Last year, one team in eight in Europe was from outside the three professional leagues. This year, it’ll be one in 20. At the most. Another day, another disappointment, as…
Tournaments
The Top 14 and the death of l’esprit de clocher
There’s a revolution underway in French rugby, one that is having ramifications for the home nations. We’ve already seen evidence of it in October when Toulon, Toulouse and Racing Metro…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Biggar the better He didn’t create any tries with breath-taking passes or scything runs, he didn’t kick any points as he had Leigh Halfpenny to do that job,…
The rise of Exeter Chiefs
AS CHRISTMAS rushes towards us, what are the standout stories in this season’s Aviva Premiership? No one expected London Welsh to be so utterly out of their depth, and those…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Irish eyes are smiling For the first time since 2006, Ireland won all three of their November Tests, as a ferocious rear-guard action in the last quarter of…
Autumn International player analysis: Anthony Watson, England
STANDING IN front of the assembled press at Pennyhill Park last Thursday after being named in England’s match-day 23 to face New Zealand, Anthony Watson was asked what part of…
Teddy Thomas: France’s new star
Find out more about the Racing Métro winger who scored a hat-trick on his France debut
Saints and Sinners: the weekend’s talking points
The Saints Tricky business Hats off to Barbarians coach John Kirwan and his team for pulling a few tricks out of the bag during their 36-40 loss to Australia at…
Sam Burgess arrives at Bath
Sam Burgess‘s high-profile switch from league to union has been one of the season’s biggest talking points, and his arrival at The Rec sparked excitement amongst Bath and England fans,…
The Rugby World Cup goes on tour
THE RUGBY World Cup Trophy Tour kicked off in May and is giving people around the globe the chance to see rugby’s biggest prize. The Webb Ellis Cup is being taken…