We should all applaud the TMO not jeer him

During last weekend’s Six Nations match between Wales and Italy, we had a perfect example of why TMO reviews have made elite rugby a much better game, but it also highlighted just how much further some commentators and pundits still need to move to keep up with the times!

The tale of four centres obliterates all thoughts of Boks invasion

WHAT with an election in Ireland yesterday and the mother of all storms coming in from the west, the rugby faithful weren’t short of conversation subjects before a fascinating game between two unbeaten sides looking to launch their 2020 Six Nations campaign in earnest.

Sharks let rip in first half feeding frenzy

FOR a club as ambitious as Sale, a first piece of silverware in 14 years would do nicely this season.

Ruthless Galthie will be out to crush Italy

BEFORE the 2020 Six Nations began there was widespread speculation that Fabian Galthie would start almost all of his outstanding crop of youngsters and newcomers against Italy, but in a welcome sign that today always matters more than tomorrow, the France coach has gone with his strongest possible line-up.

Fleetwood braced for Scots backlash

RED ROSES flanker Vicky Fleetwood is expecting Scotland to be a different beast to the one England tamed 80-0 last year at Twickenham en route to winning the Grand Slam.

Doherty's late dash seals comeback win

ALAN Dickens praised his team’s character and composure after England produced another clinical late finish to make it two wins from two in the U20s Six Nations.

Bath Ready To Offer Lozowski A New Challenge

BATH are leading the hunt for Alex Lozowski as the departures from disgraced Premiership champions Saracens pick up the pace.

Can Lieutenant Andy Cut It As The Head Honcho?

You will hear much talk over the coming weeks about whether Andy Farrell is made of the right stuff to be the head coach of Ireland or whether, in fact, he is one of nature’s number twos, a favourite sporting cliché.

Georgia Will Use The Boks To Gatecrash Six Nations

Brendan Gallagher looks at the strength of the countries playing in the European Nations Cup

Wales Good Cop, Bad Cop – Pivac Knows How To Handle Players

Gary Fitzgerald looks at the likely impact Wayne Pivac will have on Wales

Overall, there is sadness at end of Saracens' era

THE Saracens salary cap story is a sad episode for a game in which values of honesty and integrity have always been considered important.

Eddie's men are chasing record £6m for a Slam

ENGLAND will hit the biggest jackpot in world rugby if they complete the Six Nations Grand Slam this season – £6,000,000.

Dallaglio: Big Dom's No.8 snub 'curious'

LAWRENCE Dallaglio is concerned a youthful and fired up French revolution could derail England’s Six Nations campaign.

Twenty Years Of Wonder As Six Nations Sparkles On

Brendan Gallagher looks back at the glories – and grumbles – from the start of the great tournament

Do England Need Scrum Coach? We Never Did!

As we all wait with anticipation for the start of the Six Nations, the time for announcing the squads has arrived.

Pivac has shocked a few and I'm glad

Warren Gatland constantly surprised the Welsh rugby public with his selections throughout his 12 years in charge.

No big-match jitters for strongman John

ON the eve of his first Six Nations, Sale prop WillGriff John is in no doubt he can star at international level.

Lyon offer an escape route to Sarries trio

McCall must take some blame say the players

Vindictive owners get their pound of flesh off Sarries

What is bitterly disappointing for any England fan is that the roof caving in on Saracens will have serious ramifications for the English game, at both international and club level.

Leaders show their class away defeat of in gallant Rams

ONE of these sides could be playing Saracens next season and Richmond are now in pole position to reclaim their place in the Championship.

Titans find their pride in game for the purists

TAUNTON avenged their heavy defeat at Tonbridge Juddians as they came out on top in a war of attrition against their heavyweight opponents.

Five-star Students brush off exam woe

IT’S exam season for the Loughborough Students team but they at least passed one test with a five-try victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield Tigers.

Mystery of Hook and that Wales No10 shirt

James Hook did something a long time ago which no British or Irish player has done in the Six Nations since. He went through the card, ticking all four boxes in the scoring book: try, conversion, penalty, drop.

Morgan Still Gunning For Test Recall Like Easter

With a new contract safely pouched, Ben Morgan believes Gloucester are in the perfect position to launch a New Year push for the Premiership title.

Danny daring to dream about England again

SIX years after starring in England U20s history-making squad of 2013, London Irish prop Danny HobbsAwoyemi feels he is finally making good on his potential.

Cobus' golden winter glows ever brighter

LOUIS Rees-Zammit is the hottest try-scoring property in the Premiership.

Unions should concentrate on amateur side of game

Last week’s Rugby Paper gave fuel to those who want to claim that the game is in rude health, and those who believe the game is in deep trouble – you pays your money and you takes your choice.

Alex gets in the swim to help the hospice kids

FORMER Scotland centre Alex Grove will go to any lengths to raise money for his favourite charity.

Wonderkid Louis puts Warriors to the sword

HEAD coach Johan Ackermann says Gloucester’s teenage wing prodigy Louis Rees-Zammitt is good enough for international rugby – and on this performance, you’d struggle to find a dissenting voice in Kingsholm.

You'd think Jamie would be used to the insults

There’s nothing like a good old fashioned punch-up or handbag waving contest to get the emotions running high – and an over reaction by the players in both teams.