Russia sevens

RUSSIAN RUGBY has got one up on the Americans – the first rugby player in space. That’s what they’re claiming anyway after cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky welcomed dignitaries at the Sevens…

FIJI WON the on-field plaudits by sneaking past first-time Cup finalists Wales 26-19, to successfully defend their HSBC Sevens title. In a thrilling final, the South Sea Islanders scored four…

jamie roberts wales

I READ a lot of stat sheets prior to writing these articles. But the reason for Samoa’s win against Wales won’t be found on any of them. You can’t measure…

ireland xv v fiji

IN WHAT turned out to be nothing more than a training ground run around, Ireland ran in eight unanswered tries in this non-cap match at Thomond Park. Fiji laboured in…

Conor Murray

THIS IS not to belittle England’s 50-point spree last weekend but the Fiji squad touring Britain and Ireland is a desperately mediocre bunch. No team should concede tries as soft…

England huddle

EVEN THE most optimistic of souls in the visitors’ camp would be hard pressed to make a case for a Fijian victory at Twickenham this weekend, one of 30 Tests…

Bob Dwyer

THERE’S a famous rugby figure in Thailand this weekend as Bob Dwyer holds the first of three coaching workshops in Phuket. The 1991 World Cup-winning coach is running the courses…

Sarel Pretorius turned in a man of the match performance to lead his new side to a convincing eight try victory over Tonga at the SFS. Last year’s leading try…