NEW ZEALAND referee Bryce Lawrence has retired, citing heavy criticism following the Rugby World Cup quarter-final between South Africa and Australia last year behind his decision. The 41 year-old is…
Tournaments
Why the hype over France’s Gael Fickou
LET'S NOT get carried away. Gael Fickou had a good game for Toulouse in their win over Leicester on Sunday, but was the 18-year-old’s try-scoring performance really that special? Sure,…
The Championship Blog — B & I Cup Week 1 round-up
THE BRITISH & Irish Cup kicked-off this weekend after a major makeover due to last season’s antics, which saw some clubs using it as an opportunity to rest key players…
Harlequins and Saracens pose strongest English threat in Europe
A BRIEF scan of the results from Round One of the Heineken Cup highlighted that English sides may not be as far off the pace when it comes to the…
Can Exeter’s remarkable rise continue against Leinster?
THIS TIME three years ago, Exeter were still in the RFU Championship, in the middle of a week that started by playing London Welsh at Sandy Park and finished with…
Football grounds will make the Rugby World Cup a great success
I HAVE spent most of this week swimming against the tide of public opinion over England Rugby 2015's decision to scrap Welford Road as a World Cup venue. I think…
Five players to look out for in the Heineken Cup
IN A competition packed full of Europe's finest players, certain talents will always stand out. Here are five stars set to make a big impression in this season's Heineken Cup:
Edinburgh reject Saracens proposal to play in Cape Town
EDINBURGH RUGBY have rejected a proposal to play their away Heineken Cup match against Saracens at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa, describing the concept as "simply not an option…
Can the French clubs rule in Europe?
WITH THE 2012-13 Heineken Cup starting on Friday how healthy are the French clubs ahead of the opening round? Runaway Top 14 leaders Toulon play Montpellier on Sunday evening but…
The Championship Blog – Week 6 round-up
NOTTINGHAM TRADED places with Plymouth and moved into third in the Championship by virtue of a 48-16 win over Jersey, at Meadow Lane on Friday. The Green and Whites were…