CATEGORIES
Quins find their feet to finish job in style
ALEX Dombrandt put his Six Nations worries behind him to show himself “a different beast” for his club as Quins eventually overwhelmed bottom club Falcons.
Saints go fourth in battle for play-offs
SAINTS kept well in the race for a playoff place with a hard earned win against a largely shadow Sarries XV that contested the issue to the last.
All Blacks have what it takes to go all way
THE decision by New Zealand to announce a new coach of the All Blacks before a fouryear cycle has ended is quite sensational. As a neutral, you feel a bit for current coach Ian Foster going into the 2023 World Cup, with Scott Robertson named already as his successor as soon as the tournament is over.
Hastings on way back after shoulder injury
ADAM Hastings is in line to return to action for Gloucester before the end of the season, four months after the Scotland outside-half had shoulder surgery.
I'd love to play for Fiji, says Hughes
NATHAN Hughes has closed the chapter on his time in England but says he is awaiting the call from the Fijian selectors to appear for his country of birth.
Varndell's glad to roll back the years
TOM Varndell has added another winner’s medal to his collection, at the ripe old age of 37.
Fitzpatrick Raises Key Question For Regions
Any Lancashire member vexed at seeing so little of their champion bowler on the domestic front will have some sympathy with those who subscribe to another superstar of similar vintage.
The prince has his eyes on the prize as usual
Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful
Time for Exeter to ditch the warpaint
To misquote Aristotle, ‘human nature abhors a vaccuum’, and with no rugby at present, the hottest topic around seems to be the headdresses that some Exeter Chiefs supporters like to sport.
Chick: Falcons aim to start fast and not fade
NEWCASTLE back rower Callum Chick says the Falcons will be flying when their Premiership campaign kicks off against champions Harlequins on September 19.
Winning a breakdown was my greatest joy
THE FORMER BRUMBIES, BATH, LEICESTER AND EXETER FLANKER TURNED DEFENCE COACH
Ladesma and Cheika are under pressure
Having lived in Europe for 14 years, I’m now back in Argentina and have been closely following the start of the 2021 Rugby Championship.
Defibrillators are essential, every club should have one
I want to use my column this week to discuss an issue which is both incredibly important and also very close to my heart and that is the importance of every Welsh rugby club having a defibrillator.
I'm delighted for Kolbe, he deserves all the riches
IT’s absolutely staggering to see the amounts of money involved in Cheslin Kolbe’s transfer from European champions Toulouse to Toulon. It’s mind-blowing, and also brilliant news for rugby that these sums of money are batted around in the sport. I couldn’t be happier for Cheslin or any other player to command that sort of contract.
Titterrell swots up on the new boys
Adam Ellis talks to England U20s coach Andy Titterrell after his first year in the job
Wolfpack sharpen claws for bear pit
JACKSON Wray claims the Wolfpack have sharpened their claws and are “hungrier than ever” to regain their seat as England’s top dogs.
Maitland is chasing a flyer for Scotland
SEAN Maitland will leave it up to Gregor Townsend to decide when the curtain should fall on his Scotland career.
Lewies wants more of Quins factor 500
HARLEQUINS captain Stephan Lewies has urged fans to harness the Spirit of Ashton Gate when the champions kick off their title defence.
Ref Doyle available ‘for a pie and a pint'
Neil Fissler finds out what’s next for referee JP Doyle after his American adventure
Hooper shows his class in best Wallaby tradition
A BRIEF encounter with Ian Chappell long ago served as early notice to be wary of Australian Test captains. Quite why the air in Swansea turned blue during the tourists’ three-day match against Glamorgan has been lost in the mists of time other than that Chappell was not in the best of moods.
Cipriani magic can get Bath back in the title mix
It’s hard to say if Danny Cipriani is the missing piece to get Bath back on top – and whether he can change things on his own – but his job will be a lot easier if he has a formidable pack in front of him. It just makes life so much easier for the half-backs.
Pollard puts boot into the misfiring Pumas
THE Rugby Championship may be in more Covid disarray but Siya Kolisi claimed a second quick victory over Argentina tasted sweet.
I can't wait for Gareth return, but go slowly!
IT’S great news Gareth Anscombe is poised to make his long-awaited return from injury this season because he is a player the Ospreys, and to a lesser extent Wales, need desperately.
Let stars go abroad AND play for their countries
It seems to be part of rugby’s culture that the Unions like to flaunt their muscle and tell players that they can only play for their country if they are based there: England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand all do it.
The magnificent men of England's swinging 20s
Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful
Tigers tie up gives kids route through
Paul Rees finds out more about Nottingham’s new partnership with Leicester Tigers
Lions should have put pressure on Boks' backs
What we hoped would be a successful Lions series turned into a loss that’s still hard to believe. In all three Tests the Lions showed a commitment and drive to match the Boks forwards but only then did they attempt to outplay their backs.
Council steps in to take care of Beziers
Thirteen months ago, you probably recall, a proposed mega-money takeover of French ProD2 side Béziers dominated the rugby headlines on the French side of the Channel.
The sterile Lions Tests are killing the game
You have to laugh, even in the darkness. It’s better than the alternative. After countless stackings of the deck in favour of attack over defence by World Rugby, we have just been subjected to the most sterile, poverty-stricken Test series in well over a century of officially-sanctioned British and Irish Lions business trips. Six tries in three matches? Whoopee doo. Hang out the bunting.
Change guidelines to weed out ‘cheats'
I’m not going to do a Rassie and make a 60minute video nasty slagging off a specific referee but before the Lions tour disappears in our rear view mirror there are a few little refereeing items that need addressing under ‘any other business’.