Battle lines drawn in star player release row

Centre of controversy: Fabien Galthie coaches his French squad

Barrett boys face split in North-South divide

When you’ve got it to flaunt it. New Zealand, COVID free and trucking along very nicely thank you, are in the happy position of not only being able to stage a top-class domestic competition this summer, but they can also fill their stadia with paying fans to ease the cash flow situation.

Wray stays at Sarries to build for the future

JACKSON Wray wants to become a leading figure in Saracens’ revival after extending his contract until 2023.

Woodward Holy Trinity were just untouchable

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

No crowds is disgrace blasts Sale boss Simon

SALE Sharks owner Simon Orange has launched a stinging attack on government officials for dragging their heels over allowing fans back into grounds.

Webbe had an answer for racism: Laugh at it

Glenn Webbe has never been one to blow his own trumpet. Had he changed the habit of a lifetime and given it a blast, the sound might have brought the barriers of prejudice tumbling down faster than the walls at Jericho.

Yes, Eddie's right..there are far too many subs

Don’t you just love it when Eddie Jones throws a hand grenade to get the rest of the world talking about an issue.

THAT try will always remind us of Slem

AS a yeoman Englishman and very fine player indeed Mike Slemen, who passed away earlier this week, will be remembered for many things but I suspect his try for the Lions in Potchefstroom 40 years ago to secure a late 22-19 win against a strong South Africa Invitation XV is the ‘moment’ that will be spoken of for decades to come. Or at least it should be.

These young coaches can make Gloucester special

Gloucester showed they were willing to take a risk by appointing George Skivington as head coach and Skivington has done the same by bringing in Dom Waldouck to coach his defence.

Sam's style suits Hill in quest to be top captain

NEWLY-appointed Worcester skipper Ted Hill will take inspiration from legendary leaders Sam Warburton and Lawrence Dallaglio as he aims to stamp his mark on proceedings as the fourth youngest captain in Premiership history.

Sadness over death of Clermont president

The death of Clermont president Eric de Cromières, aged 66, has cast a sombre shadow over French rugby.

Is Griffiths getting his own back on the Prem?

Finally, the Championship has a champion in Edward Griffiths, who is going to shine a light at the end of the long tunnel that has been the clubs’ battle to survive in these professional times.

Heads out of the bunker chaps and point the way!

Lady Godiva’s dress-down ride through Coventry; Sir Thomas Fairfax’s rout of the Royalist forces south of Bristol; the first stirrings of the Battle of Britain; the attack on the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland: all things considered, the 10th day of July had more than its share of historical resonance even before Darren Childs addressed the rugby nation.

So Vital Gatland Goes For Tried And Tested Coaches

The big positive from the announcement of the 2021 Lions itinerary this week is that there is continuity, because it is the same tour schedule in South Africa as it was before the Covid lockdown.

Whitgift produce sporting all-rounders of excellence

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

Rugby in Hawaii? Book me in please Danno!

ONE of the major disappointments with American Rugby over the decades is that Hawaii hasn’t made more of an impact, although that could all be about to change after the formation of a Kanaloa Hawaii team to hopefully compete in the MLR from next season onwards.

Johnny focused on starting at Scarlets

JOHNNY Williams insists he is in no rush to follow Dragons recruit Nick Tompkins and fast track his way into the Wales team after swapping Newcastle for Scarlets.

Twist facts how you like, Tests still reign supreme

AS THE old saying goes: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” The inference, of course, is that statistics can be used to defend a weak argument by the use of numbers, not facts.

Shirt-swap stars can carry on regardless

Scotland set the long-distance ball rolling, England joined in, Wales followed suit and Ireland are now poised to complete a Home Nations’ custom.

Memo to PRO16: Dublin to Cape Town is 15 hours

If Coronation Street is our longest-running soap, then the PRO14 is doing its best to rival it. Its chequered history dates back nearly 20 years, starting with the four Irish provinces, the two Scottish franchises, and nine (!) Welsh teams.

Maverick talents that England failed to trust

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

Injury ended my shot at England...and All Blacks

DAN BOWDEN THE FORMER HIGHLANDERS, BLUES, CRUSADERS, LONDON IRISH, LEICESTER AND BATH FLY-HALF

Beziers takeover hits the buffers

It’s taken several weeks, and several twists, but the Beziers afternoon soap opera is running down for the summer.

Clubs Do Have A Contract, But So Did Their Players

A front row view of the game

Icon Dan becomes a hero for grassroots

Blair Agnew will be dining out for the rest of his life on the big hit he put in on Dan Carter last weekend. The West Melton hooker lined-up the three-time World Rugby Player of the Year and hit him with everything he had.

Silence the razzmatazz, best tunes are on field

When the new All Black captain Sam Cane and his fellow Chiefs reached halftime during last week’s painful Super Rugby Aotearoa defeat by the Hurricanes in Hamilton, they were serenaded down the tunnel by a blast of Don’t Stop Me Now, a song recorded, to the best of your columnist’s limited knowledge of glam rock, by Queen.

Warburton gets it wrong on world's biggest stage

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

RFU ban destroyed Pilgrim's progress

In their final rage at the dying of the amateur light, the RFU did something which provoked angry questions in both Houses of Parliament.

FFR agree schedule... and it will be brutal!

For France’s internationals, especially those playing for the six Top 14 clubs in the knockout phase of the held-over Champions and Challenge Cup competitions, next season starts off hard – and just gets harder.

Rebel Manu begs for his Tigers job back

MANU Tuilagi made a forlorn attempt to save his Leicester career before the Tigers confirmed his departure on Friday after ten eventful seasons.