Churlish to suggest Farrell ‘s action anything but generous

AFTER a week when England ‘s players ended up on the back foot over their refusal to donate a penny of...

Lack of stardust on show in Swansea

A GRAND total of 44 players, the majority of them internationals, will be missing when Ospreys kick off against Glasgow in...

North ‘s good for Wales but what about the region?

George North arrived at Franklin ‘s Gardens from West Wales one year after Chris Ashton left for North London. The Welsh...

Ackermann leads race to sign Kriel

Lions skipper: Jaco Kriel GLOUCESTER head coach Johan Ackermann is keen on signing Springbok flanker Jaco Kriel, who played a major...

ON THE BLIND SIDE

BY NEILFISSLER ■ EXETER CHIEFS look to have been successful in their battle to keep Australian-born forward Mitch Lees at the...

Saints to go on raid for Wasps flier Bassett

NORTHAMPTON have lined up a swoop on Wasps to take winger Josh Bassett to Franklin ‘s Gardens next season. The 25-year-old...

ROOM 101

THE WORCESTER PROP TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND ETHAN WALLER 1. Meat substitutes If...

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Croft at crossroads after forced early retirement

TOM Croft admits he faces an uncertain future after revealing he had not prepared fully for early retirement. Former England and...

Hougaard using Boks axe to spark Warriors survival bid

By NEALE HARVEY Axed: Francois Hougaard WORCESTER star Francois Hougaard admits he will consider his Test future after being made a...

Richards fumes at ineffectual Falcons

GLOUCESTER head coach Johan Ackermann praised the work-rate of his charges after their victory over Newcastle. Despite having a penchant for...

Ackermann ‘s acumen for attack rubbing off

By COLIN NEWBOULT Try-scorer: Andy Symons makes a break for Gloucester PICTURES: Getty Images Held: No way through for try-scorer Mark...

Mulchrone confident Exiles can finally snap their seven-match losing streak

By NEALE HARVEY LONDON Irish defensive linchpin Fergus Mulchrone believes his side possess the resolve and attacking firepower to upset in-form...

Mallinder: We were right to go for broke

NORTHAMPTON director of rugby Jim Mallinder insisted that it was the right decision to go for the victory after turning down...

Deacon ‘s Diamond geezers dig deep

By COLIN NEWBOULT Dangerman: Faf de Klerk makes a break PICTURES: Getty Images PERHAPS Steve Diamond should be absent more often?...

Kingston rues his missing players

HARLEQUINS director of rugby John Kingston was upbeat despite the convincing defeat. He said: “At 26-0 down after 19 minutes, it...

Gone in 18 minutes… Quins buried by Bath

By ROGER PANTING Causing havoc: Matt Banahan scores Bath ‘s fourth try PICTURES: Getty Images BATH scored the quickest bonus point...

New Chief Kvesic gets chance to show he ‘s up to speed after summer transfer

By NEALE HARVEY EXETER flanker Matt Kvesic is handed a golden chance to remind England of his credentials as he dons...

O ‘Connor queries crucial Adams try

LEICESTER director of rugby Matt O ‘Connor claimed afterwards referee Greg Macdonald should have referred Jack Adams ‘ second try to...

Five-try Warriors silence the Tigers faithful

By ROB WILDMAN WORCESTER deservedly recorded a first win at Welford Road to stun the huge Tigers support. A brilliant start...

Two nation bid would harm, not help, the Islanders

YOU cannot blame Tim Nanai Williams for wanting a change in the World Cup eligibility rules to allow players qualified through...

Chatty refs have aided the growth of dissent

Clear as day? Owen Farrell, right, appeals as Marika Koroibete touches down DISSENT is an evil genie that was always going...

DREAMTEAM

CHARLIE MATTHEWS, THE HARLEQUINS AND FORMER ENGLAND U20 SECOND ROW, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1....

England win shows TMO should decide every try

COLIN BOAG Correct call: The TMO ruled out Michael Hooper ‘s score for Australia There are still those who moan about...

Rugby is thriving in West Country

I WOULD like to agree with Tom Rodwell ‘s letter last week. I was also at the Richmond v Doncaster match...

