What's new in this season's English top flight?
Tournaments
The players missing openers in the Aviva Premiership and Pro12
THE WAITING is almost done. We are just over a week away from the opening days of the Aviva Premiership and the RaboDirect Pro12 and already we are condemning some…
Top 14: Hook ready to lead Perpignan to new heights
TIMES, THEY are a-changin’ at Perpignan. Who would have thought just a few years ago that arguably the most parochial of French clubs would have a Welshman for a captain?…
Last ride for RaboDirect
THIS SEASON is the last the Pro12 will have the title sponsor, RaboDirect. The bank have opted not to renew its sponsorship contract with the league, meaning that just as…
Top 14: Toulouse coach going the way of the Gunners
By Gavin Mortimer IF THERE’S one man who knows how Arsene Wenger is feeling this week it’s Toulouse coach Guy Noves. Like the Arsenal manager, Noves ended Saturday afternoon with…
RWC2015: Canada in driving seat heading into decider with USA
By Alan Dymock INSURMOUNTABLE IT ain’t, but the USA Eagles have a tough task ahead, overcoming the odds and qualifying outright for Rugby World Cup 2015 after losing 27-9 to…
Beware the return of Juan Smith
By Alan Dymock AS RUGBY becomes more competitive, more sponsor-driven, more about the trophies than the humans involved, there is a chance that some folk could get chewed up and…
Gaining Six Nations release from the Top 14
By Alan Dymock FRANCE IS a place of cruel and lucrative circumstance, we are told. A place where teams allegedly have to balance slugging it out like dribbling Neanderthals all…
Rugby World Cup: Canada and USA fighting to qualify
By Alan Dymock THE RUGBY World Cup may appear nicely teed up in the minds of fans from the traditional rugby heartlands, with spectators already looking forward to South Africa…
One year to go until the Commonwealth Games
By Alan Dymock ONE YEAR to go. That’s the word in Scotland as Glasgow prepares to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Some of the biggest names in sport will be…