CATEGORIES

Kolbe's majesty is a delight to behold

CHESLIN Kolbe won the “man of the match” award for his two-try contribution to South Africa’s victory over England, thereby proving that for all their sins of omission and commission, members of the union game’s decision-making class still have the capacity to recognise the bleeding obvious when they see it.

We need an agenda for regeneration and change

SACKING head coach Steve Borthwick and RFU CEO Bill Sweeney will not solve England’s problems because those problems are too complex and deep-rooted.

Borthwick can't afford another run of failure

WHEN it comes to “jam tomorrow” England teams have produced more jars of it than Chivers over the last two decades – and the lacklustre results by Steve Borthwick’s crew over the autumn is yet another serving of undelivered promise.

Ollivon proves point (whatever he says)

WHEN France’s analysts examine data from Friday’s win over ill-disciplined, inconsistent Argentina to complete an Autumn Nations Series clean-sweep, they might find a message hidden in the lines of Charles Ollivon’s tracking map.

This is where I'm supposed to be - Sione

SIONE Tuipulotu’s journey from the suburbs of Melbourne to the Scotland captaincy will come full circle today as he leads out his adopted nation against his country of birth at Murrayfield.

Dirty dozen could finish off Gatland

WHEN the Gatland Gate clanked shut behind him last night on a year of endless misery, the man himself might have wondered whether he will be back to walk through it again.

Wales are battered by force of Storm Sprinbok

THE closed Principality Stadium roof kept Storm Bert at bay, but for Wales there was to be no escape from Storm Springbok.

England have bullets but not the right gun

I WAS optimistic about England’s chances at the start of the autumn series, given the closeness of the games against New Zealand in the summer.

Fiji cave in as Ireland find some firepower

IRELAND finally found some fluency and firepower this autumn with eight tries at the Aviva but Fiji were a shadow of the side that beat Wales in Cardiff earlier this month.

George calls on Twickenham crowd

JAMIE George has urged the Twickenham crowd to give a little respect to Eddie Jones – then watch England ruin the Australian’s day at his former workplace.

Shadow of Eddie still hangs over Borthwick

STEVE Borthwick is in the ultimate nowin situation today against Japan at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, a game he cannot afford to lose and where a victory will mean almost nothing.

My life's a bit like spinning plates, says Lydiate

FOR Dan Lydiate, life is a bit like spinning plates these days. Having moved into a player-coach role at the Dragons, the 72cap Wales flanker is juggling those two duties with farming and family commitments.

White: We'll make it hard for the Lions

NIC White believes Australia have sent a timely reminder to the British & Irish Lions, declaring that the Wallabies will be ready for the challenge of the famed touring side when they arrive Down Under next year.

Bears' fitness not in question - Lam

BRISTOL boss Pat Lam has absolutely no concerns over the fitness of his players in the wake of Steve Borthwick comments questioning the condition of some England squad members at the start of the Autumn Nations Series.

Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn

OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.

McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority

EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.

Trinity aim to get the culture right

HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.

YOUNG GUNS

Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.

The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs

CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.

A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher

A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.

Chiefs in hunt for new investment

TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.

McParland keen to shine for England A

NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.

Undercard get chance to show their A-game

ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.

England look like a clueless rabble

I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.

Gatland: If I lose my job, I'll go to beach

ONE of the more revealing comments from Warren Gatland this week came when he was asked how tough it is to keep players believing when you are on an extended losing streak.

Kolbe's double piles the pain on England

WHEN South Africa’s pocket-rocket, Cheslin Kolbe, sent England to their third loss in a row at Twickenham for the first time since 2006 with a stellar 63rd-minute finish, it brought the curtain down on a dismal Autumn series for Steve Borthwick’s team.

Blackett building next generation

ENGLAND A attack coach Lee Blackett is convinced it won’t be long before several of the players on show against Australia A today will make the step up to Test rugby.

I decided to work hard and Eddie backed me

I TURNED up at Saracens as a skinny late developer, all 92kgs (14st 7lbs) of me, when most second rows are at least 115 to 125kgs (18-19st 7lbs).

I am calm and loving my life, says Cipriani

Paul Rees talks to the former England No.10 as he agrees to put his boots on one final time to help raise money for MND

Gillham must get justice for the Championship

SIMON Gillham's arrival as chair of the Championship/Tier 2 Board should be good news for English club rugby.