Tag Archives: george kruis

There was some bad news for Eddie Jones at the weekend as he learned that George Kruis will miss the rest of the season. Kruis is set to undergo ankle surgery which will rule him out of England’s three-Test tour of South Africa in June. Saracens boss Mark McCall confirmed the news after he saw his side romp to victory …

Five personnel changes England have to make as they prepare to face Ireland in their final Six Nations match this weekend.

Sir Clive Woodward picks his England XV for Australia clash next Saturday and it doesn't include skipper Dylan Hartley and fly-half George Ford.

Selecting an England side to dominate Argentina on Saturday in the first November international this year at Twickenham.

The British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand is fast becoming a distant memory as domestic season openers loom on the horizon. Despite the heroic drawn series against the All Blacks last month, focus has returned to club rugby and the gruelling season that lies ahead. Those who toured as Lions this summer extended their season by another two …

In the early hours of Thursday morning, Warren Gatland released his squad for the crucial second Test on Saturday. Gatland has selected his team with a blend of power and flair, which could cause problems for the All Blacks. However, on reflection, many Lions fans will be shocked by some of his decisions. Here we look at the three most …

After the Lions gave up a late 14-point lead to draw 31-31 with the Hurricanes, there are a number of questions surrounding Warren Gatand’s side. From key men not playing well to other talented players seemingly unfancied by the selectors, there are issues that have to be resolved. And with the second Test fast approaching, the Lions don’t have a …

The Lions gave a lot of razzle dazzle but couldn’t stop the All Black wave of physical domination to maintain their imposing winning streak at Eden Park. So which players stood out above the rest? 15 Liam Williams 8 Fairly quiet until scintillating 50 metres break out launched classic Lions counter-attacking try. Fizzing after that and looked a threat every …

It’s felt like a lifetime of waiting but the Lions and the All Blacks will finally do battle this Saturday. Since landing down under certain players have firmly put themselves straight into that starting team for the first test. However, up until the selection, most fans could only guess who would be playing in what position.  The left wing, the back row and George …

When it comes to both the British and Irish Lions and the All Blacks, Graham Henry is better qualified than most to pass judgment. Having coached the 2001 Lions team to a hard-fought 2-1 series defeat in Australia, the former Wales coach would then go on to coach his native New Zealand from 2004 to 2011 (and masterminded that infamous …

With less than a week to go until the Lions’ first Test against the All Blacks, coach Warren Gatland is sweating on the fitness of Owen Farrell and Leigh Halfpenny. The former suffered strain in his quad earlier in the week, while the latter came off for an HIA with suspected concussion during the Lions’ 32-10 victory against the Maori …

The Lions’ constant pressure and power suffocated the life out of a frustrated Crusaders side to hand them their first defeat of the season. In a game packed with internationals on both sides, how did the players rate in this bruising game in Christchurch? Lions: 15 S Hogg  6.5 Was looking sharp until he ran into the elbow of Conor …

Props are a special breed. Traditionally, they were on the pitch to do one important job – lock out a scrum. However, now the game has evolved to such an extent that such a sole responsibility is unlikely to cut it anymore at the highest level of the game.  Now we see more dynamic and skilled props – think of …

Oh, how the times have changed. Historically, players would have found out about their selection for a Lions Tour via a letter in the post. There are some great anecdotes about this, especially in 1997 when Austin Healy was living with Will Greenwood. Two letters came in the door that morning which meant both players were selected only for Healy …

As the dust settles on Warren Gatland’s Lions squad announcement, Fred Blagden takes a look at the three players who may count themselves lucky to be on the tour to New Zealand and another trio questioning what more they needed to do to this season to make the team. ________ Winners Leigh Halfpenny The Toulon fullback has been way off …

Eddie Jones sprang one or two surprises on Thursday morning with the announcement of his England squad for the summer tour of Argentina. With sixteen of his England regulars on Lions duty in New Zealand this summer, Jones will be bringing a vastly inexperienced side to face the Barbarians in May and the Pumas in June, with a total of fifteen …

Sir Clive Woodward was the last man to select a Lions side to tour New Zealand in 2005, and although he is now no longer part of the selection process he maintains a very optimistic attitude towards the Lions’ chances against the men in black. So who would Woodward select in 2017? The blame for the disastrous 2005 Lions tour …

With the Lions squad announcement drawing ever closer, speculation is sky-high as to which players will get the nod from Warren Gatland. With 37 seats on the plane to New Zealand available, there is going to be a wealth of talent left behind. Former England flyhalf and Pundit Arena columnist Andy Goode has selected the squad he would bring, and …