CATEGORIES

Aldcroft takes over at helm for England

GLOUCESTER-Hartpury lock Zoe Aldcroft has been installed as England women's captain for 2025, taking over from the previously unbeaten Marlie Packer.

We can learn a lot from French

THERE is so much that is wrong with the game in England, could it be because our system failed to follow the French when the game went professional? Since the start of the professional game back in 1995 the French just carried on with the system they had in place that rewarded players while they were playing and once they retired.

Jamie sets his own try target as Macc start to climb table

JAMIE HARRISON isn't satisfied with his nine tries so far for newly promoted Macclesfield and hopes to reach 20 this season.

Tom believes props should keep their options open

EXPERIENCED prop Tom Bristow is urging young front rowers to learn both sides of the scrum rather than being pigeonholed into one position.

Chiefs aiming to get season back on the right track

TITLE hunting Exeter Chiefs will be desperate to get back on track today after slipping down the table following their flying start.

'I want to follow my brother to the top'

DAVID Opoku-Fordjour feels he has what it takes to achieve his lifelong dream of lining up alongside his brother to play for England.

We need to watch rugby in the raw

ACCORDING to Inkoo Kang, a leading critic at The New Yorker magazine and, almost by definition, a writer whose words are barely distinguishable from music, it was \"like a box of bonbons gifted around the holidays: pleasing, elegant, forgotten as soon as it's consumed...driven by intricate plotting rather than by meaningful character development\".

Molina is following in Baxter's footsteps

IN the rugby world, players often emerge as leaders not only through their skill, but through their character, shaping their teams in ways that endure beyond the game.

Double for Walsh puts Ospreys in charge

JACK Walsh scored two tries to guarantee Ospreys a place in the knock-out stages but they weren't at their best as second-string frustrated Falcons them for large parts of the match.

We're expecting a brutal clash, admits Chisholm

JAMES Chisholm adImits he is not one of the flashier players who wear the Harlequins' multi-coloured jersey, but the back rower proved his worth at a bitterly cold Newcastle in the last round of the Premiership.

We know this is a must-win match, admits van Graan

BATH make five changes as they look to kickstart their Champions Cup campaign against Clermont Auvergne.

Lawrence's play-acting was shameful to watch

OLLIE Lawrence's sham injury in the closing minutes of a knife-edge finish between Northampton and Bath at Franklin's Gardens last weekend has seen some commentators get themselves in an almighty tangle.

Williams out to prove his worth again

JAMES Williams saw off the challenge of Virimi Vakatawa last season and having recovered from a shoulder injury now has the task of again making himself a fixture in Bristol's midfield where Benhard van Rensburg and Kalaveti Ravouvou have been creating havoc.

Toulouse on easy street as the sun beats down

THIS match proved more of a damp squib rather than a tournament classic as reigning champions Toulouse showcased their class by navigating difficult conditions to get past a toothless Sharks.

Bassett shines to make sure for Leicester

JOSH warmed Bassett the hands and hearts of the Welford Road faithful with a fine hat-trick as Tigers cruised into the Champions Cup knockout stages.

Saracens miss out but still in contention

SARACENS - high in effort, determination and ticker but low in poise, finesse and attacking nous missed a golden opportunity to claim a rare win at Thomond and take control of their pool going into Round 4.

Pollock power show can't rescue Saints

HENRY Pollock lined up what could be a very happy birthday with a two-try burst in a power-packed display but Northampton had nothing to celebrate.

My four changes that will fire up England

WHOEVER is in the England squad for the Six Nations to be announced on Tuesday by Steve Borthwick I cannot imagine that there will be too much in the way of change.

Grace out to seize his chance

CARDIFF have revealed how the signing of Regan Grace was made possible by an injury to one of their Wales stars.

Beaumont isn't I fear right man for the job

RUGBY Union's dire inability to handle the crisis threatening a great sport's future is reflected in Sir Bill Beaumont's hasty appointment as interim Rugby Football Union chairman.

Inter-club rivalry is pushing us on - Ramm

JAMES Ramm believes the fierce but friendly rivalry among Northampton's backs off the field can help inspire the club to more silverware on it.

Du Preez always up for the fight, says Sanderson

RECORD-breaking Rob du Preez has been hailed as \"a great player\" by his Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson.

Underhill expected to miss Six Nations

ENGLAND flanker Sam Underhill is an injury doubt for the Six Nations after Bath announced he requires ankle surgery.

Diamond set to open player contract talks

STEVE Diamond will start contract talks this week with players he wants to retain next season still unsure whether there will be relegation from the Premiership this season.

Sale told: Time you won again

PHILIPPE Saint-Andre has assessed Sale's title prospects and declared: \"It's about time they won something again.\"

Edwards gives Gatland a little to think about

A TERRIFIC effort from Ospreys should have seen victory and it was rough justice that high-flying Cardiff escaped with an undeserved draw.

Cowan-Dickie: I'm back and buzzing

LUKE Cowan-Dickie's journey back to the pinnacle of rugby is nothing short of extraordinary.

Clow keeps Rams in touch at the top

RAMS inward approach is paying dividends with the club involved in another title race thanks in part to free scoring flyer Zachary Clow.

Powell powers over to take Quins home

PLAYMAKER Kayleigh Powell powered past four defenders to score the eighth Harlequins try and narrowly edge out a spirited Trailfinders side to secure a late comeback win in a 15-try derby thriller.

Hathaway can follow Zam Skivington

GEORGE Skivington has backed Josh Hathaway to continue to go from strength to strength as the young winger attempts to follow in the slipstream of Louis Rees-Zammit and be a big hit for club and country.