Mako Vunipola

Jamie George concludes that there is not a decision to make. He will play for England at the Six Nations.But to get to that point, you can see his dual loyalty to club and country being tested and this hulk of a hooker torn by the dilemma.Saracens, the club he grew up watching, are in…

TOKYO (AP) — The best quotes from the Rugby World Cup in Japan:“We’d consider Ireland a very welcoming country, but Japan takes that to a different level.”Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony.“I thought I was going to die with all the pressure.”Japan flyhalf Yu Tamura on the long buildup to their opening night win against Russia.“Performances over…

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I will always remember being sat on the bus back from the final in 2007, having also just lost to South Africa. Rob Andrew stood up and told us that we would never forget the pain of it. He was heading up the RFU at the time and knew how it felt himself being in…

Ripping off their medals. Standing arms crossed and scowling as the South Africans were presented with theirs.Failing to bow in unison by way of courteous farewell to the Japanese people who had bestowed upon them the privilege of playing on such a magnificent stage.Pointedly refusing to applaud the referee who they thereby had the brass…

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Siya Kolisi grabbed the Webb Ellis Cup, gave it a kiss and hoisted it high as fireworks exploded and his teammates — black and white — rejoiced behind him. A blowout victory in the Rugby World Cup final for the Springboks. Yet another transcendent moment for post-apartheid South Africa. Led by…

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — England’s team bus was held up in pre-match traffic, so the players arrived later than planned at the International Stadium in Yokohama for the Rugby World Cup final.Some will say they never really turned up at all.A week after delivering quite possibly the greatest win in its rugby history over the…

Martin Johnson believes Saracens' salary-cap breach should not get in the way of 'admirable' benefit to rugbySaracens were docked 35 points and fined £5.36m over salary cap breachesIt was ruled they had 'failed to disclose payments to players' above the ceiling But Martin Johnson pointed to the positive things they have done for rugby in UK By…

It seems far too soon for European rugby but it is upon us. That is the general unspoken consensus as the Irish provinces struggle to cope with mounting injury lists in the wake of the World Cup misadventure in Japan. Munster and Connacht are in particular bother with the western province facing a full-scale second…

England's Rugby World Cup hopes were crushed by South Africa in Yokohama, ending defeated 32-12. Eddie Jones' side struggled to get going and went into the break behind. Second-half tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe secured victory for the Springboks. Who rose to the occasion and who struggled on the biggest stage? Here Charlie…