CATEGORIES

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

Major blow as Farrell set to miss Argentina

Farrell faces a ban after becoming the first England player to have a yellow card upgraded to a red by the new ‘Bunker’ review system, following a high tackle on Taine Basham

Chester ready for test against best in West

A RESHUFFLE of National Two meant much confusion during the off season for Chester but after receiving confirmation of a place in the West league, head coach Guy Ford is excited for the new season.

Bercis buzzing for a shot at big boys

JOE Bercis is set to become the all-time appearance holder for Ampthill this season and aims to put a torrid time with injuries behind him as he targets a top five Championship finish.

Honey aiming to make his mark at Rams

DEADEYE goal kicker Fraser Honey has taken the step up to National 1 side Rams and is hoping to secure a place in the club’s prolific backline.

'I've given everything I could to the game'

Ben Jaycock sits down with Stuart Hogg to discuss his career and his plans for the future

Crowds need to be part of the action

\"Of the nine stadia hosting the World Cup, only two could be described as outsized\"

Sanderson looking for an extra 12%

ALEX Sanderson believes Sale will need to improve by at least 12 per cent if they are going to go one better than last season and win the Premiership.

Mentality of the players holds key

\"Everyone should look to improve and be brave - and that's coaches as well as players\"