Tag: Harlequins

England were beaten 29-23 by Scotland in their Six Nations opener before defeating Italy 31-14 on Sunday; Steve Borthwick wants to eradicate issues ahead of matches against Wales, Ireland and France ahead of the World Cup later this year

Steve Borthwick is to urgently investigate England’s habit of fading that has been evident in his two matches in charge, knowing it could leave his players with regrets.

England threw away a 20-12 lead with half an hour remaining of their Guinness Six Nations opener against Scotland and were also one point in front heading into the final 10 minutes, before ultimately falling 29-23.

Borthwick’s side also lost the second half 14-12 against Italy, with tension hanging in the Twickenham air until Henry Arundell produced a slick finish in the 71st minute to quell the Azzurri uprising.

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England head coach Steve Borthwick speaks after his side beat Italy at Twickenham in the Six Nations

England face a fraught trip to Cardiff next followed by clashes with the world’s two best teams in France and Ireland, with Borthwick making a priority of identifying why they are vulnerable in the second half.

“At eight points up I would expect to win that game against Scotland, said Borthwick, who replaced the sacked Eddie Jones in December. “There was another point we were four points up and we let it slip.

“As we move forward with this team, as we coach and understand, we will be debriefing those things really fully so we don’t let those opportunities slide. You can’t rewind the clock. I talked about my regrets as a player and I don’t want these players to have regrets.

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Sky Sports News’ James Cole analyses Steve Borthwick’s selection decisions for his first Six Nations squad as England head coach, and a surprise move for his predecessor Eddie Jones

“We let one slip against Scotland and we made sure we fully debriefed it to learn from it. Against Italy, there was a period late in the game where we let momentum get away from us. I really need to understand why it happened and how it happened.

“We can’t keep letting teams have momentum late in games against us. Clearly we let Italy out of their half, which is exactly what happened against Scotland. Systems take time.”

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2003 World Cup winner Ben Cohen feels Steve Borthwick and England have a lot of work to do as they continue their build-up to the World Cup

England ‘a bit behind’ Ireland and France

On the day before England’s pack bullied their Italian counterparts, Ireland and France fought out a seismic title clash in Dublin that saw a ball-in-play time of 46 minutes.

Andy Farrell’s men came out on top and are destined to arrive at the World Cup later this year as the global game’s number one ranked team, while France have the talent to ensure the setback is only temporary.

Ireland claimed a 32-19 victory over France in Dublin on Saturday

“It was an incredible Test match,” Borthwick said, having watched the match. “The standard of those teams is phenomenal. If you can use this four-year cycle really well, you should be in a good situation right now and they are. If you look at them they are strong. We are a bit behind them.

“I can’t tell you how much, but we are behind them. I can’t do anything about where they are but we are going to work really hard to catch up as fast as we can.”

Borthwick inherited a team that endured a dismal 2022, resulting in Jones being removed as head coach, and he insists there is no fast-track to success.

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Will Greenwood says more time and work is needed for Steve Borthwick to improve the overall quality of his side

“We are going to do the best we can to be as good as we can be. This is a process of a rebuild,” he said. “I get the sense that people recognise this is a rebuild, I get a sense they recognise there is plenty to do here and we need to build some strengths here.

“The players have come through a tough time and I am asking them to do things in a different way and go out on the field and bring their strengths. I felt that against Italy they started to embrace that. Last week there was a reticence to really jump right in. That is what I want them to do.”

What’s Next?

England head to Cardiff on Saturday February 25 to face a struggling Wales who are yet to get a win in this year’s championship (4.45pm). For Italy, a home clash awaits against Grand Slam hopefuls Ireland (2.15pm).

The Welsh Rugby Union says either its new chair or chief executive must be female under major reforms proposed in response to allegations of sexism and misogyny within the organisation.

Among the plans to “modernise”, the WRU also says its new board will comprise of at least five women and be more diverse.

A majority of 75 per cent of members at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), to be called imminently, will need to vote in favour in order to pass the proposals.

More to follow.

A number of ex-Welsh Rugby Union employees have taken part in an investigation by BBC Wales making accusations about their time at the governing body; MP and former Wales international Tonia Antoniazzi has expressed “great concerns” over the women’s game in the country

The Welsh Rugby Union is facing allegations of sexism and discrimination which have left MP and former Wales international Tonia Antoniazzi expressing “great concerns” over the women’s game in the country.

A number of ex-WRU employees have taken part in an investigation by BBC Wales, to be screened on Monday night, making accusations about their time at the governing body.

