Ollie Phillips: ‘England’s squad is uninspiring but it’s dangerous’ February 4, 2022 Tomorrow’s Calcutta Cup will no doubt be explosive. There’s a real clash of styles in the Six Nations match between Scotland and England in Edinburgh – but that’s just going to make the game even more exciting. I really like the England squad, and bar Elliot Daly at No13 it is a 23 in form, [...]
Ollie Phillips: Absent internationals will help and hinder Premiership clubs January 28, 2022 I’m in Seville for the World Sevens Series, whetting my appetite for the festival of international rugby that is the Six Nations. It’s the best championship on the planet, and what will be interesting this year is how the Premiership clubs cope with losing internationals. Only Worcester failed to get a player in the England [...]
Ollie Phillips: Habits die hard as the Premiership reaches half way January 7, 2022 After this week’s Premiership action, each of the 13 teams will be halfway through their seasons. Some have outperformed my expectations, like Gloucester, and others have – thankfully – lived up to my predictions, like Leicester. The Premiership, though, despite its lack of relegation and jeopardy, has proven that habits are hard to break in [...]
Ollie Phillips: 2021 had some of the best rugby I’ve ever seen December 30, 2021 These past 12 months have had it all when it comes to rugby. We have seen the resurgence of some, and the tailing off of others. But in all, the rugby has been outstanding and all eyes now point to a dazzling 2022. Here are my moments and takeaways from the year. Best rugby I’ve [...]
Ollie Phillips: It’s all a bit French to me but it’s amazing to watch December 17, 2021 Sure, Leicester’s win in Bordeaux was impressive and Exeter looked comfortable against Montpellier, but I still don’t see an English team challenging for the Champions Cup. Toulouse put out a strong XV against a makeshift Cardiff and proved they weren’t there to play along with the Welsh region’s fairytale game. Racing 92, meanwhile, absolutely dominated [...]
Champions Cup kick-off has been tainted by Covid complications December 10, 2021 Cardiff and Munster’s youngsters and fringe players may be dreaming of famous upsets this weekend in the Champions Cup but, for me, the situation has tainted European club rugby’s big kick-off slightly. It’s nobody’s fault that the two teams have dozens of players unavailable after being caught up in the omicron breakout while playing in [...]
Ollie Phillips: Chiefs vs Saracens could be the match of the season… so far December 2, 2021 The international players are back at their clubs and so is the Premiership, and in this blockbuster weekend of games we have the hottest match-up of the season so far. Chiefs vs Saracens There is no love lost between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens. Tony Rowe was shouting from the rooftops about Sarries deserving relegation after [...]
Ollie Phillips: My autumn internationals team of the tournament November 26, 2021 I have been really impressed with how the northern hemisphere in general has performed across this autumn, and I truly believe we’re on top now. I had a pop at picking my Six Nations-based XV based on this November. Forwards 1 CYRIL BAILLE – FRA The power Baille possesses is simply incredible. He is very [...]
Ollie Phillips: The Boks play simple, boring rugby, but winning is winning November 19, 2021 In tomorrow’s match with South Africa, England have their hardest test. Why? Because they know exactly what they’ll be coming up against. The Springboks don’t often play exciting rugby – it’s simple, boring rugby. They try to bully you, outmuscle you and, when in doubt, send the ball skyward and harass the catcher. It’s not [...]
Ollie Phillips: Marcus Smith ready to start against Australia November 12, 2021 He is a mercurial talent who was destined to be in an England jersey and tomorrow against Australia Marcus Smith will get his first taste of top-level international rugby. Smith’s previous two England starts have come in under-strength sides who played the USA and Canada during the summer. This weekend he will wear No10 against [...]
