Jonny finds some more hills to climb

ENGLAND and Exeter lock Jonny Hill insists he is not in the business of reflecting on past glories as he resets his sights after a stellar end to 2020 for both club and country.

Itoje's excellence shows why locks are top earners

AT first glance reports that second rows are now the most valuable players in the European club game based on a recent survey of wages across Premiership, the Top 14, and the PRO14, was a bit of a surprise.

Harry has to be a key influencer every week

HARRY Randall played really well last weekend, picking up the man-of-the-match award in Bristol’s win over Exeter.

Women thrived in wartime

Brendan Gallagher begins a new series charting the history of the women’s game

Connolly and Foley ruined my Bath team

KEVIN MAGGS THE FORMER IRELAND, BRISTOL, BATH AND ULSTER CENTRE AND FORMER COACH OF MOSELEY

Highs and lows of Will's rollercoaster

Steffan Thomas talks to former Wasp Will Taylor about life after quitting rugby age 25

Backs are turning into grunts now

HEARTFELT apologies in advance to forwards everywhere for this treacherous item because I know how incredibly hard you all work and heavens knows the bloody backs already get more than enough glory, headlines and sponsorships.

Bristol boy Joe's done with clapping Exeter

LIONHEART lock Joe Joyce believes Bristol Bears’ multi-million-pound training ground investment has left the squad with nowhere to hide in their quest for domestic and European domination.

All Blacks deal casts doubt over CVC cash

Well, who would have thought it? Rugby seems to be the new darling of the investment industry and those who have taken the first offer now appear to be somewhat inept.

When the Prince made England Sevens kings

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

Suddenly, Oakham find magic of the Cup

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

Magician Marcus has bounty on head

LONDON Irish stalwart Blair Cowan has identified Marcus Smith as the man to stop if his side are to get their show on the road with a win after a three-week hiatus.

Promotion-relegation must be put on ice

There have been lots of moans about the way points are allocated when a game has to be cancelled because of Covid, but precious few sensible alternative suggestions as to how the current situation could be handled.

Lions must be touring underdogs to survive

THE fate of the 2021 Lions has caused much heated debate this week with the options seemingly ranging from cancel for a year, cancel until 2025 or stage a unique home series in Britain and Ireland of three Test matches and perhaps the already scheduled warm-up game against Japan.

Let Lions play Australia instead of Springboks

THERE has been a lot said over the last week about the prospects of the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa going ahead after the sharp increase in Covid infections in the UK and South Africa, and the identification of new strains.

Leap Year put curse on Wasps as we won

MARK WOODROW THE FORMER PERTEMPS BEES, BRISTOL, DONCASTER, VIADANA AND DINGS CRUSADERS FLY-HALF

Eddie's so right, power's only part of the answer

I heard about a video clip from Eddie Jones doing the rounds last week in which he talked about the balance between skill and physicality. Now I’m not one who often finds myself agreeing with the England head coach, but ‘mate’ you are spot on!

Dai ticks all the boxes, just like all the others!

At the risk of putting every snout in every trough out of joint, it has to be said that Cardiff Blues don’t half make a pig’s ear of hiring and firing coaches.

Attwood's choice: His kids or rugby

BRISTOL lock Dave Attwood says some professional players are facing stark choices about putting their careers or their family first as the problems inflicted by the pandemic continue to mount.

‘Tinners' always made me man of the match

JON SKURR - THE FORMER WAKEFIELD, SEDGLEY PARK AND ROTHERHAM No.8 AND IRELAND SEVENS HEAD COACH

Turbo Teddy takes try of the year prize

SO 2020 is finally in the rear-view mirror and it’s all eyes on 2021 and what that can bring but, strangely, I am convinced rugby’s annus horribilis still contained much action that we will recall fondly in roaring pubs and clubhouses in years to come.

‘We trust in luck a bit to beat the Covid curse'

RORY Hutchinson has spoken of how not being able to see his grandmother for over a year has brought perspective to a rough season for club and country.

Simple ways to make the game better for all

New Year is a time for resolutions, so let me suggest a few for the Premiership. None of them need approval from World Rugby, so let’s just make them happen.

I see echoes of my great Bath side in Baxter's Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs have strong similarities in key areas with the Bath side under Jack Rowell during my time as a player. Above all, you need a smart coach who has the ability to communicate brilliantly with all his players. On top of that he needs to get his message across through a talented group of assistant coaches and leading players.

Jalibert in box seat to replace Ntamack

The news broke on Monday, the day after his jaw. France fly-half and World Rugby’s Breakthrough Men’s Player of the Year for 2019 Romain Ntamack needed an operation on a double fracture sustained during Toulouse’s Christmas weekend win over Bordeaux.

Ball joins Alun Wyn as doubt for Pivac

JAKE Ball will find out this week whether his final Six Nations fling with Wales can go ahead.

Hopefully by spring all levels of game will return

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME

Alfie could become The Boss – but not yet

The Alfie Barbeary bandwagon was rolling at ever-increasing speed along the road to Twickenham until he picked up an injury last weekend and it will take plenty of stopping the moment he returns, being a Barbeary-sized vehicle.

Ban Rush Defences To Reduce Brain Harm

Am I alone in thinking that if the professional players want to take anyone to court for a lack of duty of care, they are currently aiming at the wrong target?

Mavericks like Danny must choose their battlegrounds

DANNY Cipriani is not the first maverick player to not get capped as many times as the talent they possess suggests they should, and his recent departure from Gloucester again raises the question of how to get the best from players with exceptional gifts.