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School time is over, says Will Rowlands

3 November 2024 0 comments

By Rob Cole Will Rowlands says “school time is over” for Warren Gatland’s Welsh squad and it is now time to get back to winning […]

Strong scrums must be rewarded – Adam Jones

3 November 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Adam Jones has called on the lawmakers to ensure sides with a strong scrum are rewarded amid rising fears throughout the rugby […]

France have talent to spare

3 November 2024 0 comments

ON the face of it – and, indeed, at the heart of it – a back row combination of Charles Ollivon (a former captain of […]

Galthie turns his sights to the future

3 November 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Not wanted: Charles Ollivon has been omitted from the France squad by coach Fabien Galthie PICTURES Getty Images FRANCE head coach […]

Tuipulotu steps up for Scotland

27 October 2024 0 comments

GREGOR Townsend has named centre Sione Tuipulotu as captain for the autumn Tests against South Africa, Australia, Fiji and Portugal, while his brother Mosese has […]

Joseph Sua’ali’i out to prove he’s worth the money

27 October 2024 0 comments

Australia coach Joe Schmidt has selected rugby league convert Joseph Sua’ali’i in his 34-man squad for the autumn internationals. The 21-year-old former Sydney Roosters wing […]

Maverick Jalibert makes his case

27 October 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN HOW do you solve a problem like Matthieu Jalibert? The 25-year-old Bordeaux fly-half is, undoubtedly, one of the talents of French […]

Antoine Dupont headlines our five key talking points from the weekend

22 October 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott From Antoine Dupont’s ridiculous try-assist to newcomers announcing themselves and familiar faces returning in South Africa, this weekend has been one with plenty […]

Titi Lamositele’s happy to do his talking on the pitch

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Titi Lamositele is happy at being the quiet achiever at Harlequins having moved to a club full of big characters from Montpellier […]

Diamond still has faith as Falcons battle on

20 October 2024 0 comments

THE Premiership’s bottom two sides, Newcastle and Exeter, faced each other at Kingston Park on Friday night – a match which ended in victory for […]

Gustard needs to get Stade rocking

20 October 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN THE November break cannot come quickly enough for Stade Francais, no matter what happens against Clermont in Paris on Saturday night […]

Five Key Things to Look Out for in the Premiership this weekend

18 October 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The Premiership goes into the fifth round with fixtures as varied as they come, with the top two teams facing each other and the bottom two […]

France Rugby strongly oppose the implementation of the 20-minute red card

14 October 2024 0 comments

Following World Rugby’s announcement to propose the global trial of new laws that will be reviewed by the Council, FFR (French Rugby Union), LNR (National […]

French lessons inspire Joe El-Abd

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Joe El-Abd, England’s new defence coach, revealed his time with Toulon’s Galacticos helped him realise you need more than talent and money […]

10k run to training pays off for Temo Mayanavanua

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Every time Temo Mayanavanua sits down to watch the children’s TV show Cocomelon with his young son Elnathan, the Northampton lock is […]

Manu Tuilagi makes mark for Bayonne

13 October 2024 0 comments

French Column, by James Harrington While the focus of French rugby attention is on Stade Ernest Wallon and the return to action of a certain […]

Antoine Dupont & Co need to take on the very best

6 October 2024 0 comments

Rugby Matters By Brendan Gallagher – A weekly look at the game’s other talking points I think we established long ago that my admiration of […]

Los Pumas have worked hard to forge own identity

6 October 2024 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher reports on how one country has built a rugby stronghold down in South America There was a time back in the noughties when […]

I’ll play for Wales again, says Francis

6 October 2024 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Strong man: Tomas Francis scoring for Wales against Georgia at last year’s World Cup PICTURE: Getty Images […]

Stade get back into winning routine

6 October 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN WHEN does a bad start become a crisis? For Stade Francais it was the morning after last Saturday’s defeat at Pau, […]

Joe El-Abd steps up to replace Felix Jones as England defence coach

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Oyonnax head coach Joe El-Abd has been appointed England’s defence coach, replacing Irishman Felix Jones. Former Bristol flanker El-Abd, 44, will start […]

Magnificent Sam Marques deserves place at the top table

29 September 2024 0 comments

The splendid Samuel Marques – 35 but still going strong and mulling coming out of international retirement – has been declared the ProD2 player of […]

It’ll be tough for Steve Diamond to get Newcastle Falcons up the table

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Jeff Probyn, A front row view of the game The start of the Premiership season last week threw up, as usual, very few surprises. […]

Ten years on and a handful still stand

29 September 2024 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Veteran: George Ford playing against Australia in November 2014 PICTURE: Getty Images NOVEMBER 8, 2014 and some […]

