Columnists
Kyran Bracken: England ‘central contracts’ just seem to be a way for the RFU to save money
Kyran Bracken questions the purpose of England’s central contracts, arguing the list should not be viewed as a definitive guide to Steve Borthwick’s World Cup plans.
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Columnists
/ 3 days agoPeter Jackson: Sir Billy Boston’s legacy will last a lifetime
Peter Jackson pays tribute to Sir Billy Boston, reflecting on the dual-code legend’s remarkable career, trailblazing impact and lasting legacy.
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Chris Hewett
/ 3 days agoChris Hewett: France’s Antoine Dupont will find new ways to rule the roost
Chris Hewett considers whether Antoine Dupont can return to his best after a succession of injuries, and argues the France superstar...
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Feature
/ 3 days agoPaul Rees: Matt Carley shows who’s boss in first Test between South Africa and New Zealand
Paul Rees says referee Matt Carley was right to stand his ground in Johannesburg and not be swayed by the TMO.
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 3 days agoAll Stars XV: Bedford Blues – Mike Rayer leads brothers with real style
Brendan Gallagher picks his greatest-ever Bedford Blues XV, featuring club legends such as Budge Rogers, Mike Rayer, James Pritchard and Martin...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 3 days agoBrendan Gallagher: Core question is – why were protocols relaxed?
Brendan Gallagher examines rugby’s long history of concussion awareness and questions the suggestion that players were unaware of the potential dangers,...
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Feature
/ 1 week agoPaul Rees: England back rower Henry Pollock’s mission – To smash it like Jonah Lomu
Paul Rees examines Henry Pollock’s growing profile, his potential to become rugby’s next superstar and the lessons the England back rower...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 1 week agoBrendan Gallagher: Are today’s players fit? Not in my book
Brendan Gallagher questions whether modern rugby players are reaching the fitness levels required to perform at their best, comparing the sport’s...
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Columnists
/ 1 week agoJoe Simpson: Maxime Lucu has the edge on Antoine Dupont in the France scrum-half battle
Joe Simpson weighs in on France’s scrum-half battle between Maxime Lucu and Antoine Dupont, England’s workload concerns, the Premiership’s entertainment challenge...
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Chris Hewett
/ 1 week agoChris Hewett: Touring is back! But let’s see the best take on the best
Chris Hewett welcomes the return of touring rugby between South Africa and New Zealand but questions why the best provincial players...
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Columnists
/ 1 week agoPeter Jackson: Badlands! Another US team bites dust
Peter Jackson questions the USA’s readiness to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup as another Major League Rugby club disappears, with...
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Club Rugby
/ 1 week agoVicky Macqueen: Putting on WXV in England is another huge opportunity for the women’s game
Vicky Macqueen MBE reflects on England’s continued dominance, the impact of WXV on the women’s game and the changes shaping the...
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Chris Hewett
/ 2 weeks agoChris Hewett: It’s too quiet! The decline of the supercoach
Chris Hewett asks whether rugby is losing something as the era of globe-trotting supercoaches gives way to a new generation of...
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Columnists
/ 2 weeks agoNeil de Kock: All Blacks getting in the mood to take on the Springboks challenge
Neil de Kock believes the All Blacks are finding their rhythm ahead of their mouth-watering series against South Africa, but expects...
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Feature
/ 2 weeks agoPaul Rees: All Blacks need to defy history in South Africa
Paul Rees looks ahead to the first Test in the South Africa vs New Zealand series, which starts next weekend.
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Club Rugby
/ 2 weeks agoMichael Le Bourgeois: After defeat in last year’s final, we’re determined to go one better this year
Bedford Blues centre Michael Le Bourgeois is determined to turn last season’s Champ Rugby final heartbreak into motivation as Bedford target...
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Columnists
/ 2 weeks agoPeter Jackson: All Blacks great Beauden Barrett is hanging on for his final hurrah
Peter Jackson examines Beauden Barrett’s fight to secure a place at next year’s World Cup as the All Blacks great faces...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 2 weeks agoBrendan Gallagher: Greatest team ever? The 1996 All Blacks
Brendan Gallagher makes the case for the often-overlooked 1996 All Blacks as the greatest team he has ever seen, 30 years...
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Chris Hewett
/ 2 weeks agoChris Hewett: How we’ll miss Brian Smith’s brilliant sporting mind
Chris Hewett pays tribute to Brian Smith, remembering a brilliant rugby mind who made his mark as both a player and...
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Columnists
/ 3 weeks agoPeter Winterbottom: Time to find out what Henry Pollock can do from the start as England’s No.8
The former England, Lions and Harlequins flanker believes Henry Pollock has done enough to earn a starting role at No.8, while...
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Columnists
/ 3 weeks agoNick Easter: Absolutely crazy! RFU eligibility rules are madness and must go…
Nick Easter calls for the RFU to scrap its overseas eligibility rules, arguing England should be free to select their best...
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Features
/ 3 weeks agoPaul Rees: People are suffering so let’s help, says Phil Vickery
Paul Rees on the legal battles over claims of brain injuries...
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Club Rugby
/ 3 weeks agoPaul Rees: The WRU’s licence to cull is really about control
Paul Rees argues the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to reduce the country’s professional regions from four to three is ultimately about...
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Columnists
/ 3 weeks agoPeter Jackson: Martin Johnson leads praise for the unsung Lions of ’46
Peter Jackson revisits the remarkable 1946 Lions tour of Australia, highlighting the courage, resilience and extraordinary stories of the players who...
