Hendy hat-trick helps Northampton to Champions Cup stroll against Bulls Ollie Sleightholme scored twice in Northampton’s 50-5 victory against the Pretoria Bulls in Pool 4 of the Champions Cup The Guardian - UK · Dec 14, 2025
Premiership 2024-25: Club-by-club guide and predictions for new season Northampton Saints begin as defending champions but eight or nine clubs could contend for the play-offs The Independent UK · Sep 17, 2024
French connections: the forces driving English rugby’s Top 14 exodus England internationals are flocking to France – and it’s a win-win situation for the players and the clubs The Guardian - UK · Mar 29, 2024
Lewis Ludlam closes in on Toulon move after confirming Northampton exit The 28-year-old England international, who will leave Northampton in the summer, said: ‘This has been an extremely tough decision for me’ The Guardian - UK · Feb 5, 2024
RFU must step up and pay best players to stay in England, insists Lawes The former England captain Courtney Lawes says the game’s authorities have to acknowledge that top-level rugby is a short career and players should be paid what they are worth The Guardian - UK · Dec 1, 2023
England player ratings vs Argentina: Sam Underhill back with a bang but Marcus Smith struggles in new role Tom Curry a class act after difficult week but it was a night of pure frustration for Henry Arundell Evening Standard · Oct 27, 2023
England player ratings vs Chile: Marcus Smith makes full-back statement with Henry Arundell razor sharp Steve Borthwick has a number of selection headaches to contend with after Saturday’s 11-try thrashing in Lille Evening Standard · Sep 23, 2023
Borthwick gives returning Owen Farrell England captaincy for rest of World Cup Owen Farrell will return as captain for the rest of England’s World Cup campaign with Steve Borthwick giving his clear backing to the fly-half The Guardian - UK · Sep 21, 2023
Lewis Ludlam urges booing fans to keep the faith after England’s win over Japan Early in the third quarter supporters groaned when Alex Mitchell booted the ball dead and the jeering grew in volume when the kicking continued. The Independent UK · Sep 18, 2023
Far from faultless but England do the business in bonus-point win over Japan After all the pre-tournament angst, England are almost there. The National (Scotland) · Sep 18, 2023
Steve Borthwick sticks boot into England critics as ‘winning is all that matters’ at Rugby World Cup England have vowed to stick to their kicking guns, despite fans booing the tactical approach in last night's 34-12 World Cup win over Japan. Evening Standard · Sep 18, 2023
England vs Japan player ratings: Ben Earl dominant as returning Billy Vunipola delivers smart cameo England made it two wins from two at the Rugby World Cup by seeing off Japan on Sunday evening. Evening Standard · Sep 17, 2023
England 34-12 Japan: Steve Borthwick’s side on course for Rugby World Cup quarter-finals but work to do Four tries eventually break down the Brave Blossoms to stay perfect in Pool D but it was a mostly scrappy display in Nice Evening Standard · Sep 17, 2023
England 34-12 Japan: player ratings from the Rugby World Cup Ben Earl impressed again for England but few in the backline were able to shine against a determined Japan side The Guardian - UK · Sep 17, 2023
The Independent UK · Sep 17, 2023 England battle to bonus-point victory in messy display against Japan Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, Freddie Steward and Joe Marchant all touched down as England eventually saw off their enterprising opponents in Nice.
The Independent UK · Sep 17, 2023 Joe Marler uses his head to spare England’s blushes after error-strewn performance against Japan England 34-12 Japan: England escaped with a bonus-point victory but late tries could not hide the flaws apparent
The Guardian - UK · Sep 17, 2023 England use lucky break to beat Japan but bonus-point win marred by boos Joe Marler inadvertently headed the ball, leading to Courtney Lawes scoring a try that broke Japan’s resistance as England won 34-12
The Independent UK · Sep 17, 2023 Is England vs Japan on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup Everything you need to know ahead of the Pool D fixture
The Independent UK · Sep 16, 2023 England have their smile back – but Japan could pose a problem in tonight’s Rugby World Cup clash The win over Argentina has lifted the mood in England camp as they prepare for their second pool fixture
The Guardian - UK · Sep 16, 2023 England’s World Cup evolution must continue against dangerous Japan After impressing in their opening victory over Argentina, Steve Borthwick’s men should now look to add silk to their steel
The Independent UK · Sep 15, 2023 Steve Borthwick says Lewis Ludlam is ‘the right person to start’ against Japan Ludlam has been rewarded for his defensive masterclass as a replacement in the 27-10 win over Argentina on Saturday.
The Independent UK · Sep 15, 2023 Lewis Ludlam replaces suspended Tom Curry as England make minimal changes for Japan There is a return for Kyle Sinckler in the front row, with loosehead Joe Marler also promoted to the starting side
The Independent UK · Sep 15, 2023 Lewis Ludlam gets nod ahead of Billy Vunipola to start for England against Japan Ludlam has been rewarded for his defensive masterclass as a replacement in the 27-10 rout of Argentina on Saturday.
Evening Standard · Sep 15, 2023 Kyle Sinckler to start as Billy Vunipola returns to England squad for Japan clash at Rugby World Cup Sinckler has recovered from a chest injury and is one of three changes from England’s opening win over Argentina
The Guardian - UK · Sep 15, 2023 Ludlam ‘the great energy giver’ gets nod ahead of Vunipola for Japan clash Lewis Ludlam has been picked to start England’s second World Cup match against Japan on Sunday in the absence of Tom Curry, with Billy Vunipola on the bench