Concussion problems cry out for a cut in subs

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK AS 2021 draws to an end a strong potential remedy to address one of...

DREAM TEAM

BILLY TWELVETREES, THE GLOUCESTER AND FORMER LEICESTER, ENGLAND & LIONS CENTRE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST......

A fortnight of yellows would end the backchat

COLIN BOAG Praise: Luke Pearce marches Billy Vunipola back ten metres for dissent As we struggle with an uncertain immediate future...

More main stream exposure needed

COVERAGE of the Premier 15s is getting better, but I don’t think that it goes far enough to increase the popularity...

Look after British and Irish rugby in this Covid chaos

COVID has exposed the ridiculous situation European rugby is in. The revised Champions and Challenge Cups were doomed from the moment...

Feel for Cinderford, clubs are struggling

CINDERFORD DoR Paul Morris (TRP Dec 13) described another part of rugby being let down by the RFU. We all know...

Van Rensburg in as Craig steps down

BATH owner Bruce Craig is to step down as chairman at the end of the year. Craig, who bought Bath in...

Jason’s charity helps kids worldwide

JASON Leonard’s charity – The Atlas Foundation – have launched a Christmas fundraising campaign, the XV Days of Christmas. The campaign...

Hill and Skinner call time on Chiefs

SALE have confirmed the signing of England and British and Irish Lions lock Jonny Hill from Exeter Chiefs from the 2022-23...

Leonard: ‘Old man’ Joe good for Eddie

By BEN JAYCOCK ENGLAND’S recorbreaking prop Jason Leonard believes Eddie Jones’ team are heading in the right direction after a successful...

Shaunagh honoured to play at Twickers

SHAUNAGH Brown intends to “enjoy the occasion” as Harlequins Women prepare for a second visit to Twickenham for “Big Game 13”....

Biljon confident rugby can stay on track

By LUKE JARMYN HARVEY Biljon has called on rugby clubs, officials and supporters to “not get complacent” so the sport is...

Van Zyl demands Irish show ruthless streak

By GARY FITZGERALD CORNIEL van Zyl has warned the London Irish players of the pitfalls of complacency as the Exiles reach...

Longest running schools rivalry of all

NOT the least of Merchiston’s claims to rugby is their participation in the world’s longest running fixture against great local rivals...

Merchiston Castle have led from start

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools FEW schools in Scotland have a prouder rugby record than Merchiston...

New deals depend on Six Nations silverware

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Two years, or 20 matches if you prefer, is how long it has taken Fabien Galthie and...

Billy close to return for Sarries as knee improves

By GARY FITZGERALD BILLY Vunipola is back on track to return to the Saracens front line and has remained upbeat and...

Hooper believes beleaguered Bath will get on a roll

STUART Hooper has been put through the wringer this season with Bath having lost all their 11 matches, but he says...

Tough-nut Marcus can look after himself OK

By ADAM HATHAWAY SOUTH African centre Andre Esterhuizen might have a reputation as a midfield hard man but he reckons the...

We shall recall them with pride

Brendan Gallagher remembers the great rugby players who passed away in 2021 RAYMOND JOHN McLAUGHLIN UCC Dublin, Gosforth, London Irish, Connacht,...

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...