Bristol v Wasps

PREVIEW… Today. Kick-off 3pm BRISTOL are running out of time. The odds are stacked against them and they simply have to...

Wasps form key to Daly’s bid for more central role

By NICK VERDIER Coming of age: Elliot Daly in the thick of it against Northampton PICTURE: Getty Images ELLIOT Daly will...

Saracens put Conlon back on path to top via Bedford

By NEALE HARVEY SARACENS back rower Joel Conlon says he is determined to seize the day against Northampton after spending two...

Northampton v Saracens

PREVIEW… NORTHAMPTON are unlikely to make the semi-finals this year but they’re still in the hunt for a Champions Cup spot...

Hartley fired up by bid for Euro place

By NEALE HARVEY In the thick of the battle: Saints’ Dylan Hartley PICTURE: Getty Images NORTHAMPTON are out of the running...

Baxter: Home semi not a must

EXETER boss Rob Baxter, delighted with yet another bonus points win, isn’t overly bothered about his high flying Chiefs securing a...

High-flying Chiefs cash in another win bonus

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Double delight: Chiefs full-back Lachie Turner dives over for one of his scores PICTURES: Getty Images Veteran: Nick...

Don’t blame us, Pichot

AGUSTIN Pichot is banging the drum that Georgia should be allowed into the Six Nations for the good of the game....

Play it straight for game to flow

THERE is a growing concensus – at last – that the scrum, rather than being a collapse-fest in which front rows...

Sonny Bill is still king – of double standards!

Cover up: Sonny Bill with plasters over the collar logos PICTURE: Getty Images SONNY Bill Williams has a habit of cornering...

Title bid is over agrees Matson

BATH head coach Tabai Matson conceded his side’s title hopes look over. He said: “I said after last week’s game against...

Worcester hit the Gold standard to near safety

By NEALE HARVEY Tongue-twister: Francois Hougaard spins the ball out for Warriors Breakaway: Matt Banahan powers through to score BRAVE Worcester...

Eddie tells Watson to work on his kicking

By JON NEWCOMBE EDDIE JONES says Anthony Watson could be the long-term successor to Mike Brown at full-back – if he...

All Blacks will target Sexton warns Best

By NICK CAIN JOHNNY Sexton is a Lions casualty in waiting according to former England coach Dick Best. Best, who presided...

Young Gun: Aaron Hinkley – England U18s flanker

Aaron Hinkley is fully aware making it at senior level will not be a walk in the park but he reckons...

Lions Watch: locks

The giants of the second row have always loomed large in the folklore of the Lions as the driving force behind...

Shane Williams: Judgement Day – for the regions… and Wales

Wales can’t afford to let this summer’s tour pass without blooding some youngsters – and that’s why Judgement Day is going...

Evans: These backs can test my All Blacks

Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans never bets against the All Blacks, but the Kiwi strategist reckons he can name a British &...

Biljon fury as Jersey face Friday night Cup fiasco

Frustrated Jersey rugby director Harvey Biljon has blasted B&I Cup organisers for turning what should be his club’s biggest-ever day into...

Room 101: James Horwill – Harlequins lock

1. Plane pain Being a longer-limbed person – I am 6ft 6ins – I find it very annoying when the person...

CONFIRMED: Quins centre off to France

As revealed by Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper on Sunday, Matt Hopper will leave Harlequins at the end of the...

Peter Jackson: JPR’s a Wales legend but was Price even better?

Anniversaries have been all the rage of late, from the 25th of England‘s last Grand Slam double under Will Carling to...

Exeter thrive on defying the odds says Steenson

Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson reckons Rob Baxter‘s ability to outwit big-spending Premiership rivals in the transfer market is underpinning their title...

Brendan Gallagher: Willie wasn’t a wonker – he just got it wrong

Don’t blame Willie Le Roux or Danny Cipriani for that matter. Wasps‘ humbling defeat at Leinster went much deeper than an...

20 Questions: Biyi Alo – Worcester prop

How do you look back at that entertaining game at Wasps last Sunday? It must have been great to watch for...

