CATEGORIES

Saracens make it too easy for Bulls

THE Blue Bulls deservedly won this heavyweight clash but there was a minor triumph in defeat for Sarries who somehow prevented them claiming what had seemed like an inevitable try bonus.

French power will be so tough to overcome

ENGLISH clubs are up against it in the European Cup because they are competing against French clubs which have much bigger budgets. In fact, in the last decade, the only Premiership club that’s managed to compete successfully against the French, and Leinster, has been Saracens.

Dynamic duo put life back into Bath

BEN Spencer has partnered two of the leading outside- halves of their generation, Owen Farrell and Finn Russell, and although they have contrasting styles and temperaments, he believes they are very similar.

Vermeulen confident Chiefs will return to top

JACQUES Vermeulen is one of the old hands at Exeter following his arrival from South Africa in 2019 and after a summer of upheaval believes it will not be long before the Chiefs are back at the top.

Reed is making his mark at Sale

A NEW tattoo and a special changing room rapport between Sale Sharks' Arron Reed and director of rugby Alex Sanderson has been the catalyst in the winger finding the form of his career so far this season.

Williams: I'd back call to get rid of Sweeney

THE Championship’s joint top try scorer David Williams has called for Sport England or another organisation to get involved and provide some accountability to decisions being made at Twickenham.

Baron: RFU heading for £59m loss this year

FRANCIS Baron has accused the RFU hierarchy of publishing misleading interpretations of its own financial position, which he believes is increasingly precarious, and is being ‘misrepresented’ to its 1,200 member clubs.

Cane and Kolbe link up for Japan opener

JUST over a month since the Rugby World Cup final, 14 of the players who featured in the showpiece match will suit up for club duty in Japan’s Rugby League One opening round.

Hyatt happy to see Aberavon hit form

ABERAVON head coach Jason Hyatt was a proud man after his side responded to their heavy 6426 thumping at Cardiff by beating Ebbw Vale with a bonus point 24-13 in the Premiership.

Shard hits top form in Lymm's vital win

LYMM moved seven points clear of the drop zone after a convincing victory against relegation rivals Preston Grasshoppers.

Delight for grab first

LONDON Scottish clinched their first victory of the season in a breathtaking display, edging past the Championship leaders Ealing in a thrilling West London derby.

Oghre enjoying life with Bristol

GABRIEL Oghre was one of a number of players who last season found themselves having to pick up the pieces after their clubs folded and they found themselves out of work.

Dominant Saracens get ready for lift-off

SARACENS continued their winning start to the season with a dominant performance at The Stoop.

Winger who is learning new tricks with Tigers

OLLIE Hassell-Collins appeared to be in for a rugby lifestyle change when he signed for Leicester last season from London Irish.

Smith calls shots as Quins put on a show

MARCUS Smith struck the first blow in the battle for England’s newly-vacant No.10 shirt as he inspired Harlequins to crush George Ford’s Sale on a freezing Friday night at The Stoop.

Itoje is the best man to captain England

MARO Itoje should be England’s next captain following Owen Farrell’s decision to make himself unavailable for the 2024 Six Nations. Since 2016, Itoje has been the outstanding player in England, in terms of consistent excellence, and is virtually the only Red Rose forward who has been regularly in World XV contention.

Bears hit 50 to leave Gloucester in a heap

BRISTOL’S run of five defeats came to an end with a complete dismantling of a poor Gloucester side, which crashed to their sixth consecutive Premiership loss.

Battling Saints too strong for Saracens

STEELY defence and the ability to strike when the opportunity presented itself underpinned this landmark Saints win.

Barbeary double has Bath in joyful mood

IT’S certainly been a bleak few years for Bath, but with Christmas on the horizon the festive cheer was certainly flowing back around the famous old Rec.

Good on Farrell for putting his family first

OWEN Farrell’s decision to step away from England duty was a surprise, but almost all of the comments we’ve seen are support- of his announcement.

Lawes delays decision on his future until Six Nations

COURTNEY Lawes will make a decision on his Northampton future during the Six Nations window in February.

Malins is looking to shine at Bristol

IT WAS typical of fate that Max Malins’s first start for Bristol since signing for them permanently came at the club where his career had started eight years before, Saracens.

Schoeman keen to stay at Bath

JUAN Schoeman admits he is fighting for his place in the Bath squad with his current contract running out at the end of the season.

Murley is aiming for England comeback

CADAN Murley made a late start to his Premiership campaign when he returned from a knee injury in the last round and is set on making up for lost time as he targets a place in England’s Six Nations squad.

Pirates rule out move for new Truro stadium

CORNISH Pirates have sold Truro City FC to the Canadian sports consortium that owns Cornwall Rugby League FC, Ontario Inc (OI) meaning hopes of a new stadium for Pirates in Truro are over.

Boden backing for minimum standards

DONCASTER Knights head coach Steve Boden believes it’s important Championship clubs meet the Premiership’s minimum standards criteria for promotion – but says he is isn’t talking about his side’s chances of going up to the top flight.

Vickery & Regan named in lawsuit

TWO of England’s 2003 World Cup winners, Phil Vickery and Mark Regan, are among the 295 players taking legal action against rugby authorities over brain injury claims.

Bath move for World Cup star Snyman

WORLD Cup winner RG Snyman is set to reunite with Johann van Graan, with Bath on the verge of completing a deal for the lock after it was announced he is leaving Munster when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

Cockerill goes out, Collazo comes in

TIME was very firmly called on Richard Cockerill’s brief run as Montpellier manager six days ago, after just five months and a total of seven Top 14 matches.

Another maximum for flying Drovers

CHAMPIONS Llandovery made it five successive bonus point victories and nine wins out of 10 after winning 29-7 in their top of the table clash with Newport at Church Bank.