Scrums weren’t the culprit BBC’s new Saturday afternoon drama was quality viewing. Running at nearly 100 minutes, instead of the advertised 80 minutes, the plot had everything that any seasoned…
France
Thomas Savare had Stade Francais’ best interests at heart
Yes, it was clumsily, even brutally, enacted but wasn’t the merger of Stade Francais and Racing 92 the best for both clubs in the long-term? Evidently not for the players…
Stade Francais and Racing 92: The merger explained
Imagine, if you will, that Racing 92 require maximum points in their final two league games of the season to qualify for next season’s Champions Cup. Their last match is…
Round Four: Six Nations team of the week
By Alex Shaw If the Irish, Scottish and Welsh players all delivered their British and Irish Lions statements in notable wins in the first three rounds, it was the turn…
Six Nations: Italy 18-40 France
Italy came into the match buoyed by their unexpected success at Twickenham, where they thwarted England for long periods and avoided the heavy drubbing many predicted. Unfortunately, despite the boon…
Under 20s: Six Nations stars of the future
By Alex Shaw It may sit in the shadow of its big brother, but the U20 Six Nations has been chugging along nicely over the last month and offering plenty…
Top 14: Why Racing’s season has gone from bad to worse
Two months ago this column wondered if Racing 92’s season could get any worse after Johan Goosen’s retirement, the corticosteroids saga and their humiliating exit from the Champions Cup. It…
Six Nations: Where are France going wrong?
In the midst of another disappointing Six Nations campaign, we look at the key problem areas for this France team
Six Nations: Team of Round 3
By Alex Shaw The 2017 RBS Six Nations passed the halfway point this weekend, as the tournament whittled its title contenders down from five to three and set up a…
Best rugby signings for 2017-18
By Alex Shaw The announcement of new signings for the 2017-18 season is an almost daily occurrence in the northern hemisphere at the moment, as clubs, regions and provinces all…