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From math wiz to offensive innovator, why Bears coach Ben Johnson seemed destined for this moment

As Johnson prepares for his head coaching debut, those who knew him growing up aren't surprised. Here's why.

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Football News

How Worcester Warriors rebuilt from scratch: NIK SIMON goes behind the scenes to find a 650-man shortlist, England stars, a goldfish tank and sleeping in luxury shipping containers - all to get back to the Premiership

How Worcester Warriors rebuilt from scratch: NIK SIMON goes behind the scenes to find a 650-man shortlist, England stars, a goldfish tank and sleeping in luxury shipping containers - all to get back to the Premiership

about 2 hours ago

Christian Wade signs for Newcastle Red Bulls and sets sights on English club rugby's top try-scorer record

Christian Wade signs for Newcastle Red Bulls and sets sights on English club rugby's top try-scorer record

about 12 hours ago

Why are there so few female head coaches at the Women’s World Cup?

Why are there so few female head coaches at the Women’s World Cup?

about 18 hours ago

Rassie Erasmus seeking ‘spark’ with major Springboks changes for All Blacks rematch

Rassie Erasmus seeking ‘spark’ with major Springboks changes for All Blacks rematch

about 18 hours ago

Scott Bemand does not expect lasting damage from Ireland’s loss to New Zealand

Scott Bemand does not expect lasting damage from Ireland’s loss to New Zealand

Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores hat-trick as World Cup holders NZ thrash Ireland

Braxton Sorensen-McGee scores hat-trick as World Cup holders NZ thrash Ireland

Imperfect New Zealand shut out Ireland to show champion qualities at Women’s World Cup

Imperfect New Zealand shut out Ireland to show champion qualities at Women’s World Cup

Natasha Hunt: England will benefit from feeling pressure against Australia

Natasha Hunt: England will benefit from feeling pressure against Australia

England make case for the defence after Australia win — but key decision looms for Scotland quarter-final

England make case for the defence after Australia win — but key decision looms for Scotland quarter-final

Ellie Kildunne set to miss England’s World Cup quarter-final after suffering head injury

Ellie Kildunne set to miss England’s World Cup quarter-final after suffering head injury

England star Ellie Kildunne to miss Scotland World Cup showdown with head injury

England star Ellie Kildunne to miss Scotland World Cup showdown with head injury

Sadia Kabeya: England's 'feared' forwards are the key to Rugby World Cup glory

Evening Standard

Sadia Kabeya: England's 'feared' forwards are the key to Rugby World Cup glory

United States 60-0 Samoa: Eagles score six unanswered tries but cannot dodge World Cup elimination

Evening Standard

United States 60-0 Samoa: Eagles score six unanswered tries but cannot dodge World Cup elimination

Alex Callender: Wales will come back stronger after winless World Cup campaign

Evening Standard

Alex Callender: Wales will come back stronger after winless World Cup campaign

England 47-7 Australia: Red Roses set-up Women's World Cup quarter-final with Scotland after forwards batter Wallaroos in Brighton in front of beaming Kate

England 47-7 Australia: Red Roses set-up Women's World Cup quarter-final with Scotland after forwards batter Wallaroos in Brighton in front of beaming Kate

England match record winning run with Australia victory – but sloppy first half shows World Cup vulnerability

England match record winning run with Australia victory – but sloppy first half shows World Cup vulnerability

England 47-7 Australia: Red Rose produce another emphatic victory to top Pool A

Evening Standard

England 47-7 Australia: Red Rose produce another emphatic victory to top Pool A

Kate Middleton ties back new blonde hair at Women's Rugby World Cup

Kate Middleton ties back new blonde hair at Women's Rugby World Cup

Superb Fiji pile more misery on Wales with shock Women’s World Cup win

Superb Fiji pile more misery on Wales with shock Women’s World Cup win

United States 60-0 Samoa: Eagles score six unanswered tries to heap pressure on Australia

Evening Standard

United States 60-0 Samoa: Eagles score six unanswered tries to heap pressure on Australia

'Part of me died when I heard about Shane Christie's suicide': All Blacks legend Carl Hayman on his tears for his old team-mates

'Part of me died when I heard about Shane Christie's suicide': All Blacks legend Carl Hayman on his tears for his old team-mates

England vs Australia live: Red Roses bid to match record unbeaten run in Women’s Rugby World Cup clash

England vs Australia live: Red Roses bid to match record unbeaten run in Women’s Rugby World Cup clash

Scotland loom for England at Women’s World Cup after valiant defeat to Canada

Scotland loom for England at Women’s World Cup after valiant defeat to Canada

England vs Australia LIVE: Women's Rugby World Cup match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Evening Standard

England vs Australia LIVE: Women's Rugby World Cup match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

All Blacks survive brutal Springboks battle to seize control of Rugby Championship

All Blacks survive brutal Springboks battle to seize control of Rugby Championship

Australia snatch dramatic victory at death in Rugby Championship thriller

Australia snatch dramatic victory at death in Rugby Championship thriller

MANU TUILAGI INTERVIEW: At last, I've found the secret to ending my injury nightmares - here's how I did it and why I might never leave France now...

MANU TUILAGI INTERVIEW: At last, I've found the secret to ending my injury nightmares - here's how I did it and why I might never leave France now...