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Columnists
/ 3 weeks agoNeil de Kock: Brendan Venter will bring a new energy to Saracens
Neil de Kock believes Brendan Venter can bring fresh energy to Saracens as he returns as director of rugby, with Mark...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 3 weeks agoBrendan Gallagher: £1m deal for Northampton Saints star Henry Pollock is a long way off yet
Brendan Gallagher argues Henry Pollock’s growing profile could make him a future marquee player, but believes a £1m Northampton Saints contract...
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Columnists
/ 3 weeks agoPaul Williams: Wales need to get a kick out of their No.10
Paul Williams argues Wales should prioritise a fly-half with an elite kicking game, rather than chasing the traditional creative No.10, as...
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Feature
/ 3 weeks agoNick Eastwood’s fiscal talent behind RFU’s success
Nick Cain looks back on the life of Nick Eastwood, former Finance Director of the RFU, who has died at the...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 1 month agoBrendan Gallagher: France are keeping the global game alive ahead of the Rugby World Cup
Brendan Gallagher examines how French rugby has become the driving force behind the global game, providing vital support for Tier 2...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoPeter Jackson: All Blacks v Springboks – The thrilling series that will grip the rugby world
Peter Jackson says the return of a four-Test series between South Africa and New Zealand is the blockbuster rugby has been...
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Chris Hewett
/ 1 month agoChris Hewett: Jac Morgan is the lad to get the Shed singing at Gloucester
Chris Hewett believes Jac Morgan can become a defining figure for Gloucester as the Wales captain joins a recruitment drive that...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoPaul Williams: It’s time for Welsh rugby to look to the future and not live in the past
Paul Williams argues Welsh rugby must stop dwelling on past mistakes and embrace the major changes ahead as the professional game...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoKyran Bracken: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso blew me away, he’s genuinely world class
World Cup winner Kyran Bracken believes England are heading in the right direction after their Nations Championship campaign, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso...
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Autumn Internationals
/ 1 month agoPaul Rees: France must be northern stars in the Nations Championship
France have emerged as the leading northern hemisphere challengers after the opening phase of the Nations Championship, but Paul Rees believes...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 1 month agoBrendan Gallagher: When Bill Oddie dreamt of winning a Blue
Brendan Gallagher recalls the rugby ambitions of comedy legend Bill Oddie, who played as a No.10 for three years in the...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoJeremy Guscott: The TMO is part of our world but the referee must have the final say
Jeremy Guscott believes the TMO is now an essential part of modern rugby, but says World Rugby must introduce clearer protocols...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoPeter Jackson: Not much sign that Wales can close gap
Peter Jackson argues there is little evidence Wales are closing the gap on the world’s best, warning the WRU must replace...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 1 month agoBrendan Gallagher: Referees should not be above criticism
Brendan Gallagher argues World Rugby was wrong to punish Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada for criticising the officials, insisting referees can no...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoNick Cain: England’s direction of travel still unclear
Nick Cain believes England’s summer ended with encouraging signs, but says Steve Borthwick still has major questions to answer over discipline,...
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Chris Hewett
/ 1 month agoChris Hewett: It’s time for Argentina to spice things up again
Chris Hewett questions why Argentina have lost their reputation as rugby’s great disruptors, arguing the Pumas must rediscover their edge and...
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Autumn Internationals
/ 1 month agoPaul Rees: Southern giants lay down an early Nations Championship marker
Paul Rees sees the south on top in the Nations Championship and says the TMO acting as referee is a system...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 1 month agoLions musn’t be pussycats
SHOULD the Lions play Italy before heading off to New Zealand in 2029? I don’t see any reason why not. But...
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Autumn Internationals
/ 1 month agoPaul Rees: England boss Steve Borthwick fails to make most of his opportunities
Paul Rees believes England’s summer tour produced results but failed to answer the bigger questions, with Steve Borthwick missing a valuable...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoJeremy Guscott: Yes, South Africa are good … but they’re beatable
Jeremy Guscott believes South Africa’s strength in depth makes them the team to beat, but insists the Springboks are not unbeatable...
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Columnists
/ 1 month agoNick Cain: England boss Steve Borthwick must sort out his back row now
Nick Cain says Steve Borthwick must stop delaying the big selection calls, insisting Henry Pollock deserves the No.7 shirt and urging...
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Chris Hewett
/ 1 month agoChris Hewett: Forget world rankings, it’s trophies that count
Chris Hewett argues that while world rankings have their uses, they count for little compared with winning trophies as rugby’s biggest...
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Features
/ 1 month agoPaul Rees: Steve Borthwick must look beyond the showman and trust Henry Pollock for England
Paul Rees examines the contradiction in Steve Borthwick’s England selection policy and why the head coach must look beyond Henry Pollock’s...
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Features
/ 1 month agoPaul Rees: Don’t ban criticism of the TMO
Paul Rees believes coaches should be free to question the TMO system as World Rugby searches for ways to speed up...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 1 month agoBrendan Gallagher: Nations Championship proves the big boys are still not playing nice
Brendan Gallagher believes the Nations Championship is reinforcing rugby’s old hierarchy, with the sport’s biggest nations continuing to protect their own...
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Club Rugby
/ 1 month agoPrem review: Alex Sanderson on building a team to take Sale Sharks back to the top of the Prem
Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Prem season, with the focus this week on Sale Sharks.