Charlotte Wathan, general manager of women’s rugby until her resignation last February, claims offensive comments by a colleague left her in tears and feeling sick, while another unnamed contributor says she was left contemplating suicide by her experiences of bullying and sexism at work, according to BBC Wales Investigates.

Incidents of racism and homophobia are also alleged.

The WRU said that an “amicable resolution” had been reached with Wathan “satisfying both parties” following an investigation by an external law firm. It said a confidentiality agreement between the parties prevented further details.

It noted that another of the complaints had been investigated and subsequently withdrawn, while new information included in the broadcast would be “followed up and acted upon”.

A spokesperson said: “The Welsh Rugby Union condemns the use of racist, homophobic or sexist language and states in the strongest possible terms that racism, homophobic, sexist or bullying behaviour has no place in Welsh rugby.”

A statement continued: “It is vitally important to note that we have a duty of care as employers to both the complainants and those complained against.

“That duty of care continues and we are deeply concerned about the effect of this programme on those individuals in respect of the fact the allegations described remain unsubstantiated following a thorough independent legal investigation.”

But Antoniazzi, who once played for Wales as a prop and now represents the Gower constituency and serves as Labour’s shadow Northern Ireland minister, remains concerned by the testimony.

She likened the evidence to the racism scandal which hit cricket following Azeem Rafiq’s allegations against Yorkshire, and believes an independent body may be needed to hold sporting institutions in Wales to account.

“This is on a level of what’s happened in cricket. I have great, great concerns about the future of women’s rugby in Wales,” she told the BBC.

“There has to be an independent body set up to look at complaints of… all complaints when there are issues within governing bodies, sporting governing bodies in Wales. There needs to be somewhere to go.”

Responding to those comments, the WRU said: “With respect to the comments made by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, the WRU invites the Labour MP for Gower to make direct contact on the issues she raises and would welcome the opportunity to discuss her concerns.”

Saracens scored a late try in a 20-14 defeat at Edinburgh to earn a bonus point, which secured a Champions Cup last-16 home tie; London Irish’s hopes of extending their European campaign were ended as they drew at Montpellier; Munster missed out on a home tie after losing in Toulouse

Edinburgh had to settle for a Heineken Champions Cup last-16 away tie at Leicester despite beating Saracens 20-14.

The Scottish side were heading for a home match in the next round until a late try from flanker Ben Earl secured Saracens a losing bonus point at the DAM Health Stadium.

That pushed them ahead of Edinburgh into fourth place in Pool A on tries scored, handing them a home game with Ospreys.

Dave Cherry and Pierre Schoeman crossed for Edinburgh while Blair Kinghorn added two penalties and the same amount of conversions, with Alex Goode kicking three penalties for Saracens before Earl’s late effort.

Edinburgh raced into a third-minute lead when they kicked a penalty to the corner, then battled through four phases on Saracens’ line before hooker Cherry picked up from the base of a ruck and muscled over.

Edinburgh celebrated their victory at full time despite missing out on a home last-16 tie

Kinghorn added the conversion, and then almost immediately slotted a penalty from directly in front of the posts when Jamie George was called for a high challenge on Schoeman.

Saracens bounced back with Goode kicking the points from a scrum penalty, but Edinburgh were soon back on top – and they were helped by the visitors losing two players to the sin-bin inside three minutes.

England hooker George and Italy prop Marco Riccioni were both yellow carded for failing to lower their body height in the tackle and causing head-on-head collisions.

Riccioni concussed himself and did not return after his spell on the sidelines.

Edinburgh failed to make their two-man advantage count on the scoreboard, with Jamie Ritchie passing up a golden opportunity when he lost the ball in contact as he dived under the posts.

Once back to full strength, Saracens narrowed the gap with a second Goode penalty following another collapsed scrum.

That left Edinburgh just four points ahead at the break, which was remarkable given that they had dominated the first half with 71 per cent possession.

The home side edged further ahead at the start of the second half with a Kinghorn penalty, but that was promptly cancelled out by a successful shot at goal from Goode.

The game stretched away from Saracens when Maro Itoje became the third visiting player to see yellow for a cynical offside which prevented Henry Pyrgos from moving the ball from the base of an attacking ruck.

Edinburgh kicked to the corner and Schoeman powered over from the line-out maul, with Kinghorn adding the conversion.

As you would expect, Saracens fought right to the end, and Edinburgh lost Sam Skinner to the sin-bin for collapsing a maul near his own line.

