Sharks ‘Man of Steel’ Ross leading the hunt

By JON NEWCOMBE Natural born leader: Jono Ross SALE Sharks forwards coach Dorian West is not one to freely eulogise about...

O’Brien backed to take Premiership by storm

By NEALE HARVEY Physical specimen: Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien is tipped to make a huge impression in England PICTURES: Getty Images...

Gloucester playmaker Williams is target for Ospreys

By STEFFAN THOMAS THE Ospreys are keen to sign Wales fly-half Owen Williams for next season from Gloucester. Williams’ contract expires...

Dragons slip to first home defeat since November

By STEFFAN THOMAS UNDERSTRENGTH Dragons were outmuscled by Benetton and fell to their first defeat at Rodney Parade since November. The...

DREAMTEAM

ALEX PENNY, BEDFORD AND FORMER SALISBURY, BATH, HENLEY AND EALING PROP, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE’S PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST... `...

Afoa: We’re out to gain lots of firsts

By NEALE HARVEY On bench: Marcus Smith JOHN Afoa knows Bristol must once again push their limits if they are to...

Diamond: We must improve for Quins

STEVE Diamond warned his in-form Sale side they must improve further if they are to lift the Premiership Rugby Cup. The...

James brothers take centre stage for Sale

By CHRIS HAMILTON Final flurry: Denny Solomona evades the tackle of Ollie Hassell-Collins to score Sale’s fifth try PICTURES: Getty Images...

Italian job is ideal time to bring on the apprentices

NICK CAIN ON THE WASTED CHANCES TO EXPERIMEN AGAINST ITALY One-man army: Ellis Genge scores against Scotland PICTURES: Getty Images Unproven...

Solomons: We should have won, we created more opportunties

Outstanding: Chris Pennell WORCESTER director of rugby Alan Solomons believed his side deserved to win and blamed ‘soft moments’ that let...

Haywood try helps Saints turn the corner

By ROGER PANTING JAMES Grayson kicked 11 points to give Northampton a win in the battle of the strugglers. Going into...

Murphy: We must finish strongly

GEORDAN Murphy called for his Tigers to regroup and finish the season strongly after suffering another loss. The Irishman was disappointed...

Mako leads the charge to cage Tigers again

By GARY FITZGERALD MAKO Vunipola admitted he was “gutted” at missing out on a 60th Test cap yesterday due to England’s...

Blackett: We can do even better

DESPITEWasps winning three on the bounce, their interim head coach, Lee Blackett, wanted more. “We were really clinical but I believe...

Sopoaga helps keep impressive Wasps on right road

By ROGER PANTING WASPS completed a hat-trick of Premiership wins for the first time since September 2018 as Gloucester crashed to...

Twinkling Nowell back with star quality

THE return of fans’ favourite Jack Nowell, whose Six Nations was wrecked by injury, put the icing on the Exeter cake....

Eight-try Chiefs show their attacking edge

By MIKE SINCLAIR Heavenly: Olly Woodburn dives over for Chiefs’ seventh try PICTURES: Getty Images EXETER belied the often-peddled but mistaken...

Blues are favourites to sign Saracens ace Tompkins

By STEFFAN THOMAS & ALEX BYWATER CARDIFF Blues have emerged as the leading contenders to sign new Wales centre Nick Tompkins...

Australian ace Reid signs at Kingsholm

EALING Trailfinders flanker Jordy Reid is the latest Championship star to step up into the Premiership after signing for Gloucester. The...

Exodus of coaches will benefit England – Hatley

By NEALE HARVEY ENGLAND’S elite coaching exodus is testament to the strength of the Premiership and will only benefit the national...

Kruis still all set on move to Japan

GEORGE Kruis is on the verge of ending his England career as he closes in on a move to play in...

Loader closes on a new deal with the Exiles

Breakthrough season: Ben Loader LONDON Irish are set for a major boost with highly-rated winger Ben Loader close to agreeing a...

Wolfpack were on the prowl for Eddie

BY NEIL FISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler ON THE BLIND SIDE ENGLAND coach Eddie Jones was the subject of an...

Sharks lose the chance of signing Bok Koch

Staying: Vincent Koch SARACENS appear to have won their tug of war with Sale Sharks and the Scarlets to keep South...

