Championship consider return to playoff system

NOTTINGHAM chairman Alistair Bow says he would welcome plans for a shorter, conference-based Championship season with the title decided by play-offs....

Duckham in full flight was a sight to behold

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

Marshall struck by new injury setback

ULSTER are unsure if Luke Marshall will return this season after suffering a knee ligament injury in Sunday’s 26-24 win over...

Work in progress: Dewi Lake

By STEFFAN THOMAS Dewi told to focus on his set-piece to make grade DEWI Lake has been tipped to make the...

Cockerill: I’d love a squad like Ulster’s

Preview Edinburgh v Ulster Monday. Kick-off 8.15pm @therugby RICHARD Cockerill believes Edinburgh’s shot at redemption against Ulster may have to wait as the...

Crucial we keep winning run alive says Rowntree

PREVIEW... Munster v Zebre Monday. Kick-off 8.15pm, Thomond Park MUNSTER scrum coach Graham Rowntree has drummed into his troops the significance of keeping...

Warren fights for his future at Dragons

By ROB COLE ADAM Warren admits this has been the most challenging season in his professional career. The ultra-reliable Dragons centre...

Ryan calls for fast start to shake off quarantine rust

PREVIEW... Benetton v Dragons Today. Kick-off 4pm, Stadio Comunale di Monigo By ROB COLE THE DRAGONS are back after a two week period...

Bradley earns first start after meteoric rise under Gethin

PREVIEW... Cardiff v Glasgow Date. Kick-off 7.35pm, Rodney Parade By ALEX BYWATER GWILYM Bradley has only been with the senior Cardiff Blues squad for...

Phillips: We need fans back to boost players

NEWS EXTRA By ALEX BYWATER THE first real test for chairman Rob Butcher and interim chief executive Steve Phillips – the new management...

Andre the giant sets sights on the Lions

Daniel Gallan talks to Harlequins massive centre import from South Africa Andre Esterhuizen is a long way from home. The 26-year-old...

Five-try All Blacks wreak vengeance

■ By SAM JACKSON Argentina ..................0pts New Zealand........38pts Tries: Coles 12, Savea 52, Jordan 68, 70, Tuipulotu 80 Conversions: Mo’unga 13,...

Facundo following in big brother’s footsteps

■ By NEALE HARVEY ARGENTINIAN flyer Facundo Cordero says taking baby steps in England’s land of the giants is the way...

History’s on Falcons side

IN THE opening round of the inaugural Premiership in 1997-98, a newly-promoted Newcastle made the long trip to Bath, won against...

Jiffy makes a lot of rucking sense

JONATHAN Davies – that’s “Jiffy”, not “Foxy”– the cross-code creator from decades past rather than the Lions centre from the here...

The Lone Ranger rides again with Gorgadze

CHRIS HEWETT Watching Beka Gorgadze play England and Wales on his own was an interesting experience, the young Georgian No.8’s carrying...

Exiles aim to write a winning first chapter in Brentford

In on the flank: Blair Cowan starts for Irish LONDON Irish make three changes from the side that narrowly lost at...

Cole relying on Wigglesworth to drive Tigers standards

By NEALE HARVEY LEICESTER prop Dan Cole is backing veteran scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth to help his side surge to their best...

Coach Ray helped Lyndon rule world of business

ONE of the world’s most successful businessmen believes much of his success is down to his years playing for Ray Prosser....

Pooler were Pross’ great gift to the local community he loved

BRENDAN GALLAGHER WITH HIS PERSONAL MEMORIES OF THE INIMITABLE RAY PROSSER WHO HAS DIED AT 93 SOMEHOW I always imagined Ray...

Diamond: We went into panic mode

STEVE Diamond was not a happy man and told his players to sort out their discipline and keep cool heads. Diamond...

Flood’s late winner nicks it for Falcons

■ By LUKE JARMYN TOBY Flood scored a match-winning try in added time to secure Falcons’ second win on the trot...

England dodged a psycho film says Eddie

EDDIE Jones said his team escaped a “psycho horror movie” with Wales and then targeted putting smiles back on the faces...

Pivac: I’m reporting ref Poite to World Rugby

By ALEX BYWATER WALES head coach Wayne Pivac slammed the refereeing of Romain Poite after his team suffered a 24-13 defeat...

