Sorry, but I’m happy on the wing says George North

George North is not planning on making his switch to the centres permanent any time soon – even if life on...

Room 101: Brian Smith – London Irish Director of Rugby

1. Rugby Administration Why does a professional game have amateur match officials with no system of reward or a level of...

Brendan Gallagher takes a personal look at the Rugby World in 2013

BEST NEWCOMERS BTSport for their lively match day coverage and excellent Sunday lunchtime round-up show which is the must-watch rugby programme...

Nick Cain: Danny Cipriani is a risk, but he could unlock golden door

Who holds the keys to No.10 for England? There is no shortage of contenders to pilot them through the 2015 World...

Sporting all-rounder Hayden Smith back ‘home’ at Saracens

He grew up playing basketball in Australia and discovered rugby in the USA. And now Hayden Smith has returned from a...

20 Questions: Will Welch – Newcastle captain

Sum up your season so far? It’s been exciting back in the Premiership. We’re happy with where we are but we’ve...

Jeremy Guscott: My fab four could make any team in the world

The Northern Hemisphere possesses some brilliantly talented players who would be comfortable playing in any team because they are that good....

Nick Cain picks his highs and lows from 2013

Team of the Year – The 2013 Lions. Whereas the All Blacks are virtually a club side which plays and trains...

Dead-eye Stephen Myler has England in his sights

Northampton’s marksman Stephen Myler has revealed his burning to desire to represent England during the forthcoming RBS Six Nations.

My Life in Rugby: Hugh William-Jones –former Wales & Llanelli prop

I was the first ever temporary blood replacement for Wales – against Italy in 1994 in a World Cup qualifier in...

Leigh Halfpenny on his way to Toulon

Reports in France suggest Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has signed for Toulon ahead of next season. Peter Jackson EXCLUSIVELY revealed the British and Lions...

Gloucester confirm Akapusi Qera’s departure

Gloucester confirmed today that flanker Akapusi Qera will leave Kingsholm at the end of the year to take up a short-term...

Katy Mclean receives MBE in New Year’s Honours List

England’s Katy Mclean has received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list for services to rugby. The 28-year-old fly-half from...

Quotes of the Year

“I was the Englishman who gate crashed the Welsh party. Phil Bennett got the ball and ran up his own back...

Freddie Burns will replace Toby Flood at Leicester Tigers next season

Freddie Burns will be playing for Leicester next season as the Tigers’ goal-kicking successor to Toby Flood.

Dream Team: David Rees – former Bristol, Leeds, Sale & England wing

1. Jason Leonard – He played in one of my first Premiership games and in one moment he sat on top...

James Short joins Lodon Wasps on loan

London Wasps have signed winger James Short from Saracens on a loan deal for the remainder of the season. Short, who...

Welsh will be safe from Aviva Premiership relegation

The Welsh regions have struck a deal guaranteeing three of their four teams immunity from relegation as a condition of joining...

Young Gun: Jack Walker – Leeds & England U20 hooker

For the last few years it’s been his older brother Chris making the headlines at Leeds Carnegie, but fresh from beating...

Peter Jackson: All Blacks chase the dollar in Big Apple

The All Blacks have announced their intention to cash in on the American market with a match in New York next...

‘Ryan Giggs’ tribute for record man David Jackson

David Jackson has been hailed as the “the Ryan Giggs of Nottingham Rugby” by club CEO Simon Beatham after the record-breaking...

Room 101: Kearnan Myall – London Wasps lock

1. Pre-season Army camps Any rugby player that has been on one of these will surely agree with me that pre-season...

Brendan Gallagher reminisces about some unique times with a hell-raising rugby fanatic

The security guard’s radio crackled around a deserted Twickenham: “Lawrence Of Arabia and a Man Called Horse are leaving the stadium....

Gamble on Leicester Tigers exit has paid off says George Ford

It is hard to avoid drawing comparisons between George Ford and Owen Farrell – two of the brightest young things in...

20 Questions: Matt Evans – Cornish Pirates wing

Thoughts on Pirates’ season to date? Couple of glitches but we’re close to where we want to be. We’re a new...

Jeremy Guscott: Danny Cipriani’s back as he decides to return to Planet Earth

Danny Cipriani is back on the England radar, there’s little doubt about that, he’s far from the wilderness he found himself...

