The matches between France and England in August will be crucial to determining their final World Cup squads
France
France go high and take to their bikes
If France do surprise the world and win the Webb Ellis Cup in October they’ll have to give grudging thanks to a British invention. The ‘Wattbike’ has been their primary…
Dan Cole’s Top 5 tightheads
They’ll be the first to tell you, but the tighthead is one of the most important positions on the pitch. The anchor of the pack and a crucial cog at…
Merger of Biarritz and Bayonne ruled out
The controversial proposal to create a Basque Super Club by merging Biarritz and Bayonne is now off the table
Top 14 transfers: Comings and goings
The Top 14 transfer market has more or less closed for the summer. Clubs are still permitted to sign up to two supplementary players in addition to ‘World Cup jokers’,…
Five stars for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
The 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy may now be consigned to the history books but the reputations created by some of the tournament’s stars could light up rugby for years…
5 ways to improve European Rugby
The first season of the new European format has seen big crowds, stunning tries and thrilling rugby but with Toulon basking in a third consecutive title, it’s worth considering how…
Champions Cup draw 2015/16
Rugby’s administrators, journalists and TV crews assembled in Neuchâtel for the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup draw, where it was left to Wales and Lions wing Ieuan Evans and 98-cap…
Top 14: Clermont bow under the weight of expectation
Professional sport is a cruel business. Stade Francais partied long and hard after winning the Top 14 title on Saturday night and wound up their celebrations on Monday evening, at…
Top 14: Clermont want to avoid repeat of 2007 heartache at hands of Stade Francais
This weekend sees Stade Francais face Clermont Auvergne in the final of the Top 14, and if you pick through Clermont’s broken past you’ll see that one of their most…