Tommy Freeman – England must rule skies in Dublin

By Adam Hathaway Focus: Tommy Freeman Tommy Freeman has urged England to rule the Dublin skies next weekend against Ireland –...

Fears that BBC will lose Six Nations

By Peter Jackson Fears are growing within the BBC that this year’s Six Nations will bring an end to their historic...

Northampton Saints aiming to take Champions Cup form into rest of Premiership season

By Paul Rees Phil Dowson wants Northampton to translate their Champions Cup form into the Premiership as they plot a charge...

Rob Howley stays with Wales but no room for Alex King

Rob Howley will resume his role of Wales attack coach in the Six Nations with Alex King taking no part. King,...

Fin Baxter’s ready to take on the best during Six Nations

By Paul Rees Fin Baxter was one of the players of last season, a prop dubbed the baby-faced assassin who at...

Maro Itoje wants to get into mind of England team-mates

By Adam Hathaway Maro Itoje is aiming to get into the heads of his squad at England training camp ahead of...

Jeremy Guscott – If England finish third in the Six Nations, that would be a result

By Jeremy Guscott Where do England sit heading into this Six Nations? Scotland Going into the 2025 tournament they are behind...

‘Wow,’ I thought, ‘This kid has got something’ – David Ross on Ellis Mee

By Simon Thomas Ellis Mee’s rise to international rugby has been a remarkably rapid one, but it’s come as no great...

Leicester Tigers swamped by Gloucester revival

By Paul Rees Flying in: Santi Carreras scores Gloucester’s second try PICTURES: Alamy & Getty Images Gloucester moved to third in...

Ben O’Keefe not to Michael Cheika’s liking

Michael Cheika hit out at the appointment of New Zealand referee Ben O’Keefe after his side were leapfrogged in the table...

Rob Baxter on a high as Exeter Chiefs get in groove

By Mark Stevens It’s taken a while, but Exeter have finally found their spark, turning a season of frustration and underperformance...

Mark McCall – We were missing too many players

Saracens DoR Mark McCall raised concerns over why matches in the Premiership are being played when players are short of key...

Cassius Cleaves delivers last-gasp knockout for Harlequins

By Brendan Gallagher Cassius Cleaves, a name destined to top the bill, scorched in for a late try to keep Quins...

Phil Dowson – There were times we could have turned the screw

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “Heartbreaking experiences like this will stand us in good stead in the long run....

Time to be brave and start with Henry Pollock at flanker for England

By Nick Cain - Read his expert opinion every week Are England fit for purpose going into the Six Nations? Steve...

Do the right thing, Bill Beaumont, and tell Bill Sweeney to be on his way

  By Nick Cain Bill Beaumont has a duty to advise Bill Sweeney that his tenure as RFU chief executive is...

I just love playing in this Bath team, says Tom de Glanville

By Jon Newcombe Bath's in-form fullback Tom de Glanville says last season taught him a valuable lesson – not to take...

Fit-again Bristol Bear Noah Heward aiming to finish season in style

Bristol Bears vs Newcastle Falcons – Match Preview By Jon Newcombe Today. Kick-off 3pm, Ashton Gate Fit-again Noah Heward goes into...

Adam Radwan’s southern move is no surprise

By Chris Hewett Farewell then, Adam Radwan. One of the brighter, sparkier wings to emerge in English club rugby over the...

Six of the best who deserved a chance during the Six Nations

Thinking Allowed by Chris Hewett A great rugby coach is rarer than radium, as England have discovered in recent decades. Precious...

Leinster sweep aside Stormers

By Ben Jaycock Leinster maintained their unbeaten start to the season, scoring five tries to move 15 points clear at the...

Justin Tipuric rolls back years as Ospreys cruise home

By Roger Panting Justin Tipuric rolled back the years to celebrate a rare outing as captain with a man-of-the-match performance as...

Scarlets work hard to subdue Edinburgh

By Roger Panting  Exemplary goal-kicking from fly-half Ioan Lloyd proved just enough for Scarlets to win a hard-fought but uninspiring encounter....

Tom Bowen stars for Cardiff but Sharks seal the deal

By Simon Thomas Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt hailed teenager Tom Bowen as a player with an exciting future after the 19-year-old...

Rampant Munster give Dragons the run-around

By Roger Panting There can’t have been many more one-sided contests in the first half than this as hapless Dragons were...

Bulls tame Lions in South African derby

Bulls held off a spirited Lions side to claim bragging rights at Ellis Park, winning 37-22. The Bulls opened the scoring...

