CATEGORIES

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.

Club before country as Francis signs at Chiefs

WALES prop Tomas Francis has ended speculation over his immediate future by extending his contract at Exeter Chiefs.

Fans will remember the players who stayed loyal

This is a time when you have to try to find some positives somewhere, and as the clubs continue to attempt to re-sign players for the remainder of this season, maybe loyalty can be one of the plus points to emerge.

Blundell's have flown flag for Devon for 150 years

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

Why Are We Waiting So Long For Rugby?

Read his expert opinion every week

High time Cardiff put up a statue for Billy

THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW

Now Manu and Faletau are wanted in France

FRENCH COLUMN

Never say never, but I can't see an exodus to America

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE EVERY WEEK

Diversity sounds good – but are the people there?

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME

‘Iron Mike' cuts all ties with Gloucester

MIKE Teague’s disenchantment with Gloucester has led the talismanic England and Lions flanker who played with such distinction for the club to demand the return of his memorabilia at Kingsholm.

Champion Boks must declare war on drugs

A weekly look at the game’s other talking points

Kiwis slap embargo on foreign coaches

GUEST COLUMNIST

Daft money in Japan is bubble waiting to burst

With no rugby being played, it’s money, or rather the lack of it, that’s dominating the headlines.

Beauden adds gloss to the Japan adventure

WALES AND LIONS LEGEND

Hogg Can Finally Show His Lions Credentials

Nick Cain looks at the contenders for each position

World Cup run put Samoa on the map

APOLLO PERELINI THE FORMER SAMOA AND SALE SHARKS BACK ROWER

Takeover soap opera rumbles on at Beziers

A lot can happen in a month. A month ago, French clubs were taking their first, cautious steps out of lockdown. Players were undergoing a series of medical tests and beginning socially distanced individual training programmes.

Winning the World Cup made it right time to go

After nearly 400 games for club and country, South Africa and Bath star Francois Louw has called it a day. The World Cup-winning back row offers NEALE HARVEY his views on his career, the state of world rugby and what the future holds for himself and Bath.

Sedbergh had full set of England captains

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

Mum's verdict wins captaincy of Lions for ‘honest' son Martin

Brendan Gallagher continues his expert and authoritative look at the history of Rugby Union

Lam has the ability to turn his Bears into champions

I wouldn’t underestimate anything about Pat Lam, because his pedigree and talent as a coach is proven, which is why Bristol have put their faith in him.

Forget protein, players need shrinking pills!

When it comes to progress, rugby stands on the brink of herd immunity. The only sector not in a state of arrested development is strength and conditioning – something of a growth industry, if you’ll pardon the pun – and that brings problems that may prove insurmountable.