With impeccable timing, Wasps will unwrap a big, shiny Christmas present to their fans this Sunday – the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Like Santa Claus himself, they’ve been handing out…
News
Toulouse power struggle threatens Europe’s aristocrats
There’s not much Christmas spirit in Toulouse right now. In fact the atmosphere in the Pink City is what coach Guy Noves recently called ‘Nauséabond’. Imagine a rotten chunk of…
Rugby statistics: Tracking England player burn-out
With a World Cup approaching, expect much talk of growing the game and new commercial opportunities. Potential showpiece events such as the winners of Super Rugby and the European Champions…
European Champions Cup player analysis: Sam Burgess, Bath
What a treat. After months of opinions ranging from social media suggestions to ostentatious open letters, there was actually some meaningful action on which to judge how Sam Burgess is progressing…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Tame Tiger Measured and diplomatic are not words you might readily associate with the Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill. A fiery player in his day, he…
European Champions Cup: Bath and their offload skills bring a wow factor
English clubs had a field day in the European Champions Cup last weekend and, though they look destined to dip out on the quarter-finals, Bath were responsible for round three’s…
Challenge Cup: Top 14’s unwelcome distraction
I was at a loose end on Thursday evening. I did think about a trip to the cinema to see Paddington, but in the end I settled down with a…
European Champions Cup player analysis: Marcos Ayerza, Leicester Tigers
Despite the result, it was a Toulon player that hogged the Monday morning headlines following his team’s 25-21 loss in the first instalment of their electric European Champions Cup double-header at Welford Road…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints What a score! European Champions Toulon came to Welford Road having won their last nine games but Leicester Tigers put a stop to that run thanks to a…
Challenge Cup: What you may be missing
Welcome domestic break for key clash You don’t have to go far back into the annals of European competition to find Cardiff Blues and London Irish mixing it with some…