Nick Cain: No return to Australia for the Lions without legal guarantees

Should Australia get the Lions back in 12 years? The answer is that Rugby Australia would have to commit to a...

Leicester’s all-time XV: Talented Tigers burning bright

What would be the greatest All-time XV your club could field if you could travel back in time and select everybody...

Charlie Hodgson transfers his rugby skills to business

As England’s all-time leading Premiership points scorer, Charlie Hodgson’s impact on British rugby is undisputed. With a decorated career spanning over...

Dream Team – George Boulton

George Boulton, the Dings Crusaders captain and former Hartpury and Cinderford inside centre, chooses the best XV he has played with...

Chris Hewett: Andy Farrell not alone with his ‘home’ Lions selections

“There's an epidemic sweeping through the England team, but it isn’t catching.” Attributed to John Arlott (who else?), the exquisite one-liner...

Chris Hewett: Wallabies make the obvious choice with Giteau Law change

Inevitable. Had to happen. Written in the stars. Quite why the Australian rugby hierarchy spent so long umming and aaahhing about...

Peter Jackson: The British and Irish Lions fail to impress Paul Turner

From the early days in Newbridge through to Sale’s rise as champions of England, Paul Turner has built an admirable track...

Sharks tale will concern 2031 hosts

ON Monday, Major League Rugby announced the winner of their inguaural executive of the year award: Milagros Cubelli, CEO of the...

Stewart McKinney recalls the brutal Lions days of ’74

Long before the Lions failed to turn up in Sydney for their shot at something historic, one of their Old Invincibles...

Paul Rees: Money was the theme for the Lions – and that will not change

Paul Rees says that, as the Lions chase every pound, the home unions can't complain if players do the same As...

Prem Rugby Transfers: Five key signings show way for Bath

Ben Jaycock assesses the comings and goings in the transfer market as the Premiership prepares for the coming season With the...

Premiership Transfers 2025/26 – Bath

In: Dan Frost (Exeter Chiefs), Bernard van der Linde (Bulls), Santiago Carreras (Gloucester), Henry Arundell (Racing 92), Chris Harris (Gloucester) Out:...

Premiership Transfers 2025/26 – Bristol Bears

In: Tom Jordan (Glasgow Warriors), Pedro Rubiolo (Newcastle Falcons), Max Pepper (Newcastle Falcons), Josh Carrington (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Will Ramply (University...

EXETER CHIEFS

Joseph Dweba In: Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies), Joseph Dweba (Stormers), Stephen Varney (Vannes), Julian Heaven (NSW Waratahs), Charlie Chapman (Gloucester), Len...

LEICESTER TIGERS

Jamie Blamire In: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints), Wilf McCarthy (Hartpury University), Joaquin Moro (Pampas XV), Charlie Titcombe...

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

Freddie Clarke In: Ethan Grayson (San Diego Legion), George McGuigan (Ospreys), Jamie Hodgson (Edinburgh), Freddie Clarke (Gloucester), Amanaki Mafi (Canon Eagles)...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

In: Cleopas Kundiona (Nevers), Amena Caqusau (Glasgow Warriors), Danilo Fischetti (Zebre Parma), Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons), Anthony Belleau (Clermont), JJ van...

GLOUCESTER

Will Joseph In: Will Joseph (Harlequins), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Ben Loader (Stormers), James Venter (Sharks), Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Redshaw...

HARLEQUINS

Kieran Treadwell In: Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Guido Petti (Bordeaux), Harry Williams (Pau), George Turner (Kobelco Kobe Steelers), Stu Townsend (Exeter Chiefs),...

SALE SHARKS

In: Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins), Marius Louw (Lions), Jacques Vermeulen (Exeter Chiefs), Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints) Out: Josh Beaumont (retired), Tommy Taylor...

SARACENS

Max Malins In: Max Malins (Bristol Bears), Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs), Vilikesa Nairau (Coventry), Tietie Tuimauga (Montauban), Owen Farrell (Racing 92)...

It’s the people you meet that make the difference

MY LIFEIN RUGBY STEVE BODEN THE FORMER DONCASTER, LEEDS AND JERSEY HOOKER AND COACH, WHO IS NOW COACHING AT COVENTRY WHEN...

Brendan Gallagher: British and Irish Lions tour no longer rugby’s Everest

The dust is beginning to settle on the 2025 Lions tour and that is a process that should be encouraged and...

Pat Lam’s philosophy: You get punched, you get back up, and you go again

Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Premiership season, with the focus this week on Bristol Bears Bristol started the...

