MALCOLM PREEDY was part of the first one-club front row to play for England. In 1984, the former Gloucester captain packed down with club-mates Steve Mills and Phil Blakeway against…
Rugby World
Ireland v Argentina: The Preview
A MUCH improved Argentina went to Cardiff a fortnight ago and deservedly beat a faltering Wales 26-12 so Ireland have no excuses for getting caught cold. They know they need…
Wales v New Zealand: The Preview
WALES THRIVE with the underdogs tag – but is a win over New Zealand a realistic possibility?
Lions watch: Movers and shakers for Australia 2013
HANGING-OFF cliff faces, dodging bullets and zip-wiring down air vents may seem like a Mission Impossible, but even Ethan Hunt would think twice about taking on Warren Gatland's Lions coaching…
Debate: Is it time to rethink Ireland’s backrow?
IN 21st century Test rugby, superstars play at No 7. Richie McCaw, David Pocock and Sam Warburton have all been heralded, with Michael Hooper, after his performance against England, set…
Ireland XV v Fiji: What did we learn?
AN EXPERIMENTAL Ireland XV convincingly swept aside Fiji 53-0 on a damp, and blustery Saturday evening in Limerick. So far, so good, yet the game lacked Test match intensity. This…
Scots fail by playing Springbok games
SOMETHING WAS wrong. It did not sit right. Scotland were heading into a game off the back of a colossal All Black drubbing and they were...confident. While South Africa sent…
England 14-20 Australia: The Verdict
ENGLAND WENT into this Test against a supposedly dispirited Wallaby squad full of confidence. Sadly, when the whistle went, the roles had been reversed, with England, not so regal, in…
Wales v Samoa: Five things we learned
I READ a lot of stat sheets prior to writing these articles. But the reason for Samoa’s win against Wales won’t be found on any of them. You can’t measure…
Ireland XV 53-0 Fiji: The Verdict
IN WHAT turned out to be nothing more than a training ground run around, Ireland ran in eight unanswered tries in this non-cap match at Thomond Park. Fiji laboured in…