Fight to the end and pray for some magic

Conor O’Shea tells Brendan Gallagher how he plans to take Italy to the next level PREVIEW… Italy v Wales Today. Kick-off...

Howley opts for experience to get Wales off to a flyer

WALES interim coach Rob Howley makes five changes to the team that beat South Africa in November. Second row Alun-Wyn Jones...

Bonus point in Rome, then bring it on in Cardiff!

SHANE WILLIAMS I EXPECT Wales to find things tricky against Italy but still seal a bonuspoint win – and then it’s...

Moriarty on his mark to replace the irreplaceable

Alex Bywater chats to Ross Moriarty, the man charged with filling the giant boots of Taulupe Faletau at No.8 PREVIEW… Italy...

Stern Vern allows himself a smile as Scotland box clever

PETER JACKSON VERDICT Scotland 27pts Ireland 22pts Murrayfield rejoiced yesterday at catching a glimpse of a moment even more truly historic...

Dan’s the man for me says Bennett

By PETER JACKSON DAN BIGGAR takes centre stage for Wales in Rome today reinforced by a resounding vote of confidence from...

Don’t fret says Eddie, we’ll be fine for Wales!

By GARY FITZGERALD Upbeat: Eddie Jones EDDIE Jones took the blame squarely on his Aussie chin for England having to get...

Young Gun: Ben Vellacott – Gloucester scrum-half

It is only three weeks into 2017 but, as far as Ben Vellacott is concerned, it is already a year he’ll...

Bath sign monster loosehead

Bath have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old loosehead Sam Nixon from Plymouth Albion on a deal until the end of the...

Northampton Saint joins Blues on loan

Northampton Saints flanker Sion Bennett has joined the Cardiff Blues on loan for the remainder of the season. The Blues confirmed...

England U20 name side for France

England U20s have named their side for of the opening game of the 2017 Six Nations against France at Sandy Park...

Mercer pens new deal at Bath

Bath and England U20 back-rower Zach Mercer has signed a contract extension, which will see the academy player promoted to the...

Peter Jackson: Open or shut case at Millennium Stadium

Just as the United Nations have America and the Mexican wall on their agenda, so the Six Nations have had Wales...

Jeff Probyn: They’re all out to derail Eddie’s English chariot

In just a few more days, the waiting will be over and the greatest rugby tournament in the world will begin....

All Black prop stocks are looking bare warns John Afoa

Former All Blacks prop John Afoa believes New Zealand‘s front row is vulnerable – and that the state of propping in...

SMMEX Coming To London

Held within the iconic Wembley Stadium, SMMEX is back for the 19th year on 6th March 2017. The show provides businesses...

Room 101: David Williams – Nottingham full-back

1. Onions I don’t like the taste of onions no matter what the variety is or whether they’re cooked or raw....

Itoje named in Enlgand back row to take on France

Maro Itoje will as expected start at blindside for England in their Six Nations opener against France at Twickenham.

Warburton to start for Wales in Italy

Sam Warburton has been named at blindside in the Wales pack ahead of their trip to Italy in the opening round...

Nick Cain: Sherylle Calder will keep focus on big prize

Sherylle Calder’s capacity to make a difference as a visual skills coach can be measured by the three-year contract she has...

Shane Williams: Wales can challenge but Ireland are my tip

I’m confident Wales can challenge for the Six Nations title. Rob Howley did well in November to get three wins on...

Leicester confirm Maxime Mermoz signing

Leicester have confirmed the signing of France international centre Maxime Mermoz for the rest of the season. Tigers agreed terms with...

Bristol to lose two rising stars to Northampton

Mitch Eadie and Jamal Ford-Robinson will leave Bristol at the end of the season and join Northampton. In a statement released...

Lou Reed leaves Sale Sharks

Lou Reed has left Sale with immediate effect and by mutual consent. The towering lock joined the Sharks on a two-year contract...

Saracens announce contract extensions

Saracens have announced that they have extended the contracts of seven academy players. Centre Tom Griffiths, prop Hayden Thompson-Stringer and half-back...

