Wacokecoke inserts fizz to Falcons attack

By TOM INNES NEWCASTLE’S first game since relegation from the Premiership saw them overcome a plucky effort from Jersey Reds thanks...

Bizarre end sees Blues bag unlikely bonus point

By MARK WOOD Late try: Joe Atkinson scores Threat: Try-scorer James Cordy- Redden on the attack for Trailfinders PICTURE: Nigel Rudgard...

Plucky Amps given a nasty welcome by Cov big guns

By CIARAN THOMAS AMPTHILL were given a harsh welcome to life in the second tier as they were overwhelmed in the...

Barnes fires late Scottish winner

By MARTIN WOOLLATT THE boot of Dan Barnes decided proceedings, with the London Scottish flyhalf making amends for an earlier penalty...

Hat-trick for Steele welcomes Irish back

By ROGER PANTING SCRUM-HALF Scott Steele scored a hat-trick of tries to give the Premiership newcomers a deserved first win of...

8-try Warriors hand Tigers youngsters tough lesson

By GEOFF BERKELEY WORCESTER fans enjoyed a great day in the sun as their side put a youthful Leicester team to...

Potent Quins give Lam’s

By ROGER PANTING TWO first half tries from Aaron Morris were enough for Quins to win an errorridden match on Friday....

Ace Segun for Sarries

By GARY FITZGERALD Two-try speedster: Rotimi Segun RAMPANT Rotimi Segun showed just why Sarries believe he is a wing wizard in...

Sharks show their bite with six tries against the Cup holders

By TOM VICKERS A STRONG Sale side got their season off to a winning start with a comfortable win against holders...

Baxter’s new breed prove their qualities

By MIKE SINCLAIR THE next generation of Exeter forwards showed they have been wellschooled in the Chiefs’ brand of pack attrition....

HOW ALL THE OTHER WORLD CUPS STARTED

1987 New Zealand v Italy (Eden Park): The ceremony consisted of schoolkids and scouts shambling around the ground with the 16...

Eastern promise delivered

Brendan Gallagher sees a nation present a stunning face and another display raw grit What it’s all about: Richie McCaw holds...

Staples deserved some TMO justice

SOMETIMES it can be disconcerting to dig out footage of past games before the TMO existed. Different times, different values but...

These Sevens stars can shine bright in Japan

Gold: Leone Nakarawa SEVENS sometimes gets a bad wrap with the perception being that it has become a sport apart and...

Tonga and Samoa should have a base in Auckland

BRENDAN GALLAGHER Exile returns: Steve Mafi played for Australia U20 before going back to Tonga Tonga will briefly enter our rugby...

DREAMTEAM

GARRY LAW, DARLINGTON MP HEAD COACH AND FORMER BORDERS, SCOTLAND A, VIADANA, LAZIO AND ROTHERHAM UTILITY BACK, CHOOSES HIS BEST XV...

Let the counties reps run our amateur game

COLIN BOAG Investment needed: Fiji did well against Australia, how much better with more money? Iwas on the list of the...

Columists highlight rugby’s conundrum

LAST week Boag and Gallagher raised issues in the game from polarising view points. Boag criticised the ‘entertaining’ aspect of rugby,...

Shame not all star names are aligned

THE World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport but I can’t remember a tournament where so many stars were missing...

Parachute money drives the yo-yo

COLIN Boag was at it again defending ring fencing the Premiership and parachute payments for relegated teams. Of course the club...

Let ‘minnows’ have moment of fame

BRENDAN Gallagher wrote that his two most excruciating sporting experiences were when watching Namibia and Japan being crushed at the World...

Fijian giant Ratuva is on his way to join the Scarlets

By STEFFAN THOMAS THE Scarlets are set to sign Fiji World Cup lock Tevita Ratuva from Bordeaux- Begles. Ratuva is a...

Goode: Sarries can be history makers

By GARY FITZGERALD One club man: Alex Goode has signed a new deal ALEX Goode has shrugged off his World Cup...

Alfie will be ‘allright, butt’

Leading Lion: Gareth Thomas in action against New Zealand in 2005 PICTURE: Getty Images SURVIVING mankind’s longest test of endurance and...

Davies is admired as a glutton for punishment

THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW PETER JACKSON Over a bacon sandwich and pot of tea one Friday morning last winter,...

