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RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Five-star French domination 'scary' for Irish European hopes, say RTÉ Rugby analysts
For the fifth year in a row the Champions Cup has been won by a French team and Bernard Jackman believes the "inclusive" pathways in the country have played a big role. Bordeaux Begles beat Northampton Saints in Cardiff yesterday to win the trophy for the first time. In the four previous seasons, Toulouse and La Rochelle each won twice, beating Leinster, who last tasted victory in 2018, three times in the finals. With Les Bleus winning the Six Nations Grand Slam last spring, French rugby remains on the up, and two RTÉ Rugby analysts believe their ability to keep producing players from differing pathways can keep it at the summit. The vast majority of Ireland's professional players came through the schools system before joining provincial academies, with a handful of players, such as Jamison Gibson-Park and Mack Hansen coming from abroad. Jackman, who won the Heineken Cup with Leinster in 2009, used the example of Bordeaux flanker Mahamadou Diaby, who started in yesterday's final to illustrate the difference between the routes to professional rugby in Ireland and France. "It's very inclusive," he told RTÉ Sport. "So the number 6, Mahamadou Diaby. I was lucky enough to coach him for a little while in Grenoble. "He saw the Rugby World Cup 2007 on TV, [he's] from a very tough part of Paris, no rugby club near him. "He was a kickboxer at 15, he said, 'oh, I can play rugby, I'm physical'. "He went to Stade Francais, knocked on the door looking for a trial, they said we don't give trials to people who don't play. "He went to Racing [92], they tested him, gave him a contract and now, 14 years later, having had numerous clubs, he's playing here. "You've got all this talent, all these clubs and yet they create opportunities for people who have a physical ability to stay in the game. "And that's scary. "When you look at our pathways, it's very traditional. "We haven't really opened up the game to different areas as much as we could. "When you look at our pathways, it's very traditional. We haven't really opened up the game to different areas as much as we could" "Obviously, we are competing with soccer, GAA but they are competing with basketball, handball and soccer as well. "But the rugby clubs there are very inclusive, and they want to bring through talent and are willing to spend time trying to develop it." Former Ireland number 8 Jamie Heaslip concurred with Jackman. "They have more players, more clubs, more entry points into the game, and if you don't make it in one club, you can kind of bounce around numerous clubs to find your spot," said Heaslip. "Whereas in Ireland, there's four professional clubs. "If you don't really make it early on, you can't really go to England or France anymore because they want to pick players eligible for the national side so your options are limited and the fall-off happens a whole lot quicker, while guys can try and make a career. Bernard Jackman shares the story of Louis Bielle-Biarrey's rise #InvestecChampionsCup 📱 Updates - 📺 Watch live - — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 24, 2025 "It's kind of scary because the same thing happens in England, they can bounce around a certain amount of clubs. "That's why I would be slightly concerned about the age profile of a lot of these teams that are at the top level coming through, and you are seeing the knock-on effect of England going well, France going particularly well and potentially going to be dangerous sides going forward." While Leinster made it to the semi-finals, Ulster and Munster were knocked out in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively, both beaten by Bordeaux. While Leinster made it to the semi-finals, Ulster and Munster were knocked out in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively, both beaten by Bordeaux. Connacht, meanwhile, lost a home Challenge Cup quarter-final to Racing 92 after topping the pool stages. The last team other than Leinster to win in Europe was Munster in 2008. "It's imperative for Irish rugby that we don't just become reliant on Leinster, we've given them a lot of backing, they've got to try and fix the issues there," said Jackman. "It's great to see the likes of [Australia prop] Angus Bell going to Ulster, Clayton McMillan coming into Munster [as new head coach] – the Chiefs are playing unbelievable rugby. "We just need to boost the other three so we have four teams going into Europe with a fighting chance. "At the moment we have all our eggs in one basket."
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I was tied up with mobile phone wire and stabbed while waking up, says England coach as he reveals shock attack
FORMER England rugby coach John Mitchell has revealed he was tied up with a mobile phone before being stabbed in a shock attack. The New Zealander, 61, was part of Eddie Jones' backroom set-up for England's run to the 2019 World Cup final. 1 Former England coach John Mitchell has revealed a terrifying stab attack Credit: Getty Mitchell himself was a former back rower who played six times for the All Blacks — albeit not at test level. But since retiring in 1995, he's gone on to become one of the top coaches in rugby. Mitchell has worked with England, New Zealand, Ireland, Japan and the United States at international level. While his club career saw him enjoy spells with Sale Sharks and London Wasps. READ MORE IN SPORT Now, Mitchell is in charge of England Women and recently helped them to a Six Nations Grand Slam title. The ace is hoping that can inspire his players to lift the Women's World Cup later this year. He himself almost came close to the Men's World Cup in 2003 with his native New Zealand. But they were dumped out in the semis by Australia, who went on to lose to England. Most read in Rugby Union And while reflecting on how the exit haunted him, Mitchell then revealed a terrifying attack that took place in South Africa during him time with club side Lions, who he coached between 2011 and 2012. Mitchell told Former England rugby star Joe Marler reveals his opinion on spooky event 'I got a taste of it early, wanted more of it, and then after the (2003) World Cup semi-final, rightly or wrongly I was pretty hard on myself for four years. "I chased outcomes and didn't have consistent process or methodology that was going to allow me to consistently present the teams opportunities to win. 'The falling into the 'outcome bubble', once I got attacked in South Africa, the challenge that evening, waking up from that was, 'Hold on, I need to sort some things out here'. 'I promised myself that I would never fall into that mindset again, so now it's basically enjoy it. 'I started coaching the Lions and myself and the strength and conditioning coach, Wayne Taylor, we were in a place in Hyde Park, which is quite a good area in Sandton, and we just left ourselves exposed because one of the windows was open and they jumped in. 'They basically got us two in the morning in my sleep. I basically thought it might have been Wayne playing a practical joke, and then I was tied up with mobile phone wire and curtain cord wire and stabbed in the process of waking up. 'It seemed like an eternity but I managed to negotiate my way out of it and I was very fortunate. So from that point onwards, I thought I needed to change a bit.'
