Charlie Smith

Charlie Smith

Freelance football writer. Leeds United fan

98 articles

Gaffney hints George North did not want to play for Saints
News

Gaffney hints George North did not want to play for Saints

Northampton Saints coach Alan Gaffney has hinted that Welsh international George North did not want to play in their defeat by Sale this weekend, BBC report. North, 25, is part of Wales’ Six Nations squad, however, is allowed to play for the Saints when their is no Six Nations action. When asked if North did […]

Elliot Daly hopeful of proving fitness
England

Elliot Daly hopeful of proving fitness

Elliot Daly faces a key training session as he continues to prove his fitness to head coach Eddie Jones for England’s Six Nations clash with France, the Daily Mail report. The British and Irish Lions wing has missed the opening three rounds of England’s title defence with ankle and calf injuries, but is believed to […]

Wales and Ospreys wing Eli Walker retires aged 25
News

Wales and Ospreys wing Eli Walker retires aged 25

Wales and Osprey wing Eli Walker has retired at the age of 25 after failing to overcome a back injury, the Daily Mail report. Walker, who was once hailed as the top-performing wing in British and Irish rugby, made one Wales appearance against Ireland back in 2015, and had surgery last year, but has recently […]

Eddie Jones: ‘We lacked intensity’
England

Eddie Jones: ‘We lacked intensity’

England head coach Eddie Jones says his side lacked intensity, as they slipped to a 25-13 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, Sky Sports report. Two tries from Huw Jones and a third from Sean Maitland reignited Scotland’s Six Nations title hopes and gave the Scots their first win over England for 10 years. […]

Six Nations Team of the Weekend: Round 3
France

Six Nations Team of the Weekend: Round 3

Another weekend of Six Nations action has been completed and it gave us three very different games. Scotland shocked England at Murrayfield, Ireland overcame a late Wales rally in a tight game in Dublin, while France defeated Italy 34-17 in the opening game of the weekend. There were some big time performers over the course […]

Schmidt confident Sexton and Murray injuries are only minor
Ireland

Schmidt confident Sexton and Murray injuries are only minor

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is confident that Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray’s injuries are only minor knocks, Sky Sports report. The pair suffered the injuries during Saturday’s 37-27 win against Wales, keeping Schmidt’s side on course for the Grand Slam. Sexton started the match in Dublin with a stiff back and suffered a bruised […]

Robshaw: ‘Murrayfield crowd will inspire England’
England

Robshaw: ‘Murrayfield crowd will inspire England’

England flanker Chris Robshaw believes that a hostile Murrayfield crowd will only inspire the visitors, the BBC report. Scotland host England as the Six Nations resumes on Saturday, with a packed crowd expected for the highly anticipated Calcutta Cup. England have beaten Italy and Wales already so far in the tournament, and are aiming to […]

Liam Williams ready for Wales return
News

Liam Williams ready for Wales return

Liam Williams is relishing his return to the Wales side, when they visit Dublin to take on Ireland on Saturday as the Six Nations resumes, BBC report. Wales head coach Warren Gatland has been without a number of first choice players during the tournament so far, but is set to welcome back Williams after recovering […]

Ken Owens: ‘Warren Gatland doesn’t get enough credit’
News

Ken Owens: ‘Warren Gatland doesn’t get enough credit’

Wales hooker Ken Owens believes his current boss Warren Gatland doesn’t get enough credit, Sky Sports report. Gatland will take charge of his 100th Test next Saturday in Dublin, when his current team face his former side Ireland, as the Six Nations resumes. Wales have won three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams under […]

Simon Berghan: ‘I felt like a boy in a man’s world’
News

Simon Berghan: ‘I felt like a boy in a man’s world’

Scotland prop Simon Berghan admitted that he ‘felt like a boy in a man’s world’ when he made his Six Nations debut last year, BBC report. Berghan, 27, impressed in Scotland’s 32-26 victory over France during this years Six Nations, and admitted he felt overwhelmed when he made his Test debut against the same opponents […]

James Haskell open to pay cut in bid to extend England career
News

James Haskell open to pay cut in bid to extend England career

James Haskell has admitted he is open to the idea of taking a pay cut, if it gives him the chance to extend his England career as far as the 2019 World Cup, the Guardian report. Haskell, 32, will leave Wasps in May after spending 12 years across two spells with the club and he […]

Ireland Player Ratings: Italy (H)
Ireland

Ireland Player Ratings: Italy (H)

Ireland ran in eight converted tries to secure a 56-19 bonus-point victory over Italy, making it two wins from two in the 2018 Six Nations Championship for Joe Schmidt’s side. Robbie Henshaw and winger Jacob Stockdale both scored two tries, along with Conor Murray, Bundee Aki, Keith Earls and skipper Rory Best who all got […]