Warrenball no more as fluid Lions show flair

A RUNAWAY victory against markedly inferior opposition usually offers little value, but for Warren Gatland’s Lions every match in the build-up to the Test series counts.

National Leagues get online show

NATIONAL League rugby is set for its own weekly highlights show, with part of the proceeds generated going back to its 48 member clubs.

I fear it looks quite serious for Leigh

THERE is no other way for me to start other than by wishing Leigh Halfpenny all the best. For his 100th Test to end like that was just so cruel and after just 30 seconds, too.

Is The Rash Of Red Cards Truly Making Game Safer?

Brave boy,” said Ugo Monye, admiringly, as he watched his beloved Harlequins close in on their famous Premiership semi-final victory over Bristol. “Tough boy,” agreed Lawrence Dallaglio, just a little less enthusiastically, being a lifelong Wasp with an axe the size of a guillotine to grind when it comes to the Twickenham set.

Fast Start Keeps England On Track

England will head into next week’s showdown with Ireland with two bonus-point victories in the bag, after coming through unscathed against Scotland.

Quins have taught Eddie a lesson in how to attack

SO a season that started with Eddie Jones arguing it was almost impossible to play attractive attacking rugby under the current laws ended with one of the greatest Cup Finals in Rugby history, let alone Premiership history, and a nation falling back in love with the beautiful game.

Pollard can cement his place as best ever Bok 10

In Handre Pollard, Morne Steyn and Elton Jantjies, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has a set of flyhalves that tick every box. No matter what Warren Gatland throws at him, the hosts of the upcoming Lions series have all bases covered at 10.

Underdogs? Quins roar like big dogs in a classic

WHEN it comes to long runs from the back there is nothing in the annals of English club rugby to match the one that Harlequins made yesterday to become Premiership champions by dethroning Exeter in an epic six tries to five final.

High ball doubt may cost Hogg Lions slot

STUART Hogg’s high points this season in leading Scotland to away victories over France and England in the Six Nations, as well as his two blistering tries against Wales, reaffirmed him as one of the great attacking talents.

No doubt Sarries will get some abuse next season

The totally unsurprising news that Saracens slaughtered Ealing Trailfinders in the two-leg Championship final doesn’t seem to have provoked the strong reaction some might have expected.

Banahan aiming for new life as a golf pro

HAVING played in his first professional golf tournament, recently retired rugby star Matt Banahan admits turning from lock to wing was a far easier transition.

Booth has helped Beard find his consistency and regain Wales slot

Force: Adam Beard playing for Wales in Six Nations

Adam aims to provide spark

ADAM Hastings believes he can take his game to the next level at Gloucester after leaving family life behind in Glasgow to test himself in the Premiership again.

If Ealing Are The Best, What Are The Others Like?

Let’s hope that the members of the RFU Council were watching Saracens annihilate Ealing Trailfinders in the first leg of the Championship final, as the game should have removed any doubts about the need for an extension to the moratorium on promotion and relegation.

URC will reshape the global game

DANIEL GALLAN talks to Rudolf Straeuli about his expectations of the league replacing PRO14

Bears' writing their own ‘living history' under visionary Pat

PAT LAM has used his love of history to haul Bristol from the Championship to the top of the Premiership and a seat at the table of European rugby’s elite.

Les Bleus announce themselves to the world

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

Surely Robson's ready for a first start now, Eddie

IF JUSTICE prevails in the coming weeks, 29-year-old Dan Robson will surely make his first start for England after 12 appearances off the bench.

Undercooked Wales set for gruelling week of fitness work

WALES head coach Wayne Pivac admits he fears his team will be underdone for their summer Tests in a scenario similar to the one which preceded their horror campaign at the end of 2020.

Scotland captaincy eases pain for Ritchie

SCOTLAND flanker Jamie Ritchie aims to channel his anguish at missing out on the British & Irish Lions tour by leading from the front as he prepares to captain his country for the first time.

Lions pride runs deep in this Belfast powerhouse

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

Dombrant steps up defence for Eddie

ALEX Dombrandt is keeping the England faith despite continuous knockbacks and is praying Harlequins’ strong Premiership campaign will finally lead to a first cap.

As a No.8 and wing I was called McLomu

THE FORMER SCOTLAND, GOLDEN LIONS, GLASGOW, LONDON IRISH, LEEDS AND EDINBURGH BACK ROW/WING

O'Brien Urges Ireland To Blood Players In Prem

Sean O’Brien believes Ireland should relax their rule which all but bars players being selected for the national squad if they move outside the country and use leagues like the Premiership to develop players.

Wayne's got a way to put Wales out in front

IN the northern hemisphere we have always been one or two steps behind teams in the south. That’s just a fact and it applies to both club and Test rugby. Teams like New Zealand and South Africa constantly bring something new to the table despite the immense success they’ve had over long periods of time.

Touchline fiasco should never have happened

THE touchline row between Steve Borthwick and Pat Lam in the clash between Leicester and Bristol at Welford Road last weekend was a savage indictment of the Premiership in terms of professional standards.

‘Robin Hood' rides to Nottingham's call

I ONLY ever intended to go to Nottingham for six months back in 2001 and I ended up staying for a dozen or so years. Now, after nine years away coaching in Hong Kong, I’m going back, as head coach. Nottingham is a special place for me and my wife and I wouldn’t have left my job with the Hong Kong RU for any other role. Our three kids were all born in Nottingham and we’re all excited about what lies ahead.

Mount are on the climb again under Campbell

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

Influencer White's got Sale in rhythm

A product of the St John Fisher College in Wigan, like Shaun Edwards, White’s innovative thinking and ability to bring the best out of sportsmen has aligned perfectly with the transition of Sale’s culture into a people-first environment under DoR Alex Sanderson.

Inspirational Bentos puts Lions on road to glory

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