On the road to glory in Europe

BRENDAN GALLAGHER ON THE RUGBY VISIONARIES WHO, AFTER A SLOW START, CHANGED THE GAME Brendan Gallagher looks back at the first...

THE 1995-96 HEINEKEN EUROPEAN CUP

AND so it came to pass that the Heineken European Cup finally became reality on October 31 1995 at a small...

Time for players to behave properly

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN There are no ‘good’ responses to Melvyn Jaminet’s violently racist outburst on social media, or the serious...

Swailes gunning for revenge in Le Crunch

Women’s U20 Summer Series ■ By LUCY WILDE NIAMH Swailes has warned France they will be taking on a very different...

Unbeaten England get act together

■ By BEN HART ENGLAND U20s captain Steph Else hailed her side for ‘putting on a show’ after they dispatched Wales...

I am really proud of our back-to-back promotions

Coach to coach Steve Hill puts the questions to Myles Landick, below, head coach at Jersey RFC Why did you get...

Gatland: I’d love to be allowed to select Hawkins

Warren Gatland says he has never been in favour of Welsh rugby’s cap rule and would like to be able to...

International pair join Montpellier

MONTPELLIER have confirmed the signing of England No.8 Billy Vunipola, right, and former Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg, below. Hogg, who retired...

Hunslet become dual-code outfit

■ By JON NEWCOMBE A DUAL-CODE rugby club is set to return to the Rugby League heartland of Leeds, with Jason...

Ex-Bath wing to play for Knights

■ By SAM JACKSON Moving on: Semesa Rokoduguni in action for Bath FORMER England winger Semesa Rokoduguni will play for Doncaster...

The key talking points ahead of the second Test between Australia and Wales

Wales have not won a Test match since the 2023 World Cup. Wales will have another chance to try and end...

5 key talking points ahead of England’s clash with New Zealand in Auckland

Steve Borthwick has sought to unnerve New Zealand by highlighting the pressure that comes with their remarkable record at Eden Park....

George Furbank ruled out of England’s second Test against New Zealand

Freddie Steward replaces Furbank at full-back in his first appearance for England since February 10 when he started against Wales in...

Andy Farrell impressed by captain Peter O’Mahony’s response to being dropped

Caelan Doris will skipper the Six Nations champions against South Africa on Saturday. Ireland boss Andy Farrell feels captain Peter O’Mahony...

Steve Borthwick looking forward to testing New Zealand at Eden Park

England narrowly lost the first Test last weekend England boss Steve Borthwick has stepped up his efforts to unsettle New Zealand...

Rugby Betting with Bitcoin: Tips for Maximising Your Winnings

The advent of cryptocurrency has revolutionised many industries, and the world of online betting is no exception. Bitcoin, the leading digital...

Best betting site comparisons

The entire sports scene will never be as we remember it. Crypto has entered the field and is changing our perspective...

England score 86th minute winner to shock South Africa

By Will Gupwell South Africa……………………………….. (7) Tries: Porthen 6, Finca 51 Conversions: Koen 6, Yellow Cards: Fuller 82 England……………………………………… (7) Tries:...

Wales u20s knocked out as France do all they can

By James Orpin France – 29  Tries: Bosmorin 7, 36, Lacombre 32, Castro-Ferreira 43  Conversions: Reus 8, 33, 37 Penalties: Desperes...

“South Africa will love nothing more than getting one over us”

More than qualification on the line as England u20s take on South Africa By Tom Jeffreys England u20s head coach Mark...

How The Best Bookmakers For Betting On The NRL Are Chosen

The National Rugby League attracts crowds of die-hard fans every year. And why wouldn’t it? It’s jam-packed with action and epic...

George: Keep the faith

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Dunedin England skipper Jamie George told his side to keep the faith after their agonising 16-15 defeat...

Halliday calls for clarity on Championship funding issues

By NICK CAIN Championship clubs are calling for the funding issues surrounding next season’s reintroduction of promotion-relegation to be ratified urgently....

Champions Cup to stick with format

By JON NEWCOMBE CEO: Jacques Raynaud Fans hoping for a return to the old four-team, six pools Champions Cup format in...

