CATEGORIES

Marquee men mock the salary cap principles

THE Premiership salary cap regulations are one of the biggest cons in sport, despite the claims by Lord Myners that they represent a “gold standard framework”.

The chickens are coming home to roost for Eddie

VIVALDI had a thing for the four seasons, and, with England’s 2021 Six Nations campaign looking like a spring shocker, so does this column. While it may seem uncharitable to dissect Eddie Jones’ record by leaving out his turbo-charged first two years in charge, the reality is that in the four seasons from 2018 to 2021, Jones has only a 50 per cent win-loss ratio against the leading sides in the world when England play them in a competitive environment.

Furbank excited to ‘Front up' for Saints

VERSATILE George Furbank leads Northampton into battle from fly-half once again as his side aim to finish ‘Front-up February’ with a flourish.

They're back – Chiefs smash six of the best

CRISIS? What Crisis? Chiefs hardly looked like a team with major problems as they battered Bath into six-try submission at The Rec.

They will all be coming for us but we're ready – Wray

SARACENS stalwart Jackson Wray says his side are primed and ready to resist anything thrown at them as they begin their intended march back to the Premiership.

Joe fronts Quins' bid for Falcons atonement

JOE MARLER leads the Harlequins scrum into battle against Saints’ impressive setpiece with a huge endorsement from forwards coach Jerry Flannery ringing in his ears.

Naulago's hat-trick denies the Warriors

SIVA Naulago scored a hat-trick of tries to deprive Worcester of a remarkable victory at Sixways.

Player welfare is priority issue in any talks of expansion

Ethan Waller, the Worcester prop who, at 28, has just become chairman of the Rugby Players’ Association, tells NEALE HARVEY why he has taken on the role and offers his views on the state of the game at a crucial juncture.

Lonergan missile torpedoes Rebels

BRUMBIES remain unbeaten in Super Rugby AU after Ryan Lonergan kicked a 55-metre penalty to clinch victory over the Rebels.

Centre or wing, I'm ready for next level

Joe Marchant tells Dan Gallan how time in New Zealand helped him find his voice

World class De Klerk sparks Sharks attack

IF THIS is the season that Sale Sharks finally challenge for the Premiership title, it will be done with a distinctly South African flavour and is likely that Faf de Klerk will play a pivotal role.

Concussion threatens Carwyn's French idyll

Carwyn Jones has been playing rugby professionally since the season before he appeared in the only World Cup final between Wales and England, the junior version eight years ago. From hometown Haverfordwest, Jones’ career began moving in an easterly direction to Llanelli where the 18-year-old lock signed a contract with the Scarlets. It went on moving eastwards, to London and then across the Channel to France.

Gloucester character survives red card

GLOUCESTER produced a fine performance while being down to 14 men for nearly an hour to get their first back-to-back win of the season and lift themselves off the foot of the table.

World Cup win left me totally shattered

JAPIE MULDER THE FORMER SOUTH AFRICA, LIONS AND LEEDS TYKES CENTRE

Ealing believe it's mission possible

CRAIG HAMPSON says Ealing Trailfinders go into the Championship with “no fear” as they set out to try and upset the odds and beat Saracens to promotion to the Premiership.

At last, Slattery gets the title his amazing skill deserved

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

Fiji Magic's Everywhere – Except In World Cup

If you were among the sporting soothsayers who foresaw that the current breakdown laws would provoke a health and safety crisis as well as straitjacket the game and that the television match official’s seat might be better occupied by any species of bat, the following prediction will hardly come as a shock.

Darren: This Is Huge Challenge

Latest Owls boss aiming for survival

Spitfires get ready for take-off!

EVEN in their play-off campaign two sea-sons ago, Eastleigh didn’t reach the dizzy heights of the top four, but at the halfway stage they look well-placed for another run at promotion.

WOOD FEND OFF ALTY FIGHTBACK

BOREHAM Wood returned to winning ways in a remark-able game at fellow play-off chasers Altrincham.

ROO CAN FIND A BIT MOOR

ADAM ROONEY is on a mission. Having fired Salford City into the Promised Land of the Football League he is now looking to do it all over again with Solihull Moors.

SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR HOT POOLS!

HARTLEPOOL United made it a magnifi -cent seven wins in a row at Victoria Park, with a last-gasp winner over Yeovil.

SUTTON PUNISH 10-MAN STONES

WEALDSTONE were left to regret a mad five minutes at the end of the first half as Sutton United continued their promotion charge in fine style.

Slick Shots have Nou worries

WREXHAM’S six-game unbeaten run crashed and burned at the hands of a patched-up Aldershot Town side inspired by Joel Nouble at the double.

JEFF'S THE KING OF WISHFUL THINKING

Ace goes from zero to hero

ACADEMY PLANS KEEP THE REBELS YELLING

ADAM Hinshelwood is putting youth at the centre of his vision for the future of Worthing.

Disabled Gowling Is Setting His Sights High

Bulls can be inspired by Shots test

We'll Go To The Courts If We Have To!

Clubs unite to appeal for a new way forward

Pools are having a house party

HARTLEPOOL UNITED made it eight wins in a row at their Victoria Park home – moving back to third in the table ahead of a trip to leaders Torquay at the weekend.

JOSH'S BULLS ARE BAK IN BUSINESS!

BULLISH Hereford ensured their unpredictable season has at least one more chapter to write as a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory at the EBB Stadium took them to a first-ever FA Trophy semi-final.