By Alex Shaw There are two words rugby fans and coaches the world over fear to hear – injury crisis. It can loom like an ominous, dark cloud over any…
RW Staff
Secret Player: “A few seek media attention in a Lions year “
DESPITE WRONG turns (hello 2005) and crushing disappointments over the past 20 years, the rugby public continue to get their collective panties in a massive bunch at the mere mention…
Against the odds: rugby loves an upset
It may not be seen as too significant, but over the weekend two results caught the eye; one a surprising Aviva Premiership result, the other a lower-tier Test that although…
Aviva Premiership: Six English stars with a huge future
The Aviva Premiership salary cap may have risen this season and the quality of foreign imports improved as a result, but that has not stopped the young, future stars of…
How to make it as a sports journalist: Stephen Jones
By Graham Jenkins Welcome to The Forward Pass, a series of conversations with leading rugby union journalists, broadcasters, presenters and photographers who will offer the next generation of media professionals…
A Guinness Pro12 and Aviva Premiership All-Star XV
The Guinness Pro12 takes an inordinate amount of flak from fans and media alike and is generally regarded as the poorer cousin of the Aviva Premiership.The teams at the bottom…
The greatest full-backs of all time: Israel Folau
Major teams: Broncos, Waratahs Country: Australia Test span: 2013 – Australia caps: 41 (41 starts) Test points: 100 (20T) – Figures correct as of 19/07/2016 – He arrived in rugby…
The greatest looseheads of all time: Gethin Jenkins
Major teams: Pontypridd, Celtic Warriors, Cardiff Blues, Toulon Country: Wales Test span: 2002-2016 Wales caps: 126 (90 starts) Lions caps: 5 (5 starts) Test points: 20 (4T) It seems that…
The greatest tightheads of all time: Carl Hayman
Major teams: Otago, Highlanders, Newcastle, Toulon Country: New Zealand Test span: 2001-07 Test caps: 45 (37 starts) Test points: 10 (2T) Carl Hayman made his Test debut from the bench…
Player analysis: The rise and rise of Maro Itoje
By Alex Shaw Everyone in the rugby world knows the name Maro Itoje. The 21-year-old has been riding the crest of a wave that has grown, exponentially, over the last…