CATEGORIES

Lawes: We were made to look silly

STEVE Borthwick had to admit his side were outplayed yesterday as England suffered their first ever defeat to Fiji who triumphed at Twickenham 30-22.

S Africa ward off England fightback

SOUTH Africa delivered a commanding performance in the second half to beat England U18s.

De Klerk: We're out to prove a point

FAF de Klerk says South Africa have a point to prove against New Zealand when they clash at Twickenham on Friday.

Rugby League has taken over says Campese

AUSTRALIA legend David Campese is concerned that rugby union is starting to mimic traditional rugby league and is a poorer sport as a result.

Moyle quick off the mark as Pirates find their feet

CHAMPIONSHIP side Pirates produced seven tries as they dominated the first of two outings against National One Plymouth in front of an excellent pre-season crowd of 1,360.

England must get the ball to the wide men

FOR four years, Sir Clive Woodward in his matchday analysis in his newspaper column always states that the coaches pick the right team... he might be right one day.

New Scotland cap Healy has point to prove

NEW Scotland recruit Ben Healy admits he may have “a bit of a chip on his shoulder” as he aims to prove he was right to switch international allegiance from his native Ireland.

Fiji give France a run for their money

FRANCE put the loss of star fly-half Romain Ntamack behind them as they continued their fine form but were made to work hard for a win over Fiji in Nantes.

Gatland's men get lesson in finishing

AS distressing dress rehearsals go, this one leaves a wishful Wales pinning their faith in the old showbiz dictum that ‘It’ll be all right on the night’.

Time is running out for chaotic England

ANOTHER day, another English disciplinary implosion with a red card, this time given to Billy Vunipola, for a headhigh tackle on Ireland loose-head Andrew Porter in the 52nd minute of this Red Rose warm-up debacle in Dublin.

Robinson's delight to be back at Bath

Jon Newcombe finds the club's former captain in fine form as he returns to join coaching team

Take mental health seriously - Rugman

ELLIE Rugman has urged new England head coach John Mitchell to take mental health more seriously after her struggles with anxiety were ignored by the previous regime.

Tierney set to be first female CEO at WRU

THE Welsh Rugby Union has appointed its first female chief executive in Abi Tierney. Tierney has been director general of the HM Passport Office and UK Visas and Immigration for the past three years.

Not again! Vunipola red adds to misery

MARO Itoje admitted England have to clean up their act after Billy Vunipola’s red card sent them hurtling to a 29-10 defeat in Ireland.

Powell aims to prove her time is now

CONNIE Powell believes she now has what it takes to become England’s first choice hooker and has moved to Harlequins for consistent game time

We want to push top teams all the way - Short

HARTPURY’S Harry Short is hoping his side can build on last season’s impressive campaign and keep pushing the full-time teams at the top

Biljon: Standards going through roof

JERSEY Reds director of rugby Harvey Biljon believes the standard in the Championship is through the roof and expects it to be competitive across the board next season

Barrington: Losing Mako is huge blow

RICHARD Barring- ton feels the loss of Mako Vunipola is a huge blow to England but remains upbeat about the prop options in Steve Borthwick’s pack

All Blacks put faith in Retallick's recovery powers

VETERAN lock Brodie Retallick has been named in New Zealand’s squad despite suffering a knee injury against Australia last weekend

Giant Skelton leads new-look Wallabies

HEAD coach Eddie Jones has named La Rochelle second row Will Skelton as captain of a young Wallabies squad, with veterans Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper left out

It's now time for England to reboot

THERE are a number of utility players selected in the England World Cup squad of 33 announced this week by head coach Steve Borthwick

Russell has been captain for a long time - Hogg

FINN Russell captained Scotland for the first time last weekendin their win over France and former teammate Stuart Hogg says the Bath bound flyhalf is a natural leader

Ramos steals it as Scotland go close

SCOTLAND the brave produced a superb performance in defeat in the sultry heat of Saint Etienne but were finally undone with a late penalty by Tomas Ramos

No excuses - Wales simply switched off

For about 60 minutes of England versus Wales, I wondered why I was watching it – it hadn’t been the best of matches and I was finding it difficult to fathom why there was only nine points between the countries

At last! The old hands finally agree to come to the party

I THINK it's the Buddists who insist one of the biggest problems in this world is people mistakenly thinking they have time

Ford puts England or on the front foot

THERE was a moment six minutes into the second-half which summed up England. Courtney Lawes stole a lineout near Wales’s line, prime attacking ball with the opposition not set up in defence

England break cover to glimpse new life

OWEN Farrell’s sending off in the 63rd minute of this helter-skelter second warm-up Test against Wales was the catalyst not only for this game to come to life, but also for England to get a glimpse of resurrection

Motorbiking duo riding to raise funds for Doddie

LEN Bage and Robin Down are fundraising for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation as they embark on a 1,300-mile motorbike ride this month across the UK visiting each professional rugby club in England, Wales and Scotland

Blake out to make No.2 slot his own

A HOOKER crisis at Kingsholm last season saw tyro Seb Blake chucked in at the deep end but now he wants to make the Gloucester No.2 jersey his own

Hill: We must clarify Championship role

FORMER Richmond boss Steve Hill says it’s disappointing how the Championship has changed its regulations around dual registration and questions the identity of certain clubs that appear to be used as development tools for Premiership teams