Ollie Devoto is only 21, but it already feels as though he has been waiting in the wings for a fair while. Strangely, that feels slightly frustrating. The Bath back…
Charlie Morgan
European Champions Cup analysis: Four exceptional English full-backs
The top tier of European competition annually offers exiles a shot at the “exceptional circumstances” clause and a chance to prove England should cast aside domestic performers in favour of…
Super 15 analysis: Beauden Barrett’s wonder-try for Hurricanes
If a tumultuous finale to the Six Nations taught us one thing, it is that running rugby and high-scoring clashes are very enjoyable. Razor-witted South African sportswriter Sean Wilson highlighted…
Six Nations player analysis: Billy Vunipola, England
Something rather extraordinary happened at the end of England‘s post-match press conference at Twickenham on Saturday following a bittersweet 55-35 battering of France that showcased some stunning attacking rugby but ultimately meant…
Six Nations analysis: How Wales resisted Ireland for 49 phases
On Saturday in Cardiff, the media sniping – margarine comparisons and everything – subsided for 80 minutes and some rugby broke out. Incredibly, an emotionally draining Test match lived up…
Six Nations player analysis: Courtney Lawes, England
It is futile and immature to add imaginary points onto a scoreboard, but sometimes the exercise helps emphasise a message – so here goes. England were four passes away from…
Premiership analysis: Gloucester and Saints serve up attacking feast
“I have big concerns about the game because there are not enough tries being scored, which is turning the fans away…If we do not address it, we are going to…
Super 15 analysis: Handre Pollard to turn 21 in some style
Reaching the coveted milestone of 50 Tests in Paris just over a week ago, George North underlined a trend of modern rugby. Barring the odd anomaly such as Keven Mealamu…
Wales analysis: How Luke Charteris and Alun Wyn Jones conquered France
Now more than ever, rugby spectators are overrun by technicalities and statistics. The accessibility afforded to broadcasters means heightened scrutiny and overbearing focus on the game’s intricacies. These days you…
Ireland vs England analysis: Six defining moments
A 10-point defeat away to a side that has now won their last 10 consecutive Tests. That statement represents the stark outcome for England on a soggy Sunday in Dublin. However, for…