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…
Countries
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…
Blues-Dragons derby a shadow of yesteryear
Close your eyes at Cardiff Arms Park on Boxing Day and you might just imagine you’ve stepped back in time. A bumper crowd is expected for the Blues-Dragons Guinness Pro12…
Dan Carter breaks the million pound transfer-window
IT’S THE numbers that get you gasping. Dan Carter is off to join Racing Metro in Paris on a three-year deal in the aftermath of the World Cup. If the…
End of an era as Wasps up sticks
With impeccable timing, Wasps will unwrap a big, shiny Christmas present to their fans this Sunday – the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Like Santa Claus himself, they’ve been handing out…