Young Gun: Jacob Atkins – London Irish fly-half

Mistakes can be costly in professional rugby but fly-half Jacob Atkins reckons embracing his is the reason behind his storming season...

Nick Cain: Lions should have taken 45 players in first place

Replacement strategies are becoming the bane of Lions tours, as the furore around the ‘Geography Six’ – the late call-ups to...

Saili adds potency to Quins’ midfield blend

Harlequins head coach Mark Mapletoft insists Jamie Roberts still has a big future at the club and expects the 96-cap Wales...

Room 101: Phil Boulton – Coventry captain

1. Pointless pets I’m a dog and cat owner and I don’t understand why anyone would want to have any other...

Aaron Morris extends his contract with Harlequins

Junior World Champion full-back Aaron Morris has extended his contract with Harlequins. Joining Harlequins from Saracens in 2016, Morris, 22, made...

Shane Williams: Sexton and Farrell are certain to get better and better playing together

It was a privilege to be in Wellington to watch this thriller of a game; it was right up with the...

Jeff Probyn: One match to go, and these Lions could end up legends

With the mid-week games over and just one game to go, I am already suffering from Lions fatigue and can’t wait...

Same players trusted by Lions ahead of Series decider

The British & Irish Lions have named an unchanged starting line-up and bench for the decisive third Test against New Zealand...

Three changes for All Blacks and Read to win 100th Cap in decider

All Blacks captain Kieran Read will win his 100th Test cap in the Series decider against the British and Irish Lions...

Dennis: Proof is there, tries win you trophies!

Exeter star Dave Dennis reckons a change in attacking mindset throughout Premiership rugby has boosted England‘s chances of lifting the 2019...

20 Questions: Dougie Flockhart – Doncaster wing

Back in training yet? We’ve been back for a week now. We’re trying to ease the players in gently so I...

Odds aren’t in favour of British & Irish Lions in next All Blacks game

In an interview before the match on Saturday, 24th June, Harry Ellis praised Warren Gatland‘s talent as a coach and injected...

Brendan Gallagher: As the pressure ramped up, so cool Gatland kept his nerve

This Test was not only a compelling thriller which instantly claims its place in Lions folklore but a game which neatly...

Jeremy Guscott: Lions prove they have stomach for the battle

To beat an All Blacks side that have lost only six games since the World Cup in 2011 – and not...

Richmond captain Warden on full alert for next test of endurance 

Richmond retained their Championship status last season but club captain Will Warden reckons doing so again will pose a greater challenge....

My Life in Rugby: Tom Johnson – former England and Exeter flanker

I was a bag of nerves before my first Test against South Africa in 2012. Geoff Parling told me afterwards that...

Harlequins rising star pens new contract

Harlequins have received a big boost ahead of next season with the news that highly-rated centre Joe Marchant has extended his...

BT Sport wins exclusive European rugby TV rights

BT Sport has secured the rights to screen the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in the United Kingdom and Ireland from...

Kieran Longbottom heads back to Saracens

Saracens have announced the return of prop Kieran Longbottom to the club ahead of next season. With news that Titi Lamositele...

Ben Glynn joins Harlequins

Harlequins have confirmed that former Bristol second row Ben Glynn has joined the club as injury dispensation cover for Sam Twomey....

Salary cap cheats cost Northampton trophies

Outgoing Northampton chief executive Allan Robson admits he will always remain bitter over instances of salary cap abuse that he claims...

As the pressure ramped up, so cool Gatland kept his nerve

Big impact: Courtney Lawes BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT This Test was not only a compelling thriller which instantly claims its place in...

Lions prove they have stomach for the battle

That was more like it: Taulupe Faletau JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK To beat an All Blacks side that have...

Lions fans recogniseItoje is the real deal

LIONS STAR MAN Our hero: Fans mob Maro Itoje after the victory PICTURES: Getty Images NICK CAIN’S RATINGS 1. MAKO VUNIPOLA...

Lions find their soul to take a mighty step on road to glory

New Zealand 21pts Penalties: Barrett 20, 32, 36, 48, 54, 58, 67 British & Irish Lions 24pts Tries: Faletau 60, Murray...

