BILLY TWELVETREES will make his first start of the QBE International series against Australia tomorrow, as England look to secure a win that would go some way to salvaging a…
England
The rise of Exeter Chiefs
AS CHRISTMAS rushes towards us, what are the standout stories in this season’s Aviva Premiership? No one expected London Welsh to be so utterly out of their depth, and those…
Behind the scenes with England before they meet Australia
ENGLAND SLIPPED up at the start of this year’s QBE Internationals, but they’ll be hoping to get right back on track when they meet Australia in their final Test match…
Varsity Match: A special occasion
By Alastair Hignell What’s the Varsity Match about? Not so long ago, the question didn’t need to be asked, or answered. The annual encounter between Oxford and Cambridge was a…
Rugby statistics: World Cup combinations
England head coach Stuart Lancaster has been frequently reminded this month that time is running out to nail down a preferred side for the World Cup. The theory that experience…
England v Samoa analysis: Six moments of class from George Ford
It says a great deal for the precocious potential of George Ford and his dazzling years in England‘s age-group ranks that a maiden international start at senior level seemed overdue.…
Autumn Internationals: Week three report
IN A NUTSHELL Scotland 37-12 Tonga A change of tactics at half-time allowed Scotland to take total control at Rugby Park and stretch away from 14-12 up to beat the…
Week 3: Autumn series talking points
Opportunity knocks for Ford With all the discussion of centred round George Ford – Owen Farrell reunion against Samoa, it’s been easy to overlook that the former is making his…
George Ford and Owen Farrell: The story so far
Regardless of five Test defeats in a row and whatever has appeared in this week’s newspapers, English rugby is in rude health. An exacting talent identification system and a cohesive,…
IRPA Tries of the Year 2014
There have been some spellbinding tries in this international year but it was left to IRPA (International Rugby Players Association) to sift through the footage and nominate five outstanding tries.…