The hosts managed to hold out for a few more minutes, but eventually cracked when a long passage of play from Saracens eventually opened up a gap on the left for Billy Vunipola to send Earl over, with Goode unable to add the conversion.

Montpellier 21-21 London Irish

London Irish’s European campaign came to an end as reigning French Top 14 champions Montpellier came from 21 points down to force a 21-21 draw in their Heineken Champions Cup clash.

The draw in the round four game in Pool B at the GGL Stadium meant Irish failed to record a win in the pool stages as their European hopes ended.

The visitors were 21 points up after 48 minutes, Adam Coleman, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Agustin Creevy all crossing in an impressive display.

But Montpellier grew into the game in the second half and got over through Thomas Darmon, Vincent Giudicelli and Cobus Reinach to level the scores, allowing Sale to qualify for the European Challenge Cup round of 16.

Irish were beaten 32-27 by Montpellier at the Gtech Community Stadium in their opening Pool B game and went on lose their next two games before being denied again on French soil.

Both teams went into the match looking to bounce back from defeats in round three, with Montpellier losing 35-29 at Ospreys and Irish falling 14-28 at home to DHL Stormers.

Toulouse 20-16 Munster

The boot of full-back Melvyn Jaminet steered Toulouse to a narrow victory that earned them a home draw in the Heineken Champions Cup last 16 and condemned Munster to a road trip in the knockout stages.

Jaminet, deputising for the suspended Thomas Ramos, kicked 15 points as he took the game away from the Irish visitors in a second half that saw the lead change hands four times before the hosts finally clinched a 20-16 win.

Five-time European champions Toulouse finished second in Pool B behind holders La Rochelle, while Munster missed out of a top-four finish that would have guaranteed a game for them at Thomond Park in the round of 16 at the end of the Six Nations.

Toulouse started the stronger and stormed into an eight-point lead. Jaminet despatched the first of his five penalties in the second minute, and things got even better for the hosts five minutes later when their Argentina wing Juan Cruz Mallia got past Shane Daly to cross in the right corner.

Jaminet pushed his touchline conversion inches wide of the far upright, but he was back on target in the 11th minute to make it 11-0.

Munster turned the game around with tries from John Hodnett and Tadhg Beirne either side of half-time, but Joey Carberry missed both conversions to limit their advantage.

The lead was exchanged as both sides took advantage of penalties, but Jaminet struck twice more to seal victory for the hosts.

Round of 16 draw

Leinster vs Ulster

Exeter vs Montpellier

Sharks vs Munster

Saracens vs Ospreys

Leicester vs Edinburgh

Stormers vs Harlequins

Toulouse vs Bulls

La Rochelle vs Gloucester

Ties to be played between March 31 and April 2

Amid annual losses averaging £4m per Premiership club, DCMS committee said: “The demise during the season of two Premiership clubs is a stain on the reputation of the RFU and PRL. It is not indicative of a healthy professional set-up. The financial situation is clearly unsustainable”

MPs have warned the financial situation of Gallagher Premiership clubs is “clearly unsustainable” in a damning report on issues facing the professional game in England.

The demise of former top-flight clubs Wasps and Worcester earlier this season has been described as a “stain on the reputation” of the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney and his Premiership Rugby counterpart Simon Massie-Taylor held a “very complacent belief” that plans to increase revenues and improve collaboration would solve existing financial problems amid annual losses averaging around £4m per club.

Sweeney and Massie-Taylor appeared in front of the select committee in November after Wasps and Worcester had entered administration – a fate which resulted in both clubs losing their Premiership status amid many job losses.

The committee concluded that poor oversight from rugby union’s governing bodies contributed to Wasps and Worcester collapsing, and criticised “a lack of safeguards in place at the highest levels of the game” to help prevent such issues.

“At Wasps, a disastrous and ill-thought-through relocation to Coventry, and the debt incurred to fund this, crippled the club financially,” the report read.

“At Worcester Warriors, unscrupulous owners mismanaged club finances while attempting to strip the club of its assets. One of the most striking facets of the problems at Worcester Warriors was the lack of due diligence undertaken regarding its owners, particularly Colin Goldring.”

The committee’s conclusions and recommendations include that when the RFU publishes its next annual report, the governing body writes to the committee with “a detailed commentary of its financial position and what steps it will be taking to prevent further clubs collapsing”.

