Jenkins ramps up pressure on Barrett

By NICK VERDIER BEAUDEN Barrett might be the best player in the world but his goal kicking could be the All...

Mistake to pick Marler over Evans says Cotton

By PETER JACKSON THELions have made a mistake by failing to pick Wales loosehead Rob Evans, according to the only prop...

Richards: RFU must bring in Championship age cap

London Scottish head coach Peter Richards reckons the Championship is failing English player development and says squad age limits are the...

TEAMS: European cups semi-finals

Champions Cup Munster v Saracens Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Jaco Taute, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams; Dave...

Munster v Saracens: Pedigree is there for a classic Euro showdown

It’s 18 years since Saracens first met Munster in Europe in a double header that still ranks alongside any clash in...

Jeff Probyn: Stars past their sell-by dates weren’t going to save Bristol

With just three games left to play, the desperation of the clubs at the bottom of the Premiership can hardly be...

Wigglesworth staying on for more trophy success

Influential Sarries scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth has revealed his devotion to winning persuaded him to turn down big money offers from France....

Nick Cain: Sonny Bill is still king – of double standards!

Sonny Bill Williams has a habit of cornering the headlines when it comes to Antipodean rugby – whether Union or League...

Shane Williams: Anscombe excellence left Sam in the shade

Judgement Day was a chance for some of Wales‘ best players to book their place on summer tours and while some...

Hartley to captain England in Argentina

Dylan Hartley will captain England for their tour to Argentina after being left out of the Lions squad. The Northampton hooker,...

All-rounder Farrell reminds McCaw of legend Carter

Richie McCaw believes Owen Farrell is turning into a Northern Hemisphere version of Dan Carter. McCaw, a double World Cup-winning captain,...

Sam Warburton “humbled and proud” to be Lions captain again

Sam Warburton has been confirmed as the British & Irish Lions captain for the second Tour in a row. Warburton will...

OFFICIAL: British and Irish Lions squad announced

The British and Irish Lions squad to tour New Zealand this summer has been announced today. For the second successive tour, head...

Peter Jackson: Dylan must hope Lions history isn’t repeated

The Lions leave the England captain at home, pick his Irish counterpart instead for the series in New Zealand and end...

Cole: Challenge of Sinckler forcing me to be a better player

England stalwart Dan Cole reckons the sound of thundering heels from young tight-head pretender Kyle Sinckler will ensure he never drops...

Take 45 players to New Zealand, you’re going to need all of them!

The 2017 Lions must go to New Zealand mob-handed – and only heavy hitting hard nuts need apply. That is the...

Lions watch: back rows

New Zealand have been kings of the contest for the ball in the loose for as long as anyone can remember,...

Jeremy Guscott: Alun-Wyn will be Lions leader…or maybe Conor!

Who should Warren Gatland pick as captain? It is one of the most difficult   selections the 2017 Lions head coach will...

Young: Gold standard Launchbury a Lions must

Dai Young would be “hugely disappointed” to see Joe Launchbury left out of the Lions squad tomorrow and he reckons Wasps...

Evans to retire at the end of the season

Nick Evans has today announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season. Joining Harlequins in 2008,...

Dream Team: Nic Groom – Northampton scrum-half

1. Steven Kitshoff – We started at the same time at the Stormers and he’s got a great work rate. He’s...

Diamond fumes at Foley’s late call

STEVE Diamond once again aimed his wrath in the direction of referee Tom Foley as his side lost 39-30 to Gloucester...

Humphreys hails fighting spirit after Gloucester close it out

By GARY FITZGERALD Double trouble: Tom Marshall scores the opening try for Gloucester, the first of his pair PICTURES: Getty Images...

O’Connor: Lions have to pick Youngs

RETURNING Leicester head coach Matt O’Connor said there is no way the Lions selectors can afford to leave Ben Youngs behind...

Impressive Tigers go back to their basics

By NICK CAIN Try scorer: Leicester’s Ben Youngs scores with a fine solo run Try saver: Vereniki Goneva is tackled by...

Alun-Wyn will be Lions leader… or maybe Conor!

Top candidate: Wales second row Alun-Wyn Jones PICTURE: Getty Images WHO should Warren Gatland pick as captain? It is one of...

