IN MAY 2013, during a Scottish training camp in the lead-up to the Junior World Cup, Melrose fly-half Sam Chalmers was pulled in for a random drugs test – his…
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Autumn Internationals: Week four report
IN A NUTSHELL England 26-17 Australia Swing Low reverberated around Twickenham as England ended their autumn with a win over Australia. It wasn’t a convincing performance, but a try in…
The rise of Exeter Chiefs
AS CHRISTMAS rushes towards us, what are the standout stories in this season’s Aviva Premiership? No one expected London Welsh to be so utterly out of their depth, and those…
Varsity Match: A special occasion
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…
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…