AS OCTOBER draws near the rain is lashing pedestrians with more regularity. For some south of Berwick this is a reminder that grounds will soften and tries may be unpleasantly…
Countries
Goosen picked ahead of Steyn
HEYNEKE MEYER has handed Cheetah’s fly-half Johan Goosen his first Test start, picking the former Baby Bok over an out-of-form Morne Steyn, against Australia in Pretoria on Saturday. Etzebeth is…
RFU launch new academy
THE RFU has launched a new performance academy, sponsored by BMW, that will provide 30 young players with tailor made support to help them progress onto the elite England team.…
Magic Michalak on fire in France
“MICHALAK IS back” screams the headline in this week’s Midi Olympique, alongside a photograph of Toulon’s Freddie, a player for whom the word ‘mercurial’ could have been invented. Michalak played…
Sheridan’s fighting fit in Toulon
THEY SAY Lourdes is where you go in search of a miracle cure, but if you’re a thirty-something Englishman Toulon seems to be the place in France that has healing…
Chill-out chat with Alex Cuthbert
The Wales wing talks racing, rom-coms and Rosie with Sarah Mockford RUGBY WORLD: What are the happiest and saddest moments of your life to date? ALEX CUTHBERT: The happiest was…
Video: Ben Youngs’s try against Australia
BEN YOUNGS scythed through the Australian defence from the back of a lineout to score a try in England’s 21-20 victory in Sydney in 2010. It was a memorable way…
Gold Coast Sevens draw sees England face Samoa, Kenya and Spain
ENGLAND WILL face Samoa, Kenya and Spain on the opening day of the HSBC Sevens World Series on October 13. The draw was made today for the Gold Coast Sevens…
Start for Weepu as Hansen makes four changes
DUNEDIN WILL play host to the first meeting in The Rugby Championship between the table-topping All Blacks and the traveling Springboks. The home side currently hold a three-from-three performance and…
Vakatawa shines as he signals his French intent
THE TOP 14 may be a slow-burner right now with few games of real drama but one man doing his best to light the touch paper is Virimi Vakatawa. The…