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Columnists
/ 7 years agoCain column: Hold a World Cup just for Tier Two nations
By Nick Cain SOME of the leading lights in World Rugby appear to be struggling to work out which way is...
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Columnists
/ 7 years agoBristol win will intensify ring-fence campaign
Bristol Bears downed Bath at Ashton Gate last Friday, and Nick Cain writes why that will fuel a debate that has...
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Columnists
/ 7 years agoCain column: Eddie Jones has no grounds to dump his bad boys
The end of Eddie Jones' "clean slate" approach?
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Columnists
/ 7 years agoMichael Cheika must find remedy for tactical shortcomings
A crux of high penalty counts and finding a replacement for the retired Stephen Moore
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Columnists
/ 7 years agoSteve Hansen’s moan shows Lions effects still linger
Nick Cain looks at how New Zealand have progressed one year on from that epic series against the British & Irish...
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Columnists
/ 7 years agoCain column: Dean Ryan could give Eddie Jones a shoulder to lean on
Nick Cain reflects on recent comments by RFU chairman Andy Cosslett about the future of head coach Eddie Jones
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Columnists
/ 7 years agoCain column: Eddie Jones has a plan for life without Billy Vunipola
Any coincidence that England's 2018 losing streak came when Big Billy was out injured?
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoEngland know it’s make or break for them in Johannesburg Test
Nick Cain summarises what's at stake between England and their hosts South Africa – and looks at the new players on...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoNew Zealand are hypocrites for their fuss over Brad Shields
Pacific Islanders and their occasional route into New Zealand rugby...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Greatest? No way, but Dylan Hartley has had his moments with England
Nick Cain examines Dylan Hartley's career after Eddie Jones' claim the hooker is England's greatest captain
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Straight-talking Johan Ackermann has Gloucester on track
Nick Cain writes how Ackermann's arrival has been timed perfectly with the breakout seasons by Jake Polledri and Lewis Ludlow
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Featured
/ 8 years agoSchalk Brits feature: Erasmus will fire the Springboks and gear them up for the World Cup
Saracens legend Schalk Brits talks about how the new Boks chief can win the challenges facing South Africa by holding dual-roles...
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Featured
/ 8 years agoLock Parisse in to prolong career and free up Seb Negri for Italy
Brendan Gallagher suggests how Italy can transform themselves in time for the Japan Rugby World Cup
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Eddie won’t hang about if England flop again
Nick Cain gives his thoughts about England renewing Eddie Jones' contract and including a get-out clause should the team disappoint in...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Oh, for the leadership of Lawrence and Johnno
Nick Cain examines the validity of Eddie Jones claiming English rugby lacks depth in leaders
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Autumn Internationals
/ 8 years agoCain column: Chatty refs have aided the growth of dissent
By Nick Cain Dissent is an evil genie that was always going to escape from the bottle when Rugby Union referees...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoChatty refs have aided the growth of dissent
Clear as day? Owen Farrell, right, appeals as Marika Koroibete touches down DISSENT is an evil genie that was always going...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoTwo nation bid would harm, not help, the Islanders
YOU cannot blame Tim Nanai Williams for wanting a change in the World Cup eligibility rules to allow players qualified through...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: It’s a mad, mad world as Laporte bashes Bill
By Nick Cain THE international administration of Rugby Union was left embarrassed and in abject disarray on Wednesday in London when...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Eddie’s tunnel vision over Dylan Hartley is harmful
Nick Cain writes his opinion on how the England head coach has set a precedent that risks locking him in
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: World Cup vote would save Springboks from disaster
(Photo: Getty Images) By Nick Cain With South African rugby on the road to the cliff-edge, the Rugby World Cup board...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: NFL ‘partnership’ will be far from friendly
Nick Cain examines the NFL's growing access to the European market which has seen two matches played at Twickenham this autumn
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoAmerican ‘partnership’ will be far from friendly
This afternoon Twickenham is once again opening its doors to American Football by hosting the NFL “international series” game between the...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoTMO must be called on if there is any doubt
TO use the TMO, or not to use the TMO? That is the question that was raised (again) during Wasps win...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoEddie’s after excellence
ELLIS Genge played like a runaway bull last weekend, scattering Castres tacklers like chaff. Was Eddie Jones impressed? Not entirely. The...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Gatland scorched by heat in Lions kitchen
Nick Cain looks at whether being head coach of the British & Irish Lions is more trouble than it's worth given...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: ‘Teflon Rob’ could have done so much more
By Nick Cain ROB Andrew’s reputation as the Teflon man of English rugby may have taken a knock when he was...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Kyle Sinckler can consider himself lucky as inconsistency in bans perpetuate
By Nick Cain KYLE Sinckler can consider himself fortunate to get off with a seven-week ban after making contact with Northampton...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoCain column: Players have not been consulted over extending the season
By Nick Cain PLAYERS and coaches in the Premiership have started to align in their resistance to the World Rugby blueprint...