Scrum shenanigans should be punished

WARREN Gatland can protest his innocence but not even the most rabid Welsh supporter I know thinks Gatland and Wales played...

Hookers should be pinged for ‘foot up ‘

WE all know by now that referees have been given permission to change laws in the rugby handbook. It is now...

Bottle job? Eddie played a blinder

THE outcome to last week ‘s amazing match against Australia shows Jeff Probyn was wrong to suggest Eddie Jones ‘bottled it...

Noves ‘ job in danger as Ishihara grabs draw for Japan

By GEORGE LAWRENCE France……………23 Japan ……………23 SHINTARO Ishihara crossed with five minutes remaining to earn Japan a famous draw in Paris....

Avenger Stockdale sinks Pumas with two-try haul

By DARAGH SMALL Ireland ‘s hero: New wing ace Jacob Stockdale scores his second try PICTURE: Inpho JACOB Stockdale touched down...

Magnificent Scots run riot to humble Wallabies

By GARY HEATLY Rampant: Stuart McInally touches down Scotland ‘s eighth try PICTURES: Getty Images MATCH STATS… SCOTLAND produced one of...

5-try Boks complete Azzurri revenge mission

By SAM JACKSON Italy…………………6 South Africa …35 SOUTH Africa ensured there would be no repeat of last year ‘s upset with...

Learn lessons and put Boks to sword!

SHANE WILLIAMS Excellent: Dan Biggar WHAT A Test match that was! Wales came out on the wrong side of the result,...

Five more tries, but Wales had them rattled

PETER JACKSON COMMENT The gulf in tries between the old rivals has widened with every mis-match since that blessed last Saturday...

We must beat Boks say Gat ‘s battlers

WALES insist their autumn campaign will be a failure unless they beat South Africa on Saturday. Warren Gatland ‘s side suffered...

Now for the Six Nations title says happy Eddie

By GARY FITZGERAL Twinkle toes: Elliot Daly crosses for England ‘s sixth try PICTURE: Getty Images EDDIE Jones insists his England...

Jackson column: How Clem Thomas seized once in a lifetime opportunity

Ahead of Wales v New Zealand, Peter Jackson recalls when Clem Thomas overcame personal tragedy

Cowan-Dickie is back and gunning for Tom Dunn’s spot in England squad

The Exeter Chief hooker adds that Rob Baxter has recruited as well as anyone

George North takes decision to leave Northampton and return home

The Saints wing will be on his way back to an undisclosed region at the end of the season

Cain column: It’s a mad, mad world as Laporte bashes Bill

By Nick Cain THE international administration of Rugby Union was left embarrassed and in abject disarray on Wednesday in London when...

Williams column: The one player who can give Wales hope against the All Blacks

Shane Williams reviews Wales' lacklustre performance against Georgia and looks ahead to the All Blacks Test

More key skills for Marcus Smith to master, says mentor Evans

After a breakout start to the season, Nick Evans cools expectations on the young Quins fly-half

Guscott column: England will improve this year, but so will the All Blacks

With Eddie Jones saying England need to play catch up with the All Blacks, Jeremy Guscott looks at their chances

Mugabe’s thugs sent Don Armand on the rugby trail

Nick Cain talks to the Exeter Chiefs back row about his upbringing in the African state and his career in rugby

Gloucester CEO keen not to lose best players after win over Saracens

Gloucester are already at work on recruitment for next season, says Stephen Vaughan

Finn Russell to leave Glasgow Warriors

The Scotland international has been linked with a move to France to join Racing 92

Wales let off as front row rule denies Georgians late chance to share spoils

By ALEX BYWATER THERE was late drama in Cardiff, Georgia coming close to stealing what would have been a famous draw...

England will improve this year, but so will All Blacks

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK Improved carrying force: Joe Launchbury took it to Australia PICTURE: Getty Images To close the...

It’s time, England, to put some stick about

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Opportunity knocks: Elliot Daly goes over for England’s opening try PICTURE: Getty Images England weren’t wildly impressed with...

Breach’s brilliant six-timer hammers Canada

By GEORGE LAWRENCE England W …79 Canada W…5 RED Roses wing Jessica Breach scored six tries on her debut as England...