Wage bill is cutting the clubs to the bone

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME My fellow columnist Colin Boag wrote last week that the salary cap...

I was a bit wild and needed discipline

MY LIFE IN RUGBY THE FORMER BATH, LONDON SCOTTISH, WASPS, SCOTLAND AND LIONS LOCK DAMIAN CRONIN Triumph: Damian Cronin, centre, sets...

YOUNG GUNS

TOBY BALDWIN WASPS WING From enduring three hamstring injuries in two years, to attending ‘Hogwarts’ it’s fair to say 19-year-old Toby...

Spain will dedicate RWC bid to Kawa

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER SPANISH rugby is reeling this Christmas at the shock death of their New Zealand-reared back five forward...

Any rugby schools I have missed? Let me know now

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER AND finally for this year…a last call to our brilliant rugby playing schools out there. I’m calling...

My inspirational man of the year is Marcus

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER EVERY December Time magazine nominates their Person of...

Scottish rely on Sheppard to lead the way

London Scottish v Doncaster Knights Boxing Day, Kick-off 3pm BASEMENT side London Scottish host title-fighting Doncaster having managd only one win...

Pirates psyched up for revenge mission

By MIKE SINCLAIR Cornish Pirates v Hartpury Boxing Day, kick-off 5pm, Mennaye Field Pack power: Pirates hooker Tom Channon crashes over...

Amps target first win at Butts Park

Coventry v Ampthill Boxing Day, Kick-off 1.45pm PAUL Turner’s Ampthill travel to rivals Coventry with just three points separating the teams...

Red-hot Jersey aim for top spot

Bedford Blues v Jersey Reds Boxing Day, Kick-off 3pm JERSEY travel to Bedford to take on Mike Rayer’s Blues in a...

Wales show what goes down must come up

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Ever ready to enter into the season of goodwill, this column welcomes you...

Ulster win offers hope of unity to a troubled Ireland

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful Iconic Rugby...

Phillips reveals he had leg amputated

RUGBY SHORTS OSPREYS hooker Ifan Phillips has revealed he had a leg amputated after a road traffic collision involving two motorcycles...

Rescheduled matches clash with Six Nations

RUGBY SHORTS URC bosses have announced the recent postponed games in South Africa will be played on the final two weekends...

Aldcroft inspires Gloucester victory

RUGBY SHORTS WORLD player of the year Zoe Aldcroft and teenager Sisilia Tuipulotu both scored twice as Gloucester-Hartpury claimed a bonus-point...

Dillane quits Connacht for French challenge

RUGBY SHORTS IRELAND lock Ultan Dillane says he is ready to “experience a new challenge” after confirming that he will leave...

Lozowski latest to commit to Sarries

RUGBY SHORTS SARACENS trio Alex Lozowski, Alex Lewington and Andy Christie have signed contract extensions. Versatile back Lozowski, 28, returned to...

Tigers back row Brink freed to join the Bulls

RUGBY SHORTS LEICESTER Tigers have agreed to release back rower Cyle Brink from his contract to return home to South Africa....

Friendships put on hold for derby day in Scotland

By BRYN PALMER Glasgow v Edinburgh December 27. Kick-off 7pm TRADITION dictates that form goes out the window in derby games,...

Boss McFarland will have revenge on his mind

By JOHN FALLON Ulster v Connacht Boxing Day. Kick-off 5.15pm, Kingspan Stadium LEINSTER against Munster will always be the top billing...

Josh’s glad to be in mix again after quarantine

By ROB COLE Cardiff v Scarlets Boxing Day. Kick-off 3pm, Cardiff Arms Park CARDIFF skipper Josh Turnbull may not have played...

WOMEN’S GAME IN FOCUS

Sarah Rendell takes a weekly look at some important women players JADE SHEKELLS THIS WEEK... WORCESTER CENTRE Jade Shekells has hailed...

Boost for grassroots

NEWS EXTRA FORMER Championship sponsor Greene King IPA has pledged £100,000 in funding to grassroots sports in the UK. The new...

Forthcoming fixtures

It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs SUNDAY, DEC 26 NATIONAL LEAGUES Premiership (3pm kick-off unless...

Jones urges tackle rethink

NEWS EXTRA EDDIE Jones has called for the tackle height to be lowered in youth rugby to further reduce the risk...

