CATEGORIES

JIFF looks likely to play a vital role

IT’S LOGICAL – as the final stop-start sprint in a hard fought Top 14 season begins – to think purely in terms of matches remaining, points potential, and table possibilities. In fact, with play-off and Champions Cup places up for grabs, and relegation to avoid, such thoughts are not just logical, they’re inevitable.

Rampant England on target for slam

HALF-TIME act Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s hit track Murder on the Dancefloor would have resonated heavily with Ireland as England ran riot in front of a huge crowd at Twickenham.

LUIS SETS HIS SIGHTS HIGH!

LUIS Shamshoum has set his sights on earning his first Palestine international cap after helping Great Wakering Rovers seal their place at Wembley.

Lion who enjoyed a taste of Italy

ANDREA Gazzi’s grave lies on the Inner Hebridean island of Islay, a long way from the fish-and-chip shop he left behind in Gorseinon.

Crane: Sinckler's an emotional guy

JORDAN Crane feels England have failed to get the best out of Kyle Sinckler during his international career, with the tighthead prop set to be unavailable for his country from next season as he heads to the Top 14.

I'm loving every single minute

IN THE picturesque town of Pau nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees, Joe Simmonds has found more than just a rugby club; he’s found a new place to call home.

KEV HAS PRIDE DESPITE A FALL

SOUTHEND United's faint play-off hopes were ultimately taken out of their hands by FC Halifax Town but they failed to keep their side of the equation by going down to Rochdale at Roots Hall.

YOUNG GUNS

Newcastle Falcons have endured a dismal campaign in the Premiership but tyro hooker Jacob Oliver believes the future is bright in the North East as he hopes to follow fellow academy graduates by breaking into the first team.

IT'S ALL OVER FOR GARRARD AS FLEET SEND WOOD DOWN

LUKE GARRARD’S last stand as Boreham Wood manager ended in relegation as Ebbsfleet United secured their National League status – just – on a tense final day.

SHIELDS HEROES DENIED A PLAY-OFF

SOUTH SHIELDS will be playing National League North football next season after they missed out on the play-offs despite a convincing final-day win.

WIN SETS UP FINAL MATCH TO SAVOUR!

THE Millers finished their home campaign in fine style with a win against a deflated Herne Bay side, whose play-off hopes disappeared last weekend following their home defeat against Sheppey.

TAYLOR'S DOUBLE SILENCES MARTYRS

AFC TOTTON continued their push to the top of the play-off picture as they triumphed over Merthyr Town.

FIVE-STAR STONES STUN SAD BEAVERS

HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH had their play-off hopes dashed after they were thrashed by Maidstone United.

LONG WAIT FOR HYDE AFTER HOME VICTORY

HYDE UNITED ended their league campaign with a win thanks to a brace from Matt Fearnley.

HORNETS HEROES STUN THE CHATS!

HORSHAM kept their promotion hopes alive with a convincing victory against their potential play-off opponents.

Hurricanes storm in despite triple yellow

HURRICANES overcame a poor second half in which they conceded three yellow cards to beat Fijian Drua 38-15 and stretch their winning start to eight matches to end their opponent’s unbeaten record at home.

S Africa is crying out for its own league

IF I remember my A level geography correctly, Africa is moving towards Europe at about the same rate as your fingernails grow which, among other things, suggests that the wholesale, no holds barred, in for a penny in for a pound merging of British, European and South African rugby was a tad premature.

Furbank: We were spoonfed too much

GEORGE Furbank feels Northampton’s rise this season is down to a pre-season meeting when the players resolved to take more responsibility.

SPIRIT WORTHY OF CHAMPIONS

Glovers skipper is rewarded for loyalty

MOORS EYE A PLAY-OFF RUN

BOTH teams got what was required from a dour clash that was settled by the sprightly Jack Stevens three minutes from time.

A MARATHON EFFORT, JOE!

Robins ace runs London gauntlet after injury hell

RED ROSES

EXETER Chiefs prop Liz Hanlon is knocking on the door of an inaugural England cap and says she’s where she is today courtesy of her club’s formidable partnership with Exeter University.

Scoring in Hell Fire Comer was great

SEEING Scottie Scheffler being presented with the Green Jacket for winning golf’s US Masters last week reminded me of the time I was presented with a red one having played my 100th game for Redruth. It might not have the same kudos in the wider sporting world but, for me, it is a treasured item from my four years at the club.

Defeated, but Ukraine show grit and pride

SWITZERLAND was always going to be Ukraine’s toughest match of this three Test series and so it proved.

IT'S ABOUT CREATING MEMORIES

STEVE McKimm says the FA Cup replay storm isn’t about money – it’s the chance to make memories just like Cray Valley PM did this season.

HORNETS GOT SUCH A BUZZ!

DOM DI PAOLA has claimed the Football Association's decision to do away with replays in the FA Cup from the first round proper onwards is 'destroying their own competition'.

Be quick! McKellar's lowdown on Leinster

NORTHAMPTON had the chance last night to quiz Dan McKellar about their Champions Cup semi-final opponents Leinster but, before the East Midlands derby at Franklin’s Gardens, he said they would need do it quickly.

Quins duo tipped to power up England

WILL Collier and Fin Baxter could galvanise the England scrum with their technique and power, according to World Cup-winning scrum coach Phil Keith-Roach.

JOY AND DESPAIR

Halifax in the mix but Wood suffer

Resurgence of Global Mayhem

While the world watches Gaza, ISIS is gaining strength and momentum, building networks and preparing for strikes worldwide