The committee added: “The demise during the playing season of two Premiership clubs is a stain on the reputation of the RFU and PRL. It is not indicative of a healthy professional set-up.

Worcester Warriors and Wasps went into administration and suffered relegation within weeks

“We welcome the planned reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future, but such alarming circumstances should not have been required in order for the RFU and PRL to realise the necessity of these reforms.

“The financial situation of Premiership clubs is clearly unsustainable, and we are surprised by the very complacent belief of Bill Sweeney and Simon Massie-Taylor that further growth in club revenues will solve these problems.”

On player welfare, MPs say the introduction of a benevolent fund is a “pressing need”, and that the RFU should adopt measures giving players a stronger say in all matters relating to their welfare.

Damian Green MP, acting chair of the committee, said: “Club rugby at the top of the game is in disarray.

“Inert leadership from the RFU and PRL has allowed mismanagement to collapse two of English rugby’s top teams. Thousands of loyal fans have been deprived of their clubs and hundreds of jobs have been lost.

MP Julian Knight previously accused RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney as being asleep on the job, for failing to keep clubs like Worcester and Wasps alive

“We welcome the raft of changes announced by the PRL and RFU. Better safeguards and a stronger owners’ and directors’ test are desperately needed. But it’s incredibly disappointing that two clubs had to collapse for the rugby governing bodies to act.

“More worryingly, the root of the problem remains. Rugby clubs are still spiralling into debt and the RFU and PRL’s current revenue-boosting plans haven’t done enough in the past and are unlikely to make a difference going forward.

“With its upcoming annual report, the RFU must demonstrate to the committee how it will protect the rest of the league from financial ruin.”

In response to the committee’s report, the RFU and Premiership Rugby issued a joint statement.

“Professional rugby clubs are independent, individually managed businesses,” they said.

“However, it’s clear that the pandemic and economic environment has further exposed the fragility in the professional system. Together, we are working hard to address these issues and create a sustainable league.

“Whilst commercial growth will be important, there is equally a major focus on financial monitoring and management, as well as improving governance and some of the other foundational elements which are important to attract future investment in the club game.

“Plans are already in place for a financial monitoring panel where we are conducting a third-party financial review of all clubs and will aim to announce an independent chair in due course.

“Player welfare is an absolute priority for all rugby stakeholders, and players are represented on the Professional Game Board, the RFU Council and player welfare committees.”

Wasps and Worcester Warriors hoping to conclude sales of clubs and take their spots in the Championship next season; teams were given December 12 deadline but that date is “flexible” says RFU spokesperson with another update expected before Christmas

The deadline for Wasps and Worcester Warriors to agree sales of the clubs and take their places in the Championship next season is “flexible”, a Rugby Football Union spokesperson has told Sky Sports News, with a further update expected before Christmas.

Wasps and Worcester had initially been given a date of December 12 for deals to be concluded.

Both clubs were relegated from the Premiership in October after entering administration and their appeals to have that decision overturned were rejected.

Now they are targeting competing in the second tier in 2022-23 with the RFU saying they “continue to work collaboratively with the prospective owners as we undertake full due diligence”.

Sky Sports News’ James Cole said: “The RFU will be desperate not to repeat what happened at Worcester where owners [Jason] Whittingham and [Colin] Goldring passed the fit and proper persons test only to then, in the words of Julian Knight MP, run the club into the ground.

“It is not a definitive update from the RFU but it is a positive one and suggests that things are moving in the right direction.

“They say they will have a final decision on whether Worcester and Wasps can compete in the Championship next season before Christmas.”

Wasps and Worcester went into administration 13 days apart in October, with both clubs subsequently relegated and suspended from the Premiership amid searches for new owners; both clubs made ‘No Fault Insolvency’ applications, which if upheld would have overturned their relegation

Wasps and Worcester have had their attempts to overturn their automatic relegation from the Premiership rejected by the Rugby Football Union, after the clubs were deemed to be at fault for their financial collapse.

The two clubs went into administration 13 days apart in October, with both subsequently relegated and suspended from English rugby’s top flight amid searches for new owners.

The administrators for both clubs submitted ‘No Fault Insolvency’ applications, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as their primary reason for entering administration, which if upheld would have enabled them to maintain their Premiership status.

However, the RFU’s Club Financial Viability Group found that Wasps submitted “insufficient evidence” to prove there had been no fault by the club, while Worcester’s “business model” was cited as a key reason for the rejection of their application.

