I imagine it is pretty comforting to know All Black big men Jerome Kaino, Sonny Bill Williams, Brodie Retallick and Liam Messam have got your back. Then again, the Samoans preparing to represent…
Blogs
Have France sorted out their half-back issues?
UNLUCKY 13? Philippe Saint-Andre will be hoping not. Since he became coach of France after the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Saint-Andre has gone through 12 half-back pairings in his quest…
Ireland v Georgia: Talking points
Pressure for places led to a patchy first forty With thirteen changes made from the side that beat South Africa, there were a lot of players coming into this game…
Scotland v New Zealand: Talking points
The All Blacks are still the best at closing out tight games Scotland came closer than they have in more than a decade to breaking their 109 year drought against…
Wales v Fiji: Talking points
When offloads go wrong Wales may have beaten Fiji 17-13 but it was as error strewn a performance as you are likely to see from a tier one nation –…
Autumn International analysis: Five moments that decided England v South Africa
Saturday's 31-28 defeat by South Africa was England's fifth consecutive Test loss. We analyse five moments in which the game slipped away from the hosts
Ireland v Georgia: is Joe Schmidt the world’s best coach?
WE THINK in generalities but live in detail, wrote an English philosopher. It’s a creed that Joe Schmidt has taken to heart, the New Zealander’s latest triumph as Ireland coach…
Autumn International player analysis: Anthony Watson, England
STANDING IN front of the assembled press at Pennyhill Park last Thursday after being named in England’s match-day 23 to face New Zealand, Anthony Watson was asked what part of…
Meet our Lucozade Sport competition winners!
WE WERE overwhelmed with interest from our amateur readers when we announced that we were teaming up with Lucozade Sport’s Kit-Out Project at the start of this season. The scheme…
Scotland v Argentina: talking points
Confidence is everything Whatever Vern Cotter has instilled in his team since the summer seems to be working. The players had been given license to try things; to play heads-up…