The Aviva Premiership salary cap may have risen this season and the quality of foreign imports improved as a result, but that has not stopped the young, future stars of…
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Top 14: Why Jake White’s approach was his downfall at Montpellier
South African Jake White is set to be replaced as Montpellier coach by Vern Cotter next summer – here's a look at where he went wrong
How to attack the All Blacks way from set-piece: New Zealand v Argentina analysis
They say you cannot score tries from set-piece at the highest level any more. They are wrong. Over the past few years, New Zealand has steadily taken over from Australia…
Analysis: Guy Thompson embodies grit and graft of Wasps
Guy Thompson began September 3, the first day of the Championship season, sitting on the fence. With Jersey travelling to newly-promoted Richmond, two of his previous teams were in action. Via…
After an annus horribilis, what now for Chris Ashton?
Journalists all around the rugby-playing globe were hunched over their laptops waiting for news of Chris Ashton’s disciplinary hearing to drop into their inbox on Tuesday. Then, at 11.50pm, the…
Top 14 to promote French talent over foreign imports
Midi Olympique’s XV of the Weekend in Monday’s edition was a United Nations of rugby talent. England’s Nick Abendanon at full-back, a couple of Kiwis in Conrad Smith and Casey…
Hotshot: Lichfield fly-half Holly Aitchison
How did you get into rugby? My dad Ian took me to Waterloo when I was five because he was DoR there. I played for Waterloo, with the boys, until…
Hotshot: Connacht prop Conan O’Donnell
How did you get into rugby? My first sport was Gaelic football, which I started when I was three or four, with St Mary’s. I played until U18s and we…
Hotshot: Scarlets centre Ioan Nicholas
How did you get into rugby? My father, Adrian, was a wing at Pontyberem and when I wanted to start playing with my friends he coached our team all the…
How to make it as a sports journalist: Stephen Jones
By Graham Jenkins Welcome to The Forward Pass, a series of conversations with leading rugby union journalists, broadcasters, presenters and photographers who will offer the next generation of media professionals…