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Champions Challenge Cup Sunday roundup: All the action from the last day of pool stage fixtures

20 January 2025 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The teams playing their games on Sunday in the Champions and Challenge Cups had the advantage of knowing exactly what was required of them […]

Champions Cup Team of the Week: Toulouse stars shine and Damian Penaud runs riot

20 January 2025 0 comments

The pool stage of the Champions Cup reached a close, with teams now knowing their fate in either the round of 16 or elsewhere. Defence was […]

Steve Borthwick: It’s time to put our foot down

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Steve Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to England’s problem in closing out matches – be even quicker out […]

Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade can work in Six Nations – Brad Barritt

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Brad Barritt backs the misfiring duo of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence to continue together in midfield for England, stressing the importance […]

Anthony Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees As Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester’s match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that […]

Christ Tshiunza: There’s no panic at Exeter Chiefs

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees As Christ Tshiunza reflected on what has been a frustrating season for the Wales forward, he recalled a recent conversation he had […]

Alex Mitchell back to his best and ready for Six Nations battle

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Alex Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of […]

Teddy Williams is poised to shift up a gear for Wales

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Teddy Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with […]

‘Life at Sale Sharks without my brother is weird’ – Luke James

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Sale stalwart Luke James admits his first season apart from older brother Sam has been “very weird”. Before the Curry twins and […]

Jeremy Guscott – Steve Borthwick must put faith in his players during Six Nations

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscot – Outspoken and unmissable every week… The change of England captaincy that was discussed in last week’s column has become reality with […]

Beno Obano red ends Bath hope of an upset win against Leinster

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Leinster ……………………….. 47pts Tries: Henshaw 9, 15; Conan 37, Snyman 51, 76; Ringrose 60, Gibson-Park 67 Conversions: Prendergast 16, 38, 52, 61; […]

‘It’s tough on Beno Obano, we stand by him’ – Johann Van Graan

19 January 2025 0 comments

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said he has never seen a scrum penalty given near halfway result in a red card. “To concede […]

Charging Bulls dominate Stade Francais to book their Challenge Cup spot

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Bulls………………… 48pts Tries: Penalty 3, Williams 13, Papier 18, Vermaak 27, Louw 39, Chamberlain 47, Hanekom 51 Conversions: Goosen 14, 19, Chamberlain […]

Tom Seabrook hat-trick as Northampton Saints edge a thriller over Munster

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Rob Wildman Northampton ………………. 34pts Tries: Seabrook 13, 48, 67; Langdon 40, Ramm 54 Conversions: Smith 40, 54, 67 Penalty: Smith 59 Munster ………………………. […]

Alex Mitchell should be fit for England – Phil Dowson

19 January 2025 0 comments

Saints boss Phil Dowson hopes England scrum-half Alex Mitchell should be fit for the Six Nations campaign ahead. Mitchell needed treatment for a first-half knee […]

Plucky Benetton down La Rochelle to secure Champions Cup qualification

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Benetton…………. 32pts Tries: Cannone 15, Bernasconi 67 Conversions: Albornoz 15, Smith 68 Penalties: Albornoz 23, 42; Smith 40, 50, 60, 63 La […]

Rob Baxter: We can’t become victims

19 January 2025 0 comments

Exeter DoR Rob Baxter has told his side ‘not to be victims’ after they were sent crashing out of the Champions Cup. With just one […]

Izuchukwu treble as Chiefs sent crashing

19 January 2025 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Ulster …………………………… 52pts Tries: Izuchukwu 21, 66, 78; McCann 27, 73; Timoney 38, Herring 49, Carson 69 Conversions: Doak 22, 50; Cooney […]

Battling Bristol Bears suffer injury-time heartache against Clermont

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald Clermont ……………………… 33pts Tries: Newsome 17, Raka 40, 54; Penalty 76, Ceyte 80+6 Bristol ………………………….. 26pts Conversions: Belleau 40, 55, 80+6 Tries: […]

Pat Lam puts focus on push for Premiership play-offs

19 January 2025 0 comments

Pat Lam tried to look on the bright side of his Bears’ failure to progress to the knockout stages on a day of real European […]

Owen Farrell brings spark to Racing 92

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Racing 92 …….. 31 Stormers ……….22 Match Action Racing 92 booked their place in the round of 16 at the expense of […]

Chandler Cunningham-South and Harlequins cook up a tasty performance

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Bryn Palmer Harlequins ………..24pts Tries: Cunningham-South 14, Chisholm 20, Murley 67 Conversions: Smith 15, 21, 68 Penalty: Smith 25 Glasgow ……………… 7pts Try: Jordan […]

Match Preview – Injury-hit Sharks need one point against Bordeaux to progress

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stade Chaban-Delmas High-flying Bordeaux host a Sharks side seeking just a point to join them in the play-offs. The […]

Match Preview – Leicester Tigers gunning to take down Antoine Dupont and Toulouse

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, Stade Ernest Wallon Michael Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions […]

Alex Sanderson packs his Sale Sharks side with his seven England stars

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, AJ Bell Stadium Alex Sanderson is set on Sale making the last 16 of the Champions Cup even though […]

Match Preview – Brad Barritt backing the new boys as Saracens welcome Castres

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, StoneX Brad Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to […]

Mark McCall – Saracens’ most meaningful game of the season so far

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees Mark McCall is expecting a highly motivated Castres when they take on Saracens at the StoneX Stadium this afternoon with a home […]

Good news on Maro Itoje, but England’s problems persist

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Nick Cain – Read his expert opinion every week Having been a long-time advocate of Maro Itoje as England captain, my first reaction to […]

