CATEGORIES

Rugby Has Benefitted From Ill-Gotten Gains

Rugby, the winter sport of choice of many middle and upper-class white males from the moment William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran in 1823, has often had to grapple with the big issues in society, not least those concerning the old British Empire.

Spencer Cuts Ties For Sake Of His Family

Bath-bound England scrum-half Ben Spencer heads to the West Country next month with a remit to stamp his mark on proceedings at the Recreation Ground and boost his Test chances.

Tough-guy Des was scourge of All Blacks

Des Seabrook 1941 - 2020

Sarries committed to lifting community spirit

What does a Premiership club’s Community department do and why do lossmaking businesses invest in projects outside of simply playing the game? Despite their well-publicised transgressions, Saracens’ efforts in this area are outstanding, and their Chief Community Officer is Gordon Banks.

Players must be given a voice over salary cuts

WHAT has happened regarding the proposed cut to the Premiership salary cap is close to washing your laundry in public, although I would not be surprised if we do not yet know all the facts.

Money row is turning best league in world into a joke

Remember that song that starts ‘There may be trouble ahead’? Well when it comes to the Premiership and the Rugby Players’ Association (RPA), I don’t think there’s any ‘may’ about it – it looks as though we’re headed for a full-on clash, and there won’t be any winners.

Little Jonny's huge hits were game changers

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring photographs, and explains the story behind the iconic image

Lion-heart Lyons was coach guru to the best

On Friday, February 17, 2017, Keith Lyons awoke before dawn to an alarm call from the Fire and Rescue Service in Braidwood, a 19th-century gold-mining town 150 miles south of Sydney.

Collier banking on scrum supremacy for Test recall

THREE years after an all-too-brief Test baptism with England, Harlequins set-piece specialist Will Collier has set his sights on returning to the international arena.

Alex aims to conquer England after France

ALEX LOZOWSKI is looking to follow the lead of Chris Ashton and regain his England place once his spell in France is over.

Blaze: Young Guns Can Get Wasps Firing

Neale Harvey talks to Wasps new forwards coach Richard Blaze about his return to the club scene

So Super that rugby is back on the box!

Forget about the Premier League coming back, what’s getting everyone excited in the Williams household is the chance to see Super Rugby back in action from June 13.

Restarting season is rather ridiculous

So clubs in the Premiership have been given the all-clear to start the first stages of training as they begin to prepare for either next season or an end to last.

Summer rugby would be a hit insists Gopperth

WASPS star Jimmy Gopperth has thrown his weight behind summer rugby and dismisses claims it would sound the death knell for bulked-up forwards.

New rule gives spirit of the game a red card

As from next weekend, referees in New Zealand will be empowered to use a new card, a soft red as in soft on law and order.

Missing you already, George, says Ewels!

ENGLAND hopeful Charlie Ewels admits he will return to training at Bath with an extra spring in his step now Test rival George Kruis has confirmed his move to Japan.

Gatland can enhance that amazing CV further in 2021

Brendan Gallagher continues his enthralling series by looking at the most impressive rugby coaches

Eddie's right, cut the subs to open up the game again

IT is great to get the input of coaches like Eddie Jones, but also those at all levels of the game, on the debate about numbers of substitutes.

Enforcing the breakdown laws should be automatic

World Rugby’s Covid-19 trial laws got pretty short shrift from the Premiership and New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, but as the southern hemisphere nations get back to playing, they’ve decided to tinker around with the laws to suit their individual purposes.

Burgess gets his own back in the end

SAM Burgess kept his counsel after the 2015 World Cup meltdown.

Dennis Wants To Make Australia Great Again

Exeter star Dave Dennis has outlined his ambition to help Australian Rugby Union regain its preeminence in the world game.

Was this the greatest club Seven of all time?

Iconic Rugby Pictures: PART 11 Wigan win Middlesex 7s 11 May 1996

Ten more years a Chief then it's Rob for England

EXETER CHIEF's boss Rob Baxter is destined for greatness at international level with England and the Lions – but only after he has steered his club to European glory.

So proud to be made captain of my country

MY LIFE IN RUGBY SCULLY BLAINE THE FORMER USA EAGLES CAPTAIN AND LEICESTER AND CARDIFF BLUES FULL-BACK

Lansdown argument all about monopoly

According to the American business magazine Forbes, there are around a thousand people in the world blessed with a healthier bank account than the Bristol owner Steve Lansdown. As one of them happens to be Sir James Dyson, who helps finance neighbouring Bath, a short stretch of the A4 in Somerset has become the rugby equivalent of Billionaire’s Row.

Give stars Test fees but keep pay down

With the easing of lockdown there are many thoughts of how to restart the game and with the new ideas that are emerging, seeking to re-boot in a new and exciting money-making way.

Ford: Bodes must be mad to give me a go!

JOE FORD admits it was brave of Doncaster to take a punt of him after a coaching baptism of fire at Yorkshire Carnegie.

Farrell has the game to replace Sexton

2021 LIONS A YEAR TO GO NICK CAIN LOOKS AT THE CONTENDERS FOR EACH POSITION

At least Dallaglio has a firm grip on reality

Money dominated the rugby headlines last week. In BT Sports’ Rugby Today, Craig Doyle raised the subject of marquee players in the Premiership, and the responses from his guests summed up the current madness.

Bristol get set to welcome back fans

PREMIERSHIP clubs are preparing to welcome back spectators, with Bristol leading the way in being ready to accommodate socially-distanced crowds at Ashton Gate.