Tired old start but, boy, did these Lions spring to life

BRENDAN GALLAGHER reviews the last five weeks and picks out his big winners and losers Match 1, June 3: Provincial Barbarians...

Ex-pat Brit Maurice is now NZRU president

MAURICE Trapp is one of the more intriguing characters on this Lions tour. This is not just because he is has...

Spencer at war with Beaumont over shorter Lions tour schedule

Nick Cain talks to Lions manager John Spencer about the future of the touring side World Rugby chairman: Bill Beaumont Together:...

I suspect Gatland feared the Lions would lose this one

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Tough call: Jerome Kaino wraps up Alun Wyn Jones after catching him...

Dream come true to wear this jersey says Itoje

LIONS skipper Warburton joked he was “getting ready for extra time” but a draw was “better than losing”. He said: “Both...

Sing-a-long fans show rugby still has romance

John Taylor, a hero of the 1971 tour, finds thousands of reasons to be cheerful in Eden Park Tributes: Tadhg Furlong...

Lions win the song contest

THE reluctance of New Zealand crowds to get behind their team has always been a problem. So, knowing how vocal the...

Machete menace in ref rage

TOUCHLINE abuse has reached new heights in the Solomon Islands. Kiwi policeman and rugby referee Kevin Folau, part of the peace-keeping...

Demands for tit-for-tat bans simply clap-trap!

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK Take a bow Jerome Garces for bucking the trend of referees turning a...

Whitelock fancies another crack at Lions in November

ALL Blacks second row Samuel Whitelock admitted he’d be interested in a possible rematch with the British & Irish Lions after...

Ref Poite was wrong, but Sam handled him so well

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND HIS WAS an incredible achievement by the Lions. I don’t understand those people who are...

Pub talk

Breakfast in the local… a light-hearted look at how the Lions unite the country You wouldn’t say there was an air...

Wow, what an epic as Lions hold their nerve!

From NICK CAIN IN Aukland OWEN FARRELL explained how he had kept cool to land the 47 metre penalty that earned...

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...