New job for McKellar

Former Leicester boss Dan McKellar has signed a three-year deal to become NSW Waratahs’ head coach. McKellar, 47, will succeed Darren...

Smith is enjoying the life of a tourist

By ADAM HATHAWAY in Dunedin Marcus Smith has been throwing himself into touring life down under as he makes the most...

England U20s need one point to land semi-final spot

By BEN JAYCOCK England u20s need just a point to qualify for the Junior World Cup semi-finals but head coach Mark...

England go close but All Blacks have enough to take honours

By NICK CAIN New Zealand.................... 16pts Tries: Reece 16, Savea 25 Penalties: McKenzie 55, 66 England .............................. 15pts Tries: Itoje 21,...

England know this was a chance missed

PAUL REES After Marcus Smith missed a penalty two minutes into the second half from 30 metres out and just to...

Towering talent who took Bath to the top

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK Jack Rowell’s contribution to Bath rugby was immeasurable from the beginning when he arrived...

NZ chief is backing All Blacks to get back to top

By ADAM HATHAWAY New Zealand CEO Mark Robinson is confident the All Blacks can rise to the top of the world...

Aussies prove too powerful for Wales

By ROGER PANTING Australia........................... 25pts Tries: Tupou 21, Daugunu 53, Wright 69 Conversions: Lolesio 21, Lynagh 69 Penalties: Lolesio 6, 14...

Gatland: We need to learn from this

Warren Gatland feels frustrated that Wales did not get the 50-50 calls in crucial moments but was encouraged by his inexperienced...

Wainwright stands out as Wales fail to impress

PETER JACKSON Political swings being all the rage, the sixth-best team in the Six Nations duly fell victim to one of...

RFU still has urgent questions to answer

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK The biggest story of the season in the domestic game in England came...

Schmidt needs to revitalise Aussies

JOE Schmidt has an impressive log book, but he will need a magical next instalment if he is to achieve what...

High life proves step too far for Ireland

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER South Africa .................... 27pts Tries: Arendse 3, Kolbe 65, Penalty 78 Conversions: Pollard 4, 67 Penalties: Pollard 18,...

We will fix things for next week, promises O’Mahony

  Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony was proud of his side for remaining resilient in South Africa’s lions den and staying in...

Lions winger was AAA champion

FURTHER to Rob Cole’s article on rugby’s fastest players, John Young played on the wing for England and the Lions (1959...

Women’s final was great entertainment

WHAT a shame fewer than 7,000 people had the pleasure of watching one of the best games of rugby for years....

Jeff’s right about game’s direction

I AGREE totally with Jeff Probyn’s column (June 23) “heading in different directions”. How disappointing that the only minor “give-away” by...

Fly-half Evans on the move in URC

FLY-HALF Lloyd Evans has left Gloucester to join an unnamed club in the United Rugby Championship. The 28-year-old, who can also...

Wallaby Hooper quits international game

FORMER Australia captain Michael Hooper has retired from international rugby after failing to make the sevens squad for the Olympics. The...

McNally agrees Cardiff switch

By SAM JACKSON Challenge: Josh McNally is on the move CARDIFF have boosted their pack by signing once-capped England lock Josh...

Marsden replaces Walder

BRISTOL have promoted Sean Marsden to backs and attack skills coach. He replaces senior backs and attack skills coach Dave Walder,...

DREAM TEAM

Tom Savage, the Moana Pasifika and former Gloucester and Suntory Sungoliath second row, chooses the best XV he's played with... 1....

Trio who tempt us to search for genius

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED What do we mean when we talk of genius? It is a question as old as Noah,...

A giant of rugby who defined the age

WAS Jack Rowell the most successful coach in the history of English club rugby? Might England have won a World Cup...

Big guns in danger of just looking after No.1

ANALYSIS PAUL REES WONDERS HOW THE SPORT CAN KEEP PAYING FOR ITSELF IN HARD TIMES....WHILE UNIONS BUILD FOR THE FUTURE When...

Scotland and Wales facing tough choices

The slow financial recovery from the pandemic showed in recent statements from the Scottish and Welsh unions who are both overseeing...