ROOM 101

JACK SPITTLE THE NOTTINGHAM WINGER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES 1. Tight People I can’t stand it when people intentionally...

There’s not enough cash for a Tier Two

COLIN BOAG Honesty: Christophe Ridley refereeing Quins v Exeter Every so often you hear people praising New Zealand’s rugby model, and...

Tuilagi gameplan is like Warrenball

THE English mercilessly criticised Warren Gatland for his ‘Warrenball’ tactics of having a big, strong centre (Jamie Roberts) powering his way...

For sake of fans please give 8pm kick-off the boot

READING the articles regarding the pending potential TV deals and the England Autumn series schedule, the opportunities for the travelling fans,...

Quins on a winner

I CANNOT believe that Sale have let their most dangerous player leave – especially to a rival Premiership club. Steve Diamond...

Mako out of favour

NOT so long ago Mako Vunipola was an intergral cog in England’s pack. Now, with new scrum coach Matt Proudfoot on...

Gatland is my choice

KYRAN Bracken is spot on with his views on replacing Eddie Jones. None of the English coaches seem to be interested...

Frustrating refs don’t follow laws

I’M a junior referee (L9) and while I’m moving towards my dotage still referee Seniors, Age Grade and University teams. My...

SIX OF THE BEST AULD ALLIANCE ENCOUNTERS AT MURRAYFIELD

Classic: Scotland’s Jim Calder dives over to score in 1984 1984 Scotland 21 France 12 A classic Grand Slam decider on...

Hastings can ease the noisy Russell debate

Brendan Gallagher looks at the key areas where Scotland can halt the French Grand Slam march WHAT with post World Cup...

French bench power proves the difference

By GEORGE LAWRENCE Scotland U20…22 France U20……29 FRANCE edged past Scotland at Netherdale with the bonus point secured just after the...

Cleall claims hat-trick in 10-try blitz

By ADAM ELLIS Powerplay: Poppy Cleall blasts through Kayleigh Powell to score her third try POPPY Cleall scored a hattrick as...

Wales show ‘calon’ as Sam drops late winner

By SAM JACKSON SAM Costelow’s late drop-goal secured a memorable victory for Wales with a performance the young Leicester fly-half says...

Moffett: Six Nations TV storm is ridiculous

By PETER JACKSON THE Six Nations Council came under renewed fire yesterday over their decision to prohibit joint bids for live...

It’s no joke! Alun Wyn wants Joe on carpet

By GARY FITZGERALD Joe Marler gives Alun Wyn Jones a tweak Vinnie Jones’ ‘crotch grab’ on Paul Gascoigne ALUN Wyn Jones...

My Life in Rugby: Former Leicester Tiger back Matt Smith

Now Leicester Tigers academy head coach after retiring last season

Courtney Lawes could challenge Jason Leonard’s record number of caps, says Day

Former Northampton Saints teammate Christian Day can see Lawes playing for England for four more years

Owen Farrell v Dan Biggar: The Testosterone Test

Nick Cain looks at the intriguing battle between two Lions at Twickenham this weekend in the Six Nations

How does Bernard Le Roux measure against the great French locks?

Brendan Gallagher looks at how South Africa-born lock duo Bernard Le Roux and Paul Willemse are excelling for France

New Sale Sharks lock Lood de Jager hones in on Exiles

The Springboks giant will may his long-awaited debut for Sale Sharks on Friday night

National One Rams are head-butted by RFU points deduction

Rams chief executive tells TRP how the RFU's decision to fine and deduct the club five points was too excessive

Rugby Matters: The greatest teams have had special joy of six

As Eddie Jones pilots hybrid players in his Six Nations teams, Brendan Gallagher looks at the role of a No.6

Anthony Watson starts for England against Wales, as Underhill misses out

Mark Wilson also starts for England at openside flanker against Wales in the Six Nations

England’s Six Nations finale in Rome postponed due to coronavirus

Six Nations organisers are expected to announce the decision later on Thursday

Jackson column: Alun Wyn Jones needs to walk tall at Twickenham

Wales need their captain and Ken 'The Sheriff' Owens to be on point for their Six Nations clash against England

Worcester’s Ryan Mills to make Premiership switch to Wasps

'He can play in that Jimmy Gopperth mould' - Mills to join Wasps ahead of the 2020-21 season