Tag: Rugby

Dan Biggar believes that Saturday's clash against South Africa will deliver the final verdict on Wales' autumn campaign. Biggar and company tackle the Springboks following defeats against Australia and New Zealand, plus an ugly 13-6 victory over unheralded Georgia. And while Wales have impressively developed their attacking game on the back of employing fly-half Biggar and centre Owen Williams as midfield playmakers, the Wallabies and All Blacks left victorious after posting nine tries between them. "We'll find out how decent an autumn we've had come Saturday at 4pm," Biggar said. "If the scoreboard is in South Africa's favour, we will all have to admit it has probably been a poor autumn in terms of everything. "But if we get a win, backed up against the performances aga...

Dragons and Ulster fought out an dramatic Guinness Pro14 League draw at Rodney Parade with visiting fly-half Christian Lealiifano both hero and villain. First Dragons looked to have won it through Ashton Hewitt's late try before Ulster hit back through Lealiifano - but the Australia international missed a straightforward conversion which would have won the game. Wing Hewitt scored two tries for the Dragons, with lock Matthew Screech and hooker Liam Belcher also touching down before full-back Angus O'Brien touched down. Fly-half Gavin Henson kicked a penalty and two conversions.  

Nili Latu scored with the final play of the game as Newcastle stole victory over Northampton at Franklin's Gardens. Newcastle laid siege to the Saints line as time ticked down and a quick tap-penalty led to Latu's score. The visitors led at half-time with tries from Sinoti Sinoti and Josh Matavesi, but with 10 minutes to play looked headed for defeat. Saints went ahead through Dylan Hartley's try after two first-half scores, but they failed to hang on. It was a fifth-straight Premiership defeat for Jim Mallinder's side as three returning England internationals failed to change their fortunes. Yet for most of the second half, Saints looked to be moving towards a first Premiership win since September as Hartley burrowed over from close range to retake the lead. The home sid...

Nili Latu scored in the final play of the game to help Newcastle earn a fine 24-22 win against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens. Sonatane Takulua's nerveless conversion secured the victory for the Falcons as they stole the win and left the Saints with a losing bonus-point. It was a fifth successive Premiership defeat for Jim Mallinder's men, who had looked set to win after Dylan Hartley popped up with a second-half score.  

England have confirmed they will head to South Africa for a three Test tour in June 2018 as they step up their preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. England will take on the Springboks in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town in what will be their first visit to South Africa since 2012. England have not won in South Africa since 2000, and have won just three of their 13 matches in the country.  

Cape Town - Warrick Gelant's first Test start for the Springboks against Wales on Saturday will come in front of a packed Principality Stadium. Reports are that there will be 75 000 people at the ground. That is a daunting prospect for anyone, let alone a 22-year-old who is on starting debut. Gelant, a fullback by trade, will be starting on the left wing for the Boks in their last Test of 2017. Speaking to Netwerk24, the Bulls flyer said he would not be distracted by what will surely be the biggest crowd he has ever played in front of. "I didn't even know there were going to be so many spectators," he said. "If that's the case, then we still represent many more people than that. We play for every South Africa and we know that we can make or break their weekend. "Wh