CATEGORIES

Sam's style suits Hill in quest to be top captain

NEWLY-appointed Worcester skipper Ted Hill will take inspiration from legendary leaders Sam Warburton and Lawrence Dallaglio as he aims to stamp his mark on proceedings as the fourth youngest captain in Premiership history.

Sadness over death of Clermont president

The death of Clermont president Eric de Cromières, aged 66, has cast a sombre shadow over French rugby.

Is Griffiths getting his own back on the Prem?

Finally, the Championship has a champion in Edward Griffiths, who is going to shine a light at the end of the long tunnel that has been the clubs’ battle to survive in these professional times.

Heads out of the bunker chaps and point the way!

Lady Godiva’s dress-down ride through Coventry; Sir Thomas Fairfax’s rout of the Royalist forces south of Bristol; the first stirrings of the Battle of Britain; the attack on the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland: all things considered, the 10th day of July had more than its share of historical resonance even before Darren Childs addressed the rugby nation.

So Vital Gatland Goes For Tried And Tested Coaches

The big positive from the announcement of the 2021 Lions itinerary this week is that there is continuity, because it is the same tour schedule in South Africa as it was before the Covid lockdown.

Whitgift produce sporting all-rounders of excellence

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

Rugby in Hawaii? Book me in please Danno!

ONE of the major disappointments with American Rugby over the decades is that Hawaii hasn’t made more of an impact, although that could all be about to change after the formation of a Kanaloa Hawaii team to hopefully compete in the MLR from next season onwards.

Johnny focused on starting at Scarlets

JOHNNY Williams insists he is in no rush to follow Dragons recruit Nick Tompkins and fast track his way into the Wales team after swapping Newcastle for Scarlets.

Twist facts how you like, Tests still reign supreme

AS THE old saying goes: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” The inference, of course, is that statistics can be used to defend a weak argument by the use of numbers, not facts.

Shirt-swap stars can carry on regardless

Scotland set the long-distance ball rolling, England joined in, Wales followed suit and Ireland are now poised to complete a Home Nations’ custom.

Memo to PRO16: Dublin to Cape Town is 15 hours

If Coronation Street is our longest-running soap, then the PRO14 is doing its best to rival it. Its chequered history dates back nearly 20 years, starting with the four Irish provinces, the two Scottish franchises, and nine (!) Welsh teams.

Maverick talents that England failed to trust

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

Injury ended my shot at England...and All Blacks

DAN BOWDEN THE FORMER HIGHLANDERS, BLUES, CRUSADERS, LONDON IRISH, LEICESTER AND BATH FLY-HALF

Beziers takeover hits the buffers

It’s taken several weeks, and several twists, but the Beziers afternoon soap opera is running down for the summer.

Clubs Do Have A Contract, But So Did Their Players

A front row view of the game

Icon Dan becomes a hero for grassroots

Blair Agnew will be dining out for the rest of his life on the big hit he put in on Dan Carter last weekend. The West Melton hooker lined-up the three-time World Rugby Player of the Year and hit him with everything he had.

Silence the razzmatazz, best tunes are on field

When the new All Black captain Sam Cane and his fellow Chiefs reached halftime during last week’s painful Super Rugby Aotearoa defeat by the Hurricanes in Hamilton, they were serenaded down the tunnel by a blast of Don’t Stop Me Now, a song recorded, to the best of your columnist’s limited knowledge of glam rock, by Queen.

Warburton gets it wrong on world's biggest stage

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

RFU ban destroyed Pilgrim's progress

In their final rage at the dying of the amateur light, the RFU did something which provoked angry questions in both Houses of Parliament.

FFR agree schedule... and it will be brutal!

For France’s internationals, especially those playing for the six Top 14 clubs in the knockout phase of the held-over Champions and Challenge Cup competitions, next season starts off hard – and just gets harder.

Rebel Manu begs for his Tigers job back

MANU Tuilagi made a forlorn attempt to save his Leicester career before the Tigers confirmed his departure on Friday after ten eventful seasons.

Club before country as Francis signs at Chiefs

WALES prop Tomas Francis has ended speculation over his immediate future by extending his contract at Exeter Chiefs.

Fans will remember the players who stayed loyal

This is a time when you have to try to find some positives somewhere, and as the clubs continue to attempt to re-sign players for the remainder of this season, maybe loyalty can be one of the plus points to emerge.

Blundell's have flown flag for Devon for 150 years

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

Why Are We Waiting So Long For Rugby?

Read his expert opinion every week

High time Cardiff put up a statue for Billy

THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW

Now Manu and Faletau are wanted in France

FRENCH COLUMN

Never say never, but I can't see an exodus to America

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE EVERY WEEK

Diversity sounds good – but are the people there?

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME

‘Iron Mike' cuts all ties with Gloucester

MIKE Teague’s disenchantment with Gloucester has led the talismanic England and Lions flanker who played with such distinction for the club to demand the return of his memorabilia at Kingsholm.