Wales must start planning for life after Gatland now

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND The Lions tour told us many things about Northern Hemisphere rugby. It showed our sides...

Kiwis are world class at whining, but Poite was right

NEW Zealand are not just double world champions, they are world champion whiners when refereeing decisions go against them. The furore...

Let’s draw a line under this extra time debate

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK WHAT’S wrong with a draw? Especially one that is as honourable as that...

Warriors need deputy for Hougaard

WORCESTER Warriors are trying to find a short term cover for Francois Hougaard who is expected to be miss the first...

Itoje set to become Prem’s first £1m man

Expensive! Maro Itoje MARO ITOJE will become the Premiership’s first million pound a season player after returning from the Lions tour...

McKenzie close to joining Tigers

LEICESTER TIGERS are believed to in advanced talks with All Blacks fullback Damian McKenzie about a move to Welford Road. Blindside...

ON THE BLIND SIDE

BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler ■MMA star Conor McGregor, pictured, was on a worldwide publicity tour with Flood Mayweather...

ROOM 101

JAKE POLLEDRI THE GLOUCESTER FLANKER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Girly backs Turning...

Time for Gatland to change his style

By PETER JACKSON It’s him again: Jordie Barrett breaks away to score for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders PICTURE: Getty Images...

Scots can’t moan over Lions says Maitland

By NEALE HARVEY Realist: Sean Maitland SCOTLANDwing Sean Maitland reckons his countrymen can have no complaints over a lack of Lions...

Young Gun: George Stokes – Glasgow flanker

Growing up in Spain, George Stokes always faced an uphill battle to make it as a rugby player without the professional...

Room 101: Gavin Lach – Old Elthamians director of rugby

1. Wrong club attire I’m quite old-school in that I believe a team should look as one and wear the same...

Q&A: Ex-Wallaby James Horwill goes on the record as the new Harlequins captain

New Harlequins captain James Horwill outlines his expectations for the Twickenham Stoop outfit and explains to NEALE HARVEY why the British...

Judgement: The Fox was simply outstanding in all three Tests

Player of the Tour: Wales’ Jonathan Davies, below, played every minute of the Tests and was in world class form throughout....

Saracens chairman proposes a balancing act to solve Lions/Premiership Rugby dispute

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray reckons staging Lions ‘tours’ within the British Isles would offer a radical solution to the rancorous issue...

Lionhearted Saracens won’t buckle after going for so long without a break, says Wyles

LONG-SERVING Saracens wing Chris Wyles is confident that the club’s large Lions contingent will not suffer from a post-tour hangover and...

What to know about Rugby Betting

There’s more to just knowing about the teams playing if you want to win at rugby betting - here’s what you...

Sports-Themed Slots Games

Pokies are hands-down the most popular games at any casino, whether it is land-based or online. Originally included in casinos simply...

20 Questions: Jeff Williams – bath wing

Enjoying pre-season? As much as you can enjoy pre-season I guess! I’ve started earlier than most of the squad along with...

Garces moved beyond see-no-evil culture when it comes to Kiwi misdemeanours

By Peter Jackson Sonny Bill Williams probably thought he would get away with it just as generations of All Blacks had...

Review: Slow start saw Lions move from strength to strength before springing into life

Match 1, June 3: Provincial Barbarians 7 British and Irish Lions 13 Okara Park, Whangarei, 19,951 Barely 72 hours off the...

Spencer at war with Bill Beaumont over shorter Lions tour schedule

JOHN Spencer launched an unprecedented attack on World Rugby on the eve of the Lions third Test decider against New Zealand,...

Vocal sea of red prove rugby still has its romance, says Lions legend John Taylor

It was Ian McGeechan, long before he was knighted, who said one of the most difficult things you have to come...

Ref Poite got it wrong but Warburton worked his diplomatic magic

By Shane Williams THIS WAS an incredible achievement by the Lions. I don’t understand those people who are saying it was...

Guscott column: Faletau came of age and put Read in his shadow

IT’S been one hell of a series and no-one involved with this Lions team should feel anything other than immense pride...

Sale axe drove me to suicide bid but help has helped me, admits Dan Mugford

Plymouth fly-half Dan Mugford has spoken out over how his failure to gain acceptance and win a regular first team place...

