This weekend sees Stade Francais face Clermont Auvergne in the final of the Top 14, and if you pick through Clermont’s broken past you’ll see that one of their most…
Tournaments
Analysis: How Nemani Nadolo could wreck the World Cup for England and Wales
According to common consensus among early newspaper reports, the iceberg that submerged the Titanic in 1912 was between 50 and 100 feet high and 200 to 400 feet high. Now, Nemani…
Top 14: Racing Metro cast their eyes enviously at Stade Francais
You’ve got to feel for Jacky Lorenzetti. All that money he’s spent in the last two years to turn Racing Metro into the strongest side in France, and what’s he…
Rugby statistics: Why South Africa may struggle to overlook Jaco Kriel for the World Cup
During the Springboks training camp in May, head coach Heyneke Meyer said that picking the loose forwards for the Rugby World Cup was his biggest worry. Given the limitations of…
Hotshots: Ospreys lock Rory Thornton
When were you bitten by the rugby bug? I started in the U8s at Bonymaen with my neighbour Oliver Treviso. He still plays for them now. I was hooked…
Hotshots: Harlequins centre Joe Marchant
Which was your first team? Winchester U7. I stayed with Winchester through the age groups. Did you play other sports? I’m a black belt in karate, I swam and did…
France: Guy Noves will do things his way
To nobody’s great surprise Guy Noves was officially unveiled on Sunday as France’s next coach, with Yannick Bru as his forwards’ coach and Jeff Dubois in charge of the backs.…
Secrets of salary cap are tarnishing Premiership
The rumours and mystery surrounding the Aviva Premiership salary cap need to be cleared up to restore the league's credibility
Know your enemy: a look at spread betting in rugby
You think you know a thing or two about rugby, until you sit down with the guys in charge of setting the spreads in the betting industry. There are number-crunchers…
Analysis: How Owen Farrell guided Saracens to Premiership glory
Form is temporary. Intangible attributes such as tenacity and charisma are permanent. The very best sportsmen tend to possess those two qualities. Owen Farrell had endured a fairly ghastly season up until last…