Rugby in 2022 – Preview & Predictions
Rugby union fans have plenty to look forward to in 2022, with the calendar packed with a host of top-class events at domestic and international level.
The early part of the year will be dominated by the Six Nations, and demand for rugby live streams and video clips will be high throughout the tournament.
France are the favourites to lift the trophy after coming close in 2021, but we think there is better value to be had elsewhere.
Read on as we preview the 2022 Six Nations before taking a look at some of the other competitions worth following over the next 12 months.
England fancied to bounce back
While England ended 2021 with seven wins under the belt, their dismal performance in the Six Nations was tough for their fans to take.
Losing at home to Scotland for the first time since 1983 was bad enough, but defeats against Wales and Ireland compounded their misery.
The RFU have kept the faith with head coach Eddie Jones, but the pressure will be on when England take to the field in February.
Three wins out of three at Twickenham this autumn was a good way to recover, particularly their hard fought 27-26 victory over South Africa.
England achieved that win without some key players in their line-up and are fancied to continue their resurgence when the Six Nations gets underway.
Leicester on track for Premiership glory
Leicester Tigers have been in excellent form in the Gallagher Premiership, rattling off nine straight victories to move nine points clear at the top of the table.
Their improvement has been remarkable considering they ended last season in mid-table after winning just 11 of their 22 matches.
The club is buzzing after a difficult period, with season ticket sales back over 10,000 and the club selling out a fixture for the first time in three years.
Steve Borthwick has stamped his authority on the team, while Kevin Sinfield is proving to be an inspired addition to the coaching staff.
The 10-time English champions have not won the title since 2013, but they look well placed to end their drought this time around.
Leinster aiming to topple Toulouse
Five-time European champions Toulouse are strongly fancied to retain their title in 2022, but Leinster could be the value bet.
The Irish club have lifted the trophy on four previous occasions, but have gained a reputation for coming up short in big games over the past few years.
A lack of physicality was their Achilles heel, but their front row looks much more equipped to cope against the better teams.
With stars aplenty in the backline and plenty of depth on the bench, Leinster should be capable of making it all the way to the final.
Toulouse could well be their final opponents, but going back-to-back is never easy and Leinster look good bets to be crowned as kings of Europe.
All Blacks eyeing three in a row
New Zealand will head to South Africa in September aiming to win the World Cup Sevens for the third successive time.
The All Blacks had a tough route to the final in 2018, defeating France in the last eight before edging past Fiji in the semi-finals.
A 33-12 victory over England in the final was thoroughly deserved and they will be tough to beat in Cape Town.
Fiji could be dangerous opponents if they can replicate the form that saw them clinch the Olympic title in 2016 and 2020.
However, the All Blacks have plenty of talented players at their disposal and will fancy their chances of completing the treble.
England end the year with tough tests
UK sports fans are spoilt for choice towards the end of the year, and many of them are likely to be searching frantically for World Cup live streams when the football tournament is staged in Qatar.
Not to be outdone, England’s rugby team face a busy November as they continue their preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
They face Argentina and Japan in their opening Autumn Nations Series fixtures, before going head-to-head with New Zealand and South Africa on successive weekends.
With England set to face Argentina and Japan in the group phase of the World Cup, the games will give them a useful insight into the strength of their opponents.
Their meeting with the All Blacks should be a cracker, especially with the visitors eager to avenge their 19-7 defeat in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals.