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Tag: Toulon

Elite show struggling to fit in

22 December 2024 0 comments

AFTER A GRIM WEEKEND FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SIDES, PAUL REES ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT THE CHAMPIONS CUP LEICESTER attracted the second […]

Bouscatel looks like he will run again

22 December 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN ADVENT tensions rather than goodwill in the corridors of French rugby power in the week leading up to Christmas, as Top […]

Mark McCall: There is no margin for error in this format so we have to back up last week

15 December 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Match Preview Stade Francais v Saracens Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stadium Mark McCall has warned his Saracens players not to be fooled by […]

Duncan Weir’s set for Toulon tester

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Match Preview Toulon vs Glasgow Today. 3.15pm Duncan Weir feels his Glasgow side must get to grips with Toulon’s boisterous atmosphere at […]

Darge: We’re all set for Toulon challenge

15 December 2024 0 comments

■By BRYN PALMER Hopeful: Rory Darge in action for Glasgow PICTURES: Getty Images SCOTLAND flanker Rory Darge believes Glasgow’s 2023 Challenge Cup final defeat by […]

Ronan O’Gara would ‘bite hands off’ for top Test coach role – but not Wales job

10 December 2024 0 comments

Ronan O’Gara says there are international jobs he would “bite people’s hands off for” as he underlined a burning desire to coach at Test level. […]

Champions Cup Team of the Week: Jordie Barrett has perfect Leinster start

9 December 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The opening weekend of Champions Cup action did not disappoint, with the best of Europe and South Africa offering plenty of entertainment […]

No Zach Mercer decision until end of season

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Gloucester will not decide on Zach Mercer’s future until the end of the season as speculation that he will return to France […]

Clermont have far too much class for Benetton

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Clermont………..28 Benetton…………. 0 Clermont out-muscled Benetton to cruise to a commanding bonus point victory with Peceli Yato and Barnabe Massa both grabbing […]

Stormers have no answer to Toulon chargers

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Stormers……….. 14 Toulon………….. 24 Match Action Toulon beat the Stormers in front of a bumper crowd at Nelson Mandela Stadium. The visitors […]

George Horne hat-trick seals it for Glasgow Warriors

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Bryn Palmer Glasgow Warriors …. 38pts Tries: Horne 2, 12, 39; Rowe 16, Jones 23, Cummings 64 Conversions: Horne 3, 13, 17; Jordan 24 […]

Cheetahs v Perpignan

8 December 2024 0 comments

Preview Today. 1pm INVITATIONAL outfit the Cheetahs, led by DoR Frans Steyn, picked up two wins from four last season and qualified for the knockouts […]

Lowe’s running out of time to win the big one

8 December 2024 0 comments

Cutting a dash: James Lowe in action for Leinster PICTURE: Alamy NOBODY in recent seasons has cut a deeper swathe through one of the game’s […]

Best Champions Cup matchups of the weekend

6 December 2024 0 comments

The Investec Champions Cup kicks off this weekend, with the best of the Premiership, Top 14 and URC battling it out to be crowned the […]

Stade are heading in right direction Racing

1 December 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever […]

Waisea Nayacalevu filling Manu Tuilagi-shaped hole at Sale Sharks – Alex Sanderson

25 November 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock There’s only one Manu Tuilagi but Alex Sanderson is hoping Waisea Nayacelavu can partly fill a void left by the former England […]

Sadourny gets nod to replace Davidson

24 November 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Hat-trick man: Toulon wing Gael Drean runs in to score against Bayonne PICTURE: Getty Images IN April 2019, then-France coach Jacques […]

Italy vs All Blacks – Match Preview

22 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports The All Blacks, led by Scott Robertson, are set to take on Italy in Turin under the Saturday night lights. […]

Top Five Rugby League to Rugby Union code switches in history

11 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott In Australia’s recent win against England at Allianz Stadium, there was one name that stood out in terms of rugby union careers. […]

Warren Gatland’s facing a big day at the office

10 November 2024 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Match Preview Wales v Fiji Today. Kick-off 1.40pm, Principality Stadium Warren Gatland has known plenty of huge fixtures during his coaching career […]