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Columnists
/ 8 years agoO’Brien’s view on Lions coaching mishaps is wrong but he’s entitled to voice his opinion
By Nick Cain Sean O’Brien is one of the fiercest competitors in the game, yet his view that the 2017 Lions...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: It’s wrong Eddie must wait a year to face those NZ bullets
Eddie Jones was in full ogre-slaying mode this week, sounding like the armour-plated incarnation of St George as he talked about...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: Brits is best of all the imports into Premiership
The Schalk Brits masterclass against Northampton that lit up the Twickenham double-header last weekend made up my mind that he is...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: Fearns in Les Bleus? C’est un outrage!
The thought of Carl Fearns becoming a surrogate Frenchman fills me with dread. This is not so much because the Lyon-based...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoSpit-spot it’s a solution!
A POTENTIAL breakthrough in the diagnosis of concussion through a simple saliva test is a note of good news at the...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoFearns in Les Bleus? C’est un outrage!
Switching allegiances? Carl Fearns on the burst for Lyon The thought of Carl Fearns becoming a surrogate Frenchman fills me with...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoThe sweaty basics pay dividends for new-look Gloucester
JOHAN Ackermann might just be able to galvanise Gloucester judging by their cliff-edge 28-21 win over champions Exeter at Kingsholm on...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: Lack of common sense could kill Aussie rugby
The Aussies are used to baking hot temperatures and droughts, but as sporting meltdowns go they do not come much worse...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoHow Henley helped make England Women great
Rochelle Clark and Tamara Taylor are seasoned world champions who will play a crucial role in the Red Roses’ bid to...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoLack of common sense could kill Aussie rugby
THE Aussies are used to baking hot temperatures and droughts, but as sporting meltdowns go they do not come much worse...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoPiutau will be worth his £1m salary at Bristol
CHARLES Piutau’s £1 million a year deal with Bristol confirms the accelerating trend of All Blacks leaving New Zealand in mid-career...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: Dangerous for PRO14 to copy Super Rugby conferences
The new PRO14 marks South Africa’s first steps at shifting from SANZAAR to align with the Northern Hemisphere. The inclusion of...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain gets Eddie Jones’ verdict of the summer action
Eddie Jones started the new season by announcing he intends to turn his England squad into trailblazers who will reach fitness...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: Baxter must join Eddie’s team if he’s to succeed
One of the most vexing issues that all four Home Unions have had to face over the last eight years is...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: Without doubt, Ford’s found fresh gears since Bath exit
Welcome to the new, improved, Ford. In this case, however, the model is called George rather than describing the latest product...
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Nick Cain
/ 8 years agoNick Cain: Lions should have taken 45 players in first place
Replacement strategies are becoming the bane of Lions tours, as the furore around the ‘Geography Six’ – the late call-ups to...
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Nick Cain
/ 9 years agoNick Cain: Farrell has become Mr VIP for the Lions
Owen Farrell is the embodiment of the ‘all for one, one for all’ ethos that is the foundation for winning Lions...
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Nick Cain
/ 9 years agoHansen feels the strain of building a legacy
The pressure is starting to build on Steve Hansen. Ironically, the tell-tale sign is how often the words “pressure” and “responsibility”...
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Nick Cain
/ 9 years agoNow NZ may rest their stars
HAVING undertaken to play the All Blacks in the early tour matches against the NZ Super Rugby franchises, there are signs...
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Nick Cain
/ 9 years agoDivided camp not Gat’s way
WARREN Gatland got his retaliation in early with a pre-emotive strike aimed at 2001 Lions coach Graham Henry. As New Zealand’s...