Both clubs have a right of appeal to an independent panel, while the RFU reiterated a December 12 deadline for the sale of each team to be completed, in order to allow them to take up places in the Championship for the 2023-24 season.

More to follow…

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“I feel sad for him [Woodward]. If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do. After this, I want to do something really meaningful. I’ve enjoyed England, it was a bit of a rescue job, now rebuilding. I will leave things in good shape” – Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones has hit back at “sad” critic Sir Clive Woodward and insisted he will leave England “in good shape” when he eventually departs.

Jones is under pressure after he watched his side conclude a dismal Autumn Nations series with a 27-13 loss to South Africa, who were without their European-based players but still inflicted a sixth defeat of 2022 on their hosts at Twickenham.

It completed the nation’s worst year since 2008 and the Rugby Football Union is now conducting a review, which will inevitably decide if Jones continues until next year’s World Cup.

Sir Clive Woodward, England’s World Cup winning coach in 2003, has been one of Jones’ fiercest critics

RFU chief Bill Sweeney admitted “results are not where we expect them to be” and Woodward, the man in charge for England’s solitary World Cup win 19 years ago, was yet again fierce in his criticism of Jones on Sunday.

He labelled rugby in England as a “shambles,” insisting the weekend defeat was “one of the most depressing games I’ve seen at HQ.”

Woodward went further on Monday, stating Jones should be sacked as England head coach if they lose their next Test vs Scotland, after the “worst week in English rugby history.”

“I feel sad for him [Woodward]. If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do,” Jones, who had already agreed to step down after the 2023 World Cup in France, told Men’s Health UK.

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Former England captain Chris Robshaw has backed Jones to remain in charge

“I’m 62 now and I think in pure coaching terms I am coaching better than I ever have. Results aren’t always perfect, but I’m happy with how I have been coaching.

“After this, I want to do something really meaningful. I’ve enjoyed England a lot, it was a bit of a rescue job at the start, now rebuilding, and I am confident I will leave things in good shape.”

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Jones told media post-defeat to South Africa he feels his squad is making progress as they head into a World Cup year

England were booed off at Twickenham after defeat to the Springboks, which meant their record for 2022 finished at five wins, one draw and six losses.

Scotland, Ireland, France, Australia, Argentina and South Africa have all beaten the World Cup runners-up during the past 12 months but Jones believes they can still be a force at next year’s tournament.

Jones’ England lost to Argentina and South Africa this autumn and drew with New Zealand, beating only Japan

Currently the fifth favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, England will avoid the frontrunners until the semi-final stage with one of Australia, Wales or Fiji a probable last-eight opponent in France.

Jones added: “If this was the Cheltenham Gold Cup, there’s a pack of four out front – France, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand – and we are fifth, right behind them, right on the rails.

“A good position, provided we keep improving. Australia are there or thereabouts with us. It’s going to be the closest World Cup ever. France and Ireland are the in-form teams right now, but things will change.”

England finished their autumn series by losing 27-13 to 14-man South Africa; Eddie Jones said he ‘doesn’t care what people think’ after his side posted a seventh Test without victory this calendar year

Eddie Jones has been told that England’s performance this autumn has fallen below expectations as the head coach accepts he faces an “uncomfortable” review.

Over the next fortnight the Rugby Football Union is to investigate a dismal campaign that reached its nadir with Saturday’s conclusive 27-13 defeat by South Africa, who claimed a first win at Twickenham since 2014.

A rout that was greeted with boos at the final whistle completed England’s worst year since 2008, comprising of six losses, five wins and a draw.

It places Jones’ future back in doubt with the review panel to examine “how improvements can be made ahead of the Six Nations” amid an acknowledgement from the RFU that the team have underperformed.

“We would like to thank England fans for their patience and support, it matters to us how they feel,” chief executive Bill Sweeney said.

Eddie Jones and England have completed their worst year since 2008

“Like them we are really disappointed with the results of the Autumn Nations Series.

“Despite strong individual performances and some great new talent coming into the team, the overall results are not where we expect them to be.”

On top of explaining why England barely fired a shot against the Springboks, Jones must also account for a first defeat by Argentina since 2008 and a 25-25 draw with New Zealand that was made possible by a dramatic late comeback.

The only success this month was against a disappointing Japan, who were put to the sword 52-13.

“The reviews are always uncomfortable when you’re not winning. I haven’t found the review comfortable when you’re not winning,” Jones said.

“I’m sure the fans have doubts and feel that I don’t know how to coach, but it’s a progression to the World Cup and we have our ups and downs.

