CATEGORIES

Fitzpatrick Raises Key Question For Regions

Any Lancashire member vexed at seeing so little of their champion bowler on the domestic front will have some sympathy with those who subscribe to another superstar of similar vintage.

The prince has his eyes on the prize as usual

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

Time for Exeter to ditch the warpaint

To misquote Aristotle, ‘human nature abhors a vaccuum’, and with no rugby at present, the hottest topic around seems to be the headdresses that some Exeter Chiefs supporters like to sport.

Chick: Falcons aim to start fast and not fade

NEWCASTLE back rower Callum Chick says the Falcons will be flying when their Premiership campaign kicks off against champions Harlequins on September 19.

Winning a breakdown was my greatest joy

THE FORMER BRUMBIES, BATH, LEICESTER AND EXETER FLANKER TURNED DEFENCE COACH

Ladesma and Cheika are under pressure

Having lived in Europe for 14 years, I’m now back in Argentina and have been closely following the start of the 2021 Rugby Championship.

Defibrillators are essential, every club should have one

I want to use my column this week to discuss an issue which is both incredibly important and also very close to my heart and that is the importance of every Welsh rugby club having a defibrillator.

I'm delighted for Kolbe, he deserves all the riches

IT’s absolutely staggering to see the amounts of money involved in Cheslin Kolbe’s transfer from European champions Toulouse to Toulon. It’s mind-blowing, and also brilliant news for rugby that these sums of money are batted around in the sport. I couldn’t be happier for Cheslin or any other player to command that sort of contract.

Titterrell swots up on the new boys

Adam Ellis talks to England U20s coach Andy Titterrell after his first year in the job

Wolfpack sharpen claws for bear pit

JACKSON Wray claims the Wolfpack have sharpened their claws and are “hungrier than ever” to regain their seat as England’s top dogs.

Maitland is chasing a flyer for Scotland

SEAN Maitland will leave it up to Gregor Townsend to decide when the curtain should fall on his Scotland career.

Lewies wants more of Quins factor 500

HARLEQUINS captain Stephan Lewies has urged fans to harness the Spirit of Ashton Gate when the champions kick off their title defence.

Ref Doyle available ‘for a pie and a pint'

Neil Fissler finds out what’s next for referee JP Doyle after his American adventure

Hooper shows his class in best Wallaby tradition

A BRIEF encounter with Ian Chappell long ago served as early notice to be wary of Australian Test captains. Quite why the air in Swansea turned blue during the tourists’ three-day match against Glamorgan has been lost in the mists of time other than that Chappell was not in the best of moods.

Cipriani magic can get Bath back in the title mix

It’s hard to say if Danny Cipriani is the missing piece to get Bath back on top – and whether he can change things on his own – but his job will be a lot easier if he has a formidable pack in front of him. It just makes life so much easier for the half-backs.

Pollard puts boot into the misfiring Pumas

THE Rugby Championship may be in more Covid disarray but Siya Kolisi claimed a second quick victory over Argentina tasted sweet.

I can't wait for Gareth return, but go slowly!

IT’S great news Gareth Anscombe is poised to make his long-awaited return from injury this season because he is a player the Ospreys, and to a lesser extent Wales, need desperately.

Let stars go abroad AND play for their countries

It seems to be part of rugby’s culture that the Unions like to flaunt their muscle and tell players that they can only play for their country if they are based there: England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand all do it.

The magnificent men of England's swinging 20s

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

Tigers tie up gives kids route through

Paul Rees finds out more about Nottingham’s new partnership with Leicester Tigers

Lions should have put pressure on Boks' backs

What we hoped would be a successful Lions series turned into a loss that’s still hard to believe. In all three Tests the Lions showed a commitment and drive to match the Boks forwards but only then did they attempt to outplay their backs.

Council steps in to take care of Beziers

Thirteen months ago, you probably recall, a proposed mega-money takeover of French ProD2 side Béziers dominated the rugby headlines on the French side of the Channel.

The sterile Lions Tests are killing the game

You have to laugh, even in the darkness. It’s better than the alternative. After countless stackings of the deck in favour of attack over defence by World Rugby, we have just been subjected to the most sterile, poverty-stricken Test series in well over a century of officially-sanctioned British and Irish Lions business trips. Six tries in three matches? Whoopee doo. Hang out the bunting.

Change guidelines to weed out ‘cheats'

I’m not going to do a Rassie and make a 60minute video nasty slagging off a specific referee but before the Lions tour disappears in our rear view mirror there are a few little refereeing items that need addressing under ‘any other business’.

Far less chat and more rugby action please, Sky

The Lions tour of South Africa, despite the empty stadia, the Covid scares, and so on, is still all about the rugby, so why did Sky feel the need to have a two-hour (!) build-up, and a 90-minute post mortem for the First Test? We want to watch the rugby, so does the nonsense that surrounds the game add to the experience, or detract from it?

Trinder opts for Amps over top flight return

HENRY Trinder plans on bringing the attacking style of rugby which dominated his 172-game career with Gloucester to Championship side Ampthill.

Wales can feed off grassroots energy

GRASSROOTS rugby is back up and running in Wales and it’s just brilliant to see those who love the game involved at their local clubs again. I’ve been added to the Amman United second team WhatsApp group for the new season – they’re trying to tempt be back to play once again and I’m resisting… for now!

This smearing of Gatland as conservative is claptrap

WARREN Gatland is a great coach, and assorted attempts to undermine his reputation this week were unworthy at best, and vindictive at worst.

Lions must now engage with the Premiership

The idea that the best players from the Home Unions get together every four years and travel to the southern hemisphere is a hugely romantic one, with decades of history behind it. Away from home and family for weeks on end, it’s only natural that the players bond, and friendships made on tour last a lifetime. However, nowadays those players are full-time professionals, who have chosen to sign contracts with clubs, or in the Celtic nations it might be Unions, that commit them to playing when their employers need them.

O'Flaherty eager to right the wrongs of painful last season

TOM O’Flaherty is putting the rest of the Premiership on notice that Exeter Chiefs are determined to rediscover their ruthless streak next season.