Physicality of my Bears pulled us through says happy Lam

Pleased: Pat Lam PAT Lam declared himself “really pleased that we got the five points – there’s a lot of history...

Ioan shows Wales his promise for the future

■ By MIKE SINCLAIR IOAN Lloyd was surplus to requirements for Wales following his international debut last weekend – but Bristol...

Blackett: At least we fought at the end

WASPS director of rugby Lee Blackett believed there were few plusses to take. “The only pleasing aspect of the game was...

Billy bags a score as Skivington lads come good again

■ By ROGER PANTING BILLY Twelvetrees scored 20 points Gloucester recovered from last week’s wor-rying 38-15 defeat at the hands of...

Gustard hails his England old boys

QUINS’ head coach Paul Gustard paid tribute to Danny Care and Mike Brown, describing the forgotten England men as “exceptional.” Gustard...

Care leads the way as Quins end Saints jinx

By ROB WILDMAN Northampton........29pts  Tries: Ludlam 10, 66, Isiekwe 39, Hutchinson 58  Conversions: Grayson 10, 39, Mallinder 58  Penalties: Grayson 23...

I’ll remember that try for a long time says Chiefs flyer O’Flaherty

Instinctive: Tom O’Flaherty TOM O’Flaherty admitted even he was surprised by the wonder try which helped Chiefs smash sad Bath with...

The sizzling Simmonds keep Chiefs steaming on

By GARY FITZGERALD Exeter........................40pts Tries: S Simmonds 11, 30, O’Flaherty 33, Penalty try 62, Hidalgo-Clyne 68, Whitten 77 Conversions: J Simmonds...

Ditch marquees if you want fair play

Marquee player: Semi Radradra of Bristol Bears COLIN BOAG Last week the Premiership confirmed their new salary cap regulations in a typically...

Lack of ‘real’ Welsh centres is concern

WALES have produced oustanding centres since the 1970s that would have been the envy of all the other Home Nations. Jonathan...

Rugby was richer for refs stamping their authoruty

SO Colin Boag thinks rugby has improved since the days of Willie John McBride and that’s up to professionalism. Let’s have...

Northerly attitude helps officials excel

I MAY be a little biased here, as a Tiger through and through, but to me the referee and the TMO...

Dad knew best, he’s still spot on

IN response to Mr Tony Dunkerley’s letter in last Sunday’s paper that England have become boring and staid. This is precisely...

Relegation battle will be tasty, if there is one

THEY say it every year, but this could be the most thrilling Premiership season yet! Exeter will still take some catching...

Boks provide great bang for your buck says Brits

By DANIEL GALLAN Kicking on: Faf de Klerk has developed at Sale SOUTH Africans continue to make a massive impression on...

Scott wants to see Wales’ nasty side

By ALEX BYWATER SCOTT Quinnell has described Wayne Pivac’s Wales as “too nice” and told the side to quickly find a...

Marcell top of White’s wanted list at the Bulls

BULLS director of rugby Jake White wants to bring Ulster’s highly-rated back row Marcell Coetzee to Pretoria upon the conclusion of...

Codling mystery at Ealing

EALING Trailfinders are understood to have seen their plans for the new season take a hit with the future of head...

Vakatawa likes life in Paris

Staying: Vakatawa FRANCE international Virimi Vakatawa has turned down the chance of moving to the Premiership after extending his lucrative contract...

Out-of favour Hardwick sets hare running

Soughtafter: Tom Hardwick BRISTOL are among a clutch of Premiership clubs interested in luring Leicester Tigers fly-half Tom Hardwick away from...

Tuafua sparks interest in Lyon

ON THE BLIND SIDE BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler LYON have put Leicester Tigers flanker Jordan Tuafua on their...

Diamond looks to Russia

STEVE DIAMOND is understood to be looking to add a Russian back row to his United Nations Sale Sharks squad. Diamond,...

Coetzee keen on UK move

In Japan: Coetzee FORMER Springbok full-back Andries Coetzee is keen on a move to the Premiership next season when his contract...

LUKE COLE

ROOM 1101 THE NOTTINGHAM HOOKER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Public displays of...

World Rugby must fund Islands

THE volume has been turned up on World Rugby to allow socalled ‘capture’ players to have dual international eligibility, with James Haskell...

The control freaks will stifle rugby fans’ interest

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK IT seems that one of the requirements to be a top level coach is also...