Ban on fans will cost Scarlets £100k revenue

By STEFFAN THOMAS SIMON Muderack insists the Welsh Government’s decision to ban spectators from attending sporting events over the festive period...

Strong start, good finish… shame about the middle!

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND It’s that time of year again when everyone is handing out awards. So, I thought...

Hughes hunting for contract in France

ON THE BLIND SIDE BY NEIL FISSLER NATHAN Hughes, right, is exploring his options in France for when his contract with...

Hogg: I’m staying at Exeter

ON THE BLIND SIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Status quo: Hogg STUART Hogg has announced on the Exeter Chiefs website that he...

Bath go shopping in South Africa for fly-half Bosch

ON THE BLIND SIDE BY NEIL FISSLER BATH are poised to end their long-running search fora new fly-half with a move...

New club in salary breach probe

ON THE BLIND SIDE BY NEIL FISSLER ENGLISH rugby is bracing itself for another salary cap scandal after Premier Rugby launched...

Now lock Lonsdale is set to leave Chiefs

ON THE BLIND SIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler Off to Draons: Lonsdale THE DRAGONS have lined up...

JACK METCALF

ROOM 101 THE SALE SHARKS CENTRE TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Noisy eaters...

A great year for Dupont but Marcus was not far behind

PAUL REES REFLECTS ON THE STAND-OUT EVENTS AND PLAYERS OF 2021 World Player of the Year: Antoine Dupont of France PICTURE:...

Griffiths brings fun and games to The Rec

CHRIS HEWETT IT IS not yet a mathematical certainty that Bruce Craig will end his long spell of chairmanship at Bath...

Suddenly, stability is in fashion for coaches

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST It would be stretching things just a little to describe rugby’s pre-World Cup era as an age...

New lockdown would be catastrophe warns Thomas

By PAUL REES JONATHAN Thomas has warned of the dire financial consequences if England follow Wales and ban fans from attending...

Earle: Warriors can wind you up

Saracens v Worcester Warriors Boxing Day. Kick-off 3pm, StoneX Stadium Flank offensive: Ben Earl on the break against Exeter PICTURE: Getty...

Twickenham will be different for us this time vows Dowson

By PAUL REES Harlequins v Northampton Saints Monday, December 27. Kick-off 5pm, Twickenham THE last time Northampton faced Harlequins at Twickenham...

‘Deccy’ is a visionary, no wonder other clubs like him – Rogerson

By PAUL REES Target: Declan Kidney DECLAN Kidney has been linked with a return to Munster but says he has unfinished...

Angry young man Alfie just wants to play

By GARY FITZGERALD Wasps v London Irish Boxing Day. Kick-off 3pm, Coventry Building Society Arena LEE Blackett expects a much less...

Griffiths offers Bath fans better future

NICK CAIN THE decision by Bath owner Bruce Craig to pick Ed Griffiths as his successor as chairman is the most...

Macron’s pique opens way for national cup

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK THE chances of a new variation of Covid coming through was as predictable...

Deano: I made Pig’s Nose of big match!

BIG Boxing Day games bring back special memories for Dean Richards who used to embrace the spirit of Christmas in every...

Curry’s back where his troubles began

By JON NEWCOMBE Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks Boxing Day. Kick-off 3pm, Kingston Park WITH injuries and the impact of Covid...

Lynagh’s out to catch eye of Eddie

By GARY FITZGERALD Better times: Steve Thompson wins the World Cup with England in 2003 PICTURE: Getty Images LOUIS Lynagh hopes...

O’Driscoll slams the dementia ‘insults’

By PETER JACKSON WORLD Rugby’s claim that early dementia can be caused by smoking, drinking and other lifestyle choices has been...

France fancied as 2022 Six Nations favourites, but England Grand Slam odds bring the value

More than a decade removed from their last Six Nations championship, France are once again back in the saddle as early...

2022 Under-20 Six Nations: England’s fixtures confirmed

England’s 2022 Under-20 Six Nations home fixtures will be played at Castle Park and StoneX Stadium with tickets now on sale.  In...

Pat Lam: Decision by Premier League to keep going important for rugby

Bristol boss Pat Lam has voiced concerns for the Gallagher Premiership if another national lockdown happens. Lam described the Premier League’s...