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As usual, Gibson-Park enjoys life in top gear

IT’S more than a little sobering to think that Ireland’s win over Wales yesterday was probably their “iffy” performance of their 2024 Six Nations.

Rattled, but Irish still on course for slam

AND so the champions go to Twickenham on track for the Grandest of Slams, one match away from creating the longest winning Six Nations streak of all.

Edwards in firing line as France lose rhythm

IT’S too easy to say that France have fallen off and are no longer the team they were, after a home defeat by Ireland when they were down to 14 men for almost half the game. Nor can an away win over Scotland after such a big loss to the Irish in Marseille just be dismissed – even taking into account the controversy over the Scots being denied a last-gasp try.

Van Graan banking on Russell to hit the target

JOHANN van Graan has every faith that Finn Russell can transfer his goal-kicking form for Scotland to Bath if needed in clutch moments.

Hammer of the English is too hot to handle again

THIS fourth English Calcutta Cup defeat in succession confirmed Duhan van der Merwe as the ‘Hammer of the English’. The powerhouse South African-born winger was simply too hot to hold as he roared in for a hat-trick to send the Murrayfield crowd into raptures.

Mercer: I'm focused on Gloucester

IF desire to play for England was a factor in selection, Zach Mercer would be one of the first names on the team sheet.

End of an era as Lawes commits to Brive

COURTNEY Lawes will leave Northampton this summer to join ProD2 side Brive after 17 seasons at Franklin’s Gardens.

Boden quits Knights over lack of funding

FATIGUED by the ongoing uncertainty over funding and the direction of the Championship, Steve Boden has explained that the need to explore other opportunities away from the second tier of English rugby was behind his decision to quit as Doncaster DoR.

Borthwick: We made too many mistakes

ENGLAND boss Steve Borthwick admitted his side got what they deserved after another Murrayfield nightmare in Edinburgh.

Norey working hard to grab his Prem chance

MAX Norey made his Exeter debut in 2019 but has had to wait until this season to nail down a regular place in the Chiefs' match day squad, learning patiently his trade in lower leagues.

Esher hold off comeback as Hawks left wondering

ESHER underlined their promotion credentials with a hard-fought victory over Henley Hawks at Dry Leas.

Morse: Warburton is my inspiration

RISING star Morgan Morse has revealed how he has drawn inspiration from the words of former and Wales Lions skipper Sam Warburton.

Short-term contract takes Grace to Bath

FORMER Wales rugby league star Regan Grace has signed a short-term contract with Bath.

It's ten out of ten for Lynn's table toppers

GLOUCESTER-Hartpury went top of the table with a bonus-point win against Sale Sharks to maintain their 100 per cent win record from 10 games, while Sale Sharks remain bottom with nine defeats.

No stopping Portugal as they put on a show

PORTUGAL'S World Cup win over Fiji might rank as their finest-ever victory but this extraordinary attacking feast in Bucharest runs that night in Toulouse very close.

Lee-Lo red too much for Cardiff to live with

AN early red card to centre Ray Lee-Lo proved too much of a handicap for Cardiff to overcome as their hopes of an end-of-season play-off place were virtually extinguished.

Long breaks do us no favours - Rayer

BEDFORD Blues have made a promising start to this truncated but season's Championship director of rugby Rayer says.

Hendrickson enjoying his new life in Japan

TOM Hendrickson is settling well to life in the Far East having swapped the Premiership for that of Japanese Rugby League One.

Tigers keen to make it a day to remember

LEICESTER scrumhalf Tom Whiteley wants to give Hanro Liebenberg a day to remember by helping Tigers book a place in the Premiership Cup final.

Magnificent Mercer takes no prisoners

GLOUCESTER supporters must wish Zach Mercer could be snubbed by England every week.

England A told: Play what's in front of you

ENGLAND A will not be a replica of the senior side when they face Portugal at Welford Road next Sunday.

Moody: Ireland hold the aces

LEWIS Moody still harbours doubts are that England ready to lift the Six Nations crown despite a confident and promising start to the campaign.

Dowson hoping Lawes will stay

NORTHAMPTON director of rugby Phil Dowson still harbours some hope that Courtney Lawes has a future at Franklin's Gardens beyond the end of this season.

Assiratti goes from novice to mainstay

A YEAR ago Keiron Assiratti was wondering how he could prop up his family, never mind the Welsh scrum.

O'Shea wants more England A fixtures

TWICKENHAM is looking to arrange up to four England A fixtures in the coming years following the resurrection of the side this season.

Mercer on a mission

GLOUCESTER booked their place in the Premiership Cup final with Zach Mercer, pictured, leading the way with the first try and a hand in both of the others as they saw off Exeter 17-14 at Kingsholm.

Cole's wife gave him green light to carry on

ADAM HATHAWAY

Hodge to hit the ground running

JOSH Hodge insists he’s looking to make up for lost time after making his return to first team action at Exeter Chiefs.

Shock for Portugal as Belgium beat the odds

CORNISH Pirates full-back Jordan Gott hopes that playing a part in Belgium rugby’s best-ever win will be the catalyst for a strong second half of the season on a personal level as well as the dawn of a bright new era for the Black Devils.

Battling England's power is too much for Wales

MARK Mapletoft's age-grade front row have endured hefty expectations to replace the current men's ageing forwards but Friday night's scrum masterclass shows the future is looking bright for England's pack.