The Champions Cup starts this weekend and the seven French sides have experienced fluctuating fortunes so far this season in the Top 14. With sackings, sales and scandals dominating the…
European Champions Cup
Champions Cup: Europe provides the stage for Test auditions
By Alex Shaw The European Rugby Champions Cup makes its 2016-17 bow this weekend and as early as round one, offers up a mouth-watering array of match-ups. Intensity is ratcheted…
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…
England rugby: RFU and Premiership Rugby sign £200m eight-year partnership
It was all smiles at Twickenham this week as Ian Ritchie, chief executive of the RFU, and his opposite number at Premiership Rugby, Mark McCafferty, unveiled the latest agreement between…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Saracens’ dynamic duo Saracens are the king of European rugby, after beating Racing 92 in the Champions Cup final. They managed the wet conditions in Lyon superbly, were…
Is Owen Farrell finally ready to go toe-to-toe with Dan Carter?
By Alex Shaw Reputations are hard to shed once they’ve been cast and in no arena do fans stick to these often outdated misconceptions more so than in rugby. Since…
Why things have clicked for Racing this season
Saracens should be wary of a Racing side fulfilling their potential in this weekend's European Champions Cup final
Analysis: Seven aspects of the Saracens gameplan
Mark McCall and his men still readily bring up 2014, when they lost two finals in the space of seven excruciating days. First, on May 24, Toulon outclassed them to…
Brexit: what would it mean for rugby?
This summer’s tours reach their climax on Saturday 25 June, but two days earlier it will be politicians rather than rugby fans eagerly awaiting a result. The people of Britain…
Saints and Sinners: the weekend’s talking points
The Saints The Maro and Mako show Saracens march on into the European Champions Cup final, having suffocated Wasps’ challenge with a 24-17 victory in a brutal contest and their…