CATEGORIES

George is pulling up trees

Kyran Bracken reports on his progress of turning Wanstead No.9 George Hardy into a professional inside 12 months

Errol paved way for today's Springboks

WE mark all sorts of landmarks in rugby these days, so much so that we possibly lose sight of the really important milestones, so let’s celebrate today the 40th anniversary of the first black player representing the Springboks in a Test match.

Tempers fray as Bears thwart Tigers' big finish

BRISTOL’S individual brilliance edged this ferocious contest which will be remembered more for the furore of the finale.

Changing of the guard at Bedford but Geoff's built a legacy to last

IT’S a new era for Bedford after Geoff Irvine’s chairmanship officially came to an end this weekend after over 20 years’ of service.

Heady days before the mighty Oaks tumbled

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

Rainbow Cup just isn't worth injury risk

AS we go into the final stages of the domestic season, we will now see the experienced players come to the fore. It is make or break time for many with trophies on the line.

Champions Cup? Now it's taking in also-rans!

If and when the brewing industry calls “time gentlemen please” on its financial support for the European Champions Cup – it is not yet certain that Heineken, the current title sponsors, will extend beyond next season – who might be in the market for naming rights?

Matavesi lies in wait for his Lion pal Luke

SAM Matavesi aims to be the teacher and not the student when he and fellow Truro College graduate Luke Cowan-Dickie get down to some serious front row work today.

Championship is sinking: RFU won't rescue it!

THIS week it emerged that the RFU’s vision for the Championship has plumbed the depths. It was encapsulated by an email exchange between a prolific campaigner against ringfencing, and an RFU Council member.

Malins must force Eddie to make a change at 15

THE England full-back role is up for grabs this summer with Anthony Watson and Elliot Daly away with the Lions in South Africa. There are four players in the selection picture at No.15 for the mainly young England team that Eddie Jones has said he intends to pick for the summer matches against the USA and Canada.

High-tempo Quins' better fit for Wallace than Tigers

LUKE Wallace rejoined Harlequins from Leicester last week and reckons the mood at the Stoop hints at a return to the glory days for the club.

Baa-baas' all-stars go to town in Hong Kong

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

Alun Wyn can prove his doubters wrong, like I did – Matfield

VICTOR Matfield knows what it’s like to have your age questioned on the eve of a Lions series.

Devoto: Leinster Defeat Has Made Us Even Hungrier

Ollie Devoto has warned Exeter’s Premiership rivals that the Chiefs are all the more determined to win back-to-back Premiership titles after being knocked out of the Heineken Champions Cup by Leinster last month.

Toulouse can edge this fascinating French battle

WHEN there are no English, Irish, Welsh, or Scots teams involved in the final of the European Cup it does not usually fire the imagination, but Saturday evening’s all-French final between Toulouse and La Rochelle at Twickenham should be a different matter.

End salary cap and fat cats will take cream

There are plenty of jokes to be cracked about professional rugby’s hot love affair with cold-blooded capitalism, but what’s the point? Ninety-nine per cent of readers cannot afford to get them.

More yellows, but still Sale power onwards

SALE won at The Rec for the first time since March 2014 as Bath lost at home for a record sixth time in a Premiership season.

You need help to ride highs and lows

PAUL REES talks to two Prem stars about the importance of PRL’s Restart charity

Robson blasts lottery over red card decisions

DAN Robson demanded more consistency from referees over red card decisions after Wasps defied going down to 14 men to defeat Worcester at the Ricoh Arena.

Captain Tom promises fight to the finish at Twickenham

NO English club has appeared in more European finals than Leicester, but it will be a first for the Tigers on Friday night when they face Montpellier at Twickenham in front of 10,000 spectators.

Now Pivac must build with some new faces

AS SIX Nations champions, Wales must not let their standards slip this summer. Facing Canada and Argentina in Cardiff in July is a priceless opportunity for Wayne Pivac to build on what has been a fine year and plan ahead for the 2023 World Cup.

Proctor: We still believe we can make top four

MATT Proctor was expecting the Premiership to be a slog when he arrived from New Zealand but the All Blacks centre has felt at home in a league where variety has spiced up his sporting life.

Alex eyes glory finish to iffy start in France

ALEX LOZOWSKI hopes to end a rollercoaster year in France on a high by adding a European Challenge Cup winner’s medal to the two he gained in the Champions Cup with Saracens.

Tomas chasing a champagne finish at Chiefs

TOMAS FRANCIS intends savouring every remaining minute he has as an Exeter player before his summer move to the Ospreys.

Thomas: Ted deserves next shot with England

WORCESTER head coach Jonathan Thomas says the Warriors should have at least a double interest in England’s summer schedule – despite their disappointing season.

Strict new protocols provoke reaction

Less than a month to the end of the season, and less than two months to the hoped-for crowning of the next champion of France, the LNR has imposed strict new health protocols on the 30 clubs in the Top 14 and Pro D2.

Why I always find myself rooting against the Irish

As I watched the Champions Cup semi-final between La Rochelle and Leinster, cheering for the French team, it got me wondering why, despite having no particular affinity for either side, I’d opted to support them.

Game on for top six with Jacob back from his blip

WASPS head to The Stoop today looking for redemption and the sort of consistency that has eluded them in what has been a rollercoaster season.

Lam urges law change to eliminate ‘latching'

PAT Lam hopes World Rugby will act quickly to outlaw an attacker latching on to a ball carrier before a tackle has been made, fearing an increase in concussion rates if nothing is done.

Genge tells Lions: Be wary of Wiese!

Wiese has given the Tigers the formidable ball-carrying option they’ve been in desperate need of for years, the No.8 making a huge impact on the Premiership, and opposite defenders, in his first full season at Welford Road.