The 2017 Lions tour kicks off within hours after what has seemed an interminable wait. With the Provincial Barbarians expected to put up the least resistance to the Lions in…
New Zealand
Rugby’s talking points from May
Northampton Saints can’t feel hard done by over Picamoles The poaching of Louis Picamoles to Montpellier has resulted in some rather aggressive teeth-grinding in English rugby. But it is worth…
The All Blacks face fitness concerns of their own
Full-back: Ben Smith The mercurial full-back who resembles Clark Kent off the pitch, but turns into Superman on it (albeit dressed in black) has sat out the last couple of…
Will Jordie Barrett be facing the Lions?
The Lions could be seeing double this summer if the All Blacks give Jordie Barrett the chance to reprise his Super Rugby partnership with brother Beauden
Five of rugby’s big talking points from April
European player drain killing Australian and South African rugby The fact that wage inflation in the Top 14 and Aviva Premiership is affecting domestic rugby in other countries isn’t exactly…
Six talking points to emerge from the Lions selection
A front-five of to fear? For all the flicks, feints and steps boasted by an All Blacks backline that offers the sumptuous skills of Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith and if…
Lions 2017: How far late call-ups may have to travel
Unhappy with some of the selections in the British & Irish Lions squad? Rather see one of the other Home Nations heroes picked instead? Well do not despair yet, as…
Warren Gatland names 41-man Lions squad to face the All Blacks
Warren Gatland announced his 41-man British & Irish Lions squad today in West London in front of assembled media. A party of 16 Englishmen, 12 Welshmen, 11 Irishmen and two…
Five things we learnt about rugby in March
Beauden Barrett’s brother no longer March has seen Beauden Barrett’s brother go through a defining stage in his career. Not as important as the one where he will inevitably become…
England v New Zealand: The record-setting teams compared
We rate the players who set the 18-Test winning runs for England and the All Blacks