Read leads fight against rise of the machines

Kieran Read stands out in a land of giants for a reason other than his status as leader of the best...

Patience paid for them – Deano

FALCONS’ boss, Dean Richards, paid tribute to Exeter and said: “They are very good side, who are incredibly patient, as they...

Short’s double puts Chiefs a point off top

By ROGER PANTING JAMES Short moved to the top of the Premiership try-scoring chart with another two as Exeter maintained the...

We’ve got to get it right in contact area to stop Gloucester says Gaskell

By NICK VERDIER WASPS have no match when it comes to scoring points in the Premiership but James Gaskell would like...

Kingston: It’s just top six left for us

HARLEQUINS boss John Kingston is adamant his side are out of the race for the Premiership playoffs. With only six games...

their teeth to tear apart Quins’ proud home record

Tigers show By NICK VERDIER LEICESTER, despite all their troubles this season, are again in contention for the playoffs after forcing...

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Court case against Sale’s Solomona set to be adjourned

AN out-of-court settlement could be on the cards as Rugby League club Castleford’s legal action against Denny Solomona looks set to...

I thought it was the end of my career admits Arscott

By JON NEWCOMBE YORKSHIRE Carnegie signing Tom Arscott feared he was “damaged” goods and might never play professionally again after his...

Mallinder: Next two games are massive

NORTHAMPTON director of rugby Jim Mallinder is hoping that his team can build some momentum after moving into the European Champions...

Resilient Warriors fall short of a vital bonus

By COLIN NEWBOULT In the thick of it: Saints try-scorer Teimana Harrison PICTURES: Getty Images On the charge: Worcester centre Wynand...

It’ll be furious from the start as derby fervour

By NICK VERDIER NICK FENTON-WELLS has no doubt Bristol can avoid relegation but time is running out and he knows a...

Diamond: We just weren’t up to it

STEVE Diamond was in a light-hearted, smiling mood for once despite the defeat. Having spent a rare match perched in a...

CLOSE-UP

NATHAN EARLE DENNY SOLOMONA Denny Solomona has been the talk of the Premiership of late for varying reasons, but mainly due...

Champions kick-start their bid for top spot

By GARY FITZGERALD MARK McCall breathed a huge sigh of relief after his champions rediscovered the art of winning by sweeping...

DREAMTEAM

STEVE BODEN, THE CARNEGIE COACH & FORMER JERSEY HOOKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Tom...

Nothing very super about Super Rugby

COLIN BOAG The Super Rugby season has started and the SANZAR chief executive have come out slugging, claiming that this competition...

RFU must not forget the grassroots game

AS a proud Cornishman I read with incredulity Neale Harvey’s article about the RFU’s potential “cost cutting” measures which could see...

Why persist with a team who clearly aren’t up to task?

THE escalating debate concerning the future of the Six Nations tournament seems to miss the most obvious solution – go back...

Deano is the key to Newcastle success

WHAT brilliant news that Newcastle have made such stellar signings for next season. Maxime Mermoz is a quality addition and a...

Diamond banned for six weeks

SALE director of rugby Steve Diamond pleaded guilty to abusing a match official and has been given a six-week touchline ban....

Sharks suffer a hammer blow with Addison injury

By JON NEWCOMBE SALE centre Will Addison looks set to miss the remainder of the season after breaking bones in his...

Backline trio extend deals at Sandy Park

Staying: Campagnaro EXETER Chiefs will announce this afternoon that they have agreed new deals with three more players to remain at...

Bristol join battle to land Madigan

Premiership bound? Ian Madigan BRISTOL are looking to make a late bid to hijack Northampton Saints £500,000 a year move for...

Warriors’ midfield maestro in demand

WORCESTER Warriors are dithering over offering Ryan Mills a new deal and it could open the door for a move to...

ON THE BLIND SIDE

BY NEILFISSLER ■GLOUCESTER are continuing to monitor Bristol’s highly rated full-back Jason Woodward, who could quit the club if they are...

