World League leak was just a scare story

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK THERE is often a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon between a...

We badly needed that win says Lam

BRISTOL head coach Pat Lam described the derby win as the most important result of the season. He said: “Bristolians are...

Gloucester pay price for late double yellow

By ROGER PANTING Livewire: Bristol scrum-half Andy Uren stretches out to score their second try GLOUCESTER’S rich vein of form came...

Hooper: We gave it away at the end

FORMER Bath centre Ben Tapuai made a triumphant return to the Rec. He said: “It was too close for our liking...

Earle crashes over to let Quins lord it in third

By ROGER PANTING NATHAN Earle scored a last minute try to cement Harlequins’ third place in the Premiership table. With the...

That was ding-dong stuff says Baxter

EXETER boss Rob Baxter looked relived after his team had withstood Sale’s second-half pressure. Baxter said: “That was a ding-dong battle....

Chiefs count bruises after taming Sharks

By ROB WILDMAN Litle and large: Sale’s Faf de Klerk tackles Exeter try-scorer Don Armand EXETER flew home from Manchester last...

Ospreys battling to keep club alive

By PETER JACKSON ALUN-WYN Jones starts another Grand Slam week caught in the crossfire of a major political row between his...

Ref robbed us say Wasps

Protests: Wasps players react after Biyi Alo’s try was disallowed on the final play PICTURE: Getty Images WASPS boss Dai Young...

Kyle’s critics know nothing about game, raps George

By GARY FITZGERALD JAMIE George has fired a broadside at critics claiming England’s Cardiff defeat is evidence that Eddie Jones’ men...

Pacific island players’ union to explore nuclear option of boycotting 2019 Rugby World Cup in light of proposed ‘World League’

Fiji, Tonga and Samoa have all qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Cardiff Blues and Wales flanker Josh Navidi commits to new deal

Josh Navidi has pledged his future to Cardiff Blues by signing a new contract to remain at the Arms Park. The...

The top tips to help you bet on rugby for 2019

If you are a  rugby fan, then you know that all roads will be heading to Japan for the 2019 Rugby...

Shane Williams column: Do I think this is the best Wales team ever? You’re damn right I do

Stop asking the question, they've hit the heights

World Rugby’s 12-team World League proposal shot down for casting away Pacific nations

The story of the year may have just hit the sport

Sale Sharks sign Rob Webber to contract extension to solidify strong hooker department

Rob Webber and Akker van der Merwe to be Sale's strike force next season

Leicester’s offer to Manu Tuilagi is ‘fairly stingy’, says ex-Tiger Lewis Moody

Racing 92's megabucks stokes conversation of loyalty towards Leicester and if it works both ways

Northampton Saints front-row pair sign extensions

'They are two very impressive young men' – Chris Boyd

Schalk Burger to end Saracens stint and return to South Africa

Springboks legend to leave Allianz Park a 'happy man'

Chris Pennell FEATURE: I’d be crazy to leave Worcester Warriors

One-club man Pennell says there is a collective building at Worcester after a number of first-teamers extend their deals

Leicester Tigers back Mathew Tait announces immediate retirement from rugby

Full-back/centre has been struggling with an achilles injury all season and brings to an end an outstanding 15-year professional career

Ronan O’Gara plotting route to senior coaching job with Crusaders… or All Blacks

'Everything is possible' says former Ireland fly-half

Welsh rugby to keep status quo after crisis meeting in Cardiff between WRU and regions

Project Reset changes knocked back by regions in meeteings, but uncertainty remains

England toppled by penalties and poor kicking

CHARLIE HODGSON Consistent: George North Ican’t help feel a little deflated after that performance. Obviously because I am an England fan...

Yes, they have proved they are the greatest Welsh team of all time

SHANE WILLIAMS Fist-pumping: Alun-Wyn Jones WHAT a match, what a win, what a team! The question now is whether this is...

Eddie Jones and England froze in that second half

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMY GUSCOTT Master of getting results: Warren Gatland yesterday I’ve said before there is no Plan B...