My Life in Rugby: Ben Gotting – former Wasps and Worcester hooker

To play in the 2004 Premiership final and make a significant contribution to our 10-6 win over Bath was undoubtedly a...

Peter Jackson: Finn’s brief encounter a lot longer than Lane’s!

By Peter Jackson According to official figures, Finn Russell’s fleeting role as a Lion amounted to one carry, two passes and...

Gibson quashes report suggesting he’s lost the Waratahs dressing room

Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has dismissed media reports suggesting his squad has lost faith in his methods following their 40-27...

Kyle Sinckler arrested in Auckland hours after Lions final Test

British & Irish Lions prop Kyle Sinckler was arrested by Auckland authorities in the early hours of Sunday morning following an...

Dream Team: Matt Everard – Nottingham captain

1. Simon McIntyre – I was lucky to play with him at Wasps coming through the ranks at the same time....

Crying shame there’s no fourth Test to show how great Lions could be

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Not enough time: Rhys Webb had more to offer WHAT a whirlpool of emotions it was on the...

Faletau came of age, going toe to toe with Read

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK Consistently brilliant: Taulupe Faletau IT’S been one hell of a series and no-one involved...

Slammin’ Sam finds true form in the end

Setting example: Captain Sam Warbuton got stronger throughout the series PICTURES: Getty Images NICK CAIN’S RATINGS 1. MAKO VUNIPOLA Back in...

There’s a word for this great pride of Lions – Remarkable!

From NICK CAIN at Eden Park, Auckland Unapposed: Jordie Barrett scores the All Blacks’ second try Lethal: Owen Farrell kicks a...

MY LIFEIN RUGBY

ADAM POWELL THE FORMER SARACENS, NEWCASTLE AND ENGLAND SAXONS CENTRE Inever envisaged that my career would come to an end during...

Ashton signs on to mixed reception

DAVID BARNES FRENCH COLUMN Show-off? Chris Ashton dives to score PICTURE: Getty Images The headline writers in Toulon are giving Chris...

Tough schedule no concern for Gloucester starlet

By NICK VERDIER ENGLAND U20s scrumhalf Harry Randall has defended World Rugby’s format for the Junior World Cup despite ongoing criticism...

Volavola secures Fiji’s place in Japan

FIJI qualified for the 2019 World Cup in Japan with a second-half rally to beat Tonga in their Pacific Nations Cup...

Aussie franchises await judgement

SUPER RUGBY By SAM JACKSON THE cuts have officially begun in Super Rugby, with the Cheetahs and Kings being chopped by...

YOUNG GUNS

SAM LEWIS LEICESTER LOCK Sam Lewis faced the daunting task of integrating himself into Leicester’s fearsome pack last summer but having...

Playing ‘tour’ games at home will solve problems saysWray

By NEALE HARVEY SARACENS chairman Nigel Wray reckons staging Lions ‘tours’ within the British Isles would offer a radical solution to...

Lionhearted Saracens won’t buckle

By JON NEWCOMBE Saracens Six: Super Maro Itoje and insets Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, George Kruis and new signing...

20 QUESTIONS

RICH LANE BEDFORD WING When did pre-season start for the Blues? We kicked things off on June 12 so it’s been...

Captain Horwill humbled to be leading charge for silverware

Q&A JAMES HORWILL ON THE RECORD Quins’ lion kings: Kyle Sinckler and Joe Marler PICTURES: Getty Images New Harlequins captain James...

Hooley seeks fresh start after Luamanu setback

By NEALE HARVEY FORMER Exeter fly-half Will Hooley insists he bears no malice towards Mat Luamanu despite last November’s clash with...

2017/18 Greene King IPA Championship fixtures

BRISTOL return to the competition after their short stay in the Premiership and face debutants Hartpury College in the opening round...

Hogg signs on to help Falcons’ revival

By NEALE HARVEY Veteran: Newcastle back rower Ally Hogg STALWART Newcastle back rower Ally Hogg believes the club’s startling summer transfer...

Farewell to Albie, the wonder who kept on giving

A WONDERFUL, wonderful man’ will be laid to rest this week in his 90th year, one who spent his life helping...

See-no-evil culture is shown red by Garces

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Sonny Bill Williams probably thought he would get away with it just as...