CATEGORIES

France prove too strong for Japan

FRANCE ran in 11 tries to steamroll a determined Japan outfit.

THE BIG INTERVIEW: TOM CHAMPION

I've loved my time - now to hand on the baton

Playing for my country was never about money

MY playing career with Tonga (a record 54 caps) really came about as a result of the riots of 2006 when political unrest over an election result back home led to Nuku’alofa, the capital, being burnt down.

Noot: Blackheath aiming for top six

ALEX Noot has stressed that his new Blackheath side are not there to merely make up the numbers next season in National 1 and are aiming to compete at the top of the table.

ABBOTT'S KEEN TO MAKE MARC

NEW AFC Sudbury manager Marc Abbott admits there will be ‘mountains to climb’ in the coming campaign but is confident he can build a team to scale them

Heavenly finish as Crusaders snatch title

THE Crusaders made it seven straight titles in Scott Robertson’s final game in charge to sign off on one of rugby’s greatest-ever dynasties.

WE'RE STARS OF THE SOUTH

Award winners collect their gongs

Borthwick impressed with intensity of Prem final

STEVE Borthwick’s hopes that England can enjoy a successful World Cup campaign were boosted by the “Test match” performances of some of his stars in the Premiership final.

Battling England go close as Ireland have to hang on

ENGLAND were denied a remarkable comeback victory in their opening game of the Under 20s Championship as they shared a breathless draw with Ireland in Paarl.

IRON MEN

Cal deal shows Dean is so keen on success

Why this merger just might be the way to go

ANOTHER day in Welsh rugby and another potential drama emerges. They always say the close season is the ‘silly season’ for stories, but I’m not sure which end of the scale I’d place the suggestion of a potential merger between Cardiff and the Ospreys.

Hill keeps climbing the peaks in France

Jon Newcombe talks to top coach Richard Hill after he secured yet another promotion in the French leagues

England's Bath bias difficult to justify

IF England's international selection is meant to be a meritocracy it is hard to understand how Bath managed to have the biggest contingent alongside Leicester for the second of England’s World Cup warm-up training weeks.

MAX READY TO RAISE THE BAR

Potters boss aims to weave magic

Champions Cup draw suits Bears

BRISTOL Bears sneaked into the Champions Cup through the cat flap rather than the back door, but they will be more content with their pool draw than Sale, who pushed Saracens all the way in last month’s Twickenham final.

Irish weren't given enough time - Ojo

LONDON Irish’s record try scorer Topsy Ojo says it’s regrettable that the club weren’t given more time to try and find someone to fund the club before their suspension from the Premiership in the first week of June.

Steward's aerial skills can power England on

FREDDIE Steward has had a big impact for England at full-back since he made his debut against the USA in the summer of 2021. Steward has made his physical size and strength count to the extent that two years later he has scored seven tries in 22 Tests, which is not a bad strike rate.

CONN JOB IS NOT YET OVER WITH ROBINS

ALTRINCHAM fans were gutted to see Fleetwood loanee Chris Conn-Clarke packed off to Waterford in January

'Tofty' on mission to improve the pathway for England

MARK Mapletoft had no hesitation when he was last month offered the chance to take the England Under 20s to the Junior World Cup in South Africa.

VICS WERE KEY ON MY GLORY TRAIL!

FROM wiping away tears of despair to managing multi-million pound Championship players, Gareth Ainsworth’s football odyssey was originally shaped by the timely intervention of a welcoming Non-League club

BADGERS HAVE NEW-PARTNERS

IT'S one of the most unlikely partnerships of the year, but Eastwood Community Football Club really have joined forces with Benfica!

Hunter and Cox named in Birthday Honours list

FORMER England women’s captain Sarah Hunter has been awarded and CBE and professional referee, Sara Cox an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to rugby.

Purdy out to make his name overseas

AS many professional rugby players are discovering, the financial problems in the Premiership are making it tough to make a living and Henry Purdy is not excpetion,

LIKE ME, YOU CAN FIGHT THE DEMONS

EX-LEAGUESTAR TELLS OF HIS GAMBLING HELL

Kingsholm showdown to decide the title

THE Premier 15s top two sides Gloucester-Hartpury and Exeter Chiefs meet at Kingsholm next Saturday in both team’s first ever final.

Woollett keen to see repeat performance

AUSTRALIAN Ben Woollett got a reputation as the joker in Jersey Reds ranks, playing practical jokes and winding up teammates, but there’s nothing laughable in the dedication he showed as the islanders wrapped up the Championship title.

IT'S SO GOOD TO BE BACK! ADE

MARC WHITE'S call to go in as Dorking Wanderers' first-team coach came out of the blue

So, who is set to fly in under the radar?

REMEMBER Jean-Marc Doussain’s international debut for France? Probably not.

FISHER LANDS A BIGʻUN

TALENTED teen Kellen Fisher gave thanks to Bromley for their role in his development after landing a dream move to Norwich City

Who will be next on the production line?

THE Junior World Cup makes a welcome return after a four-year hiatus next week down in South Africa and I for one give thanks.