Poacher Ribbans seals it for Saints at the death

By NEALE HARVEY In the corner: Rory Hutchinson evades the tackle of Zach Mercer as he dives in to score for...

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Diamond row over de Klerk penalty

STEVE Diamond admitted his Sale team got the “rub of the green” in this tough encounter. The Sale boss said he...

Penalty try controversy as Sharks take first win at Ricoh

By ROB WILDMAN First blood: Rob Webber touches down Sale’s opening try PICTURES: Getty Images Quicksilver: Joe Simpson goes over for...

Hepher happy to see more emotion

EXETER head coach Ali Hepher was pleased with the reaction after last week’s loss to Gloucester. He said: “It was tough...

Order is restored as Falcons go crashing

By ROGER PANTING Adding the extras: Nic White beats Andrew Davidson to score Exeter’s bonus point try PICTURES: Getty Images EXETER...

Francis on standby for another call from Eddie

FIT-AGAIN centre Piers Francis has vowed not to become one of England’s forgotten men by spearheading Northampton’s charge for the play-offs....

Marshall: Thorley will be a star, he carries like a Tongan

Brute: Ollie Thorley ENGLAND prospect Ollie Thorley carries as hard as any Pacific islander and is destined to become a worldclass...

Care staying positive that top form will deliver recall

By NEALE HARVEY Upping his game: Quins No.9 Danny Care PICTURES: Getty Images Leading the way: Dan Robson, left, and Ben...

Hated losing to Wales, it’s one my lowest moments

CATHERINE SPENCER FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN One to watch: Hannah Bluck can unleash the Welsh flyer Jasmine Joyce England coach Simon Middleton...

Considine double in vain as Italy earn maiden win

Italy Women… 29 Ireland Women… 27 EIMEAR Considine scored twice but Ireland fell to their first ever women’s Six Nations defeat...

Scots have no answer to a top treble from Vernier

France Women… 41 Scotland Women… 10 A HAT-TRICK from inside centre Gabrielle Vernier kept France well and truly in the three-way...

Scott takes charge of new-look England

By SAM JACKSON Captain’s call: Harlequins second row Abbie Scott ENGLAND centre Emily Scarratt will sit out the women’s Six Nations...

Joseph’s late brace kills off Scotland comeback

By GARY HEATLY FRANCEbossed the second half of this 11-try thriller in Pau after Scotland had forged a fight-back following a...

Smith’s try in stoppage time swings it for Wales

By ROB COLE Jubilation: Wales celebrate at the final whistle PICTURES: Getty Images Over he goes: England’s Ollie Hassell-Collins is tackled...

Irish charge for a second Grand Slam gathers pace

By DAVE MURPHY Star man: Craig Casey Late try: Marco Butturini ONLY Wales and France stand in the way of a...

Shut roof is an extra weapon for Gatland

WE had another round of roof wars this week with Warren Gatland canvassing hard for Wales to have the final say...

Clubs handicapped by helping England

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK SOMEHOW, in its first stab at a restructured season, the Premiership has arranged...

Murphy gets big chance to stake his claim

BACK ROWER Jordi Murphy is preparing for his first Six Nations start in four years. The flanker, 27, played in the...

Sexton out to ensure Irish cogs are aligned

By DECLAN ROONEY Lessons learned: Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton NINETEEN games have come and gone since Italy last won a Six...

Brunel: I knew Romain was up to the task

FRANCE head coach Jacques Brunel was full of praise for his teenage flyhalf Romain Ntamack after the impressive victory over Scotland....

Jaunty France join the party as Scots get more travel sickness

By PETER JACKSON Taking the plunge: Yoann Huget scores France’s second try PICTURE: Getty Images All over: Gregory Alldritt, centre, is...

Don’t rule us out of title chase, says Eddie

By ALEX BYWATER Oneills Early hope: Tom Curry goes over to give England the lead in Cardiff PICTURE: Getty Images EDDIE...

Hot-head? I’m never out of control!

Kyle Sinckler says he is ready to rumble when England face Wales in Cardiff this weekend – and much of that...

When Tarw put the boot into England Grand Slam

At some point this week, Eddie Jones could do worse than blow the dust off a classic illustration of England’s tendency...

