The Ruck

England absolutely dismantled Fiji 73-8 to return to winning ways on the second weekend of the Nations Championship.

Fiji were ill disciplined and lacking accuracy as Steve Borthwick's side put them to the sword.

From Merseyside Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher reflect on a bizarre and messy match. They ask what can England take away from the victory given that Fiji were so poor? Does this ease the pressure on Steve Borthwick? Or is the real test how they get on next week against Argentina?

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It's the second round of the Nations Championship with England taking on Fiji in Liverpool.

How much pressure are Steve Borthwick's team under after their defeat to South Africa?

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher look ahead to the match and focus on the growing frustration among England fans. They chat about the need for both a result and a performance against a very dangerous Fijian side. Plus, could the success of the England football team at the World Cup distract attention from the under-pressure head coach?

They also ask why there is such a disconnect between how the team views its performances and how the supporters view them.

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The opening weekend of the Nations Championship produced some brilliant matches!

Alfie Reynolds, Stuart Barnes and Elgan Alderman look back on all the action, including a tight victory for New Zealand against France, an important win for Wales versus Fiji and Scotland beating Argentina away.

Peter O'Reilly chats about Ireland's narrow win against Australia where the hosts missed a penalty kick on the last play to win it. Plus, the boys ask how much pressure England and Steve Borthwick are under after they were hammered by South Africa? Barnsey explains why he's made the drastic suggestion that Henry Pollock should be made England captain.

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England's opening match in the Nations Championship saw them hammered 45-21 by South Africa at Ellis Park.

From the stadium Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan reflect on the match. They ask how much pressure this piles onto England ahead of games against Fiji and Argentina? What does it mean for Steve Borthwick? And, can anyone stop the Springboks winning a third straight World Cup next year?

Nobody expected England to win, but even so, how alarming was the performance? Did the way they rallied at the end of the second half do enough to ease concerns?

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What are the odds that England beat South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday?

From South Africa, Will Kelleher is joined by Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan to look ahead to England’s massive opening clash in the Nations Championship at Ellis Park. The panel debates whether Steve Borthwick's side can pull off a monumental upset on South African soil. Is this team stronger than anything they selected in the 6 Nations? How will Henry Pollock perform as he faces the Springboks for the first time? And, how will England play, following their dismal 6 Nations?

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The inaugural Nations Championship starts this weekend but does rugby need it? Do fans even know or care what it is?

Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan are in South Africa ahead of England's match in Johannesburg on Saturday. They ask whether the re-vamped format will be successful or if it will struggle to breakthrough during a busy summer of sport.

Could it be a good thing long term? Or is it an unnecessary innovation?

They also look ahead to the opening weekend of fixtures and discuss the incredibly strong Springboks team named on Monday morning by Rassie Erasmus.

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Northampton Saints are the champions of England!

They beat Exeter Chiefs 26-17 in the final to be crowned champions for the second time in three years.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan look back on the match and ask what does it mean for Northampton? Does this cement them as the latest dynasty in English rugby?

Will Exeter be able to bounce back from this defeat? And, why is it that the Prem final always delivers such a great occasion?

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Northampton Saints will play Exeter Chiefs in the Prem final on Saturday.

Alfie and Will are at Sandy Park in Devon as they look ahead to the match and chat to Exeter's Director of Rugby Rob Baxter and winger Olly Woodburn.

They discuss whether Northampton Saints will win a second title in three years or whether Exeter are about to finish a remarkable run to the title.

Baxter chats about his pride in getting the club back to the final and what they have learnt from their previous trips to Twickenham. Whilst Olly Woodburn discusses last minute drop goals and celebratory ski goggles.

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Northampton will face Exeter in the Prem final!

Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher join Alfie Reynolds to look back on the semi-final weekend which produced two excellent matches as Northampton beat rivals Leicester and Exeter produced a comeback to win away against Bath.

Despite all their success under Rob Baxter, was this one of Exeter's great days? They became only the 7th team in Prem history to win away from home in a semi-final.

Have they played their final already? Or can they produce another remarkable result?

Northampton will look to cement themselves as the dominant side in England when they make the trip to Twickenham next weekend. How impressive is it for them to be back in the final again?

Plus, could Maro Itoje really miss England's matches this summer?

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The Prem rugby semi-final line-up is confirmed: Northampton hosts rivals Leicester and Bath play Exeter.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan preview the semi-finals and ask is this the hardest season to predict who will make the final?

Could an away side get a rare victory?

They also discuss the teams near the bottom of the league. Who had the most disappointing campaign? And who has reasons to be optimistic?

Plus, Andy Farrell has signed a contract extension to remain Ireland head coach until 2031. How big a blow is that to England and the RFU? And what does it say about the appeal of the England head coach job?

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