Georgia prove too strong for England U18s

■ By BEN JAYCOCK Georgia...............35pts England..............31pts On the run: England U18’s Hugh Shields PICTURE: Gallo Images ENGLAND U18s suffered a defeat...

Oundle building a smart pathway

Ben Jaycock talks to coach Andy Key about the challenges of playing at level 4 after promotion from Regional 1 S-East...

Diamond happy as Falcons sign Japan back rower

NEWS EXTRA NEWCASTLE have signed veteran Canon Eagles back rower Amanaki Mafi on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old Japan international previously...

Charles Rylands: We need a repeat of the 2015 Championship drama

Many readers will recall the Championship final second leg between Worcester and Bristol broadcast live on Sky Sports where Chris Pennell’s...

Young Guns – Ollie Davies

Ollie Davies’s journey into rugby has always been rooted in the North West and is now part of the Sale Sharks...

Rugby Championship 2025 Preview: Springboks setting their sights on double top

Ben Jaycock looks forward to The Rugby Championship which starts this weekend Tournament favourites and defending champions South Africa return to...

SQUADS

SOUTH AFRICA FORWARDS: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Kock, Siya Kolisi (c), Wilco Louw,...

Read scores three as Havant ease to big win

■ By BEN JAYCOCK HAVANT blew Bracknell away in the second quarter with five well worked tries that gave a platform...

PWR starts with a fierce repeat final

■ By BEN JAYCOCK PWR champions Gloucester-Hartpury and last season’s runners-up Saracens reignite their rivalry in the opening round of next...

Pre-season fixtures

It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs THU AUG 14 Neath v Gorseinon (7.30pm) FRI AUG...

Once again, officials fail to punish the Lions

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME SO the tour is over, and the Lions return home happy at...

Invest in sevens to win over US -Friday

■ By BEN JAYCOCK MIKE Friday says poor marketing, an inconsistent domestic competition, and unrealistic expectations surrounding 15s is hindering rugby’s...

Ponsonby adds her class to T’finders

TRAILFINDERS Women have signed New Zealand hooker Georgia Ponsonby. Ponsonby, who has 31 caps, was part of the team that won...

I aim to be passionate and purposeful

Coach to coach Steve Hill talks to Sean Scanlon, below, head coach at Dronfield RFC in Regional 2 Midlands North (L6)...

Time for France

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN IT’S HOT in France right now. Very hot. Weather alerts were issued for the entire southern half...

Rugby Championship 2025 South Africa Preview: Can the Springboks make it back-to-back titles?

South Africa head into The Rugby Championship full of confidence. They are the reigning champions, reigning world champions, and currently ranked...

Rugby Championship 2025 New Zealand Preview: Can the All Blacks avenge last year’s disappointment?

New Zealand head into the 2025 Rugby Championship with plenty to prove. Under head coach Scott Robertson, the All Blacks are...

Rugby Championship 2025 Australia Preview: British and Irish Lions experience to benefit the Wallabies?

Australia go into this year’s Rugby Championship campaign with a fair bit of confidence after a strong series against the British...

Rugby Championship 2025 Argentina Preview: Can Los Pumas go one better this year?

Argentina are consistently one of the most underrated teams in the world, and are currently the lowest-ranked of any of the...

Trailblazing Referee Sara Cox on Breaking Barriers and Inspiring the Next Generation in Rugby

As one of the UK’s most recognisable rugby sports speakers, Sara Cox has redefined what’s possible in officiating. From becoming the...

The Rugby Championship 2025: Dates, How to Watch and Squad News

The Rugby Championship is back for the 2025 edition, and once again, it promises to deliver the intensity and quality that...

Ella Wyrwas on Red Roses ‘once in a generation’ chance to inspire at the 2025 Women’s World Cup

Ella Wyrwas believes the Red Roses‘ quest for global glory is a once-in-a-generation chance to inspire young girls to take up...

Dan Sheehan handed four-match suspension for reckless clearout of Tom Lynagh

British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan has been suspended for four matches following his illegal clearout of Australia’s Tom Lynagh...

Pete Ryan: Toby Booth’s coaching philosophy – building cultures and engaging with people

“Helping an athlete be their best — that’s what the job is all about.” This gives you some insight into Toby...

John Mitchell the perfect leader for the Red Roses at the 2025 World Cup, says Claudia MacDonald

Claudia MacDonald believes the ‘incredibly honest’ John Mitchell is the right man to lead the Red Roses to global glory this...

The Best Moments from the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour Down Under

The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia ended with a 2-1 series win, their first triumph in a series...