Galthie’s plans will need a re-think

29 September 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN FOUR weeks into the Top 14 season and six weeks out from France’s opening Autumn Nations Series match, Fabien Galthie is […]

Joe El-Abd named England’s new defence coach

26 September 2024 0 comments

Former Bristol and Toulon flanker Joe El-Abd will replace Felix Jones as England defence coach. The Rugby Football Union confirmed 44-year-old El-Abd’s appointment, taking over […]

Frisch in mood to impress Galthie

22 September 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Ambitious: Antoine Frisch is keen to make a mark in the international setup PICTURE: Getty Images ONE-TIME Bristol Bear Antoine Frisch […]

Zach Mercer focused on job at Kingsholm

15 September 2024 0 comments

By Bryn Palmer Zach Mercer has brushed aside speculation over his future and insists Gloucester can hit the ground running when they begin their Premiership […]

Richard Barrington ready to power up Ampthill

15 September 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Richard Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” and reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks. […]

Bordeaux enjoy a 10-try feast

15 September 2024 0 comments

BORDEAUX-Begles finished last season at the end of June on the receiving end of the most one-sided of all French finals, swamped on a Mediterranean […]

Henry Chavancy notches No. 400 for Racing 92

15 September 2024 0 comments

French Column – By James Harrington Racing 92’s veteran centre Henry Chavancy reached a remarkable career milestone on Saturday when he came on to replace […]

Stuart Lancaster: Owen Farrell will be key to Racing 92 Success

13 September 2024 0 comments

Racing 92 head coach Stuart Lancaster believes that Owen Farrell’s development over the last decade will be key to the Parisians’ success this season. Lancaster, […]

Scarlets sign Australia A prop Archer Holz

8 September 2024 0 comments

Scarlets have signed Australia A and former Brumbies, Waratahs, and La Rochelle tighthead prop Archer Holz.

Castres steal it in dramatic late show

8 September 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN The big kick-off: Henry Arundell scored Racing’s first try of the season but it was not a debut to remember for […]

Bayonne centre Manu Tuilagi to miss start of season

1 September 2024 0 comments

Manu Tuilagi will miss the start of the upcoming Top 14 season for new club Bayonne after breaking his hand.

Maro Itoje the new Saracens captain

1 September 2024 0 comments

England lock Maro Itoje has been named as the new captain of Saracens for the upcoming English Premiership season.

Catch this team of nations on camera

1 September 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER FLY on the wall sporting documentaries seem to be back in vogue […]

Tykes out to get it right this time

1 September 2024 0 comments

National 2 North BY BEN JAYCOCK LEEDS Tykes are embracing their big club mentality and heavy favourites tag ahead of the new season getting underway […]

Brive get one over title rivals Oyonnax

1 September 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN PICTURES: Getty Images Impressive debut: Courtney Lawes playing for Brive against Oyonnax. Inset, Jonny May COURTNEY Lawes officially kicked off his […]

Manu Tuilagi suffers broken hand in pre-season game for new club Bayonne

28 August 2024 0 comments

Tuilagi has suffered more injury woe after he swapped England for France. Former England centre Manu Tuilagi will have to wait before he can debut […]

Farrell in danger of being lost in France

25 August 2024 0 comments

Jeremy Guscott Outspoken and unmissable… Every week Finn Russell’s statement about how much he’d like to reunite with Owen Farrell for the 2025 Lions, particularly […]

James will prove to be a star at Racing

25 August 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER HERE’S a little prediction that will either leave me with egg on […]

Carbonel will add the flair for Stade

25 August 2024 0 comments

James Harrington French column Last season, Stade Francais finished second in the Top 14 to qualify directly for the semi-finals – where an after-the-hooter conversion […]

La Rochelle hit lucky

25 August 2024 0 comments

It was a while ago, now, but French rugby watchers with longer memories may recall the other Top 14 semi-final between Toulouse and La Rochelle […]

Dan Biggar sees promising signs with Warren Gatland’s Wales rebuild

19 August 2024 0 comments

Wales are on a run of nine successive Test match defeats. Dan Biggar believes Wales have something to build on after displaying “enough promising signs” […]

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.

Poor terrestrial coverage is doing the game no favours

18 August 2024 0 comments

NICK CAIN THE NFL has infiltrated free-to-air broadcast channels in the UK, such as the BBC and ITV, using weekly content like ‘The NFL Show’ […]

Good value for money’s key in battle for eyeballs

18 August 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES LOOKS AT HOW TV COVERAGE HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND HOW IT HAS AFFECTED THE SUPPORTERS Top of the tree: Toulouse lift […]

Racing 92 confirm Le Garrec is leaving

18 August 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN On the move: Scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec will be joining La Rochelle PICTURE: Getty Images YES, it’s still August – I’ve […]