Before the 2017 Six Nations swings into full focus and dominates the rugby calendar for the months of February and March, there is the small matter of the final two…
Saracens
Five things we learnt in rugby – October
‘Pick and Mix’ rugby is a dangerous game. The days of a six month rugby season are long gone. Rugby is a nine month slog for all international players. However,…
Saints and Sinners: the weekend’s talking points
The Saints Sean Maitland and Saracens Only a top-class finisher can touch down a try when the combined power of Ma’a Nonu and Leigh Halfpenny is trying to take you…
Analysis: Six minutes that defined the resilience of Saracens
More than any athletic attribute, the one quality that Maro Itoje’s clubmates value highest in their young lock is an uncanny capacity to learn. Saracens playmakers know they only need…
Saints and Sinners: The Weekend’s Talking Points
The Saints Silver service from the No 10s Harlequins outside-centre Alofa Alofa scored his first try for his new club in their 20-9 Aviva Premiership win over Northampton Saints and…
Champions Cup: Clubs ready themselves for European adventure
The Champions Cup starts in earnest this month with enough high-profile clashes to whet the appetite of the most ardent Euro sceptic. The English leg of EPCR’s (European Professional Club…
After an annus horribilis, what now for Chris Ashton?
Journalists all around the rugby-playing globe were hunched over their laptops waiting for news of Chris Ashton’s disciplinary hearing to drop into their inbox on Tuesday. Then, at 11.50pm, the…
Player analysis: The rise and rise of Maro Itoje
By Alex Shaw Everyone in the rugby world knows the name Maro Itoje. The 21-year-old has been riding the crest of a wave that has grown, exponentially, over the last…
World Club 10s: Western Force win in Mauritius
Rugby in paradise Ranked 86th in the world – nestled comfortably between Niue Islands and the Bahamas – it’s understandable if rugby isn’t the first thing that comes to mind…
Part two: Aviva Premiership imports and exports
By Alex Shaw Following on from our look at the ins and outs at the first six Aviva Premiership clubs this off-season, we now turn our attentions to Newcastle Falcons,…