We’re not underdogs this time, says North

By ROB COLE Big finish: Warren Gatland Learning curve: A teenage George North in action at the 2011 Rugby World Cup...

Don’t let rent bills ruin Welsh World Cup chances

POLITICS, mergers, and now unpaid bills! I can’t tell you how frustrated I am about the continuing off-the-field nonsense we have...

Brave Tom deserves a fresh dawn at Scarlets

WALES AND LIONS LEGEND SHANE WILLIAMS WHEN Tom James first came to train with Wales he was our version of Jonah...

Ampthill keep on recruiting with scrum-half Darryl

By NEALE HARVEY AMPTHILL have pulled off another transfer coup after snaffling experienced scrum-half Darryl Veenendaal from Championship rivals Nottingham. Veenendaal...

Canada pile it on in second half rout

Dejected: Gaelle Hermet France…………19 Canada…………35 FRANCE skipper Gaelle Hermet rued her side’s lacklustre ball retention as they were undone by fivetry...

Cocksedge goes past 300 Test points to crush USA

By SAM JACKSON USA………………….0 New Zealand.33 Points machine: New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge THE Black Ferns proved too big a test for...

Return of Hunter is boost for Middleton

By ADAM ELLIS Reshuffle: England coach Simon Middleton Leading by example: Sarah Hunter PICTURES: Getty Images HEAD coach Simon Middleton made...

Kendra holds the key for the Ferns

Preview France v New Zealand Yesterday, Kick-off 10.15pm KENDRA COCKSEDGE became only the second player to reach 50 Test caps for...

ROOM 101

JORDAN ONOJAIFE THE EALING TRAILFINDERS LOCK TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Poor shower...

Stop the ringers wrecking Tier Two

THE mismanagement of playing regulations in the Championship is in danger of undermining the second tier. Player recruitment practices during the...

Odd-job Eddie has got too many hats

READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK NICK CAIN THERE has been a joke doing the rounds for some time that Eddie...

Deano lands lock De Chaves

NEWCASTLE have signed lock Sebastian de Chaves from London Irish on a oneyear deal. De Chaves, 28, was born in South...

DREAMTEAM

KIERAN MURPHY, EALING TRAILFINDERS AND FORMER LLANDOVERY, SCARLETS, BRIVE & LONDON WELSH NO.8 CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH...

Falcons duo join Harlequins

HARLEQUINS have signed Fiji internationals Vereniki Goneva and Tevita Cavubati from Newcastle. Winger Goneva, 35, joins for pre-season while second row...

I’m going to help take Sale to next level

Jake Cooper- Woolley, Sale’s new tighthead prop, tells NEALE HARVEY why he believes the club are ready for lift-off Jake Cooper-Woolley...

Rob won’t join England says Exeter boss Rowe

Try time: Codie Taylor scores for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final victory over the Jaguares PICTURE: Getty Images EXETER...

Ellis blow as Wales head for the Alps

By PETER JACKSON Second op: Ellis Jenkins WALES head for the Swiss Alps this week amid renewed fears that one of...

Overseeing the development of Delon Armitage and Charlie Ewels has been one of my proudest achievements, says Toby Booth

In this lengthy feature, we talk to the departing Bath assistant coach about his time at the Rec and his past...

Marler, Cipriani and McConnochie all in England’s Rugby World Cup training squad

There are plenty of talking points in Eddie Jones' Rugby World Cup training squad

Relegation holds back young talent warns Newcastle Falcons Darren Barry

The new arrival at Kingston Park shares his reasoning for ring-fencing the Premiership

Probyn column: The week that was for Eddie Jones and Leicester Tigers

Jeff Probyn reflects on Leicester Tigers being put up for £60m

Sale Sharks to partner with troubled Yorkshire Carnegie?

There are concerns for the future of Carnegie's famed academy after members agree CVA

Brad joins the Irish revolution

LONDONIrish have added former Bath, Wasps and Ospreys defence coach Brad Davis to their backroom staff. The former Castleford and Wakefield...

Stan opts for South West over Coventry

EXETER Chiefs have signed Harlequins forward Stan South from under the noses of Coventry. The 22-year-old, who can play either at...

Braley making his pitch for big prize with Italy

By GARY FITZGERALD Decisions: Conor O’Shea CALLUM Braley feels he can offer a new dimension to Italy’s attacking options as he...