Harlequins stunned as Saracens dazzle

By Harry Scott-Munro Star player: Saracens flyer Lotte Sharp PICTURES: Kieran Moore - Saracens Saracens secured a superb bonus-point victory away...

Nine-try Loughborough Lightning go on the rampage

By Rory Morrow Loughborough Lightning produced an electric, nine-try display at Welford Road to record a bonus-point win. This derby-day encounter...

Trailfinders keep Bristol Bears at bay – just

By Stewart McCullough Trailfinders delivered a statement victory over play-off-chasing Bristol, running in seven tries. Bears thought they had stolen victory...

Muddy waters getting muddier

The baffling case of Samu Kerevi’s 20-minute red card during Australia’s romp in Cardiff two months ago provides a stark insight...

Damian Penaud in the mood to break his ducks for France

By Peter Jackson - The man truly in the know Flying high: Damian Penaud scoring for France against Ireland during last...

Basement battle sees Caldy gain revenge

By Steve Jackson Caldy came away from Cambridge with the spoils in this Championship basement battle as two late scores from...

Roma Zheng shows his class to lead London Scottish home in style

By Tom Johnson London Scottish showed their power and determination with an impressive attacking display to ease to victory at the...

James Fish steps in to make certain for Bedford Blues

By Victor Bull Leading the way: Tommy Herman in the build up to scoring Bedford’s opening score PICTURES: Ryan Robinson Bedford...

Nottingham bounce back up the Championship table

Nottingham ..... 43pts Doncaster ......... 18pts Nottingham moved within two points of the top three with a bonus-point win at The...

Mason Cullen leaves it late to grab bonus point for Ampthill

By Ben White Chinnor ............19pts Tries: Watson 16, Worboys 44, Stokes 52 Conversions: Worboys 18, 54 Ampthill ...........32pts Tries: Penalty 30,...

Ealing Trailfinders swoop for 12 tries to sink Cornish Pirates

By William Gupwell Ealing ............... 84pts Tries: Montgomery 5, 7, 36; Reid 18, Wilson 24, De Wee 26, Harris 39, 50;...

Race is on to win a place in RWC 2027

Rugby Matters - A weekly look at the game's other talking points, by Brendan Gallagher Qualification for the Rugby World Cup...

France Six Nations Preview – Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack to take centre stage

Six Nations 2025 James Harrington says it is time for Fabien Galthie to prove all his changes have been worth it...

Ireland Six Nations Preview – Jack Crowley is the man to call the shots at 10

Brendan Gallagher puts the case for the Munster fly-half to get the nod ahead of Sam Prendergast David Humphreys or Ronan...

Scotland Six Nations Preview – Time for Finn Russell & Co to throw away the L-plates

Paul Rees looks at the problems Gregor Townsend is facing to make sure his side fire on all cylinders Everyone has...

Wales Six Nations Preview – Warren Gatland will be hoping history can repeat itself

Paul Rees reports on a team desperate to turn things right around after last year’s wooden spoon Warren Gatland was gungho...

Italy Six Nations Preview – Ange Capuozzo must make most of forward power

Brendan Gallagher predicts another good championship after two wins and a draw last time out Can Italy build on their best-ever...

England Six Nations Preview – Steve Borthwick’s men need to kick off with a bang

Paul Rees finds some reasons to be cheerful as Maro Itoje prepares to lead his side in the toughest of starts......

Ireland U20s Six Nations Preview – Neil Doak’s charges will have to start quickly

Ireland U20s will be desperate to go one better this year and return to the top of the Six Nations. The...

Logan’s U-turn gives Murray more options

SCOTLAND NORTHAMPTON back row Reuben Logan has opted for Scotland over England or Wales and is set to play an integral...

England U20s Six Nations Preview: Mark Mapletoft is keen to build for the future in defence of title

Mark Mapletoft says his group have put their groundbreaking 2024 behind them, operating with a clean slate going into their Six...

Wales U20s Six Nations Preview: Richard Whiffin turns to Harry Beddall to lead from front

Leicester flanker Harry Beddall leads Richard Wiffin’s new-look Wales squad. The 20-year-old, who represented Wales in the Six Nations and World...

Laborde: Three away fixtures is going to be tough

FRANCE JUNIOR World Cup finalists France will be hoping for a much improved Six Nations after finishing a disappointing third last...

Gyamfi-Opoku will add power to Azzurrini at 8

ITALY HEAD coach Roberto Santamaria has named a 36-man squad which includes Bath academy player Enoch Gyamfi-Opoku. Gyamfi-Opoku is a product...