Roll up, roll up: Crowds are rising to record levels

10 November 2024 0 comments

CROWD numbers in French rugby’s top two professional leagues have risen to record levels, according to figures released from the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). […]

Darcy Graham ruled out of Scotland’s clash with South Africa with head injury

5 November 2024 0 comments

Darcy Graham has been ruled out of Scotland’s showdown with South Africa on Sunday after failing to pass head injury protocols. The prolific wing left […]

Don’t let these tasty clashes pass you by

3 November 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER IT’S always famine or feast with international rugby and I guess that’s […]

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 […]

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 […]

Joe keen to follow in family

27 October 2024 0 comments

■ By BEN JAYCOCK JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way […]

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 […]

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 […]

Joe El-Abd sees Ferguson-era Man Utd as example for England after staff upheaval

10 October 2024 0 comments

New defence coach Joe El-Abd believes the success of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United shows why England could benefit from the recent upheaval in Steve […]

Centurion Harvey Skinner out to join elite club

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Ever since Harvey Skinner made his debut for Exeter eight years ago, players from the club have been capped in every position […]

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 […]

England should be aiming for treble top in the Autumn Internationals

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscott – Outspoken and unmissable, every week… The autumn internationals against the traditional southern hemisphere big three, and Japan, are next on England’s […]

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 […]

Lennox Anyanwu gets his chance to replace Esterhuizen

22 September 2024 0 comments

Lennox Anyanwu starts at inside-centre for Harlequins as they begin life without South African talisman Andre Esterhuizen. The 23-year-old has filled in when Esterhuizen has […]

Playing rugby is about more than just winning – Dave Attwood

22 September 2024 0 comments

My Life in Rugby – Dave Attwood, the former England, Bristol, Bath, Gloucester and Toulon second row Being blunt about it, I was crap at […]

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 […]

Bristol Bears Preview: We have a new sense of energy – Fitz Harding

15 September 2024 0 comments

Team-by-team guide by Paul Rees Bristol Bears Coach: Pat Lam Captain: Fitz Harding After Bristol lost at Connacht in January to mark their exit from […]

Exeter Chiefs Season Preview: Youngsters need to find place in Rob Baxter’s puzzle

15 September 2024 0 comments

Exeter Chiefs Season Preview Coach: Rob Baxter Captain: Jack Yeandle Exeter did not quite confound the belief that you win nothing with kids last season, […]

Gloucester Season Preview – George Skivington: We’re going to roll dice and go for it

15 September 2024 0 comments

Gloucester Season Preview Coach: George Skivington Captain: Lewis Ludlow The Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership. The club are well supported with […]

Northampton Saints Season Preview: George Furbank in charge as Saints bid for repeat

15 September 2024 0 comments

Northampton Saints Season Preview Coach: Phil Dowson Captain: George Furbank Last season’s title winning success at Northampton was no fluke. It was the product of […]

Sale Sharks Season Preview: Alex Sanderson is planning a broader approach

15 September 2024 0 comments

Sale Sharks Season Preview Coach: Alex Sanderson Captain: Ben Curry Sale Sharks failed in their bid last season to go one better than the […]

Saracens Season Preview: We want to create our own dynasty, says Ben Earl

15 September 2024 0 comments

Saracens Season Preview Coach: Mark McCall Captain: Maro Itoje Saracens will start life without Owen Farrell and the Vunipola brothers at Gloucester on Saturday. For […]

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 […]

Dan Biggar urges Warren Gatland to pick a 10 and stick with him

8 September 2024 0 comments

Dan Biggar has urged Warren Gatland to back one fly-half with an extended run in the Wales team – just as he did with him.

Jimmy Roots joins brother Ethan Roots at Exeter Chiefs

8 September 2024 0 comments

You need strong roots to grow, and Rob Baxter has bolstered his Exeter squad with not one but two ahead of the 2024/25 season.

When the butterfly, the bison, the rocket, the barker, Popeye (and a vegetarian) took control

8 September 2024 0 comments

15. Pierre Lacaze (Lourdes) Diminutive fullback, nicknamed Papillon (the butterfly) but counter intuitively commanding in the air. Snared by Rugby League after Les Bleus’ Five […]