Sevens. The nemesis of a lock. We lanky, gangly and distinctly uncoordinated second-rows are not built for the sport designed to bring more exhaustion than a full 80 minutes, more…
Sale Sharks
Who will follow Josh Charnley as the next code-hopper?
By Alex Shaw Sale Sharks fans were certainly smiling today, as their club confirmed the signing of Wigan Warriors and England Rugby League winger Josh Charnley. The 24-year-old will make…
A week in the life of a Sale Sharks academy player, Part Two
In this follow-on from Charlie Pozniak’s diary of a typical week as a Manchester Grammar School pupil and a Sale Sharks U18 player, Mark Bennett – head of performance at…
A week in the life of a Sale Sharks academy player, Part One
Sunday Outmuscled, outplayed, outclassed. We’ve just lost to Leicester, and playing against a Tuilagi and an Umaga is little consolation to the grim reality that Academy Finals Day at Allianz…
Josh Beaumont: meet England’s new kid on the block
I first played rugby aged seven at Fylde RFC. The ground was only a two-minute walk away and it’s where all my family have played their rugby as well. Then…
Bet you never saw this: Andrew Sheridan’s career
He’s played for Richmond, Bristol, Sale and Toulon, so you could argue that loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan is a man who continually sought a tougher test; a bigger scrap. Now…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
Saints and Sinners: a round-up of the best and worst of the weekend's rugby action, from the Six Nations and the LV=Cup
Heineken Cup: Winners and Losers
EVERY YEAR, as Christmas drew closer, my school rugby team would embark upon a festive fitness regime. Regardless of how much frost there was, we would work on early morning…
Rise and fall of Sebastien ‘Caveman’ Chabal
By Gavin Mortimer, Rugby World writer FOR A man who two years ago was reputedly the highest paid rugby player in the world, Sebastien Chabal embarked upon the latest stage…
James Gaskell’s childhood hero
James Gaskell, the Sale and England Saxons forward, loved football long before he tried his hand at the sport which would earn him a living. Born in Crewe and raised…