Lambie career in jeopardy

PATRICKLambie will not play rugby again this year because of an on-going concussion issue. The 26-year-old Sharks and Springbok fly-half has...

Warriors set to benefit from Vesty’s summer exchange

One more mighty match and these Lions could be legends By NEALE HARVEY SAM Vesty is ready to take a chunk...

Teague itching for hands-on role with Bordeaux

NEWS EXTRA By NICK VERDIER RORY Teague is looking forward to the daily grind of club rugby after confirming he will...

Now beat All Blacks, Noves is ordered

FRENCH COLUMN DAVID BARNES French Federation president Bernard Laporte has imposed an ultimatum on manager Guy Noves with a barelyveiled threat...

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

■GREAT Britain beat Sweden 49-41 to win the European Wheelchair Rugby Championship in Koblenz, Germany. The victory makes Great Britain the...

Newcastle star nips over for late winner

Tonga 30 Samoa 26 TONGA celebrated their first home Test in eight years with a nail-biting win over Samoa in the...

Gelant glides in for his hat-trick

By NICK VERDIER Talent: Warrick Gelant PICTURE: Getty Images FULL-BACK Warrick Gelant scored three tries as the Bulls put in their...

YOUNG GUNS

GEORGE STOKES GLASGOW FLANKER Growing up in Spain, George Stokes always faced an uphill battle to make it as a rugby...

Geech gets the all clear

SIR Ian McGeechan is out of hospital after collapsing in Wellington ahead of Lions second Test. The four-time Lions head coach,...

Alun Wyn joins the exclusive three-tour win club

By ROB COLE ALUN-Wyn Jones has joined the most exclusive band of British & Irish Lions after helping the tourists level...

Dennis: Proof is there, tries win you trophies!

By NEALE HARVEY Try threat: Jack Nowell elebates his try in the final against Wasps PICTURE: Getty Images EXETER star Dave...

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...

PREMIERSHIP PLAYERS BORN IN ZIMBABWE/RHODESIA

DON ARMAND (Exeter Chiefs, flanker – 59 appearances, 8 tries) Man-of-the-match in the 2017 Premiership Final and an England tourist to...

Zimbabwe’s proud production line just champion at Chiefs

Jon Newcombe catches up with Kai Horstmann, one of three teak tough Zimbabweans at Exeter Harare three: Kai Horstmann, left, with...

2017-18 pre-season fixtures

It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs Friday August 4 Clermont v Exeter Saturday August 5...

Codling: Scrapping play-offs will not deter ambition at Trailfinders

EALING head coach Alex Codling describes the RFU’s decision to scrap the Championship play-offs as a “crying shame” but insists it...

Warden on full alert for next test of endurance

By NICK VERDIER RICHMOND retained their Championship status last season but club captain Will Warden reckons doing so again will pose...

Cavalry arrives to cover Williams

TRANSFER WRAP SCARLETS have bolstered their backline to replace Saracens-bound Liam Williams with the signing of five players including former teen...

Ford off to pursue American Dream

BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler New challenge: Mike Ford MIKE FORD could be in line to become the next...

Bath join hunt for Springbok ace Kriel

BATH are believed to have held talks with Springbok flanker Jaco Kriel, who has also been linked with a switch to...

ROOM 101

THE OLD ELTHAMIANS DIRECTOR OF RUGBY TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND GAVIN LACH 1....

Aussies in freefall but Coetzee’s putting bums back on seats for Springboks

BACKin 2001 when the Wallabies followed their second World Cup success by coming from behind to beat Martin Johnson’s Lions, the...

Finn’s brief encounter a lot longer than Lane’s!

THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW PETER JACKSON According to official figures, Finn Russell’s fleeting role as a Lion amounted to...

New dawn at Cov under Winter’s rule

WHILE Wasps are basking in the success of their move to the Ricoh Arena, Jon Newcombe finds that Coventry RFC are...

MY LIFEIN RUGBY

THE FORMER WASPS, WORCESTER, LONDON SCOTTISH & LONDON WELSH HOOKER BEN GOTTING To play in the 2004 Premiership final and make...