DREAMTEAM

ALEX CROCKETT, THE FORMER BATH AND NEWCASTLE CENTRE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. David Flatman...

Nigel’s latest one-liner leaves this viewer cold

COLIN BOAG No laughing matter: Nigel Owens yellow cards Dan Fish of Cardiff Blues There was an interesting spat between former...

Bishop’s poised to make more history

BISHOP’S Stortford’s steady progress over the last 15 to 20 years within the whole club could see them further rewarded on...

Gatland’s million dollar question: Is it Sexton or Farrell?

AT LAST, after months and months of speculation Warren Gatland is poised to announce his Lions squad for New Zealand… what...

RIP David Perry, a giant of the game

SAD news to hear the loss of former England and Bedford captain David Perry from our ranks. I served with him...

Confident Cowan-Dickie targeting England place

By NEALE HARVEY DYNAMIC Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has declared himself fit to underline his worth for England on this summer’s...

Young: Gold standard Launchbury a Lions must

By NIC VERDIER Supporter: Dai Young Form: Joe Launchbury DAI Young would be “hugely disappointed” to see Joe Launchbury left out...

Challenge of Sinckler is bringing best out of Cole

By NEALE HARVEY Young rival: Kyle Sinckler England stalwart: Dan Cole driving the ball into the Scottish defence PICTURE: Getty Images...

Clifford set for surgery

RUGBYSHORTS HARLEQUINS back row Jack Clifford has been ruled out of the rest of the season as he requires surgery on...

Crossword

ACROSS 1. 24-year old 6’9” S.Africa lock - Springboks Players Player of 2016 (2,5) 7. New Zealand ITM Cup region with...

Ref boss to blow time

RUGBYSHORTS ED MORRISON, the independent referee appointments commissioner for the PRO12, will retire at the end of the season. Morrison arrived...

Cockerill has eyes on another title bid

DAVID BARNES FRENCH COLUMN Richard Cockerill, winner of three Premiership titles with Leicester, has the unexpected vision of another lustrous trophy...

Diamond raid for Tarus and Ross from France

By NICK VERDIER TRANSFER WRAP SALE Sharks have bolstered their back row options with the signing of South African Jono Ross,...

YOUNG GUNS

RORY MCMICHAEL SCOTLAND U18’S CENTRE The journey to professional rugby can be a treacherous one for youngsters trying to break through,...

Kidwelly prove they are best of the west

By JAMES LLOYD SWALEC Division One round-up KIDWELLYwere crowned kings in the West as they beat Aberystwyth 27-26 in a thriller....

Wales legend Williams set to star for boyhood club

By JAMES LLOYD WRU Bowl Final PREVIEW…Amman United v Caerphilly Today. Kick-off 1pm AMMAN United captain Sean Mangan is hoping Shane...

Scrivens to follow his father’s footsteps at Cardiff

By ALEX BYWATER WRU Plate Final PREVIEW…Penallta v Ystalyfera Today. Kick-off 3.15pm PENALLTA hope Joseph Scrivens can top his father’s record...

Jones dares Gogs to dazzle on big occasion

By JAMES LLOYD PREVIEW…Pontypridd v RGC 1404 Today. Kick-off 5.35pm RGC 1404 head coach Mark Jones reckons it will be a...

Bulls write an unlikely script to keep hopes alive

By DAN JONES Neath …29 Bargoed …36 BARGOED performed their own version of the Great Escape as they overturned a 19-point...

Wizards pull a rabbit out of the hat to seal victory

By ROB COLE Principality Premiership Llandovery …27 Aberavon…30 REPLACEMENT hooker Ieuan Davies was the toast of Aberavon after he conjured up...

British Rugby

SWALEC Championship Bedlinog …12 Pontypool …31 PONTYPOOL put the final stamp on their National Championship title as they made it 21...

Stars past their sell-by dates weren’t going to save Bristol

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME JEFF PROBYN With just three games left to play, the desperation of the clubs...

20 QUESTIONS

STEVE HILL RICHMOND DIRECTOR OF RUGBY How about that for a first season in the Championship? The boys were desperate to...

Beauden brilliance saves Hurricanes

By SAM JACKSON BEAUDEN BARRETT produced a masterclass performance, albeit with another yellow card, to get the Hurricanes home 28- 24...