Jeremy Guscott: Lions have the ferocity up front to shock All Blacks

It’s not long now until Warren Gatland makes the final call on what will be the biggest challenge of his coaching...

Andy Goode: Ford’s a top 10 in Europe but Tigers need to find a pack

Matt O’Connor returned to these shores this week to resume command of the club he left in 2013, which begs the...

Courtney Lawes – I’m just going to get better and better

Courtney Lawes may have looked back to his best during the Six Nations but the Saints man has warned his would-be...

My Life in Rugby: Chris Malone – former Bath, London Irish and Quins fly-half

I came to England in 2001 and had 10 great years, experiencing time at five different clubs, all of which were...

Globetrotter Francis has eyes trained on England

Super Rugby star Piers Francis is determined to challenge for an England fly-half spot when he returns from New Zealand later...

3G – sow the seeds of future success

If Saracens can become reigning double champions, and set up another Champions Cup semi-final after beating Glasgow Warriors, what can other...

Sale retain Ostrikov for two more years

Sale Sharks have announced that lock Andrei Ostrikov has signed a new two-year deal with the club. The big Russian lock...

Four arrive and Edwards pens new deal at Bristol

Ryan Edwards has signed a new contract at Bristol who have also announced the arrival of four players ahead of next...

Injury forces Marcos Ayerza to retire

Leicester Tigers and Argentina prop Marcos Ayerza has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect. The loosehead, who spent...

Dream Team: Will Owen – Rotherham centre

1. Robin Hislop – ‘Bomber’ has a solid set piece and a great work rate in the loose. He wears his...

Fletcher’s lads off to flyer against Canada

ENGLAND U18s scored nine tries as they got their international series off to a winning start at Taffs Well RFC yesterday....

Blackadder proud his boys passed the character test

BATH had to come from behind to beat Leicester yesterday and Director of rugby Todd Blackadder couldn’t have been happier. He...

Bath finally run hot with general Ford in command

Bath…27pts Tries: Joseph 21, Watson 67, 71 Conversions: Ford 22, 68 Penalties: Ford 27, 49, 68, 72 Leicester …21pts Tries: O’Connor...

Moore’s on the mend

FORMER England and Lions hooker Brian Moore is recovering in intensive care at St George’s Hospital in London after suffering a...

France’s cash crisis must be heeded say Tigers

By NEALE HARVEY LEICESTER chief executive Simon Cohen believes the on-off merger fiasco with Top 14 outfits Stade Francais and Racing...

Lions have the ferocity up front to shock All Blacks

IT’S not long now until Warren Gatland makes the final call on what will be the biggest challenge of his coaching...

DREAMTEAM

NIC GROOM, THE SAINTS AND FORMER STORMERS SCRUM-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Steven Kitshoff...

Sexton’s world class – he expects rough stuff

COLIN BOAG It’s my favourite weekend of the whole rugby season: the quarter-finals of the European cups never disappoint, and the...

Guildford display their fighting spirit

AS a supporter of Guildford I’d like to point out that their recent efforts deserve more praise than has been given....

Don’t forget who pays your bills, George

THE papers tell us that George Ford quit Bath because of his father’s sacking. Who comes first, your Dad or your...

Saracens debt is cause for concern

ARE the financial models being used by Wasps, Saracens, Bath etc. Sustainable in the long term? The Saracens accounts were formally...

Castleford still hold Solomona’s ticket

IN ALL the discussion about whether Sale Sharks winger Denny Solomona should be selected for the Lions or England, there is...

Exiles confident in-demand Venter can retain club focus

By CHRIS JONES BRENDANVenter will continue as London Irish technical director despite joining the South African coaching team as well as...

‘Mental health at risk over longer season’

BATH prop Kane Palma- Newport has blasted proposals to lengthen the English season, claiming it will increase the risk of star...

Forthcoming fixtures

It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs Week beginning Sunday, April 9th, 2017 ... Continue reading......