“We want to be stronger in the Six Nations and put ourselves in the position where we’re fourth or fifth going into the World Cup, ready to go.

“I’ve got a plan for how England can win the World Cup, but it doesn’t go in a perfect line.

“Sometimes you need these games to make you understand the areas which need to be bolstered.

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England captain Owen Farrell says the squad are hurting after defeat to South Africa at Twickenham but says the players will put the good work they have done to use as they prepare for the Six Nations in February.

“We’re not off track. You have days like against South Africa. I’ve had worse days than that.

“We felt really confident going into the game. We knew where South Africa were coming, but on the day we weren’t good enough to win those areas.”

Jones blamed the Springboks defeat on his side’s scrummaging issues, adding that he has “grave concerns about how the scrum was refereed”, without expanding on what those were.

England’s defeat was greeted with boos at the final whistle

Since 2019 the RFU has conducted a review after every block of fixtures but declined to reveal who sits on the panel beyond that it includes “board and executive members along with independent, former players and coaches”.

However, in a departure from the unequivocal backing offered to Jones when the 2022 Six Nations ended in three defeats for the third time in five years, there was no mention of support for England’s head coach this time.

While he faces renewed scrutiny, Jones has been well backed by Sweeney in the past and is not expected to be sacked.

His eight-year reign ends after the 2023 World Cup with the RFU hoping to name his successor in May having reportedly drawn up a three-strong shortlist consisting of Steve Borthwick, Ronan O’Gara and Scott Robertson.

Sir Clive Woodward has led the criticism following the crushing defeat by South Africa, declaring that the result completed the “worst week in English rugby history” and that the game in this country is a “total shambles”.

Sale reel in league leaders Saracens with narrow victory over Bristol, helped by Jean-Luc de Preez’s second-half try and brother Rob’s conversion and earlier penalty; visitors held lead at half-time and started second half well

Sale Sharks’ fine start to the Gallagher Premiership season continued with a resilient 25-20 victory over Bristol Bears at the AJ Bell Stadium.

A competitive first half saw momentum swing both ways, though Bristol rallied to hold a two-point advantage at the interval, largely thanks to Piers O’Conor’s two converted tries.

Yet Jean-Luc du Preez’s second-half try, coupled with his brother Rob’s conversion and earlier penalty, powered the hosts to a seventh win of the season.

Bristol got off to a lively start with their first attack from the opening kick, but failed to capitalise on O’Conor’s driving run, yet they remained largely under the cosh for the opening stages of the game as Sale drove to apply pressure inside the Bears’ 22.

Tom Roebuck had a try disallowed in the seventh minute but after three Sale mauls, the hosts broke the deadlock nine minutes in as Rob du Preez skipped in for the opening try.

However, on Bears’ second attack, O’Conor found space on the right wing and broke free to bring the scores level, thanks to Callum Sheedy providing the extras.

Sale were quick to respond in the 23rd minute when Roebuck followed a Rob du Preez kick and touched down after snatching the ball in the air from Charles Piutau. Rob du Preez made no mistake with the conversion.

Rob du Preez then edged his side further ahead with a penalty as momentum swung Sale’s way, but after some sloppy play, Bristol’s Luke Morahan broke to the try-line and, despite being tackled, the ball was sprayed to O’Conor who had an easy run-in for his second.

And Bristol went into half-time with a two-point advantage after AJ MacGinty sent over a penalty in the closing seconds.

Bristol emerged from the break asking questions of Sale inside their 22 and won a penalty after an advantage was played, with former Shark MacGinty kicking between the posts again in the 47th minute.

But Sale responded with a penalty of their own two minutes later as Rob du Preez opted for and sent a long-range effort soaring over.

It remained tense as Bristol looked to extend their lead with an attacking vigour that boxed Sharks into their own half, but as the final quarter approached, it was Sharks’ turn to charge at Bristol’s defensive line.

In the 68th minute, a Sale maul drove over the line where the TMO eventually awarded Jean-Luc du Preez a try to swing the scores in Sharks’ favour.

Alex Sanderson’s side refused to let Bristol through in the 75th minute as their stubborn defensive guard pushed the visitors into touch in the in-goal area.

Sharks’ hard-fought win reels in league leaders Saracens while the 10th-placed Bears fell to their sixth loss on the bounce – their worst run of form in the Premiership since 2017.

