The All Blacks have been taking in the sights ahead of their eagerly anticipated first fixture on US soil at Soldier Field, the home ground of the Chicago Bears, where…
Rugby World
Top 14: Time to knuckle down for Montpellier’s Fabien Galthie
There’s always been a touch of the Brendan Venter about Fabien Galthie. The pair have much in common. Very good players who have become very good coaches, harnessing their playing…
George Kruis on the England camp
Having been brought into the England squad for the autumn Internationals on the back of fine form with Saracens in the Aviva Premiership and the European Rugby Championship, George Kruis…
Laws and refereeing: 5 ways to improve the game
1. CHOKE TACKLE MADNESS The choke tackle, in which turnovers are effected by preventing the ball carrier from going to ground, was much admired when Ireland introduced it to union…
The Rugby World Cup goes on tour
THE RUGBY World Cup Trophy Tour kicked off in May and is giving people around the globe the chance to see rugby’s biggest prize. The Webb Ellis Cup is being taken…
Saints and Sinners: the weekend’s talking points
The Saints The Fab Four George North gave a try-scoring master-class as he crossed the whitewash no less than four times during Northampton’s 34-6 win over the Ospreys in round…
European Champions Cup player analysis: George North, Northampton Saints
One thing about George North that never fails to astonish – more striking even than the staggering raw materials of pace, power and prodigious finishing ability – is his age.…
European Rugby: Weekend’s talking points
Farrell out to prove a point Given the injuries that have hampered his season to date, Owen Farrell’s inclusion in England’s squad for the Autumn Internationals was, for once, not a…
Rene Ranger on life in France
On first introduction, Rene Ranger seems so laid-back you would be forgiven for checking his pulse. However, when the versatile, attacking back is asked about his cult hero status back…
Joe Worsley on Bordeaux’s flying start
The Top 14 is having a breather until the end of October as European competition holds sway, allowing clubs a chance to assess their performances a third of the way…