AS SARACENS, Leicester, Harlequins and Northampton prepare to do battle in this weekend’s Aviva Premiership semi-finals, which set of supporters has most reason to feel optimistic?
Blogs
The scrum: IRB introduce key changes to the set-piece
Posted 11 days ago
IN A step to answer and assuage the increasingly vocal critics of the scrum the IRB yesterday took a major step to change the set-piece.
The Scrum Steering Group, headed by former international flanker John Jeffrey and aided by the likes of former prop David Barnes, All Blacks forwards coach Mike Cron and referee chief Joel Jutge amongst others, set forth…
Lions 2013: Who’s burning bright and who’s cooling down (Under)?
Posted 13 days ago
WITH THE Lions clubbing together in a few weeks and finals throughout Europe coming up fast, attention must once again turn to those in the thoughts of Wallaby coach Robbie Deans. The tour feels close now. Closer than a saran-wrap scarf.
Top 14 play-offs: Samson ready to deliver knockout blow
Posted 13 days ago
FOUR CONSECUTIVE play-off appearances point to a team consistently vying for the top echelons of French rugby. Yet Castres remain the quiet outsiders as the likes of Clermont and Toulon steal much of the limelight. Christophe Samson is a man who has played at both those clubs and now, at 29, finds himself flourishing at the heart of the Castres pack.
Lions 2013: More Barbarians brought into Young’s horde
Posted 13 days ago
A FEW weeks ago the Twitter-viewing public were agog as they stared at the first few names released by the Barbarians for their summer games against England and the British and Irish Lions this summer. Today, though, there are even more star turns twisting through the list. Dai Young’s BaaBaas are amassing an impressive elite squad and they are not done yet.
More change as Scotland name summer tour squad
Posted 13 days ago
CHANGE IS coming, or so it would seem north of the border as Scotland today named nine uncapped players for their quadrangular tournament this summer in South Africa against their hosts, Italy and Samoa. Those nine amongst the 31 are Edinburgh’s Steven Lawrie and Greig Tonks, the full-back who was so impressive in Scotland A’s defeat of England Saxons earlier in the season, Glagow’s Pat MacArthur, Tim Swinson, Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne, Peter Murchie and Tommy Seymour, and Saracens winger Duncan Taylor.
The Championship blog – Play-offs: Round 1
Posted 13 days ago
“ANYONE WHO thinks that life is fair,” Richard M. Nixon once said, “has been seriously misinformed.” A view held, amongst others, by many of the Newcastle Falcons squad who, after 22 games, had won stage one of the Championship, by 24 points.
Lions 2013: Stuart needs a Hogg-father
Posted 17 days ago
AS OF Tuesday, everyone in Scotland was a mathematician. Three. Three Scottish Lions. Half of all the Tigers; half the number of Leinstermen; one fifth the number of Welshmen; one less than all the squawking Ospreys; one less than all the players born in New Zealand, though one of those gentlemen straddles the two.
RWC 2015: The countdown is well and truly on
Posted 17 days ago
AMID GREAT fanfare in the cavernous Live Room at Twickenham, Debbie Jevans, CEO of ER2015, and assembled rugby dignitaries, sat at the raised top table to announce the fixtures and venues for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Amid the usual platitudes and soundbites on a sun-soaked morning at Twickenham, it was the eye-watering numbers that stood out, showing how far the games has progressed since England last hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1991.
Can Welsh Lions end Australia hoodoo?
Posted 17 days ago
Can the Welsh-dominated 2013 Lions break their losing trend?
