Opinion
Champions Cup: And then there were eight...
English anticipation was muted but once again, it is French and Irish representation that dominates the business end of the Champi…
Graham Simmons
07 Apr 2025, 7:08
1
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Contributors
Graham Simmons
Graham is now a rugby coach but for 25 years he was Sky Sports' rugby union reporter, working on Lions' Tours, England Internationals at home and abroad, the Heineken Cup, the Top 14, the Premiership and the Pro 14. He also spent a decade broadcasting for Sky from Ryder Cups, US Opens and USPGAs.
Opinion
2025 Lions' selection: An idiot's guide
Andy Farrell's coaching team will be announced this week and every fan is compiling their perfect squads, Lions fever is upon us
Graham Simmons
22 Mar 2025, 1:49
18
Opinion
Underpants, duvet covers and Louis Bielle-Biarrey
LBB as he's known in France is a superstar-in-waiting and his genius will help those longing for the return of Antoine Dupont bear…
Graham Simmons
17 Mar 2025, 7:16
4
Opinion
Graham Simmons: 'Stick a fork in the 2025 Six Nations. It’s done.’
Ireland's grand hopes of a three-peat are blown to smithereens after French show of shock and awe in Dublin
Graham Simmons
10 Mar 2025, 8:07
4
Opinion
The immovable object and the irresistible force
All roads lead to Dublin this weekend as France attempt to blur Ireland's copybook and deprive them of a precious Grand Slam
Graham Simmons
03 Mar 2025, 7:04
11
Opinion
Regrets, a renaissance and a rout
Round Three of the Six Nations delivered in spades as Wales looked reborn, France put on a show and England laboured to an unlikel…
Graham Simmons
24 Feb 2025, 9:54
7
Opinion
Six Nations: Rivalries and realities in round three
The storied tournament is reaching the meaty middle with three thundering clashes bound to deliver drama in spades
Graham Simmons
19 Feb 2025, 3:33
7
Opinion
'Answering intractable Irish Question will befuddle better teams than Scotland'
With 10 points in the bag already, and an historic three-peat on offer, this Six Nations is Ireland's to lose.
Graham Simmons
10 Feb 2025, 7:19
4
Opinion
Is Antoine Dupont the best in the world or simply out of this world?
England wing Tommy Freeman described Antoine Dupont as 'human' but his peerless performances suggest he's otherworldly
Graham Simmons
06 Feb 2025, 2:57
40
Opinion
With terrestrial TV under pressure how did the pundits fare on the opening weekend of the Six Nations?
All eyes were on the players this weekend but the jostling amongst pundits for top drawer billing was just as thrilling
Graham Simmons
03 Feb 2025, 4:28
4
Opinion
Are we witnessing the long farewell of the Six Nations on terrestrial TV?
The revered tournament is back for its 142nd year and future of its TV coverage is top of the agenda amongst fans
Graham Simmons
28 Jan 2025, 0:51
9
Opinion
Are Leinster set for the yellow brick road to Cardiff and Champions Cup glory?
The Champions Cup is much maligned but it threw up a scintillating final pool stage to set-up some tantalising knockout fixtures
Graham Simmons
20 Jan 2025, 8:36
11
Opinion
Whisper it, but are Scotland dark horses for the Six Nations?
Ireland and France are expected to tear into each other for tournament glory but Scotland are quietly building up a head of steam
Graham Simmons
16 Jan 2025, 1:52
17
Opinion
Four horsemen...and an apocalypse?
The usual suspects are showing their dominance early on in the Champions Cup which has a new broadcaster and is looking for direct…
Graham Simmons
11 Dec 2024, 13:12
3
Opinion
England and their Chief problem
Steve Borthwick needs to trust his star fly-half, find a scrum and sort out a disjointed defence if he is to beat the World Champs
Graham Simmons
14 Nov 2024, 0:46
13
Opinion
Now We Are Six
So long the whipping boys, in its 25th edition, Italy finally joined the Six Nations party and they will now hope to kick on and p…
Graham Simmons
18 Mar 2024, 4:59
6
Opinion
The Last Chance Saloon
The final furlong is in sight and every nation will be stretching every sinew in order to depart this Six Nations with a pocketful…
Graham Simmons
13 Mar 2024, 3:23
Opinion
We need to talk about Steve...
The England head coach is 19 Tests into his tenure and there are still doubts over his suitability to the role, with patience wear…
Graham Simmons
04 Mar 2024, 9:40
18
Opinion
The White Hole of Calcutta
Scotland, inspired by Duhan van der Merwe, are becoming a serious problem for England, after another tub-thumping victory
Graham Simmons
26 Feb 2024, 1:47
11
Analysis
The Bluffer's Guide to the Six Nations
If you've spotted rugby on Netflix and fancy blending in with the fanatics, this rundown is for you...probably
Graham Simmons
21 Feb 2024, 0:38
8