Voluntary work pays off for tenacious Gray

Rejuvenated hooker Joe Gray tells NEALE HARVEY how cold-calling Saracens boss Mark McCall saved his career Rebirth at Saracens: Joe Gray....

Chasing pack is closing on All Blacks says Price

By ROB COLE BACK-TO-BACK champions New Zealand have gone off the boil and have left the door wide open for another...

Sinckler is a lethal weapon England are going to need

World class: Kyle Sinckler has become a vital cog in the England machine PICTURE: Getty Images Kyle Sinckler has become so...

DREAMTEAM

RHODRI DAVIES, CORNISH PIRATES & FORMER LLANDOVERY, ROTHERHAM, DRAGONS AND WALES 7S SCRUM-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH...

If England fail it won’t be fault of the clubs

COLIN BOAG camp: Eddie Jones prepares his World Cup squad last week Depending on your point of view, the clubs and...

Cost of loyalty may come at high price

WITH Mike Ford on the coaching panel and Pat Howard confirmed as a coaching mentor, I wonder how long Geordan Murphy...

Eddie’s comments suggest England are at crossroads

ENGLAND coach Eddie Jones says he is in the middle of a constant battle between Premiership clubs and the RFU. Nothing...

U20s give blueprint for the senior game

THEU20s World Championship was a good competition with many countries setting out their stall for the future. The competition is also...

Barbarians put Eddie in charge

ENGLAND boss Eddie Jones will coach the Barbarians against Fiji at Twickenham in November, just two weeks after the World Cup...

WRU will step in to help Dragons sign new stars

By ALEX BYWATER Cash boost: Dean Ryan perSigning: Fly-half Sam Davies DEAN Ryan is set to get a boost of hundreds...

Wales can win it, says Roberts, but there’s more to do

By STEFFAN THOMAS High hopes: Jamie Roberts playing for Wales WALES might be Six Nations Grand Slam champions, 14 games unbeaten...

Relegation holds back young talent warns Barry

By NEALE HARVEY Falcons recruit: Darren Barry playing for Worcester Impact: Ted Hill NEWCASTLE Falcons new boy Darren Barry believes short-term...

Hamstring injury puts Sinckler out of England training

■By SAM JACKSON KYLE Sinckler will miss this week’s England training with a suspected hamstring injury. Head coach Eddie Jones has...

The big two square up in French power battle

Rivals: Bernard Laporte and Florian Gill, inset “Laporte is the man with the reputation of getting things done but his methods...

Penclawdd pack holds a new ace

ALEX BYWATER talks to Sophie Spence, the former Ireland women’s star bossing the boys Driving force: Ireland’s Sophie Spence takes on...

My Baa-Baas experience was incredibly special

EDDIE Jones will coach the Barbarians versus Fiji at Twickenham on November 16. James Horwill, who led the side last month,...

Quins add Gale force

HARLEQUINS have confirmed the arrival of new academy manager Chim Gale from Worcester Warriors, where he oversaw their academy operation. Billy...

Club go barking mad over awards

BAILDON RUFC did not have to paws for thought when they decided who should win their supporter of the year award....

Armitage brother Guy tries his hand at Rugby League

■By GARY FITZGERALD Wolf: Luther Burrell LUTHER BURRELL has been joined by former England U20 centre, Guy Armitage, in trying his...

You must pick Cips Dallaglio tells Eddie

By GARY FITZGERALD Call: Lawrence Dallaglio In place: George Ford and Owen Farrell Stunning season: Danny Cipriani playing for Gloucester PICTURES:...

Card happy refs could disrupt the World Cup

NEALE HARVEY meets Ted Hill to discuss the 2019 U20 World Championship Cost victory: Alfie Barbeary sees red against Ireland Warning:...

YOUNG GUNS

CHARLIE WRIGHT EXETER BACK ROW Exeter Chiefs have a fine history of thrusting back rowers into the limelight and one name...

Operating costs far outweigh central funding

NEWS EXTRA By ALEX BYWATER WELSH Premiership clubs are considering the implementation of a salary cap or pay banding system as...

Welch leads recovery

By SAM JACKSON Committed: Will Welch CLUB captain Will Welch has given Newcastle a major boost by committing his future for...

Ealing’s ambition hits right note for Tommy

Championship fixtures By NEALE HARVEY Bullish: Ben Ward Fresh start: Tommy Bell in action for London Irish PICTURE: Getty Images TOMMY...