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Posted 36 days ago
IN THE aftermath of the Six Nations and with time running out we are all confronted with the starkest of choices: who are our Lions? An obvious point of conjecture, there were at least some standouts in recent weeks. So in the interest of making clear what Warren Gatland, Graham Rowntree, Rob Howley and Andy Farrell face
Posted 36 days ago
IT’S QUIET, drinking in the last chance saloon. The barman has gone home and told London Welsh to lock up on their way out. Because, unless someone from the Championship can defeat unbeaten Newcastle; and someone who would also fail the Premiership criteria, the saloon door will swing closed and the Kassam lights will go out for rugby.
Posted 39 days ago
PULSES HAVE been set racing south of the equator as Robbie Deans named a preliminary Australia squad to meet for an ‘exercise’ this Sunday, omitting Quade Cooper but naming Waratah Israel Folau in his 30-man group.
Posted 41 days ago
CAUGHT BETWEEN the Devil and a deep red rage, Nathan Hines angered the people of Perpignan in 2009 by skipping the Top 14 final in order to travel to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions. That year Perpignan triumphed without the oversized lock, besting Clermont Auvergne, Hines current club, 22-13.
Posted 42 days ago
LAZARUS HAD never seen the Rocky movies, but if he had it is impossible to imagine him losing the Bethany heavyweight title. Confusing myth with reality – badly? Well you would be forgiven for doing so just weeks before the Lions squad is selected. The word “comeback” is firmly on everyone’s lips.
Posted 42 days ago
WITH No 8s there is the potential for Lions coach Warren Gatland to be harangued by fans for whatever choices he makes because there are so few options out there. An obvious point of conjecture, there were at least some standouts in recent weeks. So in the interest of making clear what Warren Gatland, Graham Rowntree, Rob Howley and Andy Farrell face before the squad announcement on 30 April, Rugby World will sift through the runners and riders in each key position.
Posted 42 days ago
SO NOW we all know. You, me and every rugby player in France. As Midi Olympique revealed in Monday’s edition Jonathan Sexton will be pocketing €55,000 [£47,000] a month next season playing for Racing Metro. That will make the Ireland fly-half the best paid player in the Top 14.
Posted 42 days ago
A CHAMPIONSHIP club is guaranteed a place in this year’s final of the British and Irish Cup; and it is little surprise that they will meet one of the Irish Provincial ‘A’ sides. Although this was principally a British and Irish Cup weekend for the five Championship sides who had made it through to the knock-out stages, one re-arranged league encounter leaves two of the four Championship play-off places wide open.
Posted 43 days ago
IN THE aftermath of the 6 Nations and with time running out we are all confronted with the starkest of choices: who are our Lions? An obvious point of conjecture, there were at least some standouts in recent weeks. So in the interest of making clear what Warren Gatland, Graham Rowntree, Rob Howley and Andy Farrell face before the squad announcement on April 30, Rugby World will sift through the runners and riders in each key position.
Posted 44 days ago
CLERMONT AUVERGNE demonstrated just why they are the favourites to lift the Heineken Cup this year as they clinically saw off Montpellier. Rugby World, however, has decided to pinpoint a few individuals, rather than teams, who stood out over the weekend.
