Huge names: Brian O'Driscoll, Richie Gray, Dan Lydiate and England captain Chris Robshaw

Huge names: Brian O’Driscoll, Richie Gray, Dan Lydiate and England captain Chris Robshaw in our latest edition

YOU may already be into you New Year, New Me campaign but you can always rely on Rugby World. In the new issue we look back at the year that was 2013, its successes and its big changes while also looking forward to all the delights 2014 can bring.

We listen out for Robshaw’s roar as the England captain talks us through his battle to prove the doubters wrong, debate who should take over from Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s outside centre when he finally hangs up the boots this year and talk to two Lions who have turned their lives upside down by moving to France – Wales and Racing Metro flanker Dan Lydiate and Scotland and Castres lock Richie Gray. Then there is an exclusive chat with Richie McCaw, with the All Blacks legend answering your questions.

Tootling off down memory lane, Gavin Mortimer runs us through his review of the year for 2013 – with all the Lions glory and silly shenanigans – while Stephen Jones gives us his serious (and some not so serious) wishes for the year ahead.

This is a list of contents – and you can find out where to buy your copy here or download our free magazine finder app here. Plus, if you have an iPad, download the digital edition here or find out about our android version here.

Sidelines

We pick out the biggest fixtures of 2014 coming up, predict who will make the last eight of the Heineken Cup, meet Leicester Tigers new wheelchair rugby team, give you details on buying World Cup 2015 tickets, 30 Minutes with

Once a Shark: Brad Barritt during his time in South Africa

Once a Shark: Brad Barritt during his time in South Africa

Leicester and England hooker Tom Youngs and more.

Columnists

Paul Wallace – Why are the Irish provinces thriving in Europe?

Brad Barritt – Saracens’ centre previews a glamour-tie with South Africa’s Sharks

Jonathan Davies – Welsh rugby’s civil war

Spotlights

Jared Payne – Ireland’s answer? The Ulster back speaks

Liam Williams – The larger-than-like full-back lets us into his mind

Ross Rennie – Scotland’s talented back-rower is back on the scene

Samu Manoa – The hard-hitting Saint tells us how his Grandma knocked him into line

Features

Chris Robshaw – It has been a painfully tough year for the England captain, but he has come through it all

Dan Lydiate – Deep in the heart of Paris, Wales’ destructive flanker has started a new life. We meet him there

Who will replace Brian O’Driscoll? – We look at the men vying to take over from Ireland’s fabled great

Richie Gray – We also jet out to see why Scotland’s shaggy-haired lock loves the quiet life in Castres

Big in 2013: Ben Smith and Richie McCaw

Big in 2013: Ben Smith and Richie McCaw

Review of the Year – Remember that scandalous red card? Forget about that impressive points tally? Well, we’ve gone over all the big news and sensational events of 2013 in our review

Richie McCaw – The Kiwi captain sits down and faces a barrage of questions from us and you, the readers

HSBC Sevens series in Dubai – We head for the UAE to see what’s happening at one of the world’s most jumping sevens events – accompanied by none other than Will Greenwood

2014 Wish List – Stephen Jones tells us everything he is hoping for in the upcoming year of rugby, from England coming back stronger to club changes in Wales

Dave Ewers – Meet Exeter Chiefs’ Zimbabwean powerhouse at the back of the scrum

Advice section

Pro insight – Gregor Townsend on counter-attack

Fitness – Begin the new year the right way

Pro playbook – Making use of scrum positions

Mini rugby – How to play Stick in the Mud

Regulars

Rugby focus – All the news from the clubs, schools and women’s circuits

Essentials – The latest books and products

Uncovered – Recent retiree Dan Hipkiss

Tour Tale – Masking disappointment on tour