Archive June 3, 2025

Next summer’s matches against Fiji, South Africa, and Argentina should set the tone for England’s first Nations Cup campaign.

Before trips to South Africa and Argentina, discussions are raging about playing the “away” game between Fiji and Argentina at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.

Before a grand final, England will then play Japan, Australia, and New Zealand in the fall.

Every two years, with the exception of years with a Rugby World Cup or a British and Irish Lions tour, will host the Nations Cup.

The BBC is still negotiating the England vs. Fiji game in Europe, with Twickenham a target, despite Nations Cup organizers insisting plans are still pending.

Each nation will play the six “other” teams in the summer and autumn, with three matches in July and three in November, despite the regular schedule for the Six Nations and Rugby Championship.

The winners will be announced after a finals weekend at the end of November, the matches in those windows will be combined into a table.

However, discussions are still raging about some teams playing one of their “home” games on empty ground to lessen travel.

Given the number of players who play in the northern hemisphere, it’s believed that Fiji are open to playing in Europe rather than facing South Africa or Argentina.

A big crowd would also be drawn to a Twickenham game to help with the costs.

“He’s an all-round lovely person and he’s very talented. He will be a manager one day because he’s just the right person to be a manager. “

Those kind and prescient words came from Delia Smith when Russell Martin parted ways with Norwich City in the summer of 2018.

Now the 39-year-old is looking for his fourth post as head coach and is reported to be the front-runner for the Rangers job as the club’s new American owners begin their reign.

One win in 16 and sacked before Christmas. It certainly doesn’t look great, but there’s more to Martin than a brief Premier League spell with Southampton last season.

His possession-based style took Southampton up via the play-offs a year ago – having been honed at MK Dons and Swansea City – and the former Scotland defender refused to compromise on his principles.

“To get to the Premier League and then change would be illogical,” he said after a narrow loss at Manchester City in October. “I cannot stand on the sidelines watching something I don’t feel connected with or love. I don’t see the point in that. “

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the visitors’ bravery on the ball that day, going on to suggest he could learn from Martin’s approach.

The methodology ultimately backfired with a squad lacking in Premier League experience and Martin was jettisoned.

Under Martin, MK Dons set a British record with a goal scored from a 56-pass move in March 2021.

In that same season, only Manchester City and Barcelona had a higher average possession percentage in Europe than the League One side.

It was the same at Swansea, lots of plaudits for the system but no prizes, making strides while winning less than 38% of his games at both clubs.

Former Ibrox forward Steven Naismith, who played with Martin for Scotland and Norwich City, reckons Rangers would flourish with such an approach.

“He’s got a clear style, a clear identity and that, for me, is massive,” the former Ibrox forward told BBC Sport Scotland.

“Rangers need someone who can understand what they want and can implement it. Russell has done that now at three clubs.

“Nine times out of 10 in Scotland, Rangers will play against teams sitting in, and it’s about breaking them down. I think the philosophy of Russell is all about that.

“He wants his team to have lots of possession, push the opposition deep and then hurt them. “

Martin has previous experience of Ibrox, having been on loan at Rangers for the second half of an underwhelming 2017-18 campaign.

He made 17 appearances, scoring once, as his playing career began to wind down.

“If you don’t understand the league, if you don’t understand the club, that part can get overlooked and it can cause you big problems,” said Naismith.

“Russell has experienced it, although it was brief.

Martin was 32 when he made the switch to Ibrox and did not add to his 29 Scotland caps, the first of which came as a late substitute in a 3-1 win over Wales in 2011.

That international debut came under Craig Levein, while Martin was a regular pick for Gordon Strachan, playing in the home and away wins against Croatia in 2013.

The Brighton-born central defender enjoyed his peak years at Carrow Road, making more than 300 appearances for Norwich.

There, he achieved back-to-back promotions from League One with Paul Lambert in charge. He was captain when they returned to the Premier League in 2015.

Martin also captained previous clubs Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United and his leadership qualities also impressed Naismith.

“Communication is one of his strongest points,” added the ex-Hearts boss. “He understands the highs and lows and what it takes to get the best out of a player. “

Former Swansea City striker Lee Trundle echoed those sentiments, telling BBC Sport Scotland that man-management is one of Martin’s main strengths.

“Everyone at Swansea loved playing for him. He’s honest with his players, he tells them what he needs,” he said.

“He’s very clever. I don’t think he has a plan A or a plan B, it’s just the way he sees football. He thinks that is how the game should be played and he sticks with it. “

Anyone who saw Martin play can attest to his steely competitiveness.

A gentle Sussex accent and impressive articulacy belie a turbulent upbringing, with his late father’s violence and gambling leading to upheaval.

Martin has spoken candidly of a complex relationship with his Scottish dad, who vacillated between doting and controlling and pushed him and his brothers hard as their first football coach.

“My whole world revolved around proving him wrong and making him proud,” he told The Times in November 2023.

He cleaned toilets before school and worked night shifts in a supermarket prior to his move into the professional ranks at the relatively late age of 18.

He also had to battle ulcerative colitis during his career, changing to a vegan diet to combat inflammation after experiments with acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies.

Would Martin be your choice as Rangers manager?