Farrell: We didn’t fire a shot after the break

OWEN Farrell admitted Wales’ strategy to pile the pressure on England’s kickers paid off. The Red Rose half-backs employed the same...

Armitage: Method is Mourad’s madness

Toulon veteran: Steffon Armitage now plays for Pau Steffon Armitage, the player denied England caps because he chose to play in...

YOUNG GUNS

ALEX COLES NORTHAMPTON LOCK Alex Coles might have been a footballer had things turned out differently. A decent goalkeeper who was...

Scrivens inspires Sankala’s men in vital basement battle

By TIM LEWIS Bedwas… 36 Neath… 28 BEDWAS came out on top in a thriller with basement boys Neath to get...

Five-star Newport move up thanks to Llanelli win

By CARL FIELD Newport… 33 Llanelli… 10 NEWPORT moved up to fifth in the Principality Premiership after earning maximum points with...

Late Jones penalty at St Helen’s a cruel blow for Keys

By JOHN MURPHY Swansea… 13 Cross Keys… 5 PHIL Jones put the boot into Cross Keys’ hopes of Premiership survival as...

Wales to keep status quo after Cardiff crisis talks

By ALEX BYWATER Decision time: Gareth Anscombe THE Welsh Rugby Union and Wales’ four regions are poised to end months of...

SOS from Richmond

RICHMOND are holding a 50th Anniversary reunion of their tour to the USA at the Athletic ground on March 30, 2019....

Two for Vokes as Bridge move up

By CARL FIELD Welsh round-up NEW BRIDGE hauled themselves out of the WRU National Championship drop zone after recording a terrific...

Hooper laments narrow escape

By ADAM ELLIS Narrow escape: Israel Folau scored for the Waratahs PICTURE: Getty Images WARATAHS and Australia captain Michael Hooper accused...

Farewell to Cawkwell

SCOTLAND’S oldest internationalist George Cawkwell passed away last Monday at the age of 99. Cawkwell was born in Auckland, New Zealand...

Blues retain key players

BEDFORD have begun building for next season by re-signing four of their first team players. Props Alex Penny and Sean McCarthy...

Cheetah Lee snot happy

CHEETAHS centre Nico Lee has been banned for 13 weeks for “clearing the contents of his nose” on the face of...

Wasps sign up Vailanu

WASPS have signed Saracens 19-stone Tongan powerhouse back row forward Sione Vailanu to cover the loss of Nathan Hughes heading to...

Huge blow to Warriors

IN a seperate incident, Gerrit-Jan van Velze fractured his arm against Quins and is out for an undisclosed term. Van Velze,...

Max out till mid-March

RUGBY SHORTS HARLEQUINS hooker Max Crumpton has been given a three-week suspension for striking Worcester No.8 Gerrit-Jan Van Velze during Quins’...

Promoted Old Boys take it to the max

NEWS EXTRA WEmay only be coming to the end of February but English rugby already has its first club to earn...

ROOM 101

CHARLIE BECKETT THE JERSEY REDS LOCK TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. People clapping...

Hot Curry turns cold on one-trick England

From NICK CAIN at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff False dawn: Tom Curry scores England’s first half try PICTURE: Getty Images Crocked:...

At last, an RFU chief executive who has played some rugby

JEFF PROBYN Fresh dawn: Bill Sweeney will take over as the RFU’s new chief executive PICTURE: Getty Images With the third...

Barden in as England look to build on Sydney

SIMON Amor has named his 12-man squad for the Las Vegas Sevens taking place on March 1-3. Amor has made one...

Politics could keep Cobus from Japan

By NEALE HARVEY Form of his life: Cobus Reinach scores for Saints against Sale PICTURES: Getty Images NORTHAMPTONboss Chris Boyd believes...

Durham do the double to delay Exeter’s march for title

By JOE BYRNES BUCS ROUND-UP EXETER’S apparent cake walk to the league title was rudely interrupted by an inspired Durhamcompleting the...

Chance to make up ground in the chase

Preview Henley v Taunton Today, Kick-off 2.30pm SOMETHING has got to give today when two inform teams with play-off ambitions meet...