“The game in Wales needs the biggest reform in its history if there are not to be repeats of the unacceptable defeat by Georgia. This situation has been brewing for some time. The system is not working. The whole thing needs to be wiped clean. Sadly, I know it won’t happen” – Warburton

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has shared his thoughts and fears for the future of Welsh rugby, saying it needs the “biggest reform in history.”

Writing for The Times on Wednesday, Warburton spoke in the wake of Wales’ embarrassing 13-12 defeat to Georgia in Cardiff – a first loss to Los Lelos.

The loss meant Wales have suffered defeats at home to Italy and Georgia in the same year, while also having lost to Ireland, England, France, South Africa (twice) and New Zealand in 2022.

Indeed, their only wins have come against Scotland, Argentina and a much-changed South Africa in the second of their three-Test July series, live on Sky Sports.

The poor year under head coach Wayne Pivac, which saw them finish fifth in the Six Nations, also comes after a 2020 season which saw them lose seven of 10 Tests, beating only Italy (twice) and Georgia, finishing fifth in the Six Nations as well.

“The game in Wales needs the biggest reform in its history if there are not to be repeats of the unacceptable defeat by Georgia last Saturday,” Warburton said.

Wales have lost at home to Italy and Georgia in Cardiff in 2022

“This situation has been brewing for some time both on and off the field. The system is just not working. The whole thing needs to be wiped clean and a fresh start made. Sadly, I know it won’t happen. I know I will say these things and we will be in the same situation in 12 months.

“I genuinely want the best for Welsh rugby. I am a Cardiff boy but if the Scarlets ended up winning the European Cup I would be over the moon. It would be amazing for Welsh rugby. I want everyone in Wales to succeed.

“I would never let any bias towards Cardiff hinder my decision-making and that, unfortunately, is one of the problems in Welsh rugby: there is too much parochialism.

“And the amateur game still has way too much say. Of the 12 directors on the Welsh Rugby Union’s board, there are eight community members. That is like having eight people on the board of a company that are contributing to just one part of the business. It’s just way too many.

Warburton won two Six Nations titles with Wales in 2012 and 2013

“There should be one community member on that board. The community game is hugely important, of course it is, and most of the people involved are well-intentioned, but it should not have eight representatives on the board of a company with a turnover of £100m. It is farcical.

“It is a governance structure that is stuck in the Stone Age. Unless that changes, very little else will change.”

‘It’s such a mess…I really do fear for Wales over the next five years’

In addition to problems in governance, Warburton pointed out how player pathways, funding disputes between the four regions – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets – and the WRU, and lack of playing depth at senior level also point to a bleak future.

Only twice in the professional era (1995, 2010) have Wales had a worst winning percentage than this year

He added: “It is such a mess. There is little trust on either side. I don’t think the WRU trust the regions with their money and then the regions don’t want to be owned by the WRU because their governance is so old fashioned and they do not trust their decisions.

Wales coach Wayne Pivac is under pressure after a run of just three wins in 11 games in 2022

“I really do fear for Wales in the next five years. They are simply not going to have the pool of players to compete, especially once the core of experienced players retire.”

Warburton says he ‘fears for Wales over the next five years’

Calls for ‘a brutally honest review’

Speaking as a pundit on Amazon Prime post-Wales’ defeat to Georgia, Warburton pondered “underlying issues” and questioned “why aren’t the players motivated and desperate?”

The 34-year-old, who picked up 74 caps for Wales between 2009 and 2017 before retiring injured, says drastic change needs to occur, and it needs to start with an immediate review.

Warburton was a coach with Wales under Pivac between November 2019 and October 2020, before stepping away

“There needs to be a very honest review now. If I was in charge at the WRU – and believe me, I am not touting for a job – I would be going around to speak to everyone in the Wales set-up and at the regions,” he said.

“I would be saying: ‘Anonymously, please tell me everything that is good and bad.’ It needs to be brutal across the board to find the answers.”

The former back-row captained the British and Irish Lions on two tours: Australia 2013, New Zealand 2017

Sky Sports has contacted the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) for comment regarding Warburton’s claims and statements

Worcester’s debts include £16.1m in Government loans from the Covid Sports Survival plan, over £5.8m to ticket holders, suppliers, businesses and banks connected to the club, £2.1m in unpaid taxes to HMRC, £6.8m in payroll and over £2m to former owners

A detailed report by administrators Begbies Traynor has revealed full Worcester Warriors debts total more than £30m, as the relegated Premiership club continue to seek a new buyer. 

