England face a huge challenge against the All Blacks on Saturday – but there are a few reasons to be cheerful ahead of the first Test in Auckland…
New Zealand
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Final flourish There are some people who still don’t like to see playoffs decide league titles, but without them we wouldn’t have dramatic occasions like Saturday’s Aviva Premiership…
Sam Warburton: Rugby’s best opensides
Best for game intelligence – Martyn Williams (Wales) “Martyn was my hero growing up. He was the first person I met at the Blues on my first day in the…
England’s squad uncertainty before New Zealand tour
Ah, May – a glorious month for rugby watchers in the northern hemisphere. The sun comes out, pitches harden and drama intensifies. Last weekend in the Aviva Premiership, for instance,…
Mike Blair picks his top five No 9’s
He’s Scotland’s most capped scrum-half, has played at three World Cups and is a British and Irish Lion. Throw in domestic stints in Scotland, France and England and you’d expect Newcastle…
Christian Wade’s fastest men in rugby
It’s a question posed in every clubhouse, watering hole or playing field in the land. Who are the fastest men in world rugby? The players who leave others clasping…
Ian Frykberg: The man who changed the face of rugby
Ian Frykberg, a former political journalist and TV executive turned sports rights mogul and deal-maker, died in Sydney on Sunday at the age of 68. His legacy is the deal…
Comeback kids: Burger, Kaino and Ferris
We are spoiled for young back-row talent across the world right now. Billy Vunipola was phenomenal in the early part of the Six Nations. Australian Michael Hooper has terrorised breakdowns…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
You wait 21 matches for your first Test try, then score two in two weeks. That’s what has happened to England full-back Mike Brown, who is in the form of…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
By Katie Field The Saints Green machine The O2 Ireland Wolfhounds proved that excellent defence is just as valuable as exciting attacking play as they defeated England Saxons 14-8 on…