Thunder Down Under: our souvenir edition toasts the triumph of the Lions tour and looks towards the new season

THERE’S a real treat in store for rugby fans this month – with a souvenir edition of Rugby World. Celebrating the British & Irish Lions’ epic series win in Australia, the magazine is jam-packed with exclusive interviews, stunning photos and fab facts from the tour.

We speak to Alun Wyn Jones, Tommy Bowe, Tom Youngs and Ryan Grant about the Lions’ thunder Down Under, plus get the lowdown from a tourist who has graced the pitch in each of the past six Lions series. Yes, let’s hear it for Doc Robson!

But as well as reliving every moment from a memorable six weeks, we turn our attention to the new season. Quins’ Nick Kennedy, Scarlets’ John Barclay, Connacht coach Pat Lam and Cardiff Blues returnee Gethin Jenkins are our Spotlight subjects, while we ask whether the salary cap should stay or go in our Big Debate.

The Sevens World Cup, rugby in Rwanda, the School of Hard Knocks in Glasgow, and previews to the French Top 14 and Rugby Championship seasons are among other tasty dishes in our not-to-be-missed souvenir issue.

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Front Row…

Sidelines – Lions awards, mixed-ability rugby, hotshots

30 minutes with – Simon Zebo

James Robson – The Lions doctor on why this summer’s tour trumps 1997

Ollie Phillips – The Sevens World Cup was a flop, says the England player

Max Evans – The Scotland centre talks life with Top 14 champs Castres

Spotlights…

Gethin Jenkins – He missed out on the Lions’ success, but is now back to bolster the Blues. Owain Jones reports

Pat Lam – The sage Samoan’s philosophy has found an ideal match in Connacht. By Alan Dymock

John Barclay – A fresh start in Wales could be just the tonic the Scotland flanker needs, says Alan Dymock

Nick Kennedy – Quins’ new lock tells Bea Asprey why he’s swapped the South of France for London

Tommy Bowe

Wing wonder: Ireland's Tommy Bowe talks about his highs and lows on the Lions tour in the latest issue

Centres…

Tommy Bowe – Why the Lions series win was extra special for the Irish wing

Tom Youngs – England’s Lions hooker on family, fate and fighting spirit

Alun Wyn Jones – Meet the Lions skipper who reinforced his reputation in Oz

Ryan Grant – The Scot’s unusual journey to Test rugby via the Army

2013 Lions story – Relive every moment with our match reviews and timeline

Pro Insight – Match analysis with the Lions

Fitness/Pro Playbook – An upper-body workout and how to attack from a lineout

Minis – Side-on tackling and a fun game

Stephen Jones – Have the U20s kicked off a great new era for England?

Francois Trinh-Duc

Man on a mission: can Francois Trinh-Duc guide Montpellier to the Top 14 title?

Top 14 – Montpellier fly-half François Trinh-Duc on the new season

Rwanda – How rugby helps to heal the wounds of Rwanda’s history

Big Debate – Should the Premiership keep a salary cap? Read two views

Australia – Adam Ashley-Cooper on this year’s Rugby Championship

Wasted Talents – Ten Test players who could have achieved so much more

Rugby Rehab – How School of Hard Knocks is helping Glasgow’s youth

Backs…

Essentials – The latest books and products

Uncovered – Shane Williams’s life and times

Tour Tale – A mad dash to the airport…

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