Former Worcester CEO Jim O’Toole is in pole position to complete a takeover, with the report sent to the club’s creditors revealing O’Toole and James Sandford’s consortium paid a £500,000 deposit to be able to negotiate exclusively until the end of November.

The report also states that former Warriors owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring claim they are still owed over £2m by the club.

Other findings show that O’Toole and Sandford’s consortium have already invested more than £1m in the club, and paid off a £634,000 loan taken on land at Sixways taken by the previous owners.

WRFC Players Ltd – the company which held the contracts of Worcester Warriors’ players and some staff – was liquidated in the High Court.

WRFC Players Ltd – the company which held the contracts of Worcester Warriors’ players and some staff – was liquidated in the High Court

The winding-up petition heard concerned an unpaid tax bill of approximately £6m, and the result saw the contracts of Worcester’s players immediately terminated.

Worcester then had their suspension from the rest of the Gallagher Premiership season and enforced relegation to the Championship confirmed by the RFU.

Former owners Goldring and Whittingham were also disqualified as company directors for 12 months following a court hearing in Cardiff in October for failing to file accounts for the financial year to 28 February 2021.

In the latest report, Begbies Traynor confirm the club owe the Government £16.1m in loans from the Covid Sports Survival plan, and still owe £2.1m in unpaid taxes to HMRC.

Worcester and Wasps both entered administration and were relegated from the Premiership within a fortnight of each other

Ticket holders, suppliers, businesses and banks connected to the club are also owed more than £5.8m, while WRFC Players Ltd owed £6.8m prior to being wound up.

The administrators have also confirmed that even if the entirety of Worcester’s remaining assets were sold, the prospective funds raised would not be enough to pay off the existing debts.

Joint-administrator Palmer said in the report that money owed to the HMRC is “highly likely” to be repaid, while the debt owed to the Government would be taken on by a future buyer.

Jack van Poortvliet adds that England will be tuning in to support the Red Roses as they face New Zealand in the World Cup Final on Saturday morning.

Jack van Poortvliet insists England aim to play with freedom when they evoke the spirit of their summer tour to Australia to revive their autumn.

Eddie Jones’ side host Japan at Twickenham on Saturday with the goal of delivering an immediate response after falling 30-29 to Argentina, their first loss to the Pumas since 2009.

Knowing they are on the back foot with New Zealand and South Africa next up in the Autumn Nations Series, they have used their experiences Down Under in July as inspiration.

The tour ended with a 2-1 series victory but only once England had recovered from collapsing to defeat in the opener by producing an emphatic high-octane victory in Brisbane that had shades of the 2019 World Cup.

Van Poortvliet, the 21-year-old rookie who has replaced Leicester team-mate Ben Youngs at scrum-half, believes a fast start will help address any hesitancy.

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Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet says the men’s rugby team are ‘incredibly proud’ of the Red Roses and that they will be tuning in to watch as they take on New Zealand in the World Cup Final.

“There has been an appreciation of the common things in both first Tests – the one against Argentina last weekend and the one against Australia. We have spoken about them and addressed them,” Van Poortvliet said.

“We have a clear focus. We want to free ourselves up, play with real excitement and make sure we are not overthinking things. We want to be excited by the challenge.

“To free yourself up you have got to be on the front foot and our challenge is how can we get on the front foot early.

“It’s a mindset and for us we want to hit the ground running and bring that real physicality and aggression.”

England’s attack failed to ignite against Argentina, a recurring shortcoming that is in urgent need of fixing with the World Cup only 12 Tests away.

Attack coach Martin Gleeson insists the greatest concern was not finishing off the chances created and rejected the notion that players operate in a straitjacket of pre-programmed instructions.

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Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet says England’s defeat against Argentina didn’t ‘tarnish’ his debut.

“We want to attack better this week and be a little more direct, and then when the opportunities come out wide we want to take them,” Gleeson said.

“The pleasing thing is we are getting in those areas and we are causing teams problems. It’s just that last little bit of the puzzle that we’re working on.

“We’re working hard on that and I don’t think we’re too far away. The more the players play together and the more experienced they are, the better we will get.

“No one ever speaks about errors here, no one ever speaks about making mistakes. We want to be as aggressive as we can with our attack. No one says otherwise, there’s a bit of a preconception about that.

“We want the boys to play what they see and be as aggressive and full of intent as they can be.

“Of course they can go off script. We want to play a certain way, which is what we’re building from the summer, but if players see something they’ve got to take it – we want to take it.”