Webb back in as Wales head to Rome

Rhys Webb makes his first Wales start in three years as they travel to Rome for a crucial game against Italy....

Series 2 Episode 9 – Looking ahead to Six Nations Round 4 with Fran Cotton

Three difficult fixtures to call this weekend as England and Scotland bear home advantage in their challenges against France and Ireland,...

How Technology is Changing the Landscape of Six Nations Rugby Betting

Technology is changing the landscape of virtually every industry, and sports betting is no exception. In recent years, with the advent...

Understanding the T&Cs of gambling bonuses

‍Are you considering taking advantage of an online gambling bonus? It’s important to understand the terms and conditions (T&Cs) that may...

Lawrence will take the blows

By GARY FITZGERALD Ollie Lawrence is prepared to enter his special inner “dark place” against France knowing his body will have...

Cotton: I can’t see Welsh win

By PETER JACKSON One of England’s all time greats has delivered a withering verdict on Wales as they struggle to stop...

Hill calls for big cut in dual registrations

By PAUL REES Steve Hill has called for a reduction in the number of dual registration and loan players at Championship...

Young: Smaller squads will affect player welfare

Cardiff head coach Dai Young has concerns over player welfare as the Welsh regions prepare to have their squads severely reduced....

‘Lewis’s drive has got him to the top’

By BEN JAYCOCK Following his standout performance in England’s win in Cardiff last weekend, Lewis Ludlam’s former youth coach Andy Howe...

Robshaw’s backing Watson to be a star

By GARY FITZGERALD Anthony Watson can run the French ragged and show Steve Borthwick he deserves to become a permanent major...

Delight for Grady after Xbox fantasy became reality

By ROB COLE Mason Grady has admitted he loved swapping video game idols George North and Taulupe Faletau for real live...

Care puts his faith in Smith to return

By PAUL REES Danny Care is backing Marcus Smith to win his England place back and help the side become successful...

Mako: French will still be strong

By GARY FITZGERALD MAKO Vunipola does not believe England’s chances of over-powering the French have been lifted by their rivals’ recent...

We must give all players a fair crack so we know best 15

SO far we’ve seen some good signs from Steve Borthwick, a little more structure and a stable pack. He’s picking in...

Allowing Wasps move reflects badly on RFU

SEVERAL years ago, Wasps relocated to Coventry, thereby sabotaging any hopes which Coventry rugby club may have had about reaching the...

England in need of a confidence boost

YES, Freddie Steward was the man of the match against Wales – from catching the ball every five minutes from Welsh...

International caps must have value

WHY do some coaches persist in devaluing international caps? Head coach Steve Borthwick brought on three players for the last minute...

Faltering Farrell in doldrums

THE England v Wales game was (I hope) the start of something positive for our national team, providing the constant, and...

Smith really has nothing to prove

OWEN Farrell out, Marcus Smith in – it really is that simple. Farrell inhibits Smith by standing at first receiver in...

Dream Team with Tom Bullough

The Hull Ionians and former Rotherham Titans and Yorkshire Carnegie centre, chooses the best XV he has played with or against......

Borthwick will need to make tough calls

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE... EVERY WEEK When England face France at Twickenham it is a two horse race, and, with...

Smith is the star as Chiefs crushed

By GARY FITZGERALD Harlequins ....................... 40pts Tries: Murley 10, Bassett 23, Riley 28, Marchant 31, 56; Lewies 65 Conversions: Smith 11,...

I’m sure Marcus will be back with England soon – Matson

Tabai Matson backed Marcus Smith to quickly regain his England spot after breathing fresh life into Quins’ play-off bid with victory...

Pollard calls the shots to put Tigers in charge

By ROB WILDMAN Leicester .......................... 48pts Tries: Potter 16, Pollard 23, Montoya 26, 66; Liebenberg 38, Wells 72 Conversions: Pollard 16,...

Barbeary suffers serious leg injury

Bath boss Johann van Graan confirmed that Alfie Barbeary had sustained a serious leg injury on his debut. “I don’t want...