Top drawer Elliot Daly worth Lions call

Elliot Daly’s versatility must see the Wasps midfielder rocket into Lions contention for this summer’s tour of New Zealand, says Harlequins...

Bath can beat odds like I did says Robbie Fruean

Having twice defied the medics by battling back from heart surgery, inspirational centre Robbie Fruean is determined to reinforce his fighting...

20 Questions: Evan Olmstead – Newcastle lock

Enjoyed the European fortnight? I’m not in the Challenge Cup squad so the past couple of weeks gave me a chance...

Win Tickets for the Champions Cup Final in Edinburgh

The European Rugby Challenge Cup and Champions Cup Finals roll in to Edinburgh on May 12-13. And you can win a...

Alchemist Eddie must again find the right formula

England go into the Six Nations in the grip of an injury drought that will test their well of playing talent...

Jeremy Guscott: Finn’s big question is can he keep Ireland guessing

Finn Russell will be a big part of how Scotland do against Ireland in next weekend’s Six Nations game in Edinburgh,...

George Kruis a doubt for Six Nations opener

George Kruis is a doubt for England‘s Six Nations opener against France on Saturday after picking up a knee injury in...

EXCLUSIVE: RFU made Welsh survival ‘impossible’

By NEALE HARVEY London Welsh chairman Gareth Hawkins has blasted the RFU over his club’s demise, accusing English rugby’s governing body...

My Life in Rugby: Peter Winterbottom – former Lions, England & Quins flanker

Rugby was in my blood from an early age. Chris Rea lodged with us for a bit after he’d moved down...

Sale cleared in TJ Ioane inquiry

Sale have been cleared by the Concussion Management Review Group of any wrongdoing over an incident concerning TJ Ioane against Harlequins...

WATCH: Maro Itoje takes on personal trainer in gym challenges

Ever wondered how England‘s Maro Itoje would fare in five gym challenges against a fully-qualified Personal Trainer? Maximuscle’s Paul Olima took...

Sexton out of Ireland’s Six Nations opener

A calf injury has had the better of Johnny Sexton ruling him out of Ireland‘s Six Nations opener against Scotland on...

Double injury blow for Wales

Wales will have to kick off their Six Nations campaign without Taulupe Faletau and Luke Charteris in Italy. The Bath forwards...

Exiles prop joins Exiles

London Irish have secured the services of former tighthead Lovejoy Chawatama from London Welsh until the end of the season. The...

Six Nations bonus point can net £1m extra cash

The Six Nations kicking off this weekend will achieve another global first in world rugby – the £1m bonus point. A...

Wasps centre off to Bristol

Wasps’ Samoan international Alapati Leiua is set to join Bristol Rugby at the end of the season. The powerful centre, who...

Dream Team: Alex Rieder – Wasps flanker

1. Mako Vunipola – The in-form loosehead in the country. Unbelievable around the park and his scrummaging has improved massively. 2....

Young Gun: Jack Nay – Saracens flanker

Jack Nay grew up watching Schalk Burger playing for the Springboks on television so to actually train with him took a...

Exeter add two for next season

Exeter have strengthened their squad for next season with the double signing of Toby Salmon from Rotherham and Tom O’Flaherty from...

Jeff Probyn: RFU mustn’t blame ‘incomers’ for increase in abuse of refs

With the excitement of the closely-fought battles for Champions Cup  quarter-final places in this year’s competition, it would be easy to...

Shane Williams: Let’s hear it for Howley’s gamble on young guns

I’ve said for a while that I would like to see a few new faces in the Wales squad for the...

Battle for England job will boost Lions dream – Care

Danny Care has vowed to fight tooth and claw to see off his No.9 rivals and give himself the best shot...

Room 101: Simon Hammersley – Newcastle full-back

1. Glute activation exercises Having torn the anterior cruciate ligament in my knee a few months back, these horrible little movements...

Samoan hooker signs contract extension at Quins

Harlequins Samoan international hooker Elia Elia has signed a contract extension to remain at the club until the end of the...

Alo to stay at Sixways

Worcester tighthead Biyi Alo has signed a permanent contract to remain at the club after joining from Saracens as injury dispensation...