Huge names: Brian O’Driscoll, Richie Gray, Dan Lydiate and England captain Chris Robshaw in our latest edition
YOU may already be into you New Year, New Me campaign but you can always rely on Rugby World. In the new issue we look back at the year that was 2013, its successes and its big changes while also looking forward to all the delights 2014 can bring.
We listen out for Robshaw’s roar as the England captain talks us through his battle to prove the doubters wrong, debate who should take over from Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s outside centre when he finally hangs up the boots this year and talk to two Lions who have turned their lives upside down by moving to France – Wales and Racing Metro flanker Dan Lydiate and Scotland and Castres lock Richie Gray. Then there is an exclusive chat with Richie McCaw, with the All Blacks legend answering your questions.
Tootling off down memory lane, Gavin Mortimer runs us through his review of the year for 2013 – with all the Lions glory and silly shenanigans – while Stephen Jones gives us his serious (and some not so serious) wishes for the year ahead.
This is a list of contents – and you can find out where to buy your copy here or download our free magazine finder app here. Plus, if you have an iPad, download the digital edition here or find out about our android version here.
Sidelines
We pick out the biggest fixtures of 2014 coming up, predict who will make the last eight of the Heineken Cup, meet Leicester Tigers new wheelchair rugby team, give you details on buying World Cup 2015 tickets, 30 Minutes with
Once a Shark: Brad Barritt during his time in South Africa
Leicester and England hooker Tom Youngs and more.
Columnists
Paul Wallace – Why are the Irish provinces thriving in Europe?
Brad Barritt – Saracens’ centre previews a glamour-tie with South Africa’s Sharks
Jonathan Davies – Welsh rugby’s civil war
Spotlights
Jared Payne – Ireland’s answer? The Ulster back speaks
Liam Williams – The larger-than-like full-back lets us into his mind
Ross Rennie – Scotland’s talented back-rower is back on the scene
Samu Manoa – The hard-hitting Saint tells us how his Grandma knocked him into line
Features
Chris Robshaw – It has been a painfully tough year for the England captain, but he has come through it all
Dan Lydiate – Deep in the heart of Paris, Wales’ destructive flanker has started a new life. We meet him there
Who will replace Brian O’Driscoll? – We look at the men vying to take over from Ireland’s fabled great
Richie Gray – We also jet out to see why Scotland’s shaggy-haired lock loves the quiet life in Castres
Big in 2013: Ben Smith and Richie McCaw
Review of the Year – Remember that scandalous red card? Forget about that impressive points tally? Well, we’ve gone over all the big news and sensational events of 2013 in our review
Richie McCaw – The Kiwi captain sits down and faces a barrage of questions from us and you, the readers
HSBC Sevens series in Dubai – We head for the UAE to see what’s happening at one of the world’s most jumping sevens events – accompanied by none other than Will Greenwood
2014 Wish List – Stephen Jones tells us everything he is hoping for in the upcoming year of rugby, from England coming back stronger to club changes in Wales
Dave Ewers – Meet Exeter Chiefs’ Zimbabwean powerhouse at the back of the scrum
Advice section
Pro insight – Gregor Townsend on counter-attack
Fitness – Begin the new year the right way
Pro playbook – Making use of scrum positions
Mini rugby – How to play Stick in the Mud
Regulars
Rugby focus – All the news from the clubs, schools and women’s circuits
Essentials – The latest books and products
Uncovered – Recent retiree Dan Hipkiss
Tour Tale – Masking disappointment on tour