‘Class act’ James O’Connor can inspire Irish return to top

Mick Crossan, leader of the consortium who own London Irish, wants Australian star James O’Connor to be the talisman for a...

My Life in Rugby: Peter Buxton – former Moseley, Newport, Gloucester & Bristol flanker

After I left school I went to Australia for eight months and played for a club called Brothers, in Brisbane –...

Breakaway or die, Welsh regions are warned

The man who created the Welsh regions is urging them to break away and join the English Premiership or face destruction.

Dream Team: Bryn Evans – London Irish and former Blues, Hurricanes and All Blacks lock

1. Alex Corbisiero – A great scrummager and hugely mobile prop. Mentioning anything WWE related will definitely get this big guy...

Young Gun: George de Cothi – Worcester scrum-half

When a team are struggling at the bottom of the table they may look to their youngsters to provide the inspiration...

Jeff Probyn: One hundred years on – and rugby hasn’t changed

There is a saying that there is nothing new in rugby and I think I may have found the proof. While...

Peter Jackson: Shameful memories for Wales in South Africa

As the top man in the world game, Bernard Lapasset paid due homage to Nelson Mandela on behalf of “the rugby...

Sonny Bill Williams to switch back to rugby union in 2015

Sonny Bill Williams has signed a two-year contract to return to the Chiefs in 2015 in time for the World Cup...

VIDEO: Heineken Rugby Show

Earlier this week, former England captain Will Carling hosted the latest Heineken Cup Rugby in the famous Cabbage Patch Pub in...

Premiership, Pro12 & Championship teams

Following two breathtaking weeks of European rugby, it is time for the domestic leagues to resume with the popular Christmas fixtures....

Graham Kitchener can be England lineout king says Louis Deacon

Louis Deacon has backed Leicester second row partner Graham Kitchener to break into the England team.

Room 101: Martin Nutt – Henley full-back

1. Winter There is no fun in playing or training in the rain, snow, freezing cold and wind in the slightest...

Aviva Premiership round 10 teams

Bath v Harlequins Bath: Anthony Watson; Horacio Agulla, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond, Matt Banahan; George Ford, Peter Stringer; Paul James, Rob Webber,...

RaboDirect Pro12 teams

Cardiff Blues v Ospreys Cardiff Blues: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Richard Smith, Dafydd Hewitt, Harry Robinson; Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams; Sam Hobbs...

Brendan Gallagher talks to Nigel Owens about the challenges – and joy – of reffing around the world

It might surprise you to learn – although possibly not – that the pre-eminent referee in world rugby in 2013 has...

Nick Cain: France’s ‘Little Napoleon’ is trying to rule in Europe

When it comes to exercising absolute power within a rugby fiefdom there is no one who comes close to Pierre Camou....

Greene King IPA Championship round 11 teams

Ealing Trailfinders v Bristol Ealing Trailfinders: Andrew Henderson; Christopher Kinloch, Ronald Mclean-Dents, Thomas Bedford, Philip Chesters; Benjamin Ward, Morgan Thompson; Steven...

Steve Meehan fears for Bath after Gary Gold’s shock exit

Former Bath head coach Steve Meehan fears the club could be in danger of being “sent off the rails” unless its...

Alex Goode: Well played Mike Brown, but I still want your place

While Alex Goode admits Mike Brown’s current form makes him deservedly England’s No.15, that does not mean the Sarries man is...

Northampton fined £60,000 over George North’s release

Northampton Saints have been fine £60,000 for releasing star winger George North outside the IRB international window. Wales faced Australia on...

20 Questions: Brett Sturgess – Exeter prop

Nearly, but not quite for Exeter so far this season? Yes, especially in the last two weeks against Saracens and Bath....

Tiger Brett Deacon forced to retire

Leicester Tigers flanker Brett Deacon has been forced to hang up the boots on medical advice it was announced today. The...

Heineken Cup round 5 & 6 dates announced

The ERC today announce the makeup of the fifth and sixth round of the Heineken Cup. Ulster, the only unbeaten side...

Nick Cain: Enough! We don’t want more League coaches

The news that Steve McNamara is staying at his post in Rugby League – part time with England and assistant coach...