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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, […]

Series 3, Episode 36: Ruan Ackermann on Prem weekend, residency rules and EPCR semis

30 April 2024 0 comments

Following a pivotal weekend of Gallagher Premiership action – not without its controversies – Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain are joined by Gloucester […]

Baxter: “We are overachieving” this season

29 April 2024 0 comments

Rob Baxter praised his young side’s competitive edge and their ability to learn from mistakes after their comfortable victory against Gloucester. “We probably are overachieving […]

Skivington looking for players to prove themselves

28 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Dasher: Josh Hathaway GEORGE Skivington has told his players ahead of today’s clash with Exeter at Kingsholm that they may have nothing […]

Kok hat-trick swings nail-biter Sharks’ way

28 April 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS Scarlets …………27pts Tries: Elias 18, Mathias 51, Nicholas 76 Conversions: Costelow 19, 52, 77 Penalties: Costelow 3, 9 Sharks ……………32pts Tries: Kok […]

Record crowds flock to matches

28 April 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON – FRENCH COLUMN More people than ever are flocking through the turnstiles of Top 14 and ProD2 matches, according to figures published by […]

Sorrell pleased to see English clubs stand up

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Despite their fierce London rivalry with Harlequins, Saracens backs coach Kevin Sorrell is pleased two Premiership sides reached the last four of […]

Saracens get back in the old routine

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Saracens …………………….. 46pts Tries: Parton 7, 12, 20; McFarland 41, Willis 56, Hartley 62, Cinti 65 Conversions: Farrell 8, 13; Manu Vunipola […]

Long wait for away win goes on for Dragons

21 April 2024 0 comments

By SIMON THOMAS Benetton………..36pts Tries: Smith 7, Lucchesi 30, Uren 35, Ratave 45, Iachizzi 71, Lamaro 75 Conversions: Albornoz 8, 36, Umaga 76 Dragons………….19pts Tries: […]

Outsiders aiming for a place in the final

21 April 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees looks ahead to the Champions Cup semi-finals where Quins and Saints are facing an uphill battle BEFORE this season’s Champions Cup started, there […]

Premiership previews: Round 15

19 April 2024 0 comments

The Gallagher Premiership returns this week after a two-week Champions/Challenge Cup hiatus, and with teams second through to eighth all on eight wins and separated […]

Another barmy idea from the men in suits

14 April 2024 0 comments

The Ministry of Silly Walks was a Monty Python sketch which lampooned bureaucratic inefficiency. Rugby Union requires something similar to shame the unaccountable administrators turning […]

Sharks too strong for ordinary Edinburgh

14 April 2024 0 comments

By BRYN PALMER Sharks ……………36pts Tries: Am 16, J Venter 26, Mbonambi 55 Conversions: Masuku 17, 27, 56 Penalties: Masuku 48, 52, 65, 70; Bosch […]

On-target Carreras makes no mistake

14 April 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Gloucester ………23pts Tries: Blake 30 Penalties: Carreras 6, 18, 34, 49, 60, 65 Ospreys…………… 13pts Tries: Giles 13 Conversions: O Williams 13 […]

Murphy promises new focus after Ulster are demolished by Clermont

14 April 2024 0 comments

By JOHN FALLON Clermont………..53pts Tries: Yato 18, 68, Sowakula 36, 60, Newsome 44, Simmons 64, Jurand 80 Conversions: Belleau 19, 37, 45, 61, 65, Bezy […]

Connacht know they must rise to the occasion

14 April 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON PREVIEW… Benetton v Connacht Today. Kick-off 12.30pm CONNACHT know they will have to go up a gear to see off Benetton today. […]

Pienaar heads the list for Europe’s golden oldies

14 April 2024 0 comments

In the course of wheeling their way into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals last weekend against the Cheetahs, the Michelin Men of Clermont brought a somewhat […]

Quirke has his heart set on return to England fold

7 April 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN McGILLIGAN Most Mancunians aspire to represent Manchester for either United or City – but this never enticed a young Raffi Quirke. The 22-year-old […]

Ulster set for massive fight

7 April 2024 0 comments

Preview Montpellier v Ulster Today. 12.30pm ULSTER interim head coach Richie Murphy says a ‘massive test’ awaits in Montpellier. Ulster have lost their last two […]

Clermont survive second-half scare

7 April 2024 0 comments

Clermont ……..27 Cheetahs …….22 ■By BEN JAYCOCK THREE-TIME Challenge Cup winners Clermont held off a Cheetahs fightback to earn a place in the last eight. […]

Umaga stars for 14-man Benetton

7 April 2024 0 comments

Benetton ……..27 Lions ……………. 17 ■By SAM JACKSON THE Lions were booted out of the Challenge Cup by a Benetton side that played half the […]

Sisi leads way on 100th appearance

7 April 2024 0 comments

Preview Sharks v Zebre Today. 3pm DAVID Sisi captains Zebre on his 100th appearance for the club as the Italian side hope to secure a […]

TV deal to break €500m barrier

7 April 2024 0 comments

FRENCH COLUMN – JAMES HARRINGTON France’s Ligue Nationale de Rugby hopes to pocket more than half-a-billion euros, after launching a call for tenders for Top […]

Premier Sports is set to get back to ‘business as usual’

7 April 2024 0 comments

IRELAND-BASED sports broadcaster Premier Sports makes its long-expected return to British EPGs on Tuesday April 9, after its buyout of Viaplay’s UK sports broadcast arm […]

Borthwick now spoilt for choice at 15, says Piutau

1 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Charles Piutau feels England’s decision to drop Freddie Steward in favour of George Furbank at full-back shows the embarrassment of riches Steve […]

We’ll pick our best team for Exeter, says Bath coach

31 March 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Bath will pick their strongest available side at Exeter in Saturday’s Champions Cup last 16 with head coach Johann van Graan billing […]

Bears battle back to subdue Gloucester

31 March 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Gloucester ………………….. 24pts Tries: Hathaway 10, Carreras 18, McBurney 21 Conversions: Carreras 11, 19, 22 Penalty: Carreras 33 Bristol ………………………….. 33pts Tries; […]

O’Flaherty: We need to learn from our inquest

31 March 2024 0 comments

■By JON NEWCOMBE Sale Sharks vExeter Chiefs PREVIEW… Today. Kick-off 3pm, Salford Community Stadium SALE’S players had good old northern, say it how it is, […]

Morris finds his form to help Ospreys see off Lions

31 March 2024 0 comments

■By SIMON THOMAS Ospreys …………36pts Tries: Botha 5, Parry 17, Morris 49, Lloyd 58, K Williams 80 Conversions: O Williams 18, 50, 59, Walsh 80 […]

Relegation saga still a shadow over game

24 March 2024 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK There is so much that makes so little sense in the English club game. Nothing made this […]

All set for a race to the finish

17 March 2024 0 comments

With the Premiership resuming next weekend, Paul Rees looks at how the runners and riders are gearing up The Premiership resumes this week after an […]

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