The fall out from Scott Robertson’s sacking continued to be felt, when the man himself sent out a short, but clear message to a New Zealand media outlet.
The fall out from Scott Robertson’s sacking continued to be felt, when the man himself sent out a short, but clear message to a New Zealand media outlet.
South Africa attack coach Tony Brown also made his position clear, while Eddie Jones couldn’t help but air his thoughts on the matter.
Over in Wales, there is no end to the heartache as it emerged that Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had chosen Ospreys owners Y11as the preferred bidder to buy Cardiff. Cue anger and questions from Members of Parliament.
Then, two huge pieces of news emerged from north London, and another National Rugby League (NRL) star made the switch to union.
Back on the pitch Gallagher PREM Rugby played its 10th and final round before it closed for the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, but for the United Rugby Championship and Top 14, there will be another week of action.
Talking of the Six Nations, the initial squads were named with all the usual debate around who was, and who wasn’t in.
Here’s what’s made music to ATR’s ears this week…
“I am sure you understand my position.”
Scott Robertson keeps things close to his chest in a brief text to Stuff New Zealand:
“I’m obviously contracted. I don’t have an out of my contract, so I’m back in South Africa (until the Rugby World Cup).”
South Africa back coach Tony Brown isn’t heading home to New Zealand:
“We’ve spoken about the decline in New Zealand rugby since 2019, and their record against South Africa is less than 50 per cent. There’s an ongoing trend in New Zealand rugby of which Scott Robertson is not in control of. He could have arrested it, but there’s probably a talent issue starting to arise in New Zealand, which they need to look at from a more holistic point of view.”
Thanks Eddie Jones, we thought we’d be hearing from you:
It was a shock for that to happen, but he will bounce back. We all do. Every coach has been sacked, but he is that good that he will end up somewhere and will be successful. We have to remember he inherited a team post-World Cup that had more senior players leave than at any other time.
Bristol Bears DoR, Pat Lam knows how Robertson doesn’t feel like it’s the last we’ve heard of him:
“Anger would have definitely been one, I think (there was) frustration, confusion, probably a bit of fear in the room as well around the unknown. If you don’t know what’s going on, it can create a lot of anxiety.”
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones sums up the feeling around the Ospreys right now:
“We want to be in a position in that game to get what we all want to achieve. We want English fans flooding across the channel to get there and watch that game.”
Steve Borthwick, the hype man? Get ready for a royal rumble in Paris on the final Six Nations day:
“If I don’t do it now, I probably will never do it.”
Aussie Angus Chrichton explains his switch from league to union:
“He's not someone who gets worked up about it, but I still sensed he was affected. Not being in the 42 means a lot to him. He's still a great rugby player, but there's also a new generation coming up, and that will create healthy competition for him. I'm not worried; he'll be back soon.”
Mathieu Jalibert reckons we haven’t seen the end of Damien Penaud in the France squad:
“We're the third-ranked team, but at the moment, only Noah Néné has been called up to the French national team. For me, that's strange.”
Stade Francais coach Paul Gustard reckons his squad aren’t getting their due recognition:
“I’ve been here 17 years, and 17 years is a long time. It is a good time for a change for me and a good time for a change for the club. I’ve run my race, and it’s time for less stressful weekends.”
Mark McCall explains why he’s moving from Saracen’s Director of Rugby to technical adviser, with Brendan Venter returning to become DoR:
“We asked the boys to be brave and they were. They were brave and they’ve given hope to west Wales.”
Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies praises his players after beating Ulster:
“It’s one of those stadiums you love coming to. They’re brilliant and it is all in the spirit of rugby. It’s really good fun and I’m sure they’ll be disappointed with the result, but their boys did them proud today.”
Yes, Bath flanker Josh Bayliss, I’m sure those Gloucester fans in The Shed didn’t mean those naughty words:
“It was tough conditions to play in. Going home, it’s 35 degrees so coming here we had to play a bit of a different ball game.”
Bulls’ fullback Willie Le Roux doesn’t mind the Edinburgh chill when they’re winning:
“From working as a scaffolder in Port Talbot steelworks, to pulling on that famous red jersey. It's been a journey built on hard work, sacrifice and the support of so many people along the way.”
Wales’s Liam Williams says farewell to test rugby after 98 caps, but we doubt scaffolding will be in his future:
“I'm sure it seems early to be announcing this with another season to go, but I want to make sure I soak up every moment of my final season - I am more motivated than ever to finish my career at Saracens in a successful way.”
Retirement announcements are like buses; this time Jamie George puts us on standby for the end of 2026-27:
“The club signing Thomas Adelaïde will pay training compensation, which will allow RCT to strengthen its squad with a fully committed player eager to wear the red and black jersey with pride.”
Toulon aren’t taking Thomas Adelaïde’s sudden departure lying down:
“I want to go on England’s tour this year and hopefully get my first cap either in this Six Nations or in the summer.”
Saracens winger Noah Caluori reveals his aims for 2026:
“Devon was a place where I always felt happy and appreciated, which I know I will continue to be when I return.”
Anyone else thinking Georgia prop and Exeter Chiefs new boy Nika Abuladze is dreaming of those cream teas: