Last week, one broadsheet billed Harlequins’ clash against London Welsh as a ‘basement battle’. Although undeniably clichéd, the epithet was accurate enough – Conor O’Shea’s team were languishing in ninth place before…
Charlie Morgan
PRO12 play analysis: Gareth Anscombe, Cardiff Blues
Northern hemisphere rugby has long cowered in an inferiority complex with regard to New Zealand. That is largely understandable – the all-conquering All Blacks have cast more of a solar eclipse…
Rugby World’s players to watch in 2015
Following much hyperbole and no little excitement, the World Cup year is finally upon us. Over the next 12 months, a galaxy of stars will be born as rugby asserts…
European Champions Cup player analysis: Sam Burgess, Bath
What a treat. After months of opinions ranging from social media suggestions to ostentatious open letters, there was actually some meaningful action on which to judge how Sam Burgess is progressing…
European Champions Cup player analysis: Marcos Ayerza, Leicester Tigers
Despite the result, it was a Toulon player that hogged the Monday morning headlines following his team’s 25-21 loss in the first instalment of their electric European Champions Cup double-header at Welford Road…
Autumn International player analysis: Chris Robshaw, England
A trivia question to start, so no cheating if you do not know the answer. Here you go: who said this about whom last week? “He’s an absolute pest. Last year…
Autumn International player analysis: Rhys Webb, Wales
“They are a world-class team, but I think they are to be taken as well. They’ve been getting a bit flustered when people have been going at them” – Wales scrum-half…
England v Samoa analysis: Six moments of class from George Ford
It says a great deal for the precocious potential of George Ford and his dazzling years in England‘s age-group ranks that a maiden international start at senior level seemed overdue.…
George Ford and Owen Farrell: The story so far
Regardless of five Test defeats in a row and whatever has appeared in this week’s newspapers, English rugby is in rude health. An exacting talent identification system and a cohesive,…
Autumn International analysis: Five moments that decided England v South Africa
Saturday's 31-28 defeat by South Africa was England's fifth consecutive Test loss. We analyse five moments in which the game slipped away from the hosts