It was a cold day for making history on Saturday. There are more mugs of tea than pints on the sidelines as spectators stamp their feet and hunch their shoulders…
Blogs
HSBC Sevens World Series: England ready to rock in Wellington
It’s early days but England have made the brightest of starts in their bid to win the HSBC Sevens World Series for the first time. After winning bronze in Dubai…
Six Nations: What’s being said about the introduction of bonus points
This year sees bonus points introduced into the Six Nations, women’s Six Nations, and U20 Six Nations. Many are cheering because they believe it will foster some free-flowing, cutting-edge attacking…
Racing 92 are only halfway through a long and troubled season
“A Season in Hell” was Midi Olympique’s headline at the start of this month, and few at Racing 92 would contradict that curt assessment. And that was written before the…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints CJ Stander Munster put Racing 92 to the sword in their rearranged European Champions Cup clash, trouncing their hosts 32-7. The whole Munster team did their late…
When Rugby World went on tour with the Barbarians…
STANDING AT the mouth of a tunnel that slopes down towards Marketa Stadium’s pitch – a postage stamp of grass in the middle of a speedway track, teased towards looking…
New Year, New You: a recipe from extreme chef Kiran Jethwa
I was asked to offer advice for the keen player who has let themselves go and wants to get a bit of their spark back. So my first advice to…
Whatever happened to Mourad Bodjellal’s first Toulon side?
Mourad Boudjellal is not leaving Toulon. After months of speculation that he was going to sell the club, the president announced a week before Christmas that he will remain at…
Waking the giant: Rugby World assesses Toulouse
ON THIS late afternoon the wind is only moving the hot air around the back pitches of the Stade Ernest-Wallon. After a tough run in the Top 14 schedule it’s…
Warren Gatland names his Lions assistant coaches
THERE WERE few surprises on Wednesday afternoon as Warren Gatland revealed his core coaching trio for next year’s tour to New Zealand, with Andy Farrell and Rob Howley – defence…