All posts tagged "France"
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoNick Cain: The Doyen, in whose shadow we all stand
There was a Grand Canyon of a gap in the ranks of the rugby union writers assembled at Twickenham to report...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoNick Cain: Slam these adverts into touch before it’s too late
France were in devastating form against Ireland in Paris on Thursday night, but there was a potentially more devastating force at...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoFrench turn on style to notch up half-century
■By GEORGE LAWRENCE France................50pts Tries: Drault 11, Par gade 24; Bon nard Mar tin 26, La trasse 30; Frisach 40+1; Rates...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoPeter Jackson: Trefor Evans to miss reunion for the boys of ’76
In a perfect world, Trefor Evans would be back on the big stage next weekend for the first time since he...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoAnother son follows in father’s footsteps
PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Family tie: France’s Hugo Auradou breaks through against Ireland in Paris PICTURE: Alamy...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 8 months agoBrendan Gallagher: Why it’s time to be nicer to the French
I’ve always found it odd the blind spots and prejudices that develop in sport and indeed life, the absolute determination by...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoRyan made life tough for 1953 All Blacks
ENGLAND in the mid-1950s, not unlike now, had an abundance of back row talent which probably explains why former Cambridge University...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoPaul Williams: Ospreys deserve a stay of execution
Finding yourself on rugby’s ‘death row’ is a terrifying position. Especially for Ospreys’ players, staff and the official supporters’ club.
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Features
/ 8 months agoMATTHEW BOWLER
YOUNG GUNS BRISTOL BEARS BACK Bristol back row Matthew Bowler has opted for a demanding five-month programme in South Africa to...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoDream team are back in harness
JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN THERE should be caveats and codicils – a few provisos, a couple of quid pro quos. But...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoBen Kay: Ireland look lost in Six Nations amid Bundee Aki ban and miss Johnny Sexton
World Cup winner Ben Kay believes Ireland have entered this Six Nations at a crossroads, with injuries, Bundee Aki’s suspension and...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoNew Rugby Paper Roundup: Six Nations 2026 Round 1 preview – Rassie Erasmus insight ft Ben Coles
In this week’s episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Ben Coles from The Observer...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoBen Foden’s England XV: Bring back Marcus Smith + Joe Cokanasiga
While Steve Borthwick went very early this week selecting his England team against Wales, 34-time Test full-back Ben Foden picks what...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations news: Andy Farrell makes bold decisions in his Ireland team to face France
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has left James Lowe out of his team in a series of surprise omissions for Thursday’s...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations predictions: Favourites for top tryscorer and points scorer with French on top
Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Thomas Ramos are the favourites to top the tryscorer and points scorer tables this 2026 Six Nations.
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Features
/ 8 months agoWhy this is the best chance Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has had at Six Nations glory
Just last year, it was announced that Gregor Townsend would continue as Scotland head coach until at least the end of...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations predictions: Odds for winners, Grand Slam and Triple Crown with France favourites
France enter the 2026 Six Nations as the bookies’ favourites to retain the crown - however they are not fancied to...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoJeremy Guscott: Foursome! I can’t pick out a winner for Six Nations
Based on where England have gone since the last year’s Six Nations fixture against Wales in Cardiff, and where the Welsh...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoWill Greenwood tips the ‘spiky bunch’ England for Six Nations glory
England’s “spiky bunch” are preparing to pump up the physicality and aggression in the Six Nations and lay down a real...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoLouis Lynagh: Italy will cause some damage in this year’s Six Nations
Louis Lynagh is adamant Italy are in the “perfect place” to cause some more special Six Nations tremors in the coming...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoEngland’s Ollie Chessum lands on his feet as he targets first taste of Six Nations glory
Ollie Chessum admits he took a while to get used to the England environment but is ready to scratch his Six...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoNick Cain: We don’t want these front row giants
It is dire news when a player is forced to retire due to health issues, as happened last week when France’s...
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Club Rugby
/ 8 months agoJulian Heaven prioritises Exeter Chiefs over Spain ahead of World Cup
Julian Heaven qualifies for five countries but has turned down the chance to play for Spain ahead of next year’s World...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoNick Cain: England must ditch the hype and make history
The Six Nations decision to play this season’s tournament opener between reigning champions France and Ireland in Paris on Thursday evening...
