The Rugby World Cup: A Year Out

The World Cup is getting closer and closer. This time next year the preparations will be done all competing nations will be in the midst of the World Cup warm up games. The organisation of the event is already well underway and last week the first promotional video was released for the World Cup, we’re that close.

So a year out from the biggest event in rugby what shape are the competing nations in and what can we expect from the home nations?

Preview to the Guinness Pro12

It is a new era for the Pro12; Guinness has come on board to take the competition forward. The competition now has an added European qualification element. This can only make the league more entertaining and a better product going forward. The league also has the SKY factor this year. The Pro12 has been signed to be on SKY Sports this year. Some traditionalists may believe that this is a bad move and the league should be kept on terrestrial television. However, the extra income to the league and the glossy presentation that SKY provides can only help the Pro12 as a product.

Guinness provide the big name sponsor the league needed

Interview with Ebbw Vale Head Coach Jason Strange

Ebbw Vale are the new kids on the block in the Welsh Premiership this season. The Gwent men, who have dominated the Championship for the last few years, were finally granted entry to the Welsh Premiership at the end of last season. The top league had been ring-fenced for two years but was finally reopened to promotion and relegation, with the Eugene Cross Park outfit returning to the top flight. Ebbw Vale were led back to the top by Head Coach, Jason Strange. The former outside-half has a strong link to the club, having started his career at Ebbw Vale as an 18-year-old. His career has come full circle, via Bristol and Leeds Carnegie; he is now the boss at Eugene Cross Park and I had a chat to Strange ahead of the new season.

Ebbw Vale win a line out

Scarlets 32 - Ulster 32 Match Report

The season kicked-off with a great atmosphere at Parc Y Scarlets, as Irish giants Ulster came to town. They weren’t the only visitors, as Sky Sports made their presence known, broadcasting their first Pro12 fixture.

Is James Hook Still An Option For Wales

The biggest cheer of the day, when Wales played Scotland in the Six Nations this March, was not for a try, but instead for the appearance of one of Wales’ favourite sons. As James Hook ran out onto the Millennium Stadium turf there was a sense of frustration in the crowd that they had not seen more of the outside-half.

Teams for Super Rugby Qualifiers

Who will win the Super Rugby title this year?

The Brumbies face the Chiefs, while the Highlanders travel to Durban to play the Sharks.The winners will book themselves a place in the semi-final against  either the Waratahs or the Crusaders. At the business end of the season all these sides will give everything on Saturday. Find out the teams for Saturday's game below.

Guinness Pro12 Announced

The sponsorship of the Pro12 or has once again changed hands. In the recent times we have seen the Magners Celtic League and the last few seasons saw the Rabodirect Pro12. The Dutch bank never felt like a natural fit for the competition and Guinness feels a far more fitting sponsorship.

The new logo for the Guinness Pro12