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I was tied up with mobile phone wire and stabbed while waking up, says England coach as he reveals shock attack
ACE'S TERROR I was tied up with mobile phone wire and stabbed while waking up, says England coach as he reveals shock attack Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER England rugby coach John Mitchell has revealed he was tied up with a mobile phone before being stabbed in a shock attack. The New Zealander, 61, was part of Eddie Jones' backroom set-up for England's run to the 2019 World Cup final. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Former England coach John Mitchell has revealed a terrifying stab attack Credit: Getty Mitchell himself was a former back rower who played six times for the All Blacks — albeit not at test level. But since retiring in 1995, he's gone on to become one of the top coaches in rugby. Mitchell has worked with England, New Zealand, Ireland, Japan and the United States at international level. While his club career saw him enjoy spells with Sale Sharks and London Wasps. Now, Mitchell is in charge of England Women and recently helped them to a Six Nations Grand Slam title. The ace is hoping that can inspire his players to lift the Women's World Cup later this year. He himself almost came close to the Men's World Cup in 2003 with his native New Zealand. But they were dumped out in the semis by Australia, who went on to lose to England. And while reflecting on how the exit haunted him, Mitchell then revealed a terrifying attack that took place in South Africa during him time with club side Lions, who he coached between 2011 and 2012. Mitchell told Coaching Culture with Ben Herring: 'I did chase it (the desire to be a winner). Former England rugby star Joe Marler reveals his opinion on spooky event 'I got a taste of it early, wanted more of it, and then after the (2003) World Cup semi-final, rightly or wrongly I was pretty hard on myself for four years. "I chased outcomes and didn't have consistent process or methodology that was going to allow me to consistently present the teams opportunities to win. 'The falling into the 'outcome bubble', once I got attacked in South Africa, the challenge that evening, waking up from that was, 'Hold on, I need to sort some things out here'. 'I promised myself that I would never fall into that mindset again, so now it's basically enjoy it. 'I started coaching the Lions and myself and the strength and conditioning coach, Wayne Taylor, we were in a place in Hyde Park, which is quite a good area in Sandton, and we just left ourselves exposed because one of the windows was open and they jumped in. 'They basically got us two in the morning in my sleep. I basically thought it might have been Wayne playing a practical joke, and then I was tied up with mobile phone wire and curtain cord wire and stabbed in the process of waking up. 'It seemed like an eternity but I managed to negotiate my way out of it and I was very fortunate. So from that point onwards, I thought I needed to change a bit.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rugby festival celebrates 100 days until World Cup
Over 100 girls from schools across Sussex are set to take part in a touch rugby festival on Wednesday to celebrate 100 days until the start of the Women's World Cup. Teams from 13 primary schools will take to Hove Rugby Club in a bid to get more girls into the sport ahead of the competition beginning in England in August. Brighton will host two games in the world cup, including one of England's group stage games, with the competition beginning on 22 August. Geraldine Brown, chairwoman of Hove Rugby Club, said: "As a host city the excitement is just building and we can't wait to welcome the teams and supporters." She added that it was "important" for the club to support the local community and rugby in schools. The festival comes as momentum builds behind the tournament, with over 275,000 tickets sold according to organisers. The event will be attended by representatives of Premiership Women's Rugby club Harlequins and rugby and mental health charity Maddy's Mark. The Women's World Cup trophy will also visit Sussex from Saturday to Monday as part of a national tour of the host cities ahead of the competition. The trophy will be in place at the Brighton i360 on 17 May before moving to Haywards Heath Rugby Club on 18 May and back to the i360 on 19 May. Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said: "We are so excited to be welcoming the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup trophy to the city this weekend, and we hope residents across the city will join us to celebrate this historic moment. "We are incredibly proud to have been chosen as a host city for the prestigious tournament, which will raise the profile of women's sport and showcase our sporting city on the world stage." The Amex Stadium at Falmer will host two games in the group stages of the competition with the Red Roses facing Australia on 6 September and current holders New Zealand playing Ireland on 7 September. England recently won their fourth straight Six Nations Grand Slam and enter the competition having lost just one game since March 2018 - the World Cup final in November 2022 against New Zealand. More tickets for the tournament are also set to be released at 09:00 BST on Wednesday. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. The first Sikh woman to play rugby for England City hopeful Women's Rugby World Cup will inspire Beach renamed in preparation for Rugby World Cup Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Brighton & Hove City Council
France 24
07-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Wales fly-half Anscombe signs for French club Bayonne
The New Zealand-born Anscombe, who turns 34 this Saturday, has played 42 times for Wales, winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019. "Gareth will bring his experience to our talented backline," proclaimed Bayonne, currently fourth in the Top 14, on their website. Anscombe began his rugby career in his native New Zealand with Auckland Blues and Chiefs before moving in 2014 to Wales, birthplace of his mother. He played seven seasons for Cardiff before joining Ospreys in 2019. A move to Tokyo Sungoliath in 2023 fell through because of an injury he picked up at the 2023 World Cup but he joined Gloucester in 2024 instead. He has made 14 Premiership and Challenge Cup appearances for the Cherry and Whites this season, all of them at fly-half. Initially left out of Wales' Six Nations squad, he was recalled after Warren Gatland left and played against Ireland, Scotland and England. Anscombe will slot into the Bayonne set-up as a ready replacement for former France fly-half Camille Lopez, 36, who is retiring at the end of the season.