All Blacks give proof they’re still the boss

By NICK CAIN Leap: Pieter-Steph du Toit scores for South Africa Scintillating: New Zealand’s George Bridge scores their first try after...

Dragons ready for lift off

SteffanThomas looks at the Welsh challenge as the PRO14 nears kick-off time With all eyes in the rugby world fixed on...

Private Ratu goes on manouvres

In the army: Ratu Naulago FIJIAN flyer Ratu Naulago is eying a cross-code switch from Super League side Hull FC to...

Tigers man sent shopping in Oz

BY NEILFISSLER LEICESTER look set to spend some Aussie dollars in a bid to improve their squad ahead of the 2020-21...

Betting warning sent to all

WORLD Rugby posted a stark ‘you’ll-be-caught’ warning to coaches and players before Wales sent Rob Howley home over alleged illegal betting....

Farrell can be the star attraction in Japan – Robshaw

By GARY FITZGERALD CHRIS Robshaw has tipped Owen Farrell to be “the biggest star in Japan” and believes the current England...

Woodman: Mako is key to success

By NEALE HARVEY Crucial he’s fit: Mako Vunipola. Right: Trevor Woodman TREVOR Woodman says the fitness of powerhouse loosehead Mako Vunipola...

Expect a reaction after Rob’s departure

Leader: Jonathan Davies has stepped up to help shape the attack in Rob Howley’s absence PICTURE: Getty Images THIS Welsh squad...

Come on Samoa, let’s have one big upset!

BRENDAN GALLAGHER recalls the glory of Samoa and asks when will it return at the World Cup? Talent: Chris Vui Right:...

Pressure got to us–Joseph

JAPANare targeting a firstever quarter-final but coach Jamie Joseph knows their aerial weakness must be addressed ahead of their match against...

It’s party time as Japan tame the growly Bear

By NICK CAIN Hero: Kotaro Matsushima completes his hat-trick for Japan A HAT-TRICK of tries by dashing wing Kotaro Matsushima put...

These Georgians are powerful men warns Tipuric

Game plan: Justin Tipuric JUSTIN Tipuric insists Wales will have to find a middle ground between playing too loosely and getting...

Alun Wyn: We’re like athletes on the blocks

By ALEX BYWATER Controversy: Rob Howley Best of all time in Welsh colours? Alun Wyn Jones PICTURE: Getty Images IN WHAT...

Proud Parisse hopes for the best

SERGIO Parisse will start his record-equaling fifth World Cup by leading Italy out against Namibia. The 36-year-old No.8 will join his...

Robinson: This is how England can win the trophy

By EUAN REEDIE Excited: Andy Robinson ANDY ROBINSON has backed England for 2019 Rugby World Cup glory – as long as...

Sleeping giants? We’re wide awake

Captain: Blane Scully THE Yanks are coming! That is the message being broadcast from the USA camp ahead of their clash...

It’s going to get physical against Island warrior kings

Nick Cain previews England’s confrontation with Tonga in Sapporo today, kick off 11.15 Tongan heritage: Billy Vunipola. Below, Manu Tuilagi PICTURES:...

Gatland: Let’s make the country proud of us

WARREN Gatland declared Wales battle hardened and ready to bid for World Cup glory after a week of hell dominated by...

We’ll fight Tongan fire with fire says Eddie

By SAM JACKSON Upbeat: Eddie Jones EDDIE Jones wants to send a clear message to England’s World Cup rivals that they...

Rugby World Cup facts you must know

Rugby World Cup records billions of viewership every time it is held. The upcoming Rugby World Cup is set to be...

Probyn column: World Cup is the ultimate test of mental toughness

Jeff Probyn shares how the 1987 Rugby World Cup still rankles with him to this day

England name team for Rugby World Cup opener

Eddie Jones chooses to go with Ford, Farrell and 'kamikaze kids' Tom Curry and Sam Underhill

Italy can shock the world, warns Conor O’Shea

Can Italy give Sergio Parisse the fairytale farewell he deserves before retiring?

What you need to know about the Rugby World Cup 2019

The Rugby World Cup 2019 is slated to kick off from September 20, and will last till November 2. This is...

Darcy Graham can prove small is dangerous for Scotland and Townsend

The Edinburgh wing has high hopes for Scotland in a Pool where Ireland, Japan and Samoa are their rivals