Rock stars on fire as Bears run riot

By ROGER PANTING Bristol................................ 62pts Tries: Randall 20, 34; Thacker 25, Lloyd 40, 43; Vui 51, Kloska 60, Harding 68, Heenan...

Dowson: I didn’t see that coming

Northampton director of rugby, a shellshocked, Phil Dowson, admitted that he hadn’t countenanced such a heavy defeat to Bristol Bears. He...

Borthwick’s news at 10 still signals confusion

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK If there was a fly-half in England contention who needed Premiership game-time last...

France will provide true test for scrum

NICK CAIN England's attempted scrum fix resulted in small steps of improvement against Wales. Kyle Sinckler, who had a good game...

Gloves off as big two get set for showdown

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW... Sale v Saracens Today. Kick-off 3pm, AJ Bell Stadium Certain opponents merit special treatment and Sale Sharks’...

We’re preparing to feel Sharks at full force, says Dan

By GARY FITZGERALD Theo Dan and his Saracens team-mates are bracing themselves to feel the full force of a revenge-fuelled Sharks...

So, tell me, who is the dopiest one of all?

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST It is a fact well known to all of us: try as we might, we can’t fix...

Seeing the appeal in land of the rising sums

CHRIS HEWETT It seems there are two ways of ending up in Japan unexpectedly. The first involves taking a flight from...

Schoeman: Fight until dying breath

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW... Newcastle v London Irish Today. Kick-off 3pm, Kingston Park Playmaker: Tian Schoeman in action for Newcastle PICTURES:...

We can’t afford any slip ups in final matches, says Simmons

By GARY FITZGERALD On the attack: Rob Simmons going forward for Irish LONDON Irish face a crunch month in their desire...

Stadium deal nears for Sharks

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Salford City Council is understood to be close to completing a deal to buy the...

Ealing close in on Ospreys merger

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Ealing Trailfinders are close to completing the paperwork for a merger with the Ospreys, which...

Sackey in at Yeovil

ON THE BLIND SIDE BY NEIL FISSLER FORMER Wasps and England winger Paul Sackey is back in sport, not the one...

Flyer Nowell is set to join La Rochelle

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER England and Lions winger Jack Nowell has spoken to European champions La Rochelle about a...

Bears move for Willis may help England

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Bristol Bears could throw Jack Willis, below, an England lifeline with Premiership clubs ready to...

Vunipola has his eye on Japan

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Options: Vunipola Saracens No 8. Billy Vunipola has been looking to see what options are...

Rees-Zammit won’t have to opt for club or country

By PAUL REES George Skivington does not believe Wales reducing the cap threshold from 60 to 25 for players leaving the...

Major changes set for County Champs

By BEN JAYCOCK THIS season’s County Championships will feature numerous changes which the RFU believe will enhance player experience. Following the...

Gopperth has plenty more gas in the tank

By PAUL REES Jimmy Gopperth will be 40 in June but intends to carry on playing next season, crediting his interests...

Lions win ends Clifton title hopes

By BEN JAYCOCK CLIFTON’S title hopes were all but ended last week when they crashed to a 24-14 home defeat to...

Farrell leaves Munster for ‘new opportunity’

IRELAND centre Chris Farrell, 29, has left Munster to “pursue a new playing opportunity”. Farrell, who joined the club in 2017...

Italian fire is starting to burn brightly

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND I used to love playing against Italy. Nine tries in nine games! But I also...

Ireland star Molloy keen for women’s Lions tour

By BEN JAYCOCK Ireland back row Claire Molloy feels a potential British and Irish Lions tour will massively boost the sport...

Leaders Chiefs spoil Quins’ Big Game

By JAMES PRICE Harlequins..............25 Exeter.......................54 A magnificent second half display saw league leaders Exeter Chiefs cruise to victory over Harlequins at...

Breach hits four to blow Sale away

By HARRY SCOTT-MUNRO Saracens.................62 Sale............................. 7 Jess Breach scored four tries as Premier 15s champions Saracens put in a dominant display...