NICK CAIN

World Cup vote would save Boks from disaster READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK With South African rugby on the road...

Tonga first up for Jones’ would-be world beaters

By SAM JACKSON Champions: New Zealand kick off their defence against South Africa PICTURES: Getty Images ENGLAND’S opening Pool C game...

Nine-try Wallabies send their warning to Wales

By SCOTT WILSON Australia ………63 Japan ……………30 THREE second-half tries in a spirited fight-back were not enough for Japan as they...

Vunipolas in cash boost for Welsh kids

By PETER JACKSON WELSH rugby has found inspiring new sponsors – England’s Vunipola brothers. Their financial support for the grass-roots game...

Get your fire back, Jones tells Courtney

By GARY FITZGERALD Gee up: Courtney Lawes EDDIE Jones has given Courtney Lawes a verbal kick up the backside and told...

England’s back row looks exposed, but it’s time for Eddie to go for broke

Nick Cain writes why it's time to gamble on the promise of rookies Sam Underhill, Tom Curry and Zach Mercer

Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann considers playing for England

The Gloucester back row could be eligible for England in 2020 and says it's a possibility if the Springboks don't come...

Williams column: Give Owen Williams the reins to drive brave new dawn for Wales

Wales and Lions legend Shane Williams looks at the Wales squad for the autumn internationals and suggests who should start

Cain column: NFL ‘partnership’ will be far from friendly

Nick Cain examines the NFL's growing access to the European market which has seen two matches played at Twickenham this autumn

Rob Howley talks O’Brien, Byrne and his future after the 2019 World Cup

The Wales and Lions coach made peace with Sean O'Brien in 20 minute phone call

Set an example with more cash for struggling Samoa

With no mandatory obligation to cough up more money, Colin Boag writes why the RFU should offer cash-strapped Samoa a higher...

Guscott column: Solomona must prove he is not a defensive liability

Jeremy Guscott looks at the competition for places in Eddie Jones' starting XV and who has a point to prove

Harlequins wing Marland Yarde completes switch to Sale Sharks

John Kingston says he is trying to create a 'positive environment' at Quins

Jackson column: Shameful that Newport’s big day is in cold storage

Peter Jackson recalls the forgotten by the masses moment Newport beat the All Blacks

World Rugby report recommends South Africa as 2023 host in a blow to Ireland and France

Tight vote sees South Africa the preferred bidder in close race – official decision made 15 November

Blaine Scully signs new long-term deal with Cardiff Blues

The USA captain says it is 'a true honour' to be associated with the Cardiff Blues after penning new contract

Prolific Williams makes it 6 from 6

LIAM Williams flew over for his sixth try in as many games and Saracens boss Mark McCall said: “I think Liam...

Goode on you, says McCall as Alex turns it round

Saracens44pts Tries: Vunipola 10, Farrell 46, Williams 59, Wyles 61, Earle 66, 80 Conversions: Farrell 10, 47, 60, 62 Penalties: Farrell...

England medics to make Daly call

ELLIOT Daly’s right knee injury, which forced the England wing off at half-time, was described by Wasps rugby director Dai Young...

Wasps rediscover that sting from last season

Northampton 22pts Tries: Tuala 18, Mallinder 77 Penalties: Francis 10, 37, 53, 57 Wasps 38pts Tries: Wade 34, Johnson 44, Bassett...

Solomona must prove he’s not a defensive liability

Natural born try-scorer: Sale Sharks winger Denny Solomona PICTURE: Getty Images Eddie Jones has picked an impressive England squad for the...

DREAMTEAM

DAVE SEYMOUR, THE SALE AND FORMER SARACENS FLANKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Andy Sheridan...

Set an example with more cash for struggling Samoa

COLIN BOAG Making a fist of it: Samoa should be well rewarded for their Twickenham date The new chief executive of...

Saracens could fill a bigger stadium

IT was great to read Nick Cain praising Saracens, stating that after their destruction of Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens, it provided...

Whitehouse had a difficult game and needs assistance

WITH reference to Brendan Gallagher’s report last weekend of Clermont v Northampton, it sounds a little like sour grapes to me,...

Hartley was unlucky to be cited this time

I WON’T pretend to be a fan of Dylan Hartley, but I can’t help but feel he’s been very hard done...

Sharks ace McGuigan earns Scotland call-up

By GEORGE LAWRENCE SALE wing Byron McGuigan has forced his way into Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad with his supreme try-scoring record...

