Two debutants undertaking a high-stakes audition at Twickenham. Two centres with entirely different attributes who had taken contrasting paths to their first Test cap – one a code-hopping superstar, the…
Rugby World
National lottery: three ways rugby’s eligibility rules must change
Rugby’s eligibility regulations have become a farce, with players able to chop and change their allegiance with ease. Rugby World looks at how to solve the problems
All Blacks star in Air NZ video
The All Blacks have gone big budget with a striking video to promote sponsors, Air New Zealand’s safety message. Taking their cues from the Hollywood blockbuster Men in Black, the…
France brace themselves for Le Crunch
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre gave his squad a day off on Tuesday, allowing his 36 players the chance to enjoy the delights of Falgos in the Pyrénées-Orientales. The French squad…
Five things we learnt: Wales v Ireland
The awkward reality of ‘Warm up’ matches Wales lost to Ireland by 35 points to 21 in what was a very difficult game to watch from a Welsh perspective. But…
Analysis: Jamie Heaslip shows his class against Wales
The list of honours compiled by Jamie Heaslip reads like a comprehensive catalogue. Now over a decade into his professional career, the 31 year-old No 8 boasts three Pro12 titles with…
The Bledisloe Cup rivalry: An All Black’s perspective
Eleven years on the front line of the Test arena saw Sean Fitzpatrick captain New Zealand 51 times on the way to 92 caps. Remarkably, 24 of the former hooker’s…
Rugby Championship: Wallabies determined to end All Blacks losing streak
AUSTRALIA will unleash all their big guns on New Zealand in the Rugby Championship decider at ANZ Stadium on Saturday as they seek to end a ten-match winless streak against…
Who should be France’s centre pairing?
There's plenty of debate over France's midfield selection for the World Cup
30 Minutes with… Sam Burgess
Sam Burgess, of Bath and England, talks Speedos, spiders and superpowers