Every now and then, amid the high-and-tight haircuts, base-layers and white boots, you come across a player who would look right at home on a 13th century battlefield. Very occasionally, they…
Countries
French rugby reacts to Charlie Hebdo tragedy
French rugby played a part in the national outcry after the Charlie Hebdo tragedy
Rugby statistics: Can we predict the 2015 Super Rugby winner?
The 20th season of Super Rugby begins in February and with the tournament expanding to 18 teams in 2016, this will be the fifth and final time that the 15…
The latest rugby letter from South Africa
FEELING THE HEAT South Africa’s Super Rugby players sucked in their bellies after a short holiday break and returned to the most feared part of the year, pre-season in brutal…
Aviva Premiership analysis: Nick Easter inspires Harlequins
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…
Are London Welsh the worst Premiership side ever?
Not even the wiliest spin doctor could put a gloss on London Welsh’s season: 18 games, 18 defeats. An average score of 10-41 or, in the Aviva Premiership alone, 9-45.…
Top 14: Finances and the salary cap are strongly policed in France
Among the less interesting pages on the official France Federation website is one entitled ‘DNACG’. I don’t recommend a visit, not unless you’re an insomniac. Let me explain. DNACG stands…
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…
Five things we learned – December
Dan Carter deserves to be the first £1 Million player When Dan Carter signed for Racing Metro he became the first £1million player in the history of rugby. Many will…
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…