Aki gets green light as Zebo bombs out

By SAM JACKSON Qualified: Connacht centre Bundee Aki NEW Zealand-born centre Bundee Aki has won his first Ireland call-up for the...

Ashton picks way through the chaos to grab 2 tries

At the double: Toulon wing Chris Ashton scored twice against Brive Chris Ashton scored two tries to bring his own total...

Rhondda move top thanks to Clayton try-double

Division One / Plate & Bowl round-up CHRIS Clayton was at the double to help Ystrad Rhondda to a 32-5 home...

Students put to the sword by rampant leaders

Championship round-up PONTYPOOLremain way out in front at the top after a mammoth 74-14 victory against Cardiff Met. Jamie Jeune led...

Second-half fightback sees Vale claim vital victory

Ebbw Vale19 Bargoed 14 By DAVID WALTERS EBBW Vale came from behind to claim a muchneeded victory over Bargoed in the...

Bragging rights for battling Ravens after fiery encounter

Bridgend R 37 Aberavon 21 By CARL FIELD A GLUT of yellow cards and one red for Bridgend skipper Adam O’Driscoll...

Williams and Botica fire RGC to top of the table

Swansea 24 Neath 17 By PAUL HOPKINS RGC 1404 moved to the top of the Principality Premiership West Division after an...

Success for Swans after derby day drama at St Helen’s

Swansea 24 Neath 17 By PAUL HOPKINS SWANSEA took home the Ospreys derby spoils against Neath in a frantic match at...

Ponty flying high after Bird boots visitors to win

Bedwas 15 Pontypridd 37 By IAN GOLDEN PONTYPRIDD pulled level with Bedwas at the top of the Principality Premiership East after...

Thompson stars as Blue and Blacks power to triumph

Cardiff 37 Newport 22 By JAY BAYFORD CARDIFF put an end to a run of three consecutive defeats with a convincing...

C’marthen Q 37 Llanelli16

CARMARTHEN Quins’ fifth win in eight saw them claim a comprehensive victory over Llanelli in the Carmarthenshire derby. Dan Jones and...

Cross Keys 19 Merthyr 34

MERTHYRbounced back from an early setback as they outclassed Cross Keys. The home side’s opening try came in the fifth minute...

Five-star Cowell lifts Quins to lucky thirteen

Worcester V 0 Harlequins 71 By JACK FALLON Class: Rachael Burford THIRTEEN tries – including five from Heather Cowell – helped...

Martin’s magic gives Sharks a maiden victory

Darlington MP 16 Loughborough 10 By TOM BULMER DARLINGTON Mowden Park Sharks notched up their first win of the Premier 15s...

Sarries power proves too much for Hartpury

Gloucester-Hartpury 7pts Saracens 33pts By JOANNE McGREGOR Playmaker: April Brown in action for Saracens GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY lost at home for the first...

Burnfield leaves it late to break Firwood hearts

Firwood Waterloo 12 Richmond 15 By HELEN DUGGAN IN THE dying seconds of the game, Richmond’s Rowena Burnfield battled over the...

Sting in the tail as Wasps hit back to down Bris

Bristol 5 Wasps 17 By MAX WALKER Influence: Rochelle Clark WASPS fought back from an early scare to beat Bristol at...

Brighton College avenge last year’s final defeat

ST JOSEPH’S FESTIVAL By JOE BYRNES LAST weekend saw the 31st edition of the St. Joseph’s Festival in Ipswich, where 16...

Friday on board to lead Old Elthamians Academy

NEWS EXTRA By SAM JACKSON MIKE Friday has joined Old Elthamians as the club’s new academy director. Friday will also continue...

Middleton calls up seven new caps for Canada

NEWS EXTRA By SAM JACKSON ENGLAND head coach Simon Middleton has named 18 Women’s World Cup runners-up in his 28- strong...

Peacemaker Howleyeyes

job in England By ROB COLE Backs brains’ trust: Rob Howley, left, with Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton PICTURE: Getty Images...

Solomona earns autumn recall as Harlequins flyer Yarde misses out

By SAM JACKSON In: Solomona Out: Yarde SALE Sharks wing Denny Solomona has been recalled by Eddie Jones just two months...

Crossword

ACROSS 1. Aussie-born Scotland lock with Edinburgh, Leinster and Sale from 1999 5 3. Saracens and England second row - a...