CATEGORIES

We're not afraid to get into a dog-fight, says van Graan

WHEN Johann van Graan took charge of Bath in the summer of 2022, the South African made no secret of the fact that implementing his style and a change of culture at the famous Rec would take some time.

Nowell: I'm loving life on and off the pitch at La Rochelle

AS Jack Nowell stepped off the plane to start his La Rochelle career, he was stepping into the unknown challenges that would wrap his brain for the initial settling-in period.

Freeman is happy to have a crack at centre

TOMMY Freeman has started all of England’s internationals this year on the wing but fancies having a crack in the centre.

Heyes determined to prove himself at the top level

JOE Heyes has used the hurt of missing out on a place in England’s Autumn Nations Series squad to drive him on to bigger and better things.

England were not too far off - Slade

HENRY Slade believes England deserved more credit for their performances this autumn, insisting it was ‘small margins’ that prevented them from truly making their mark against the southern hemisphere’s elite.

No Mercer decision until end of season

GLOUCESTER will not decide on Zach Mercer’s future until the end of the season as speculation that he will return to France intensifies.

Stade are heading in right direction

IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever it might be, something involving snowflakes, perhaps, or frosts – that’s the situation at Stade Francais right now.

Borthwick needs to sort out defence

WELL surprise, surprise England at last managed to win at home in front of a nearly full Allianz stadium even if it was against a team that they had thrashed just a few months earlier.

Rowland is gearing up for world cup challenge

HELENA Rowland believes England Women have been given advance warning that next year’s Rugby World Cup is to be no formality.

All my energy is going into Beziers

IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, the 11-time French champions, along with Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.

Fylde left to count cost of the cards

LEEDS TYKES were thankful for their resolute defence as they clung on to claim a narrow win against Fylde.

O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings

EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and insists it is the best preparation for his transition to senior rugby after graduation.

It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham

PROUD Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else.

Bristol hit heights to take down champions

BRISTOL Bears head coach Dave Ward could not hide his delight following an impressive victory over reigning PWR champions Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm.

Good to see the Eagles soaring again

THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.

Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash

FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.

My body is telling me to quit, saysEvans

WALES are about to be hit by another loss despite spending the final weekend of the autumn series all washed up with nobody to play.

Vermeulen excited to visit old friends

EXETER start their Champions Cup campaign away in South Africa on Saturday, but Jacques Vermeulen will feel very much at home.

Scotland deserve fair share of Lions

WE MAY be exaggerating here, but not by much: since the wonderful Tom Smith made the last of his half-dozen consecutive international appearances in the red jersey of his dreams, as opposed to the blue one, it has been easier to spot a Twickenham chief executive in a food bank than clap eyes on a Test Lion from Scotland.

We'll be locked and loaded for Sale trip - Cheika

WITH wins over Exeter, Newcastle and Saracens, playing away from home in the Premiership currently holds no fears for Leicester.

Sanderson: We need to get our bite back

ALEX Sanderson expects Sale to bear their teeth against resurgent Leicester at the AJ Bell Stadium after heavy defeats on the road in the last two rounds.

Newcastle master misfiring Saracens

STEVE Diamond pledged that Newcastle had to focus on home form and turn Kingston Park into a fortress, and those words came to fruition in a season-defining victory against Saracens.

Lam puts Ibitoye in frame for England

PAT Lam believes Steve Borthwick should put Gabriel Ibitoye in his future England plans and give the wing a Six Nations run out.

Carreras class has Saints on the rack

GLOUCESTER'S first-half charge won this classy Premiership contest despite a Northampton fight-back led by fit-again No.9 Alex Mitchell.

Chiefs fight hard but Bath go back to top

THIS was a rare ugly match in the Premiership as Bath returned to the top of the table and Exeter’s losing run stretched to seven league matches.

Pepper praise for Underhill

SAM Underhill was one of Guy Pepper’s idols growing up and he’s now enjoying learning from him in person at Bath.

We can't compete with the big dogs, admits Diamond

STEVE Diamond will be putting young players on long-term contracts to protect Newcastle from the greater spending power of every other club in the Premiership.

Tough for clubs to get permission for 10,001

I HAVE every sympathy with my old friend Simon Halliday, the outgoing Chairman of the Championship Board, and the Championship clubs having read his comments in Nick Cain's article in TRP last Sunday.

Don't be in awe of 'The System'

AS a long-time England supporter I feel compelled to express my concerns about the performances and results of our team.

Scotland must not waste potential

N assessment of where Scotland and England are after the autumn series, with another Calcutta Cup clash to come at Twickenham in the middle of the Six Nations, is an interesting comparison. It's made even more pointed by competition for places on the 2025 Lions tour.