CATEGORIES

Every player was a hero in pulsating extravaganza

NOTHING has ever come easy for Exeter Chiefs in their 149 years, so only the most optimistic of Chiefs fans – watching remotely in their homes or Covid-regulated bars – would have anticipated anything other than a stomach-churning nail biter at Ashton Gate yesterday. And that’s what we duly witnessed.

Lovejoy's found home among London Exiles

DANIEL GALLAN talks to London Irish prop Lovejoy Chawatama about his rugby journey

Niall targets first Irish ton at Warriors

TOM VALE talks to Worcester Warriors’ multi-talented hooker Niall Annett

Rennie starts those All Blacks whinging again

Last weekend saw the first Bledisloe Cup match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks, and it was a cracker, with Dave Rennie’s lads giving the All Blacks, under their new coach Ian Foster, a real fright.

Bristol dynasty starts now says delighted Booy

BULLISH Bristol chairman Chris Booy believes Friday night’s stunning European Challenge Cup victory over Toulon can be the launchpad to a new dynasty in English rugby.

Gibson: Blooding kids didn't devalue league

EXETER Chiefs academy manager Rob Gibson has staunchly defended his club’s decision to blood 11 young homegrown players since the Premiership restarted in August.

Breakdown king Ben puts Bears on track for first-ever Euro crown

BRISTOL – as cool and canny after the break as they were frenetic before it – claimed a magnificent first European title with this win that has huge connotations for the club.

Bedford were original ‘Red Army' of rugby

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

Chiefs will need all their teamwork to win a cracker

HAVING the European Cup final at Ashton Gate in south-west England is helpful for Exeter, because logistically it’s much simpler for them than their French opponents, Racing 92.

Red hot atmosphere in the concrete fridge

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

Uren: Toulon will be class but we have Radradra!

AS a youngster, Andy Uren stood on the terraces at the Memorial Ground watching the likes of “the unbelievable” Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi strut their stuff.

Women's game can point way for restart

As we finally come to the end of what has been the most disrupted season of rugby since the war, it’s going to be interesting to see what we have learned.

The online trolls are unfair on Diamond

No party time: Sale after their Premiership Cup victory over Harlequins

New-look Nicky aims to munch France

NICKY Smith has eaten his way back into the Wales squad by piling on the pounds in a bid to return to the international stage bigger, better and stronger.

Parling helps develop Wallabies' dark side

AFTER establishing his top-flight coaching credentials with the Melbourne Rebels, former England and Lions star Geoff Parling has set the bar higher still by vowing to kick-start an Aussie revival when the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championships starts next month.

Diamond amazed by Wales snub to WillGriff

SALE Sharks say they are ‘astounded’ by WillGriff John’s exclusion from the Wales squad following his selection before the Six Nations went into lockdown.

Cancellation benefits Bath, Robshaw ends a winner

Winner: Quins captain Chris Robshaw bids farewell

Brash? Yes, I don't want to be boring!

ADAM ELLIS talks to England flanker turned author James Haskell

Clubs Must Help Save Themselves With Cuts

I sometimes wonder whether the Premiership and its clubs are living in a parallel universe.

Russell Has A Box Of Tricks But May Be Risk For Lions

Finn Russell demonstrated in last weekend’s European Cup semi-final victory over Saracens in Paris that playing in a high-powered highly talented team like Racing 92, he gets the chance to express himself even more than before.

PRO12 winner Heenan hungry for another title

REGARDLESS of the shenanigans at Sale, Bristol flanker Jake Heenan insists nothing changes for his side as they aim for a five-point win and tilt at the Premiership title.

Don't kill Cheetahs off for the ‘Big Four'

There will be a big decision to be made in South Africa this week when a vote is taken on the playing future of their four now former Super Rugby teams – Lions, Sharks, Bulls and Stormers – and the Cheetahs.

Watkin won't be satisfied until he hits Test century

OWEN Watkin is eager to establish himself as a Test starter this autumn following Hadleigh Parkes’ exit – and then kick on to make a big name for himself.

Tiger Reffell raring to rip into Robshaw

RISING star Tommy Reffell goes into battle against Premiership legend Chris Robshaw today looking to enhance his burgeoning reputation.

Penberthy quits Reds to become boy in blue

AARON PENBERTHY has swapped the playbook for the lawbook as he begins a new career in the State of Jersey Police.

Lam: Job done but far too many errors

BRISTOL kept their play-off bid on track with a bonus-point win over Leicester.

Creevy try settles see-saw struggle

LONDON Irish recorded their first win over the Chiefs since 2015 with veteran hooker Agustin Creevy grabbing the winning try.

Diamond backs James brothers for England run

STEVE Diamond has backed Luke James and Sam James to become the latest set of brothers to play for England.

Diamond Rallies Troops With Half-Time Roasting

Faf De Klerk revealed a half-time roasting from Steve Diamond inspired Sale to victory over Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup final.

Stick with Undercurry and Billy says Moody

FORMER England captain Lewis Moody believes Eddie Jones should stick with his tried and tested back row trio despite being blessed with an embarrassment of riches in the loose forwards.