Diamond out to add some steel

EVEN someone without Steve Diamond’s coaching experience would have known that taking over at Newcastle was never going to turn them into an overnight sensation.

Champion Trailfinders cut Blues to shreds

EALING celebrated their Championship triumph with a nine-try trouncing of fourth-placed Bedford to finish seven points clear at the top of the table.

Toulouse provide a lesson in brilliance

THERE have been some extraordinary Champions Cup finals over the decades but none better than this titanic clash for the ages which saw Toulouse pull away in extra-time to claim their sixth title.

We can beat anyone now says stoked up Matavesi

SAM Matavesi knew something had changed when he joined up with Northampton after Fiji’s World Cup quarter-final exit last autumn.

Du Preez keeps it in family for Sale

WHEN Sale signed George Ford two years ago, it seemed that Robert du Preez would have his time on the field rationed as he sat on the bench.

Collier fits the bill for NZ challenge

ENGLAND finished the Six Nations with a resurgence, but their next destination, New Zealand, is usually a Red Rose burial ground.

Try tsunami sends a mixed message

Peter Jackson looks at an increase in points scored but suggests the figures may be hiding a problem for the Prem

Bath and Saints to win - but only just

IT’S hard to see Northampton changing the way they’ve played all season when they face Saracens in the first Premiership play-off semi-final under the lights at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night.

Awesome! Toulouse make it a super six

CHAMPIONS Cup final player of the match and European rugby’s biggest star Antoine Dupont revelled in captaining Toulouse to their unprecedented sixth title.

Holders Kent are back in business

KENT began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with a thrilling victory over Hampshire.

Lightning Bo bags 'amazing' fab four

RAPID winger Bo Westcombe-Evans stormed her way to an incredible four tries to help Loughborough Lightning secure maximum points over their nearest league rivals, Harlequins.

'Privilege to play in Jonny's 10 jersey'

ACHIEVING his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in No.10 Newcastle's shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his stay at the Premiership's struggling side.

Best I've felt for six years - Roux

QUINN Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it'll be a stretch for him to be around at Bath for as long as Johann van Graan.

Lake's at double to sink the Dragons

OSPREYS maximum claimed points to keep alive their mathematical hopes of making the playoffs while also clinching the Welsh Shield.

Falcons' misery but hosts restore pride

THE battle of the battered ended with Newcastle becoming the third team to go through a Premiership campaign without a victory and generGloucester ating cheers rather than jeers.

It's away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries

SALE ended their StoneX curse to reach the Premiership play-offs for a second straight season and deny Saracens a home semi-final courtesy of an almighty performance from their beefy back row.

Big win but it's not enough for Bears

BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.

Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day

BATH have been in the top four all season and on a tense super afternoon, Saturday with play-off places at stake, they made no mistake against an understrength and underwhelming Saints XV.

Ex-Wasps buzzing for European glory

THIBAUD Flament has risen from Loughborough University's fifth team to become a French international with the intention of next weekend becoming a Champions Cup winner again.

Hendy: We want special send off for top Saints

NORTHAMPTON flyer George Hendy has enjoyed a breakthrough year with the table toppers and while the likes of Saracens insist they won't be distracted by their departures, he says club legends moving on has fuelled the fire for his side ahead of the play-offs.

Williams is still the centre of attention

WHEN Bristol signed Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Virimi Vakatawa last year to boost their midfield, few would have picked James Williams in their fantasy team.

Danny hails departing 'Quins legend' Collier

HARLEQUINS' household names are nearing the end of their careers but scrumhalf Danny Care believes their new coaching team has built a strong foundation for the club moving forward.

Big Ben strikes at right time for Sale

BEN Curry is often referred to as the twin brother of Tom, the 50-cap England flanker who has missed the entire season for Sale because of a hip injury that required surgery.

Uzokwe: Championship has got tougher to win

DESPITE not getting the chance to secure promotion Premiership, to the back rower Simon Uzokwe says Ealing TrailChampionfinders' ship title win means just as much due to the increasing quality of the division.

Sarries to hit road as Sale upset their plans

SALE and Bath joined Northampton and Saracens in the Premiership play-offs after a final round yesterday full of twists and shocks.

Army leave it late to regain trophy

MOMENTS and minutes change matches in equal measure, and that is exactly what happened at Kingsholm as the British Army’s men regained the Inter Service Championship trophy.

Blues hold on in battle at the top

BLUES held on with their backs to their try line as they edged past the Hurricanes 31-27 to leapfrog their Kiwi rivals and move top of the table.

Harrison leads from front to seal it for Saracens

SARACENS returned to Allianz PWR action with a bonus-point win at StoneX Stadium.

Coventry denied by powerful Pirates

SHEER pack power delivered two classic late rolling maul tries as Pirates maintained their quest for a second place Championship finish.

Davies the leading light in Welsh quartet

FOUR international flyhalves took flight from Wales last year, understandably so given the alternative of staying put on contracts shredded by the rugby recession.