Roger Uttley believes Stuart Lancaster is gambling by not selecting Steffon Armitage and will have to think again should England come a cropper in the QBE autumn series. “Is Stuart…
Countries
Badger’s Barbarians can make Australia a laughing stock
It was difficult not to feel sorry for Nick Phipps on Monday as the Wallaby scrum-half fielded questions on sexism and misogyny in sport. Understandably awkward and sheepish, he resembled…
Richie McCaw plays ice hockey
The All Blacks have been taking in the sights ahead of their eagerly anticipated first fixture on US soil at Soldier Field, the home ground of the Chicago Bears, where…
Top 14: Time to knuckle down for Montpellier’s Fabien Galthie
There’s always been a touch of the Brendan Venter about Fabien Galthie. The pair have much in common. Very good players who have become very good coaches, harnessing their playing…
George Kruis on the England camp
Having been brought into the England squad for the autumn Internationals on the back of fine form with Saracens in the Aviva Premiership and the European Rugby Championship, George Kruis…
European Champions Cup player analysis: George North, Northampton Saints
One thing about George North that never fails to astonish – more striking even than the staggering raw materials of pace, power and prodigious finishing ability – is his age.…
Rene Ranger on life in France
On first introduction, Rene Ranger seems so laid-back you would be forgiven for checking his pulse. However, when the versatile, attacking back is asked about his cult hero status back…
Joe Worsley on Bordeaux’s flying start
The Top 14 is having a breather until the end of October as European competition holds sway, allowing clubs a chance to assess their performances a third of the way…
Paddy Ryan’s incredible half-time interview
In the October issue of Rugby World we had a Rugby Rant about how annoying the half-time interview is – from the middle of the final of the Women’s World…
European Champions Cup player analysis: Henry Pyrgos, Glasgow Warriors
As Paul Ackford pointed out in his typically forthright column in Saturday’s Times, three of the five men to captain their country to a Rugby World Cup victory have been…