Challenge Cup - News, reports, analysis and opinion

Tag: Challenge Cup

Lawrence Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Springboks

10 November 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Lawrence Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend. […]

Dream Team – Kyle Dench

6 October 2024 0 comments

Kyle Dench, the Otley head coach and former player, who also played centre for Harrogate, Yorkshire & England Counties, chooses the best XV he has […]

Val Rapava-Ruskin adds to Gloucester’s injury problems

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock George Skivington has been dealt a major early season blow as he looks to right the wrongs of the past few seasons […]

I came on against Italy and made a difference – Lee Dickson

29 September 2024 0 comments

My Life in Rugby – Lee Dickson Enjoying life: Lee Dickson playing for Northampton Saints PICTURES: Getty Images Lee Dickson the former England, Newcastle, Northampton […]

George Skivington keen to build identity

15 September 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Gloucester won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on […]

Classy Darcy wings in for Edinburgh on return from injury

15 September 2024 0 comments

■ By GARY STONE Edinburgh………33pts Tries: Graham 6, Bradbury 31, Vellacott 38, Dodd 42, Cherry 53 Conversions: Thompson 31, 38, Healy 42, 53 Gloucester …….26pts […]

Why are Ospreys letting Booth go?

15 September 2024 0 comments

TOBY Booth achieved more, far more than any other coach in Wales last season. While all around followed the example set by the national team […]

It’s an honour to sign for Cardiff-Mulder

8 September 2024 0 comments

■ By SIMON THOMAS SOUTH African scrum-half Johan Mulder says he is shocked and honoured to have been signed up by Cardiff. The 25-year-old has […]

Am I planning to hang up my boots? Hell, no!

1 September 2024 0 comments

MY LIFE IN RUGBY ALUN WALKER THE CHINNOR HOOKER, FORMERLY OF EALING, NEWCASTLE, NOTTINGHAM, EDINBURGH & SCOTLAND U20s IHAD a bad injury at the start […]

I want that winner’s medal this time around

25 August 2024 0 comments

Jon Newcombe talks to Bath back rower Miles Reid as he prepares for the new Prem season Miles Reid is saving space on his mantlepiece […]

Premier Sports to cover Champions Cup

18 August 2024 0 comments

THE Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will be shown on Premier Sports in the UK next season, with tournament organisers EPCR agreeing a three-year deal with the subscription channel.

Julian Salvi relishing his role as Georgia defence coach

4 August 2024 0 comments

Julian Salvi has never been one to shy away from a good challenge. Now he is relishing his job as Georgia’s defence coach.

Cardiff sign another scrum-half in Johan Mulder

4 August 2024 0 comments

Cardiff have announced the signing of 24-year-old South African scrum-half Johan Mulder from fellow United Rugby Championship side the Lions.

Champions Cup to stick with format

7 July 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE CEO: Jacques Raynaud Fans hoping for a return to the old four-team, six pools Champions Cup format in the halcyon Heineken days […]

Ex-England centre calls time on career

30 June 2024 0 comments

FORMER England playmaker Billy Twelvetrees has retired at the age of 35 after helping Ealing Trail-finders lift the Championship crown. The Gloucester legend played at […]

Cheika knows he will be judged on results

30 June 2024 0 comments

Leicester were once a byword for stability. Like Liverpool FC, they had a reputation for promoting from within and benefiting from a boot room that […]

Gloucesterer are facing a defining season

30 June 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES LOOKS AT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR COACH GEORGE SKIVINGTON AND CEO ALEX BROWN AT KINGSHOLM Gloucester marked their 150th anniversary last season. Celebrated […]

I was offered a NFL trial but it was too big a risk

23 June 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY IAN DAVEY THE FORMER BATH, BEDFORD, EL SALVADOR AND PERTEMPS BEES WINGER WHEN I was 16, in my first season for Colston’s, […]

Balmain agrees one-year deal with Saracens

16 June 2024 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA GLOUCESTER prop Fraser Balmain has moved to Saracens on a one-year contract. The experienced 32-year-old has played 231 matches for Gloucester and Leicester. […]

Steward: Sinfield has given me belief

9 June 2024 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Freddie Steward hopes to enjoy some Southern Hemisphere comfort after coming through what he admits has been one of the most “challenging” […]

I want to improve and be best 9 in the world

9 June 2024 0 comments

Matthew Luddington talks to Gloucester and Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney following his eye-catching campaign Stephen Varney has truly had a breakthrough season. The 23-year-old scrum-half […]

Rugby union and league unite to pay tribute to Rob Burrow

4 June 2024 0 comments

English rugby union will unite with the Rugby Football League and pay tribute to Rob Burrow with a round of applause in the seventh minute […]

Plumtree: We must sort out the logistics

2 June 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Sharks head coach John Plumtree believes the Champions Cup is the greatest club competition out there but has called for increased alignment […]

Clarke confident Gloucester can put the bad times behind them

2 June 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Gloucester will have regrets for their disappointing season that saw the Cherry & Whites finish second bottom in the Premiership for a […]

Gloucester put faith in ‘some old heads’

2 June 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES It was typical of Gloucester’s season – make that the last couple – that when they came up against a front five […]

