Council steps in to take care of Beziers

Thirteen months ago, you probably recall, a proposed mega-money takeover of French ProD2 side Béziers dominated the rugby headlines on the French side of the Channel.

The sterile Lions Tests are killing the game

You have to laugh, even in the darkness. It’s better than the alternative. After countless stackings of the deck in favour of attack over defence by World Rugby, we have just been subjected to the most sterile, poverty-stricken Test series in well over a century of officially-sanctioned British and Irish Lions business trips. Six tries in three matches? Whoopee doo. Hang out the bunting.

Change guidelines to weed out ‘cheats'

I’m not going to do a Rassie and make a 60minute video nasty slagging off a specific referee but before the Lions tour disappears in our rear view mirror there are a few little refereeing items that need addressing under ‘any other business’.

Far less chat and more rugby action please, Sky

The Lions tour of South Africa, despite the empty stadia, the Covid scares, and so on, is still all about the rugby, so why did Sky feel the need to have a two-hour (!) build-up, and a 90-minute post mortem for the First Test? We want to watch the rugby, so does the nonsense that surrounds the game add to the experience, or detract from it?

Trinder opts for Amps over top flight return

HENRY Trinder plans on bringing the attacking style of rugby which dominated his 172-game career with Gloucester to Championship side Ampthill.

Wales can feed off grassroots energy

GRASSROOTS rugby is back up and running in Wales and it’s just brilliant to see those who love the game involved at their local clubs again. I’ve been added to the Amman United second team WhatsApp group for the new season – they’re trying to tempt be back to play once again and I’m resisting… for now!

This smearing of Gatland as conservative is claptrap

WARREN Gatland is a great coach, and assorted attempts to undermine his reputation this week were unworthy at best, and vindictive at worst.

Lions must now engage with the Premiership

The idea that the best players from the Home Unions get together every four years and travel to the southern hemisphere is a hugely romantic one, with decades of history behind it. Away from home and family for weeks on end, it’s only natural that the players bond, and friendships made on tour last a lifetime. However, nowadays those players are full-time professionals, who have chosen to sign contracts with clubs, or in the Celtic nations it might be Unions, that commit them to playing when their employers need them.

O'Flaherty eager to right the wrongs of painful last season

TOM O’Flaherty is putting the rest of the Premiership on notice that Exeter Chiefs are determined to rediscover their ruthless streak next season.

Kick-fests will make us all turn off the TV

INTERNATIONAL rugby is the peak of our sport, and World Rugby has to act on the questions that were raised by the 2021 Lions tour – or watch its showcase events lose their sparkle and have the audience reach for the off button.

Racing defeat left me crying at kitchen table

THE FORMER LEEDS, NEWCASTLE, LEICESTER, LA ROCHELLE AND NORTHAMPTON LOCK

Run the Boks tired and Lions can still triumph

IT’S a straight shootout next week and the Lions will always have hope in a two-horse race, but this was a complete role reversal from the First Test.

Rassie rant is just good fun says Marler

JOE Marler insists he has no problems with Rassie Erasmus’ hour-long video rant at the officiating in the Lions First Test.

Warrior Biggar must be protected say activists

THE Lions were taking a risk with Dan Biggar by naming him in the side for yesterday’s Second Test against South Africa, according to World Rugby’s guidelines on concussion which were updated at the end of January.

Gatland: Lions set for brutal showdown

WARREN Gatland prepared his Lions for a “brutal cup final” in Cape Town on Saturday after seeing the Springboks level the series.

Kiwis are worthy winners of best ever tournament

AFTER the Lord Mayor’s show...came the best Women’s Sevens tournament in history and a seminal moment in the development of Women’s Rugby. A joyous tournament that excited rugby followers around the world and absolutely cemented Sevens’ position as a core team sport at the modern-day Olympics.

Ditch the tech like Anna did to strike gold

Purity and simplicity are not among the nouns most commonly associated with Rugby Union in its current state of confusion: prop forwards were routinely described as “simple” back in the day, but that was a different thing altogether.

All Blacks bucked the trend of decline

What better time, a few days shy of the first Test against South Africa, to seek out a great thinker and turn to him for illumination?

First Test success vital for a winning series

There is always a special feel to the first Test of any Lions series in South Africa, a step into the unknown for the vast majority of those involved. All sorts of questions and hopes hang heavily in the air.

Gritty England grind way to Grand Slam

CAPTAIN Jack van Poortvliet lauded the ‘grit’ of his England teammates after holding off Italy to clinch the U20 Six Nations Grand Slam.

Now the Lions know just what they are up against

Almost on cue, the Lions lost their first real test last Wednesday when faced with a strong South African A team.

Pent-up demand could see fans back in droves

The Premiership fixtures for next season have been released, and the expectation level for club rugby fans has just gone up a notch.

Sam's on a high with Lions after Twickenham pain

SAM Simmonds says the Lions tour has allowed him to forget about the heartbreak of a third Premiership final defeat with Exeter Chiefs.

Hardest job was getting ‘Dommers' off cakes!

Whenever the pandemic permits, Alex Dombrandt will be asked to dine with a galaxy of Welsh veterans headed by Sir Gareth Edwards.

Swallow dive that said Pumas had taken off

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

Too many errors, but future's bright

IT HAS been the longest Welsh rugby season I can remember and the second Test with Argentina proved a step too far for Wayne Pivac’s side. The Pumas thoroughly deserved to win and claim the series 1-0.

Wallabies ride out early red to clinch series

THE next time anyone tries to tell you red cards ruin matches, direct them to a video of this enthralling third Test.

Who'd want to see this lot waiting for them?

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

Warriors go green for brighter future

WORCESTER have launched their time for change campaign aimed at transforming how they operate off the field and establish themselves as a force in the Premiership after 14 seasons when they have wallowed in its nether reaches.

Scouser Maliq feels at home among Knights

MALIQ HOLDEN’s relatively short rugby career has almost been as diverse as his family background but the new Doncaster back-three player has no doubt where he feels most comfortable – in the north of England.