High-risk blitz puts England in charge

THERE'S nothing not to like about England's blitz defence. It's bold, gutsy, and good to see because it makes rugby exciting. A blitz defence is all-or-nothing - there's no half-way, no 'just about'.

Only our best will do, says Carnduff

FINN Carnduff leads England U20s out to face old rivals Ireland today knowing they must produce their best 80 minutes of the tournament so far to book a place in Friday's World Championship final.

George: I just can't wait for rematch

ENGLAND captain Jamie George is desperate for a rematch with the All reBlacks after another gut-wrenching verse down under.

Ireland stun world champions

SUPER-SUB Ciaran Frawley landed a last second drop-goal to write his name into Ireland legend as Andy Farrell's side clinched a dramatic victory over South Africa in Durban last night to level the series 1-1.

YOUN GUNS HARVEYCUCKSON BATH & ENGLAND U20 SECOND ROW

Harvey Cuckson thought long and hard about whether to represent England or Wales in his age-grade rugby but is certain he made the right call in pulling on the Red Rose.

I played my last game in 38-degree heat...

OMAN, where I have been living with my family for the last two years, is a beautiful country just like Wales with the coastline and the mountains - but with a lot fewer rugby clubs and a better climate. In fact, there is only one rugby club out here, in Muscat, where my son now plays.

European elite keen to exclude outsiders

WHICHEVER way you care to define the i-word, it was an interesting few hours for Canadian sport.

I still have a lot more to give - McNally

JOSH McNally views his move to Cardiff as the perfect outcome after for a time that his rugby career may be over.

Why is captain replaced so early?

SO THE All Blacks keep their home record of wins at Dunedin by just one point against an England side who will be wondering what might have been.

Time for players to behave properly

THERE are no 'good' responses to Melvyn Jaminet's violently racist outburst on social media, or the serious sexual assault allegations levelled against Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou during France's July tour of Argentina and Uruguay.

Hunslet become dual-code outfit

A DUAL-CODE rugby club is set to return to the Rugby League heartland of Leeds, with Jason Robinson's former club Hunslet launching a 15-man, semi-pro franchise team.

Ex-Bath wing to play for Knights

FORMER England winger Semesa Rokoduguni will play for Doncaster Knights in the Championship next season.

MAXI-MILLIONS!

Magpies pocket £4m as Kilman joins Hammers

I AIM TO MAKE GLENN PROUD OF MY PROJECT IN THE NORTH

Roeder changed me, says Sarll

WHATEVER THE LEVEL, IT'S THE SAME GAME IT CRACKS YOU

IF PEOPLE were surprised when Phil Brown took over at Kidderminster last season, you can only imagine the astonishment when he chose to hang around following relegation to National League North.

DETERMINED GARY'S EAGER TO REMAIN IN FAST LANE!

GARY Meakin reckons Rayners Lane can have a crack at a third successive promotion – if his players maintain high standards throughout the season.

Jalibert is top of the 'Wanted' list again

NEVER mind that the words ‘Stade Toulousain’ have only just been meticulously punched into the plaque on the Bouclierde Brennus to mark them forever more as 2023/24 Top 14 champions.

Borthwick happy to go back for future

SO IT looks like Steve Borthwick has learned a lesson and decided what many thought was perhaps a step too far for the England coach to make.

New-look England put Fiji to the sword

DESPITE making 13 changes to their starting XV, England secured a second victory in a row by dismantling Fiji.

Playing high stakes game to stay alive

WE’RE coming off the back of another good win against Fiji this week and one of the key messages was ‘staying alive’ and ‘expecting the unexpected’.

NASH AIM TO SMASH IT AGAIN!

CRAIG MAHON says Curzon Ashton’s play-off finish last season was monumental – but they want to do it all over again.

England know this was a chance missed

AFTER Marcus Smith missed a penalty two minutes into the second half from 30 metres out and just to the left of the posts, the outside-half cursed himself with a two-word phrase that England supporters watching at the ground and at home would have struggled to top in terms of bad language.

ONE MORE PROMOTION TO CREATE A PERFECT LEGACY

GAZ Dean thought his dreams of a life in football were over when Nuneaton Borough were liquidated in 2008.

STEVE HAS A CUNNING PLAN FOR HIS ROBINS

UPBEAT boss Steve Cunningham reckons he’s adding the firepower needed to give Ashton United a genuine shot at NPL Premier glory this season.

ACE JAKE ENJOYS PERFECT ENDIG

ENFIELD Town striker Jake Cass says it was an ‘incredibly difficult decision’ to hang up his boots – but that he will always have magical memories of his Non-League career.

George: Keep the faith

ENGLAND skipper Jamie George told his side to keep the faith after their agonising 16-15 defeat to New Zealand continued their drought down under.

MAGIC DAY FOR WANDS & DONS

CRAY Wanderers and SE Dons stepped up their preparations for the new season – and it promises to be a huge one for both clubs as they embark on new, exciting journeys.

MY BIG MOVE IS CHAMPION!

Altintop lands at Larne...

Halliday calls for clarity on Championship funding issues

CHAMPIONSHIP clubs are calling for the funding issues surrounding next season’s reintroduction of promotion-relegation to be ratified urgently.

Parkinson turns to Crawford to keep Robins rocking

PHIL Parkinson reckons he has powered up his Altrincham engine room with another ‘top player’ after snapping up midfielder Tom Crawford.