By Alastair Hignell What’s the Varsity Match about? Not so long ago, the question didn’t need to be asked, or answered. The annual encounter between Oxford and Cambridge was a…
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France: End of Autumn Series report
France’s November Tests are over and coach Philippe Saint-Andre will have seen some encouraging signs. A 40-15 victory over Fiji was followed by the heartstopping 29-26 defeat of Australia, but…
Rugby statistics: World Cup combinations
England head coach Stuart Lancaster has been frequently reminded this month that time is running out to nail down a preferred side for the World Cup. The theory that experience…
Autumn International player analysis: Rhys Webb, Wales
“They are a world-class team, but I think they are to be taken as well. They’ve been getting a bit flustered when people have been going at them” – Wales scrum-half…
Scotland v Tonga: Talking points
Things are encouraging At last there is hope! A youthful and talented team picked on form, that is playing with attacking intent and that is given quick ball to work…
Ireland v Australia talking points
The game encompassed all the drama we love to see in Test rugby The speed and intensity displayed by both teams made this first half the most dramatic of the…
Wales v New Zealand: Talking points
Nearly. Nearly. Nearly. There will surely come a point where all health and life insurance policies sold in Wales will require an additional response being added to the suitability questionnaire.…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Irish eyes are smiling For the first time since 2006, Ireland won all three of their November Tests, as a ferocious rear-guard action in the last quarter of…
England v Samoa analysis: Six moments of class from George Ford
It says a great deal for the precocious potential of George Ford and his dazzling years in England‘s age-group ranks that a maiden international start at senior level seemed overdue.…
Autumn Internationals: Week three report
IN A NUTSHELL Scotland 37-12 Tonga A change of tactics at half-time allowed Scotland to take total control at Rugby Park and stretch away from 14-12 up to beat the…