CATEGORIES

Alex eyes glory finish to iffy start in France

ALEX LOZOWSKI hopes to end a rollercoaster year in France on a high by adding a European Challenge Cup winner’s medal to the two he gained in the Champions Cup with Saracens.

Devoto: Leinster Defeat Has Made Us Even Hungrier

Ollie Devoto has warned Exeter’s Premiership rivals that the Chiefs are all the more determined to win back-to-back Premiership titles after being knocked out of the Heineken Champions Cup by Leinster last month.

Tomas chasing a champagne finish at Chiefs

TOMAS FRANCIS intends savouring every remaining minute he has as an Exeter player before his summer move to the Ospreys.

Thomas: Ted deserves next shot with England

WORCESTER head coach Jonathan Thomas says the Warriors should have at least a double interest in England’s summer schedule – despite their disappointing season.

Strict new protocols provoke reaction

Less than a month to the end of the season, and less than two months to the hoped-for crowning of the next champion of France, the LNR has imposed strict new health protocols on the 30 clubs in the Top 14 and Pro D2.

Why I always find myself rooting against the Irish

As I watched the Champions Cup semi-final between La Rochelle and Leinster, cheering for the French team, it got me wondering why, despite having no particular affinity for either side, I’d opted to support them.

Game on for top six with Jacob back from his blip

WASPS head to The Stoop today looking for redemption and the sort of consistency that has eluded them in what has been a rollercoaster season.

Lam urges law change to eliminate ‘latching'

PAT Lam hopes World Rugby will act quickly to outlaw an attacker latching on to a ball carrier before a tackle has been made, fearing an increase in concussion rates if nothing is done.

Genge tells Lions: Be wary of Wiese!

Wiese has given the Tigers the formidable ball-carrying option they’ve been in desperate need of for years, the No.8 making a huge impact on the Premiership, and opposite defenders, in his first full season at Welford Road.

Battling Bundee can fill Manu void

I don’t think anyone saw Bundee Aki gate-crashing the Lions squad especially as we thought that if everyone had been fit and ready at centre then Manu Tuilagi’s ramrod-straight confrontational running would have made him one of the first backs on Warren Gatland’s list.

Big mistake not picking Danny insists Bracken

ABOVE all others Danny Care should have been the scrumhalf selected to take the game to the Boks for the Lions, says 1997 tourist Kyran Bracken.

Barbeary doesn't want to play numbers game

ALFIE BARBEARY is nearing a return to action, and doesn’t care if it is in the front row or back row.

McCARTHY HAILS HARRY HAT-TRICK

WELSH star Harry Wilson gave Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a reminder with a superb hat-trick against Birmingham.

Millers take it down to the wire

PAUL Warne is proud his Rotherham United players are still in the relegation fight after netting a late equaliser in their draw with Blackburn.

ROONEY: IT'S ALL OR NOTHING NOW

WAYNE Rooney has called on his Derby players to rise to the task of avoiding relegation on the final day after defeat at Swansea.

JONES RUES LACK OF CUTTING EDGE

Misfiring Hatters held again

WE HAD TO DIG DEEP – GODDENN

AN OPEN and honest clearing of the air was the key to Coventry’s remarkable turn of form that secured Championship survival, reckons talismanic frontman Matt Godden.

THOMAS TOASTS TERRIFIC TONEY

Hero Ivan hailed for 30 goals

LIFE IN LIMP OWLS...JUST!

Grabban’s saved pen sees fight go to wire

ROBINS DANCING TO FRESH GLORY

Boss Duff makes right moves

Ismael: We need to switch on again

VALERIEN Ismael de-manded an immediate reaction from Barnsley after their play-off momentum stalled with defeat to a Preston side inspired by Jordan Storey.

Lam helps launch the dazzling rise of Samoa

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

CORBERAN'S RELIEF AS TOWN SURVIVE

CARLOS Corberan was a relieved man to see Huddersfield secure their Championship safety with this draw with Coventry.

They're only human...just far stronger and fitter!

DANIEL GALLAN finds out what it’s like facing the mighty Saracens as a semi-professional

Wigan gave Union their wake-up call

It’s 25 years ago this Tuesday that a curious triptych of cross-code rugby encounters came to an end when Bath, playing Union laws, defeated Wigan Warriors 42-19 in front of 42,000 fans at Twickenham.

Fans finally back to feed Bears frenzy

BRISTOL have been running onto the pitch to the sound of The Greatest Showman this season. In truth, the Bears have been playing like lion tamers for months, but all to an empty amphitheater. Like all the best showmen, however, an audience is what’s needed to truly stir the blood.

Gavin fires the dream for Wood's Raiders

If he so wished, Aaron Wood could put one hand on his heart, the other on the bible, and solemnly swear that he runs a record-breaking footy outfit.

Watch out world, game in Japan will sky rocket

WHEN I moved to Japan in 2012 to play for Mitsubishi Dynaboars, I was one of the first northern hemisphere players to try their luck in the Far East.

So good to be back with the fans at Twickenham

At last, we had a meaningful weekend of rugby with two European Cup finals held back to back. Friday evening I watched the final of the European Challenge Cup, then yesterday we had the main show, the European Champions Cup, both held at Twickenham, the home of rugby.

Record man Sam reminds me of my old pal ‘Backy'

WHAT Sam Simmonds did this week in breaking the Premiership try-scoring record for a season is pretty exceptional.