FOR ALL the talk in recent weeks about Jonny Wilkinson, and will-he-or-won’t-he sign on for another stint at Toulon, there’s another Englishman in the south of France in a similar…
Beatrice Asprey
Rugby Personality of the Year 2012
AT THE end of a rollercoaster year, the BBC’s annual Sports Personality of the Year bash was extravagant as it was tearful. We are desperately trying not to let go…
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…
Neighbours prepare to spill blood in 1872 Cup
ALTHOUGH STERN faces will be talking about the benefits the Scottish pro sides can gain from the next three rounds of the Heineken Cup, it is safe to say that…
No more pipes for Robinson
THE PIPES have stopped their skirl. The flags are at half mast, unruffled by a gust. Andy Robinson has abdicated his post at the top of Scotland’s game and few…
Wales v Samoa: Five things we learned
I READ a lot of stat sheets prior to writing these articles. But the reason for Samoa’s win against Wales won’t be found on any of them. You can’t measure…
Ireland XV 53-0 Fiji: The Verdict
IN WHAT turned out to be nothing more than a training ground run around, Ireland ran in eight unanswered tries in this non-cap match at Thomond Park. Fiji laboured in…
Missing the party: Four players not invited this Autumn
THE FIRST round of the Autumn Internationals has been and gone and happiness isbeing found in some unlikely places. England rumbled onwards, despite chronic wastefulness. Ireland got up close to…
Residency rules, okay?
By Alex Lowe WHEN ENGLAND walk out to play South Africa at Twickenham on November 24, each player will be accompanied by a mascot from his formative club. It…
Improved Ireland rattle All Blacks
In a pre-match interview, Declan Kidney said: “The belief is unquestionable. Just because you have a bad day doesn’t mean you can’t turn it around a week later.” And Ireland…