Charlie Smith

Charlie Smith

Freelance football writer. Leeds United fan

50 articles

Eddie Jones handed Six Nations boost with Jonathan Joseph set to return
Bath

Eddie Jones handed Six Nations boost with Jonathan Joseph set to return

England head coach Eddie Jones has been handed a welcome boost ahead of the Six Nations, with Bath centre Jonathan Joseph set to return to club action next weekend after nine months out, the Daily Mail report. The 27-year-old has not played since April but came through the warm-up on Saturday before Bath’s 18-16 European Champions Cup […]

Sam Underhill to miss Six Nations after surgery
Bath

Sam Underhill to miss Six Nations after surgery

Bath and England flanker Sam Underhill will miss the Six Nations this year after undergoing surgery on his right ankle, Sky Sports report. The 22-year-old is expected to be out for around three months, after picking up the injury in Bath’s 23-16 victory over Leicester Tigers last month. Underhill, who was expected to be a key figure […]

Danny Cipriani in talks over new Gloucester deal
Gloucester

Danny Cipriani in talks over new Gloucester deal

Danny Cipriani has revealed that he is in talks with Gloucester over extending his stay at the club, the BBC report. The 31-year-old, who made the move to Kingsholm from fellow Premiership side Wasps last summer, has been in impressive form for Gloucester this season. The fly-half has helped the Cherry and Whites to fourth in the Premiership, […]

Eddie Jones backs TMO after controversial Owen Farrell tackle
Australia

Eddie Jones backs TMO after controversial Owen Farrell tackle

Following an emphatic 37-18 victory over Australia, England head coach Eddie Jones refused to be drawn on Owen Farrell’s first-half tackle on Izack Rodda, Sky Sports report. England ran out comfortable winners in the end at Twickenham, thanks to second-half tries from Elliot Daly, Joe Cokanasiga and Farrell. The victory concluded England’s winter internationals, adding to their […]

New Zealand legend believes Joe Schmidt should be considered for All Blacks job
Ireland

New Zealand legend believes Joe Schmidt should be considered for All Blacks job

New Zealand legend Richie McCaw has admitted that Ireland head-coach Joe Schmidt should be considered to replace current All Blacks boss Steve Hansen after the World Cup, Dublin Live report. It is expected that Hansen will call it a day with New Zealand after the World Cup in Japan next year, with the 59-year-old aiming […]

Eddie Jones backs controversial rule change
England

Eddie Jones backs controversial rule change

Ahead of England’s autumn international opener against South Africa, head coach Eddie Jones has backed the decision for referees to crackdown on dangerous tackles, even if that means costing his side a win, Sky Sports report. Jones was part of the committee tasked with making the game safer, with the decision taken recently for referees […]

Brad Shields a doubt for England’s autumn Tests after breaking cheekbone
England

Brad Shields a doubt for England’s autumn Tests after breaking cheekbone

Wasps and England flanker Brad Shields is a doubt for his countries autumn internationals after breaking his cheekbone, the BBC report. New Zealand-born Shields suffered the injury on his debut for his new side Wasps, in their 31-42 Premiership defeat by Exeter Chiefs at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday. The 27-year-old, who was released from […]

Former England star claims New Zealand dominance ‘great for the game’
New Zealand

Former England star claims New Zealand dominance ‘great for the game’

According to former English international Stuart Barnes, New Zealand’s continued dominance is ‘great for the game’, with Barnes describing the All Blacks as ‘one of the great sport teams of all time’, Sky Sports report. Since lifting the Rugby World Cup back in 2015, New Zealand have continued to impress on the world stage and have […]

Sam Warburton reveals specific reasons over surprise retirement
News

Sam Warburton reveals specific reasons over surprise retirement

Former Welsh skipper Sam Warburton has revealed that his body ultimately forced him to retire, stating that not being able to represent his country again also played a part in the premature end to his career, Sky Sports report. Warburton, who earned 74 caps for Wales and captained two successful British and Irish Lions tours, […]

Dan Biggar advises players to leave Wales to ‘test themselves’
Articles

Dan Biggar advises players to leave Wales to ‘test themselves’

International fly-half Dan Biggar has urged his fellow countrymen to leave Wales in order to ‘test themselves’ in other countries, the BBC report. Biggar, who ended his 11 year association with Ospreys by joining Northampton Saints at the end of last season, has won more than 60 Test caps for his country so can still represent […]

Sam Warburton’s old school teacher hits back at Stuart Barnes
News

Sam Warburton’s old school teacher hits back at Stuart Barnes

Sam Warburton’s former school teacher Steve Williams has hit back at Stuart Barnes’ comments, where he claimed the former Wales captain “was not a great player”, Wales Online report. Barnes made the comments about Warburton on social media, after the 29-year-old announced his shock retirement from rugby on Wednesday. Despite Warburton earning 74 caps for Wales and captaining […]

Alex Cuthbert ‘focused’ on leaving Wales
Cardiff Blues

Alex Cuthbert ‘focused’ on leaving Wales

Former Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert has admitted that he was focused on leaving Wales, even if that meant not being eligible to represent his country in the near future, the BBC report. The 28-year-old recently joined Premiership side Exeter Chiefs from the Blues, which means he is now unavailable to play for Wales. Welsh […]