ON THIS late afternoon the wind is only moving the hot air around the back pitches of the Stade Ernest-Wallon. After a tough run in the Top 14 schedule it’s…
Rugby World
Dylan Hartley polarises opinion but his ban signals good news for England
Depending on which side of the fence you sit on, and no-one is sitting on it, Dylan Hartley is either a brilliant England captain who has made the odd mistake,…
Rugby must learn from the tragic end of Isireli Temo’s rugby dreams
In September Isireli Temo flew from France to Fiji for a holiday. The 30-year-old prop had recently joined Tarbes but he’d picked up an injury in pre-season training and the…
How to make it as a radio broadcaster: Ian Robertson
By Graham Jenkins The Forward Pass Podcast – Ian Robertson Welcome to The Forward Pass, a series of conversations with leading rugby union journalists, broadcasters, presenters and photographers who will…
Ireland: Four proud provinces stand up in Europe
By Alex Shaw Four proud provinces. That’s the mantra of Irish rugby and it certainly lived up to that billing this past weekend. There were a lot of premature European…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Jamison Gibson-Park Leinster’s Kiwi scrum-half is a hero for his province after he conjured their bonus-point try out of nothing six minutes from the end of their Champions…
Stuart Lancaster finds redemption over the Irish Sea
Just over a year ago Stuart Lancaster’s world fell apart and judging by his expression as England exited their own World Cup before the knock-out stages you would have got…
Warren Gatland names his Lions assistant coaches
THERE WERE few surprises on Wednesday afternoon as Warren Gatland revealed his core coaching trio for next year’s tour to New Zealand, with Andy Farrell and Rob Howley – defence…
Varsity Match: Can Cambridge stop the rot?
Records are there to be broken and Cambridge University will draw comfort from current form as they attempt to end an unprecedented run of six Oxford University victories in the…
Analysis: Mapping the 46 tries of England’s perfect 2016
Self-awareness spurs ambition like nothing else. Despite a perfect year in terms of results, Eddie Jones’ England need no reminding of their standing in the global order. With New Zealand occupying the…