HOW MANY players are lost to the game because they’re loath to commit to training? Sweden back-row Seb Taylor had doubts himself when first arriving in London, but he now…
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The Championship Blog — B & I Cup Week 4 round-up
WITH TWO-thirds of the pool stage games now completed, four Championship clubs look certain to progress to the knock-out stages, while it looks very much like the end of the…
Rugby Personality of the Year 2012
AT THE end of a rollercoaster year, the BBC’s annual Sports Personality of the Year bash was extravagant as it was tearful. We are desperately trying not to let go…
Heineken Cup: Winners and Losers
EVERY YEAR, as Christmas drew closer, my school rugby team would embark upon a festive fitness regime. Regardless of how much frost there was, we would work on early morning…
Neighbours prepare to spill blood in 1872 Cup
ALTHOUGH STERN faces will be talking about the benefits the Scottish pro sides can gain from the next three rounds of the Heineken Cup, it is safe to say that…
Moneyball: The Best backrowers in Europe
RUGBY IS a subjective old sport. When it comes to talk of who is top of the pile, it's hard to come to a definitive answer, with pub-know-it-alls basing opinions…
The French are flying in the Heineken Cup
IT'S THE half-way stage of the Heineken Cup and for the French clubs things are looking good. With three of the six pool matches gone, only Biarritz of the seven…
The Championship Blog — B & I Cup Week 3 round-up
IT WAS a good weekend for the Championship clubs in the British & Irish Cup, with wins for eight out of the twelve sides from the division, six now lead…
Round 3: Heineken Cup winners
EUROPEAN RUGBY sometimes feels like a school dance. Some nervous sorts can feel flashes of panic and exhilaration as they stand, seemingly alone on the big stage, while celebrated individuals…
World Cup draw holds no fear for France
DID YOU hear it then? That sound, shortly after the groans had ceased from the England and Wales camps. It was the sound of Gallic guffawing as they digested the…