New Zealand vs South Africa live: All Blacks and Springboks battle in crucial Rugby Championship clash

New Zealand vs South Africa live: All Blacks and Springboks battle in crucial Rugby Championship clash

How to watch England vs Australia for FREE: TV channel and live stream for Women's Rugby World Cup

Evening Standard

How to watch England vs Australia for FREE: TV channel and live stream for Women's Rugby World Cup

'Superhuman' Alex Matthews ready to lead England into Women's World Cup battle as Red Roses coach John Mitchell sends warning to rivals

'Superhuman' Alex Matthews ready to lead England into Women's World Cup battle as Red Roses coach John Mitchell sends warning to rivals

Smith had job talks with England, Wales, Leicester and the Bulls before committing future to Glasgow... and is open to Scotland post down the line

Smith had job talks with England, Wales, Leicester and the Bulls before committing future to Glasgow... and is open to Scotland post down the line

The pitch is our playground: how Chiswick youngsters are being inspired by rugby

Evening Standard

The pitch is our playground: how Chiswick youngsters are being inspired by rugby

Red Roses face familiar foe as former England captain Jo Yapp plots World Cup upset with Australia

Red Roses face familiar foe as former England captain Jo Yapp plots World Cup upset with Australia

England vs Australia: Women's Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, odds

Evening Standard

England vs Australia: Women's Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, odds

Women's Rugby World Cup: Jess Breach wants England to show predatory side and maintain her remarkable run

Evening Standard

Women's Rugby World Cup: Jess Breach wants England to show predatory side and maintain her remarkable run

Welsh Rugby told it 'must change course' after proposing to cut number of men's teams in HALF - as 'extremely disappointed' club blasts plans in bombshell statement

Welsh Rugby told it 'must change course' after proposing to cut number of men's teams in HALF - as 'extremely disappointed' club blasts plans in bombshell statement

John Mitchell explains Red Roses captaincy call for key Australia clash

John Mitchell explains Red Roses captaincy call for key Australia clash

Unbeaten Jess Breach reveals England’s ‘hunter’ mindset ahead of 50th cap

Unbeaten Jess Breach reveals England’s ‘hunter’ mindset ahead of 50th cap

Women's Rugby World Cup: Jess Breach set for 50th cap as England ring changes for Australia clash

Evening Standard

Women's Rugby World Cup: Jess Breach set for 50th cap as England ring changes for Australia clash

Alex Matthews to captain England against Australia as Jess Breach wins 50th cap in Women’s World Cup

Alex Matthews to captain England against Australia as Jess Breach wins 50th cap in Women’s World Cup

Jess Breach set for milestone appearance as John Mitchell rings England changes

Jess Breach set for milestone appearance as John Mitchell rings England changes

Nucifora talks about the data... but there is no evidence to suggest handing Townsend a new deal was the right call

Nucifora talks about the data... but there is no evidence to suggest handing Townsend a new deal was the right call

What was missing from Gregor Townsend's big announcement? Well, the man himself for a start...

What was missing from Gregor Townsend's big announcement? Well, the man himself for a start...

Newcastle's Red Bull revolution: Jonny Wilkinson's role, their new try machine, how data transformed the squad, latest on Steve Diamond's future... and the one major problem with new owners' plans

Newcastle's Red Bull revolution: Jonny Wilkinson's role, their new try machine, how data transformed the squad, latest on Steve Diamond's future... and the one major problem with new owners' plans

Gregor Townsend backed to take Scotland forward after signing contract extension

Gregor Townsend backed to take Scotland forward after signing contract extension

Scottish Rugby chief shrugs off criticism of Townsend extension and says supporters concerns are 'emotional'

Scottish Rugby chief shrugs off criticism of Townsend extension and says supporters concerns are 'emotional'

Scotland back Gregor Townsend through 2027 World Cup as Franco Smith’s future revealed

Scotland back Gregor Townsend through 2027 World Cup as Franco Smith’s future revealed

Rugby Australia clears debts as financial impact of British and Irish Lions tour revealed

Rugby Australia clears debts as financial impact of British and Irish Lions tour revealed

Meet Caitlyn Halse, Australia’s teen full-back phenom plotting England upset at Women’s Rugby World Cup

Meet Caitlyn Halse, Australia’s teen full-back phenom plotting England upset at Women’s Rugby World Cup

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend signs new deal until end of 2027 Rugby World Cup

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend signs new deal until end of 2027 Rugby World Cup

Ruthless Red Roses ready to send World Cup message as Australia consider pool permutations

Ruthless Red Roses ready to send World Cup message as Australia consider pool permutations

Scottish Rugby hand Gregor Townsend new deal to lead Scots to 2027 World Cup

Scottish Rugby hand Gregor Townsend new deal to lead Scots to 2027 World Cup

Wales star Georgia Evans hits back at critics of ‘Barbie’ look at Women’s World Cup

Wales star Georgia Evans hits back at critics of ‘Barbie’ look at Women’s World Cup

All Blacks turn to ‘The Professor’ ahead of Springboks showdown in Rugby Championship

All Blacks turn to ‘The Professor’ ahead of Springboks showdown in Rugby Championship

Women's Rugby World Cup: Ireland battle past brave Spain to seal quarter-final place

Evening Standard

Women's Rugby World Cup: Ireland battle past brave Spain to seal quarter-final place

Chloe Kelly watches on and inspires England to 92-3 Women's Rugby World Cup hammering of Samoa

Chloe Kelly watches on and inspires England to 92-3 Women's Rugby World Cup hammering of Samoa

Scott Bemand: Ireland ready for more after battling past Spain

Scott Bemand: Ireland ready for more after battling past Spain

Ireland see off battling Spain in high-scoring World Cup showdown

Ireland see off battling Spain in high-scoring World Cup showdown

Jess Breach relishing competition as England try record comes into view

Jess Breach relishing competition as England try record comes into view

John Mitchell demands more despite England’s record World Cup win

John Mitchell demands more despite England’s record World Cup win