CATEGORIES

Falcons respond in style but miss bonus

THREE tries in an improved second-half performance at Stade Pierre-Fabre put Newcastle into the qualifying spots for the knock-out stages.

Wales miss out on the great SA invasion

When it comes to wrapping South Africans up in their national colours, Wales stand apart from the rest of the Six Nations. They have not picked one in seven years.

Gloucester white flag disrepects a great Cup

Gloucester are in the process of forgetting all about Danny Cipriani, that exquisitely gifted memory-maker of a No.10 who, when the gods were smiling upon him, persuaded even the most unreconstructed thud-and-blunderer in the darkest corner of the Kingsholm Shed that rugby could be a game of artistry and wonderment.

Player welfare is more than concussion alone

During the week Sir Bill Beaumont, chairman of World Rugby, issued an open letter in response to the ongoing debate about the affect of repeated concussions, and in it he outlined the various steps made by his organisation to try to make the game safer.

French mean machine generate masterpiece

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

Durham have shone since rugby's dawn

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

Breakdown clearouts have made risks worse

There’s an old saying that trouble always come in threes and as far as rugby is concerned that certainly seems the case. First, we had the limited game of pick up and go with the inevitable box-kick finish which is boring and driving fans from the game.

Consistency key for high jumper Freddie

RANGY Leicester fullback Freddie Steward has vowed not to be a ‘ten-game wonder’ as he fights to be the latest Norfolk-born star to excel for club and country.

Alex sheds the pounds to cash in with Eddie

SLIMMED-DOWN and more mobile Harlequins No.8 Alex Dombrandt believes he is in tip-top condition for a New Year assault on winning his first England cap.

Diamond rescued Sharks from abyss but courted controversy

After Steve Diamond’s shock departure, Jon Newcombe looks at the highs and lows of his time as DoR of Sale Sharks

Reigate's renowned 56 Club were unbeatable with 15 on the pitch

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

I'd love to play for Tonga with my brother Charlie

Daniel Gallan talks to Bristol Bears star Siale Piutau about passion and punch-ups

Wonderful to sign off as a winner at Twickenham

CHARLIE AMESBURY THE FORMER HARLEQUINS, NEWCASTLE, SALE, BRISTOL AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY WINGER RUGBY

Sweeney: Six Nations could go to pay TV

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has not ruled out some of the Six Nations games disappearing behind a paywall.

North v South games have set us up well for Six Nations

Q&A ALAN DICKENS ON THE RECORD

Matera must face punishment insists horrified Hewitt

ASHTON Hewitt has slammed World Rugby and the game in general for paying lip service to the issue of racism after Argentina captain Pablo Matera returned to action.

Lipman's concussion diary shows the problem

By his own admission, Michael Lipman estimates to have been knocked out 30 times over the course of a 13-year professional career. During his last season in the Premiership, the former England flanker suffered five bouts of concussion.

French feelgood factor is shortlived

French rugby really should still be basking in the moral-winners’ glow of last Sunday’s Autumn Nations’ Cup final – but, these days, reality comes at you harder than a Georgian prop at an attacking 5m scrum.

Blues fly-half Jarrod wanted at Kingsholm

GLOUCESTER are weighing up a move for Wales and Cardiff Blues playmaker Jarrod Evans.

Irish must up tempo to sap Sharks power

TOM Homer has warned London Irish to front-up or be smashed by a power-packed Sale side who in recent years have routinely embarrassed the Exiles.

Records fail to hide Tri-Nations letdown

26th edition of the annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship

Professional game is fast losing its soul

SO there I was last Sunday night at a deserted Haywards Heath Hospital – and that is another story – and suddenly I was besieged by what I can only describe as May Day calls from three of rugby’s great and good. It was like sitting in the confession box, sworn to secrecy while listening to everybody’s intimate but previously unthinkable thoughts.

Joyce hits hat-trick but perfect Quins power on

A RAMPANT second-half showing from Harlequins kept their perfect record intact, clinching a seventh consecutive bonus-point win.

Morale-boosting finish to Wayne's annus horribilis

SO that’s the end of 2020 for Wales. I think most people will be glad to see the back of this year after it has been dominated by Covid-19 and I’m sure Wayne Pivac and his team will feel the same.

Have World Rugby the wit to save our game?

There are worrying numbers of lifelong rugby aficionados out there who believe the northern hemisphere game has lost its bite and are losing patience with its efforts to gum the audience into submission.

Cropper's coming, but not just yet says Deano

NEWCASTLE continue to defy the pundits and thoroughly deserved this win over a flat and depleted Wasps team.

Evans aims to put on a variety show for the fans

AMBITIOUS fly-half Lloyd Evans says Gloucester will happily eschew a slavish kicking game if his side keep racking up thrilling victories like last week’s over Wasps.

England must score four tries against French 2nds

THERE is always a danger in making too many changes at the international level and still expecting a team to function smoothly.

Bath weather fly-half storm to canter home

A MUSCULAR display by the Bath pack laid the foundations for a bonus-point win that got the West Country side’s season up and running.

France Still Lack Shape To Conquer The World

I Do not see France as the best side in the 2020 Six Nations, mainly because England’s wins over Wales and Ireland were bigger in terms of team performances. By comparison, France are still a side relying on individuals to produce moments of magic to win matches, rather than team-work.