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Lynagh’s bowled over

Michael Lynagh tells Adam Hathaway why Eddie Jones’ boys can go all the way Huge runner: Joe Cokanasiga Michael Lynagh has...

How the Bear came in from the cold at last

Brendan Gallagher charts the tortuous route of Russia’s RWC qualification Russian qualified: Anton Rudoy. Centre: Coach Lyn Jones. Right: Romania’s Sione...

Tyro Lane proud he gave it his best shot

NEWS EXTRA By JAMES CANDY OWEN Lane went from ecstasy to agony in less than 24 hours after receiving the dreaded...

Horwill aims to be a Blue

FORMER Australia captain James Horwill has come out of retirement and plans to play for Cambridge University in December’s Varsity game...

Hard graft paying off as Yarde nears comeback

By JON NEWCOMBE Determination: Marland Yarde found inner resilience MARLAND Yarde has endured “the longest pre-season ever” in a bid to...

Kiwis of the world are gathering

A NOTHER New Zealand XV will be competing in Japan, an itinerant one made up of those All Black wannabes who...

Gatland’s law won’t lock up Priestland

THE confusion created by the Welsh Rugby Union over the complexities of their 60-cap rule has clouded Rhys Priestland’s international future....

French refs see red more often than most

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Decisive action: Scott Barrett is shown the red card by Jerome Garces PICTURE:...

World Cup is the ultimate test of mental toughness

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME JEFF PROBYN Early arrival: England players in Tokyo this week PICTURE: Getty Images As...

Boyd tells Hartley not to rush his recovery

Relax: Dylan Hartley CHRIS Boyd is putting no time frame on Dylan Hartley’s return to action and will leave it up...

History-maker La Toya runs the line

FORMER Red Roses scrum-half La Toya Mason created history on Friday evening when she ran touch as an assistant referee at...

Sharks in chase for yet another South African

Wanted: Scrum-half Embrose Papier SALE Sharks are interested in adding another South African to their squad and are offering a three-month...

Marcus takes the Long view at Quins

MARCUS Smith believes that former League star Sean Long, who has joined the Harlequins coaching staff, will help take his game...

Don’t have boots, Cips’ mum must travel

BY NEIL FISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler SOS: Danny Cipriani DANNY Cipriani had to make an emergency SOS call to...

ROOM 101

THE SHEFFIELD TIGERS PLAYERCOACH TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND JAMIE BROADLEY 1. Digital induced...

Champions Sarries begin season where they left off

By GEORGE LAWRENCE First silverware: Saracens celebrate title defence SARACENS defended their title with a thrilling 35-19 triumph over Wasps at...

So lucky that Shiggy was such a bad Kamikaze pilot!

Spared: Shiggy Kono THE late and much lamented Shiggy Kono – a lifelong rugby tragic and a driving force behind Japanese...

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...