wasn't enough to overcome the relentless surge of Norwegian bodies into their territory. Austria can be pleased with their efforts despite a 1-0 defeat to England in the opening game of the tournament. They will be determined to make their…

The jewel in the crown of rugby union's northern-hemisphere calendar, the Six Nations is underway for 2022. Taking place across five matchdays and culminating in mid-March, the annual tournament sees England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy battling it out. Wales is the reigning champion, but a heavy opening-day loss to Ireland put the…

Warren Gatland has tipped two England stars to shine during the Autumn Nations Series. Writing in The Telegraph, the former Wales and Lions boss identified 12 players to watch over the next month of exciting test rugby. Below we take a look at his choices from the home nations. To read his full list read his article by clicking…

THE BBC have confirmed their star-studded line up of pundits for the 2022 World Cup. Gary Lineker will lead the TV team broadcasting the action from Qatar, alongside fellow presenter Gabby Logan. And they have drafted in some Premier League legends to make up their squad. Regular Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer will offer his expertise in the…

The 2022 Autumn International series kicks off in earnest this weekend with a bumper card of mouthwatering clashes for rugby fans to enjoy. Scotland, who began their series with a bonus match last weekend against Australia, get the action underway against Fiji in Edinburgh before the All Blacks take on Wales in Cardiff. Ireland then hosted South…

Five years on from its last iteration - and a year after it was originally set to take place - the 2021 Rugby League World Cup kicks off this weekend when England face Samoa at St James' Park in Newcastle. Shaun Wane's hosts will be one of 16 sides jockeying to be crowned the best national team on the planet, alongside holders Australia, world…

At some point around 5.45pm on November 19, a trophy bearing the name of Paul Barrière will be lifted high into the floodlit Manchester sky. Barrière, a modest man who at a crucial point in his life depended on secrecy for survival, wouldn't have been happy. The man after whom the Rugby League World Cup is named insisted, during his lifetime, that…

Twelve months later than planned, the 16th World Cup gets under way with the first of 61 matches across all three formats in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon. Here, the PA news agency examines the key talking points surrounding what organisers say will be the biggest and best tournament yet. Better late than never The four-yearly World Cup cycle was…

Rugby League is a tough sport and there are no tougher competitors in the game than the men of Papua New Guinea, according to former England and Great Britain ace Jason Robinson. The ex-Wigan man should know. He won 19 international caps in League and has come up against opponents from scores of countries in a career that spanned 16 years and both…

The Women's Rugby World Cup kicks-off in New Zealand on Saturday with England's Red Roses firm favourites for global glory. Simon Middleton's side has won 25 consecutive games going into the tournament which is a record no team - male or female - has been able to achieve in rugby history. Here, Sportsmail brings you a detailed guide to the…

Group C EnglandFranceSouth Africa Fiji When are England's fixtures? October 8th - vs Fiji, AucklandOctober 15th - vs France, Whangārei October 23rd - vs South Africa, Auckland When are Wales's fixtures? October 9th - vs Scotland, WhangareiOctober 16th - vs New Zealand, Auckland October 22nd - vs Australia, Whangārei When are Scotland's…

Betting Week in Review 20/6/2022 - The Three Lions were well and truly hammered in the Nations League by Hungary and are favourites to be relegated to Group B. There was also a shock in the other game in England's group, with Germany scoring five past Italy. If England manager Gareth Southgate thought he had hit rock bottom when England lost 1-0 in…

The 2023 Six Nations Rugby Championship will be the 24th edition of the annual rugby union competition. It will be held from 4 February to 18 March, and will be contested by the national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Although the tournament will not take place until February and March, bookmakers are already…