ROOM 101

TED STAGG THE CALDY HOOKER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Littering I just...

Vickerman tragedy is a warning to all of rugby

DAN Vickerman’s death at the age of 37 is a reminder that being an admired and highly successful professional rugby player...

Farrell’s burst through that world class barrier

OWEN Farrell was part of an England squad that, a year ago, Eddie Jones believed did not have a single world-class...

Wales hit back with record victory in Scotland

Scotland U20 34pts Tries: Dobb 36, Renwick 38, Hunter-Hill 46, Simmers 58, Nairn 69, 80 Conversions: Eastgate 39, Henderson 59 Wales...

Irish survive late flurry to keep alive Slam hopes

Ireland U20 27 France U20 22 IRELAND U20s resisted a second-half fight back to beat France and keep their Grand Slam...

Zach leads from front as England power on

By SAM JACKSON Captain fantastic: Zach Mercer, left, celebrates scoring his try PICTURE: Getty Images England U20 46pts Italy U20 0pts...

Law steps up to seal historic victory

Scotland W 15 Wales W 14 SARAH Law kicked a late penalty to see Scotland beat Wales and secure their first...

Ireland will be tested without Sevens stars

PREVIEW… Ireland v France Today. Kick-off 12.45pm IRELAND’S unbeaten record will be tested to the full today with head coach Tom...

Fleet-footed Vicky stars with hat-trick

By GEORGE LAWRENCE Central figure: Vicky Fleetwood is congratulated on her hat-trick PICTURE: Getty Images TEAMS ENGLAND: McKenna; Wilson- Hardy, Scarratt,...

England must be aiming to score 60 points at least

Rapier speed: Elliot Daly could get a late run at full-back PICTURE: Getty Images EDDIE Jones avoided the total reboot of...

Warburton slams the ‘missed chances’

By GARY HEATLEY SAM WARBURTON Bemoaned a lack of accuracy after the interval that let Scotland score 20 points to win...

Danny boy determined to put heat on O’Shea

By GARY FITZGERALD DANNY Care has backed his old Quins boss Conor O’Shea to win his struggle to be an Italian...

Young Gun: Will Butler – England U20s centre

Will Butler faced a race against the clock to be fit for the Six Nations but he is now looking to...

Te’o to make first England start against Italy

Ben Te’o will make his first England start against Italy in the third round of the Six Nations outside Owen Farrell...

Jeff Probyn: ‘Periodisation’ is a training concept from years back

With the first break in the Six Nations upon us, it gives the chance to look back at what is the...

Brendan Gallagher remembers the 1977 Lions tour

History has not been kind to the 1977 Lions and, coming after the triumphs of 1971 and 1974, they were, perhaps,...

Chris Cracknell battling to avoid the scrapheap

Former Fiji 7s coach Chris Cracknell fears he may have to quit rugby after failing to find work following last August’s...

Room 101: Billy Burns – Gloucester scrum-half

1. Hoovering My girlfriend may disagree but I like to think I do my fair share of tidying up. One thing...

Mercer to captain England U20s against Italy

Bath teenage sensation No.8 Zach Mercer will captain England U20s against Italy as they chase their third win of the tournament....

Steve Diamond hit with six-week ban

Steve Diamond has been banned for six weeks for verbally abusing the match officials after Sale‘s Anglo-Welsh Cup game against Harlequins...

JJ dropped by England 

England have dropped Jonathan Joseph ahead of their Six Nations clash against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday. Eddie Jones has retained...

Nick Cain: O’Driscoll is on the case to find any Kiwi flaws

When it comes to the lengths New Zealand will go to turn over the Lions there are none with better first-hand...

Peter Jackson: No excuses, Rob, you did get it wrong over Moriarty

During the wash-up over the raging tidal wave of emotions unleashed in Cardiff all week, Wales found it necessary to deny...

Bath reap benefits from Cheika snub with Ben Tapuai

Ben Tapuai admits leaving Australia left him “scared” but says a fresh start was necessary after being snubbed by Wallabies boss...