Cardiff effect could put end to Slam dunk

Jon Newcombe talks to England's double Grand Slam winner Peter Winterbottom.

Warren has to establish a half-back partnership

Shane Williams looks ahead to Wales' crunch game with England this weekend.

Give young players a chance!

Nick Cain puts forward an argument for playing younger players.

England must aim to get the ball in Elliot Daly’s hands

The full-back has been a constant performer for England in recent matches.

Biggar will be fit for Wales says Boyd

NORTHAMPTON’S Chris Boyd believes Dan Biggar should be fit for Wales’ clash against England next Saturday despite hobbling off in the...

King Midas in reverse as Saints administer a thrashing

By ROB WILDMAN Wicked speed: Cobus Reinach Saints scores his second try for Saints PICTURES: Getty Images Up and in: Denny...

Murphy: We looked dead on our feet

WITH both sides fielding a number of young players, Saracens DoR Mark McCall said he was delighted with the way his...

Lethal Sarries exploit Tigers token defence

By NICK CAIN First blood: Richard Wigglesworth runs in to score Saracens opening try PICTURES: Getty Images SARACENS are back on...

England must aim to get the ball in Daly’s hands

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMYGUSCOTT So gifted: Elliot Daly has the ability to create something out of nothing PICTURE: Getty Images...

DREAMTEAM

RICHIE VERNON, THE LONDON SCOTTISH & FORMER SCOTLAND, GLASGOW AND SALE CENTRE / FLANKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED...

Dump Italy and go back to Five Nations format

COLIN BOAG White Orcs on steroids: England batter the French With the Six Nations taking a break this weekend, it’s a...

What a production line

I’VE been watching Hartpury College for a few years now on their march to the Championship and seen a fair number...

Don’t block our own Bournemouth story

IT was wonderful to read Nick Cain hold up my local soccer club, AFC Bournemouth, as an example to Premiership Rugby....

Let best of Britain & Ireland slug it out

LAST week’s letter about ringfencing the Premiership is exactly what I would suggest. Have a plan to increase the Premiership to...

Forgiveness could drive Ford’s game

Benched: George Ford has gone off the boil WILL Jeremy Guscott ever find it within himself to forgive the young George...

Kinghorn: Away record has to improve, starting in Paris

By GARY HEATLY Flyer: Blair Kinghorn scores against Italy SCOTLAND speedster Blair Kinghorn admits the team’s defence has simply not been...

Tigers hungry for U18s repeat

LEICESTER include seven of the players who lifted the trophy last year in their team to defend the U18 Academy League...

Whiffin: England have learnt from Irish loss

By NEALE HARVEY Chance to play Wales: Saracens play-maker Manu Vunipola Lessons: Richard Whiffin ENGLAND U20s attack coach Richard Whiffin insists...

Laidlaw in charge as Clermont reclaim top

FRENCH COLUMN DAVID BARNES Marksman: Greg Laidlaw kicked 20 points for Clermont PICTURE: Getty Images Clermont, whose last outing took place...

Lucky 13 for Brecon with win over the champs

Welsh Division One round-up By JAY BAYFORD BRECON displayed their One East title credentials with an eye-widening 34-19 victory over reigning...

Pooler make it 40 in a row to stay clear

Welsh Championship round-up By JAY BAYFORD PONTYPOOLremain eight points clear at the top of the Championship after claiming their 40th consecutive...

Williams hat-trick as Ironmen stay on track for title

By GEOFF CHAMPION Merthyr ……….47 Neath………………5 HOOKER Rhys Williams grabbed a hat-trick as Merthyr chalked up an expected comfortable bonus-point victory...

Ravens enjoy away day success despite sin-bin troubles

By HUW JONES Llandovery ….10 Bridgend ……19 BRIDGEND defied two yellow cards to record their first win at Church Bank for...

Llanelli edge to safety but Bargoed are cut adrift

By JOHN MURPHY Llanelli ……….39 Bargoed ……….10 LLANELLI took a giant stride towards Principality Premiership survival with a bonus-point triumph over...

Steelmen in seventh heaven as they claim Gwent derby

By JAY BAYFORD Cross Keys ….17 Ebbw Vale……48 EBBW Vale took the spoils in the Gwent derby as they totally outclassed...