RUGBY MATTERS
A weekly look at the game’s other talking points
BRENDAN GALLAGHER

AS England A crank back into action today against Portugal A after an eight-year break – they were called the Saxons back in 2016 when they logged up a notable 2-0 series win over South Africa A – it’s hard for the modern generation to appreciate what an integral part of the international weekend these fixtures used to be.
No Five Nations and, for a short while, Six Nations weekend was complete without the opening salvos between two nations’ second string sides and the games had their own atmosphere.
Travelli...