THE SAINTS Club crackers Who needs the international stars? The two televised Aviva Premiership games at the weekend were belters. “A sensational game. The last 20, I could watch that…
Italy
Six Nations: Italy v Wales – Five things we’ve learnt
A win but an overly structured first-half Wales secured a comfortable 33-7 victory against an Italy team that ranks 13th in the world. Three tries, a perfect lineout completion (13…
Six Nations: Italy 7-33 Wales
Scotland shocked the Irish, France put the wind up the English. Italy, however, were unable to keep the surprises going on the opening weekend of the RBS 6 Nations as…
Should the Six Nations introduce promotion and relegation?
Sir Clive Woodward waded into one of the perpetual debates about the Six Nations this week and got right behind the concept of introducing promotion and relegation to the tournament.…
Six talking points ahead of the Six Nations
The Six Nations launch is usually a convivial get together, bordering on the mundane, but eyebrows were raised at Eddie Jones’ almighty shiner caused, we were told, by falling in…
Six Nations: Players to watch for the 2017 Championship
By Alex Shaw The Six Nations squads are all in. Conor O’Shea got the ball rolling last week, naming an experienced Italian squad for his debut campaign, followed by Rob…
Champions Cup: Clubs ready themselves for European adventure
The Champions Cup starts in earnest this month with enough high-profile clashes to whet the appetite of the most ardent Euro sceptic. The English leg of EPCR’s (European Professional Club…
Three countries, one league: how to bolster rugby in Portugal, Spain and Italy
Do you know who the Portuguese club champions are? Or the Spanish? Maybe the Italian? If the answer is no, you’re not alone. Unsurprisingly, the average fan outside those countries…
Would moving the Six Nations benefit Northern Hemisphere players?
kThe Six Nations council meet in a couple of weeks to review the 2016 tournament but there is more on their plate than patting each other on the back and…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Good job, Jones A new generation of players has joined the list of England’s Grand Slam winners – the first to do so since 2003. Dylan Hartley has…