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Chris Hewett
/ 8 months agoChris Hewett: For once, a cheer for the governing classes
Rugby's governing classes have a long track record of not knowing what day of the week it is, so it is...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoPeter Jackson: Referees need to keep their distance
Behind locked doors at their camp on the Algarve, Ireland’s brains trust will have devoted more time than usual analysing the...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoMissing from big kick-off
EIGHT props will be missing from the starting grid for the Six Nations. All will be back, some later than sooner,...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 8 months agoBrendan Gallagher: Why putting your faith in data doesn’t add up
Of all the sports most ill-suited to detailed statistical analysis it strikes me that rugby union comfortably tops this list, which...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations guide – France: Fabien Galthie looking to tighten up the defences
Brendan Gallagher says France coach Fabien Galthie has eyes very much on the next World Cup
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations guide – Ireland: Andy Farrell will need to cover the cracks
Brendan Gallagher predicts a testing Six Nations campaign ahead for the men in green
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations guide – England: Steve Borthwick sets sights on a Grand Slam in Paris finale
Paul Rees says the Red Roses are building well and they know that it is now time to deliver - with...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoU20s Six Nations preview: Saracens wing Noah Caluori looks to get party started for England
England head coach Andy Titterrell believes the Prem’s top try scorer Noah Caluori can use the U20s Six Nations as another...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoRecovery is all that matters for Atonio
JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN SOMETIMES, this game of rugby that we follow, that we love, that exults and frustrates us in...
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Features
/ 8 months agoHenry heads to Newcastle
On the move: Stade Francais fly-half Zack Henry and, inset, left to right, Will Rigg, George Turner, Max Hicks and Joji...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell faces injury crisis and discipline woes
Ireland’s bid for Grand Slam glory this Six Nations will be impeded two-fold this year as Andy Farrell juggles a brace...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoNew Rugby Paper Roundup: Life inside one of rugby’s most prestigious families ft Carwyn Tuipulotu
In this week’s episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Pau No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu to...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoHugo Keenan out of Six Nations opener as Ireland’s injury list continues to grow
Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions series winner Hugo Keenan has fractured his thumb in training, which excludes him from...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoIreland star Bundee Aki dropped from Six Nations opener
Connacht and Ireland Centre Bundee Aki has been dropped from the Ireland Six Nations squad to face France on Thursday next...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoUini Atonio retires in a seismic blow to France ahead of Six Nations
France’s Six Nations preparations have been dealt a devastating blow after Uini Atonio was forced to retire with immediate effect following...
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Features
/ 8 months agoWhy England need to prove they have class, not just form ahead of the Six Nations
When Steve Borthwick took the England head coach role from Eddie Jones, the Red Rose were not in a good position.
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSix Nations preview: France v Ireland – Why this opener could determine who takes the crown
Rugby clubs, pubs and sitting rooms across six countries will find themselves far busier than usual next Thursday when France hosts...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoSteve Borthwick urges his England superstars to be a team ahead of Six Nations
Steve Borthwick has told his young guns that putting a first Six Nations title for six years ahead of personal fame...
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Columnists
/ 8 months agoNick Cain: The Grand Slam is within reach for England
Steve Borthwick’s ship is steady as she goes as England focus on winning a Six Nations Grand Slam for the first...
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Features
/ 8 months agoPaul Rees: All Blacks on the hunt for a redeemer like Rassie Erasmus
Paul Rees looks at the problems facing New Zealand rugby and why that led to Scott Robertson's dismissal.
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoDupont returns but no Penaud
FRANCE’S all-time top try-scorer Damian Penaud is a shock omission from the defending champions’ Six Nations squad ahead of their opener...
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International Rugby
/ 8 months agoUlster skipper Iain Henderson is left out of Ireland squad but Andy Farrell remains confident
Ulster captain Iain Henderson has been left out of Ireland’s squad for the Six Nations. The second row, 33, made his...
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Chris Hewett
/ 8 months agoChris Hewett: No Damien Penaud? That’s what I call bizarre
There are those who believe that Fabien Galthie, the extravagantly bespectacled head coach of France, should order himself a new pair...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoTalented duo who shared the same dream
PETER JACKSON HUGH Morris, below, grew up in the Seventies hoping to play No.10 for Wales at Cardiff Arms Park and...
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Champions Cup
/ 8 months agoChampions Cup & Challenge Cup: Nine British teams make it through to Round of 16
Bath will host Saracens in the Champions Cup Round of 16, while Harlequins have earned a home tie against Sale Sharks...
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Latest News
/ 8 months agoFender off to France
JAMES Fender will leave Ospreys at the end of the season to join French ProD2 side Grenoble on a two-year deal...