I want the Red Roses to be unstoppable, says Zoe Aldcroft

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Dan Robertshaw Newly appointed England captain Zoe Aldcroft insists there is work to be done before her side can set their sights on glory […]

Captains don’t have to play the full 80

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Chris Hewett – Thinking Allowed It seems your columnist’s hotline to the England head coach Steve Borthwick has turned positively polar. “Don’t take the […]

Bundee Aki potency provides the edge for Connacht

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Roger Panting Cardiff …………… 19pts Tries: Lloyd 16, Young 42, 58 Conversions: Thomas 16, 42 Connacht ……….28pts Tries: J Murphy 13, Joyce 37, Ralston […]

First-half blitz sets Scarlets on their way to Challenge Cup knockouts

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Roger Panting Scarlets ………..38pts Tries: Macleod 7, 22; Murray 26, Davies 32, Rogers 37, Van der Merwe 51 Conversions: Lloyd 7, 22, 32, 51 […]

Montpellier turn power on to finish in top spot

19 January 2025 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Newcastle ……………………… 7pts Tries: Hearle 32 Conversions: Wilkinson 33 Montpellier…………………. 26pts Tries: Bernadet 1, Serfontein 46, Akrab 59, Martins 64 Conversions: Darmon […]

Ospreys snatch it in stunning finale against Pau

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Pau ………………..28 Ospreys ……….. 31 Ospreys booked a home tie in the last 16 with a superb five-try bonus point victory in […]

Lyon thump Cheetahs to secure home Challenge cup knockout tie

19 January 2025 0 comments

Lyon secured a home knockout tie with a 10-try, 68-21 victory including two apiece from Josiah Maraku and Léo Berdeu. A first-half double from Maraku […]

Dragons suffer record defeat against Lions

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Lions……………… 60 Dragons…………. 10 Dragons crashed out in ignominious fashion as they suffered their heaviest-ever defeat in European competition. They went into […]

Greg Fisilau is following in father’s footsteps

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Mark Stevens In what has been a challenging campaign for the Exeter Chiefs, Greg Fisilau has emerged as a rare shining light. The young […]

South America aiming for four teams at RUgby World Cup 2027

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Joe Santamaria After a historic 2024 for rugby in South America, former Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade is turning his attention to the future. […]

What a team London Irish could have been…

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Peter Jackson – The man truly in the know Those disciples of London Irish pining for their lost Premiership team will be given more […]

Coventry cling on as Bennett fires wide

19 January 2025 0 comments

By PAUL SMITH Coventry ………. 24pts Tries: Nkwocha 16, Hutler 24, Opoku-Fordjour 35 Conversions: Mathews 17, 25, 36 Penalties: Mathews 42 Doncaster ………23pts Tries: Holden […]

Once again, Trailfinders prove they’re class above

19 January 2025 0 comments

By RORY MORROW Chinnor …………… 8pts Tries: Watson 73 Penalties: Smith 3 Ealing …………….28pts Tries: Willemse 12, Wilson 24, 64; Harris 33 Conversions: Willis 13, […]

Hartpury pack sets platform for victory

19 January 2025 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Hartpury ……….. 34pts Tries: Hunt 3, 35; Denty 22, Short 27, Hayler 77 Conversions: Bazalgette 4, 28, 77 Penalty: Bazalgette 72 C […]

Gallagher’s late brace proves key for Caldy

19 January 2025 0 comments

By JOHN LYON Caldy ……………………………. 27pts Tries: Woodman 21, Dickinson 32, Gallagher 70, 77 Conversions: Barker 32, 77 Penalties: Barker 39 Nottingham …………………. 22pts Tries: […]

Blues climb to second ahead of Cov showdown

19 January 2025 0 comments

By TOM EASTMAN Bedford ………… 45pts Tries: Matavesi 22, 39; Tuilagi 28, Howard 57, Adamson 73, Smith 79 Conversions: Maisey 23, 29, 40, 58, 74, […]

Quins ace Benson puts Exiles in control

19 January 2025 0 comments

By STEVE Cambridge ……26pts Tries: Vanes 17, Hema 60, Brownlie 69, 80 Conversions: Grimoldby 18, 70, 80 L Scottish ……. 48pts Tries: Wilkinson 2, Hyde […]

Steve Borthwick needs to be brutal – and bold – this Six Nations

19 January 2025 0 comments

Paul Rees looks at the tough decisions the England coach has to make ahead of this season’s Six Nations It is the middle of winter […]

Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart

19 January 2025 0 comments

By ANDREW SMITH Sale …………………… 10pts Try: Stefan 12 Conversion: Powell 12 Penalty: Powell 37 Harlequins ………..43pts Tries: Kildunne 6, 47, 69, Parry 22, Pena […]

Hunt double helps champs stay top

19 January 2025 0 comments

By SAM BYTHEWAY Gloucester-H…33pts Tries: Hunt 2, 39; Carson 18, Jones 60, Metcalfe 64 Conversions: George 3, 19, 40, 65 Trailfinders ….. 31pts Tries: Wood […]

Four for Phillips as Bears keep on track

19 January 2025 0 comments

By STEWART MCCULLOUGH Bristol …………… 43pts Tries: Phillips 4, 25, 49, 60, Pam 6, David 29, Nigrelli 72 Conversions: Bevan 4, 6, 49, 60 Leicester […]

Scotland’s class of 1925 fired by legends

19 January 2025 0 comments

Rugby Matters – A weekly look at the game’s other talking points, by Brendan Gallagher Scotland only have three Grand Slams to lovingly remember but […]

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