Leinster stalwart Rhys Ruddock to retire at end of season

28 May 2024 0 comments

Leinster back rower Rhys Ruddock has confirmed he will retire from rugby at the end of the season after a decorated 15 seasons at the […]

Ludlow: Sharks took it to Test level

26 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Gloucester captain Lewis Ludlow was dejected after the defeat to the Sharks in the Challenge Cup final but is proud of his […]

Gloucester can’t live with Sharks

26 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Gloucester ………………….. 22pts Tries: Tuisue 58, Socino 76, Clarke 79 Conversions: Hastings 58, 77 Penalties: Englefield 23 Sharks …………………………. 36pts Tries: Buthelezi […]

Good to see the winners party like they meant it

26 May 2024 0 comments

BRENDAN GALLAGHER Well it was good to see the Sharks celebrate on Friday night like the European Challenge Cup really meant something to them because, […]

Try tsunami sends a mixed message

26 May 2024 0 comments

Peter Jackson looks at an increase in points scored but suggests the figures may be hiding a problem for the Premiership. Over the last seven […]

Collier fits the bill for NZ challenge

26 May 2024 0 comments

READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK England finished the Six Nations with a resurgence, but their next destination, New Zealand, is usually a Red Rose […]

You write off Saracens at your peril – Grewcock

26 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Danny Grewcock has joined Paul Sackey as the second player to be inducted into the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame for 2024 […]

Challenge Cup Final Preview – More than just a trophy on the line

23 May 2024 0 comments

The final fixture of the EPCR Challenge Cup takes place on Friday night, with Gloucester and the Sharks both desperate to put a shine on […]

Powell and Sharks looking to make European history

23 May 2024 0 comments

South African outfit the Sharks sit on the cusp of history, but Director of Rugby Neil Powell knows his team need to be at their […]

Sinckler the latest England star to link up with BaaBaas

21 May 2024 0 comments

Kyle Sinckler is the latest England star to be included in Barbarian F.C.’s squad for this summer’s Killik Cup clash against Fiji. The 31-year-old tighthead […]

Ludlow’s up for the Sharks challenge

19 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Despite suffering a 14-try whitewash last weekend and finishing second bottom in the Premiership for a second straight year, Lewis Ludlow believes […]

May: My focus is only on cup final

19 May 2024 0 comments

Jonny May made sure his final appearance at Kingsholm ended on a high and is relishing his last appearance for Gloucester in Friday’s Challenge Cup […]

Top flight losing its soul, and integrity

19 May 2024 1 comment

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK GLOUCESTER’S 90-0 capitulation to Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend reflected all that is rotten about a […]

Too many coaches taking liberties in selection

19 May 2024 0 comments

It should not be difficult to distinguish between a Premiership rugby match and a game of county cricket: one, full of nuance and subtlety, lasts […]

‘We have to manage load’

19 May 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES EXAMINES THE FALLOUT FROM GLOUCESTER’S 90-0 HIDING BY NORTHAMPTON SAINTS George Skivington has had better weeks. He knew his decision to field a […]

Stop this constant disregard for laws

12 May 2024 0 comments

LAST weekend I witnessed one of the most blatant forward passes this season. During the Challenge Cup semi-final between Gloucester and Benetton, Zach Mercer tried […]

Superior Saints go on 14-try rampage

12 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Northampton………………..90pts Tries: Furbank 1, Dingwall 12, Sleightholme 21, 56, 66; Langdon 27, 35; Mitchell 39, Waller 47, Matavesi 50, 78; Iyogun 53, […]

Tbilisi win was key – Skivington

12 May 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE George Skivington has credited the European Challenge Cup win against Black Lion in Tbilisi as the moment Gloucester turned their season around. […]

I may sell Toulon for €1 – Lemaitre

12 May 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN A matter of weeks after ProD2 strugglers Biarritz were sold for €1, Toulon owner Bernard Lemaitre suggested he might be willing […]

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 12/05/24

10 May 2024 0 comments

The Premiership returns with every team in the top seven heading into this weekend still having a chance of clinching a home semi-final, find reports from all […]

Care extends Quins stay into 19th season

8 May 2024 0 comments

Harlequins and former England scrum-half Danny Care has signed a new contract to spend a 19th season at the London club. The 37-year-old has accumulated […]

Skivington’s banking on experience next time out

5 May 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS George Skivington expects to see significant improvements within his Gloucester squad next season after a campaign he readily admits has failed to […]

Am: Chance to win silverware shows we’re on right track

5 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK The Sharks have endured an emotional rollercoaster this season but, after booking their place in the Challenge Cup final with yesterday’s sensational […]

It’ll be tough for us but we’ll meet fire with fire, says Care

5 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Toulouse vs Harlequins Today. Kick-off 3pm, Stadium de Toulouse WHEN Harlequins went to Bordeaux last month they vowed to swing the […]

Hotshot Hastings has the final say

5 May 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Gloucester ………………….. 40pts Tries: Hathaway 6, Blake 29, Hastings 58, Clarke 61, Thorley 78 Conversions: Hastings 29, 58, 61 Penalties: Hastings 19, […]

Tag: Challenge Cup

Recent Posts

Search