Charlie Smith

Charlie Smith

Freelance football writer. Leeds United fan

62 articles

Billy Vunipola ‘healing well’ from latest injury setback
England

Billy Vunipola ‘healing well’ from latest injury setback

Saracens head coach Alex Sanderson revealed that England international Billy Vunipola is healing well from his latest injury setback. The 25-year-old fractured his right arm during the first half of England’s second Test against South Africa, which ended in a 2-1 series defeat. The number eight, who scored a try in Saracens’ Premiership final win […]

Danny Cipriani ‘must go to the World Cup’ according to former England star
England

Danny Cipriani ‘must go to the World Cup’ according to former England star

Former England international David Flatman has called for Danny Cipriani to go to the World Cup next year, describing the fly-half as a ‘genius’. Cipriani, 30, left Wasps to join Gloucester this summer and earned himself a recall to the national side for the recent Tour of South Africa. The fly-half was drafted in for […]

Eddie Jones: England stronger for losing South Africa series
England

Eddie Jones: England stronger for losing South Africa series

England head coach Eddie Jones believes his side are now in a ‘stronger position’ after their series loss to South Africa. Jones and his side finished the series with a 25-10 victory at Newlands, ending a run of five straight defeats which began against Scotland in the Six Nations. The victory in Cape Town was […]

Haskell: ‘Cipriani is like Marmite – you love him or hate him’
England

Haskell: ‘Cipriani is like Marmite – you love him or hate him’

James Haskell has described his fellow England team mate Danny Cipriani as being ‘a bit like Marmite, you either love him or hate him’, Sky Sports report. Cipriani is preparing to make his first start for his country in a decade as England look to avoid a series whitewash against South Africa. The 30-year-old, who […]

England duo involved in post-match argument with supporters
England

England duo involved in post-match argument with supporters

Harlequins and England duo Mike Brown and Joe Marler were involved in a post-match row with supporters following their 23-12 by South Africa in Bloemfontein, the BBC report. Brown and Marler were involved in the heated exchange shortly after the full-time whistle, with boss Eddie Jones admitting after the game he did not see the incident. Jones himself […]

Eddie Jones plays down confrontation with South Africa fans
England

Eddie Jones plays down confrontation with South Africa fans

Despite being involved in an altercation with some South African supporters after the first Test, England coach Eddie Jones played down the confrontation after the game, the BBC report. Jones, 58, was making his way down the tunnel after his England side fell to a 42-39 defeat in a thrilling first Test, before finding himself in […]

Billy Vunipola reveals how he “stitched himself up”
England

Billy Vunipola reveals how he “stitched himself up”

England and Saracens star Billy Vunipola has revealed that kicking an Australian rules football was the reason behind his most recent injury, the BBC report. The number eight has been selected by head coach Eddie Jones to travel with the England squad for their tour of South Africa. However, Vunipola has recently been struggling with a […]

Billy Vunipola did not train before Premiership final
Articles

Billy Vunipola did not train before Premiership final

According to Saracens boss Mark McCall, England international Billy Vunipola did not train during the week ahead of the Premiership final victory over Exeter Chiefs, the BBC report. The 25-year-old scored Sarries’ first try in the final and McCall’s side went on to record an impressive 27-10 victory over holders Exeter, securing their third title in four seasons. […]

Harlequins want England defence coach Paul Gustard as new boss
England

Harlequins want England defence coach Paul Gustard as new boss

Premiership side Harlequins have reportedly approached the Rugby Football Union about the possibility of talking to England defence coach Paul Gustard about becoming the club’s new head coach, the BBC report. The defence coach has worked with current England boss Eddie Jones since 2016 and has a contract with the RFU until the 2019 Rugby World […]

Maro Itoje: Summer rest never an option
England

Maro Itoje: Summer rest never an option

Saracens and England lock Maro Itoje admitted he never considered missing England’s Test tour of South Africa this summer, Sky Sports report. If Saracens reach next week’s Premiership final at Twickenham, Itoje will only have a few days to rest before setting off to South Africa with his country, but taking the summer off for […]

Sexton heaps praise on Lancaster after Leinster’s Champions Cup win
Champions Cup

Sexton heaps praise on Lancaster after Leinster’s Champions Cup win

Leinster and Ireland star Johnny Sexton hailed the impact former England head coach Stuart Lancaster has made after they clinched the Champions Cup in Bilbao, Sky Sports report. Leinster claimed their fourth European title with a dramatic 15-12 win over Racing 92 on Saturday. With no tries scored in the final, Isa Nacewa landed two penalties […]

Johnny Sexton: ‘We can’t dream yet’
Articles

Johnny Sexton: ‘We can’t dream yet’

Leinster and Ireland playmaker Johnny Sexton has urged his side not to let their minds wander ahead of their Champions Cup final against Racing 92, Sky Sports report. Sexton, 32, already has three European Cup titles to his name with Leinster in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Leinster will equal Toulouse’s record of four triumphs should they […]