My angry XV could take on the world

ALL the World Cup squads have arrived in Japan and are plugging into the electricity of a World Cup tournament so...

Basketball’s rigid reffing is a big lesson for rugby

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER Fallen giants: Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Greek team...

Police the offside rule for thrilling matches

THERE are fears that defences could be the dominant factor in Japan at the expense of attacking cut-and-thrust. Humid, wet conditions...

Wanted: Sumos who can play in front row

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK EVERY four-year cycle World Rugby have renewed their vow to promote second tier...

I’m frustrated, it’s been a tough period says Robson

By GARY FITZGERALD DAN Robson admits the heart-breaking thumbs down from Eddie Jones was a terrible end to what had been...

Cross-coder Curtis aims to excite the Irish fans

By NEALE HARVEY Bringing X-factor from Oz: Curtis Rona PICTURES: Getty Images POWERHOUSE centre Curtis Rona says he is determined to...

Scottish export McRorie batting for Canada

By GARY HEATLY SCOTLAND will hope to progress from the World Cup Pool stages to take on New Zealand or South...

Addison waiting in the wings for Ireland

By SAM JACKSON Final touch: Charlie Watson scores the last Saracens try to see off Wasps in the Premiership 7s final...

Warburton: Curry will prove to be world class

By JAMES CANDY Belief: Sam Warburton SAM Warburton believes England flanker Tom Curry will prove himself one of the premier sevens...

Young Guns: Newcastle Falcons scrum-half Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti

Nordli-Kelemeti explains to Neale Harvey how he found rugby after the death of his mother when he was six

Williams column: No sweat, we’re ready for Georgia and Australia

Shane Williams wants to see Wales use their wingers in a different way to be truly devastating

Gallagher column: So troubling to see Devin Toner replaced by a mercenary

South Africa-born lock Jean Kleyn will be playing in the World Cup for Ireland

Fabien Galthie calls time on the fabled French eccentricity

Nick Cain assesses the challenge a new-look France side pose to England in the World Cup pools

Jackson column: Carpet layer Steve Ford finds World Cup is a stitch-up

Peter Jackson tracks down the 'invisible Welshman' who claims a record few others hold

Jason Woodward frustrated by England snub but hopes for more chances

Gloucester full-back Jason Woodward admits to feeling “hard done by” over his failure to win a first England cap on last...

Probyn column: Truth about that players World Cup pool in 1991

Jeff Probyn on the monetisation of rugby between the inaugural World Cup and 1995

Rivals lie in wait for Kyle Sinckler as Harlequins prop enters last year of deal

The England prop is wanted by three other Premiership clubs

Cain column: Theatrics have no place on the great stage in Japan

Expecting histrionics from Yoann Huget at the World Cup?

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg sources traits from All Blacks great’s game

Hogg reveals to TRP how he is studying ways to evade the traps opponents are deploying to stymie his abilities

Guscott column: Quarter-final exit beckons again for out-of-sorts Ireland

Jeremy Guscott envisages the usual outcome Ireland have become accustomed to at World Cups

Jordan Crane plots coaching career announcing this season will be his last for Bristol Bears

"The opportunity to stay in Bristol was a massive part of the decision for me" – Crane

‘Pedal the Prem’: Wasps fan gets on his bike for men’s mental health

Stuart Baker will travel to all 12 stadiums plus Twickenham on his cross-country tour in aid of mental health

Chester Williams dazzled in spite of post-Apartheid racial frictions

Brendan Gallagher recalls the life of Springboks wing Chester Williams

New Scarlets coach Brad Mooar appoints Ken Owens as captain

Owens will captain the Scarlets for a sixth-straight season, with four vice-captains ready to assist in team leadership

Dylan Hartley stands down as Northampton Saints captain

Chris Boyd appoints co-captains to lead Saints through the 2019-20 season

Rugby World Cup 2019 – What the Bookies Say on the Eve of Tournament

The bookmakers don’t always get it right when it comes to rugby union. If they did, then the All Blacks would...

