The much-scrutinised practice of selection in sport boils down one essential equation: known quantities against potential– proven performers against untried talents. In the coming months as the Rugby World Cup encroaches…
England
Punish Manu Tuilagi, yes, but don’t cast him into the international wilderness
First let’s get the admonishments out of the way. Manu Tuilagi, quite clearly in an inebriated state at 3am in the morning, acted like a lout you see up and…
Super Saturday predictions for the Premiership and Pro12
We’re finally here, Super Saturday looms large for teams have just one more chance to qualify for the Play-Offs and Europe next season. Just one point separates Leicester Tigers, Exeter…
Manu Tuilagi to miss Rugby World Cup
England centre Manu Tuilagi has been omitted from England’s World Cup squad after being convicted on three charges of assault and one of criminal damage. There are reports he assaulted…
Aviva Premiership: Team of the season
15. Alex Goode (Saracens) A consummate, classy operator who never seems to get the credit he deserves. Offers calm authority and precise positioning in defence and hits the line nicely in…
Analysis: Five reasons Leicester Tigers beat Wasps
If ever an 80-minute performance epitomised a club – its values, ethos and ingrained traditions – it was Leicester Tigers’ 26-21 defeat of Wasps at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.…
Phil Vickery on England’s Rugby World Cup legacy and the scrum
When Phil Vickery says: “I say what I think,” he means it. So when the issue of sporting legacies comes up, the former England captain lays out his hopes for…
Floodgates unlikely to open as France has lukewarm attitude to English talent
One of the more persistent arguments peddled in the Steffon Armitage selection saga is the one about ‘floodgates opening’. That should England coach Stuart Lancaster invoke the ‘exceptional circumstances’ clause…
Five things we learnt in April
Five things we learned about rugby – April Don’t hate Toulon, they’re simply getting it right. Okay, so it was May 2, but it’s easy having a pop at Toulon.…
30 Minutes with… Henry Slade
Exeter Chiefs fly-half Henry Slade talks Taylor Swift, OCD and snakes