Habana slams ‘farcical inconsistency’

Habana slams ‘farcical inconsistency’

Bryan Habana has criticised the ban handed to France flank Oscar Jegou, comparing it to the lengthy suspension previously imposed on Eben Etzebeth. Jegou was banned for four weeks after being cited for making contact with the eye area of Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman...

France beef up for ‘Le Crunch’

France coach Fabien Galthié has opted for a sturdier second row against England in their final Six Nations match in Paris on Saturday. Les Bleus are bidding this weekend to back-to-back Six Nations titles for the first time since 2007. Just as he did against Italy and...

Schalk: Rennie faces early Bok stress test

Springbok great Schalk Burger has warned new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie to expect a brutal early examination against Springboks later this year. But Burger believes Rennie has the mentality to shake up his side quickly once he puts all the necessary structures in...

Unchanged Wales desperate for win

Wales coach Steve Tandy has urged his players to “go up another level” against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday as they seek to end a painful losing streak. The Welsh go into Saturday’s last round bottom of the table and on a run of 15 successive defeats in the tournament...

Duane: North-south derby hard to call

Duane Vermeulen believes recent form could count for little when the Vodacom Bulls and Stormers collide at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. After a nightmare seven-match losing streak across competitions, three successive Vodacom URC wins have moved the Bulls into the top...

Super Rugby record put on hold

The Super Rugby record for most appearances will have to wait another week following the announcement of the ACT Brumbies’ squad on Thursday. James Slipper is waiting to make his record-breaking 203rd Super Rugby appearance but was left out of the table-topping...

Frenchman avoids Eben-length ban for eye-gouge

France flank Oscar Jegou has received a relatively light ban for eye-gouging Scotland’s Ewan Ashman at Murrayfield last Saturday. The 22-year-old was on Wednesday suspended for just four weeks after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of “reckless contact with the...

Italy eye more history after England upset

Tommaso Allan says Italy’s historic win over England is a moment of pride for a squad that has worked years to shed its underdog tag in the Six Nations. The veteran flyhalf was part of the Azzurri squad that stunned England 23-18 in Rome last weekend – Italy’s...

May: England can still win World Cup

Jonny May believes England can bounce back under Steve Borthwick after the team’s Six Nations struggles. Borthwick, in particular, has come under pressure after England’s 12-match winning streak came to a shuddering halt with three straight defeats that not only...