Misery for Patchell as Irish write a fairytale to go No.1 in world

■ By PETER JACKSON Working the space: Rob Kearney goes over for Ireland PICTURES: Getty Images THROUGHOUT all the ups and...

Back row remains a mystery

MICHAEL Cheika rested regular skipper, and openside, Michael Hooper to give David Pocock a run in tandem with No.8 Jack Dempsey,...

Big plus for Wallabies as Pocock makes his return

■ By GARY FITZGERALD Back in action: David Pocock DAVID Pocock insists the Wallabies are in prime shape to win a...

Quarter-final exit beckons again for out-of-sorts Irish

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK Injury prone: A fit Johnny Sexton is a game-changer for Ireland PICTURE: Getty Images...

Genge on call to help young prop

ELLIS Genge has been helping to keep a young prop on the straight and narrow by learning from the mistakes the...

England find the answer in time to please Eddie

■ From NICK CAIN at St James’ Park On the charge: Ellis Genge ENGLAND may not be going to the World...

Forthcoming fixtures

Week beginning Sunday, September 8, 2019 It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13...

Reinforcements for Moseley

MOSELEY have brought in six players on dual registration for their National One campaign. Three join from Worcester – fly-half Luke...

Willemse answers injury SOS

SARACENS have signed South Africa fly-half Damian Willemse on a three-month contract as cover for injured pair Alex Goode and Max...

5am train to Cornwall is dedication all right!

MY CLUB ESHER JON NEWCOMBE SPEAKS WITH A NUMBER OF WELL-KNOWN RUGBY FIGURES ABOUT THE CLUB THEY CALL THEIR OWN. THIS...

ROOM101

THE CORNISH PIRATES HOOKER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND TOM CHANNON 1. Dogs left...

Mitchell glad to be aboard Pirates’ drive for excellence

■ By MIKE CINCLAIR Still hungry: Cornish Pirates prop Craig Mitchell FORMER Wales prop Craig Mitchell believes Yorkshire Carnegie’s losses will...

Grove are up to the task as they triumph

■ By ROGER THOMAS Welsh Division One round-up AFTER back-to-back promotions, Birchgrove made a dream start to life in One West...

Home is where the heart is in Celtic Cup

Celtic Cup round-up IT WAS a great day for the home teams in the Celtic Cup as Scarlets A ran in...

Silva eyes fast start to campaign at RGC helm

■ By ALICE TAYLOR PREVIEW: RGC 1404 v Merthyr Sunday 8 September, 2:30pm MERTHYR will parade three of their summer signings...

Newport win opening-day bragging rights

■ By STEFFAN THOMAS Ebbw Vale ……23 Newport……….29 NEWPORT survived a late scare to get their season off to a flyer...

Nagy in the points as All Whites put on a show

■ By PAUL HOPKINS Swansea ………33 Llanelli ……………5 TWO Max Nagy tries helped Swansea to a perfect start to the season...

Scrivens snatches victory in the capital

■ By BRIAN DAVIES Cardiff …………24 Pontypridd ….23 A TOUCHLINE conversion with the last kick of the match from new boy...

Jones’ arrival ruined by late drama at Bridgend

Premiership Bridgend ………26 Aberavon………27 ■ By ROB COLE ALED Thomas spoiled former Wales hooker Steve Jones’ first game in charge of...

Pool up and at them in their bid for glory

■ By CARL FIELD Welsh Championship round-up PONTYPOOL’S bid for a fourth successive Specsavers National Championship crown began with a magnificent...

Chester dazzled despite the racists

Brendan Gallagher recalls the troubled life of Springbok star Chester Williams Poster boy: Chester Williams in action during the 1995 World...

MY LIFEIN RUGBY

THE FORMER WASPS, NORTHAMPON, NEWCASTLE AND LONDON IRISH WING JOHN RUDD WHEN I was at Wasps, after a couple of breakthrough...

Truth about that players World Cup pool in 1991

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Money raiser: Brian Moore celebrates a try against France in the 1991...

Students start new term with top marks

South West Premier EXETER University sit top of the table after the opening round of games following a 54-12 win over...