"AMBUSH AT the Allianz" could be a way of describing the Aviva Premiership semi-final between Northampton Saints and Saracens. That would do a disservice to Saints, though, who maintained an…
Owain Jones
Lions 2013: Surviving finals and the Lions run-in
STAYIN’ ALIVE by the Bee Gees was a late 70s sentiment so powerful that it generated an eponymous follow-up movie to Saturday Night Fever in which John Travolta hustles to…
The rise of Brazilian rugby before Rio 2016
RUGBY SEVENS is known for its pace and excitement and now it is attempting to steal the limelight away from its bigger 15-man rival by being part of Rio Olympics…
Vern Cotter to Scotland could make for some serious drama
GREEK THEATRE is fabled for its two set genres of play, the tragedy and comedy. In sport, as in life, though, there can be both elements coming together in a…
Lions 2013: Will Wallabies be able to hold court without their jesters?
THE PRESSURE on Will Genia and James Horwill may be great as we slide towards the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, but not for the reasons many would…
Lions 2013: Tour villains
THE NAMES of yesteryear’s Lions heroes roll off the tongue with consummate ease. Way before the latest promotional offering, when they stepped aboard a galleon set sail for Australia, dressed…
Heineken Cup Final: No certainties in all-French affair
DUBLIN WILL be a certain shade of yellow or red come Saturday evening after two very familiar French foes do battle in the Heineken Cup final. If Clermont Auvergne’s more…
Amlin Challenge Cup Final: Underdogs from Paris have fighting chance
DESPITE THEIR illustrious history, their garish attire and their hunkier than thou personnel, Stade Francais are undoubtedly the underdogs going into tonight’s Amlin Challenge Cup final in Dublin. The runaround…
RAF Spitfire 7s commemorate special day
TO COMMEMORATE yesterday’s 70th Anniversary of the famous Dambusters story, the RAF Spitfires Rugby 7s team visited the iconic Derwent Valley Reservoirs and Dam on their way to the London…
Lions 2013: Australia squad named on Sunday
ON SUNDAY the Australian public will know the initial 25-man squad for the Test series against the British and Irish Lions. Understandably the timbre of some hollering Wallaby fans may…