Bigger Squad Sizes Are Answer To Injury Crisis

In last weekend’s Sunday Times, Stephen Jones highlighted the injury ‘crisis’ sweeping the professional game. What he failed to offer was constructive suggestion on how the problem might be addressed, beyond the obvious one that players play fewer games.

Scots Can Beat Wales If They Play Fast And Error Free

SO much rests on Scotland winning their opening game of the Six Nations against Wales in Cardiff. If they lose the reaction will be that it is another Scottish false dawn, and nothing much is going to happen.

Rhys Has Become The Victim Of Politics

The lucky ones find a way of bowing out with a World Cup or a Grand Slam in their hands, the acclaim of a grateful country ringing in their ears.

Deane's Putting Rangy Rio Through The Ringer

NEALE HARVEY talks to former Quins hard man Mel Deane about his job coaching Rio Ferdinand

Roberts Hoping Quins Young Roses Will Help Wales Career Bloom Again

Roberts Hoping Quins Young Roses Will Help Wales Career Bloom Again

Marcus Has All The Attributes To Be A World Class General

Marcus Has All The Attributes To Be A World Class General

Billy Is Off Again And Doubtful For Autumn Test Series

Billy Is Off Again And Doubtful For Autumn Test Series

Lions Will Find That Gatland Is A Hard Man To Replace

IT sounds as if Warren Gatland retired himself as Lions head coach this week, and I guess coaching the Lions is a bit like Doctor Who.

Frantic Saints Facing Uphill Task To Qualify

SAINTS, bouncing back from a first round mauling against Saracens, displayed plenty of ticker and endeavour but absolutely no composure in a frantic, seething match and predictably paid the price against such wily European operators as Clermont.

Shane Williams Wales And Lions Legend

Wales can challenge but Ireland are my tip.

Finn's Big Question Is Can He Keep Ireland Guessing

FINN Russell will be a big part of how Scotland do against Ireland in next weekend’s Six Nations game in Edinburgh, and the fly-half will be a main influence in whether they take the next step to becoming a competitive force in the tournament.

Apprentice Zach Out To Show Toulon Who's Boss

Apprentice Zach Out To Show Toulon Who's Boss

Scotland Have An Outside Chance Of A Grand Slam

Scotland Have An Outside Chance Of A Grand Slam

Hit And Miss Campaign But Some Stunning Tries

Hit And Miss Campaign But Some Stunning Tries

Chatty Refs Have Aided The Growth Of Dissent

Chatty Refs Have Aided The Growth Of Dissent

Don't Write Off Jamie, We Can Still Hit 50 Mark

JONATHAN Davies is one game short of a half-century of international starts alongside Jamie Roberts – and he isn’t giving up on the prospect of the pair reaching their 50.

Four-Try Irish Denied By Bulls-eye Burns

FREDDIE Burns produced a virtuoso display on his comeback from a three-week suspension as a youthful Bath outfit held off a furious late fightback from London Irish.

Ugly England Need a Big Makeover to Face Wales

From NICK CAIN at Twickenham

Laidlaw Keeps His Cool to Ensure Scotland Stay High on the Hogg

A PUMPED up Scotland recorded only their second opening day win in the modern day Six Nations to underline their Championship potential this year.  

Slade Back To His Best After Injury Frustration

Slade Back To His Best After Injury Frustration

Solve Rugby's Problems By Ending Promotion

Solve Rugby's Problems By Ending Promotion

Sloppy Chiefs Made To Pay By May Magic

Sloppy Chiefs Made To Pay By May Magic

Topsy Warns Irish Rivals: Joltin' Joe Is Coming For You!

LONDON Irish hit man Joe Cokanasiga is ready to take the Premiership by storm, according to veteran Exiles winger Topsy Ojo.

Now We Have Hope

IN the stock-take of one of the great Lions expeditions what stands out like Kieran Read’s sore thumb is that the force field of invincibility surrounding the All Blacks has been vaporised by the 2017 tourists.

Cruden Can Help Restore The Thrills

Montpellier fans cannot wait to see All Black fly-half Aaron Cruden in their colours this season.

Familiar Faces Helping Freeman Feel At Home

AMBITIOUS flanker James Freeman has expressed his delight at being reunited with Matt Kvesic at title holders Exeter as the two former Worcester academy products battle to break into one of the most competitive back rows in the Premiership.

Leigh Needs Future Sorted Double Fast

I REALLY feel for Leigh Halfpenny. What a situation he’s in. To be without a club at this stage isn’t ideal at all with the new season already around the corner.

Slater Glad To Be Back Among The Heavy Mob

ED SLATER insists he left Leicester on his own terms after agreeing to be part of the controversial swap deal that saw Gloucester wing Jonny May head to Welford Road.

Colossus Courtney Tames Timid Tigers

COURTNEY Lawes said before this East Midlands derby that Saints would be looking for redemption after last weekend’s drubbing by Saracens, and he backed up his words by hammering Leicester.

Champions Back On Track With Five Tries

CHAMPIONS Exeter shrugged off the spluttering start to the defence of their title as they handed newly promoted London Irish a punishing welcome to life at the top.