CATEGORIES

Eddie Must Get England Playing At A Higher Tempo

SCOTLAND have good cause to feel confident going to Twickenham based on their home victories over Ireland and Wales.

Brilliant Beale Keeps Wasps Buzzing On Top

KURTLEY Beale may have cost Wasps a king’s ransom, but he gave a regal display to score two sumptuous touchdowns as the league leaders inflicted Bath’s worst Premiership defeat at the Recreation Ground for four years.

Yes, Rugby Is Physical But It Is A Force For Good

The thing about a bandwagon is that once it starts to roll, more and more people want to jump on. That’s what’s happening with rugby and concussion.

French Giants No Match For Runaway Red Army

MUNSTER marched into their 12th European Cup semi-final and if their victory wasn’t quite as emphatic as the score line might suggest, they still look well capable of winning this year’s tournament.

Warburton Still The Pick Of Captaincy Candidates

The clock is ticking in the run up to Warren Gatland’s Lions squad announcement, but for me there’s only one man to lead the touring party – Sam Warburton.

Brothers In Arms Keep Kiwi Sides Riding High

THE Barrett and Ioane brothers were on fire yesterday with standout performances to hand the Hurricanes and the Blues wins over Australian opposition.

I Doubt That Gatland Will Be Giving Out Lions Wildcards

Optimism, hypocrisy and concern.

Cipriani Is Capable Of Pulling All The Strings

Eddie Jones’ comments this week regarding Danny Cipriani and the England fly-half situation are to be expected because as manager of the national side, you don’t want to say anything publicly that could compromise you in times to come.

A Roman Holiday Jaunt for Ireland as Sorry Italy Surrender nine Tries

A DETERMINED and fluent Ireland ripped a desperately poor Italian side to shreds in Rome with an irresistible nine-try display which yielded hat-tricks for CJ Stander and replacement wing Craig Gilroy, the latter’s taking just 14 minutes.

Farrell Can Lead Lions Like Johnno Says Telfer

OWEN FARRELL has emerged as a candidate to captain the Lions this summer according to one of the game’s most revered figures.

North faces his moment of truth in Eternal City

Throughout his obsessive quest for perfection, Jonny Wilkinson used a stark piece of pragmatic philosophy: “Treat every match as if it’s going to be your last.’’ George North, for one, could do a lot worse than remind himself of that before Wales line up in Rome this afternoon even if the fixture has become an excuse for filling their boots since they fell victim to a dodgy piece of time keep ten years ago.

Surely We Can All Agree On What ‘Straight' Means

With six weeks to go until the start of the Premiership season, it has been announced that some Law amendments will come into force on August 1.

Proud Aussie But I'd Love To Keep Working With England!

NEALE HARVEY talks to Australian backline guru Glen Ella about his recent England experiences and how Eddie Jones has inspired a dramatic change in his players’ thinking.

Pisi's Pacy Tricks Too Sharp For Dragons

KEN PISI set alight Northampton last night to help his team end a miserable run of five defeats.

At Last, Sarries Show Class Of Champions

WITH Mako Vunipola wielding the cudgel up front and Owen Farrell slipping the dagger in when Northampton had been battered, this try beating might yet be enough to see Saracens defend their European title.

I Thought My Career Was Over, Says Luke

FRUSTRATED Harlequins back rower Luke Wallace has revealed the gruesome extent of last summer’s horror hip dislocation that wrecked the first half of his campaign and left him fearing the worst.

Bigger Squad Sizes Are Answer To Injury Crisis

In last weekend’s Sunday Times, Stephen Jones highlighted the injury ‘crisis’ sweeping the professional game. What he failed to offer was constructive suggestion on how the problem might be addressed, beyond the obvious one that players play fewer games.

Scots Can Beat Wales If They Play Fast And Error Free

SO much rests on Scotland winning their opening game of the Six Nations against Wales in Cardiff. If they lose the reaction will be that it is another Scottish false dawn, and nothing much is going to happen.

Rhys Has Become The Victim Of Politics

The lucky ones find a way of bowing out with a World Cup or a Grand Slam in their hands, the acclaim of a grateful country ringing in their ears.

Deane's Putting Rangy Rio Through The Ringer

NEALE HARVEY talks to former Quins hard man Mel Deane about his job coaching Rio Ferdinand

Roberts Hoping Quins Young Roses Will Help Wales Career Bloom Again

Roberts Hoping Quins Young Roses Will Help Wales Career Bloom Again

Marcus Has All The Attributes To Be A World Class General

Marcus Has All The Attributes To Be A World Class General

Billy Is Off Again And Doubtful For Autumn Test Series

Billy Is Off Again And Doubtful For Autumn Test Series

Lions Will Find That Gatland Is A Hard Man To Replace

IT sounds as if Warren Gatland retired himself as Lions head coach this week, and I guess coaching the Lions is a bit like Doctor Who.

Frantic Saints Facing Uphill Task To Qualify

SAINTS, bouncing back from a first round mauling against Saracens, displayed plenty of ticker and endeavour but absolutely no composure in a frantic, seething match and predictably paid the price against such wily European operators as Clermont.

Shane Williams Wales And Lions Legend

Wales can challenge but Ireland are my tip.

Finn's Big Question Is Can He Keep Ireland Guessing

FINN Russell will be a big part of how Scotland do against Ireland in next weekend’s Six Nations game in Edinburgh, and the fly-half will be a main influence in whether they take the next step to becoming a competitive force in the tournament.

Apprentice Zach Out To Show Toulon Who's Boss

Apprentice Zach Out To Show Toulon Who's Boss

Scotland Have An Outside Chance Of A Grand Slam

Scotland Have An Outside Chance Of A Grand Slam

Hit And Miss Campaign But Some Stunning Tries

Hit And Miss Campaign But Some Stunning Tries