THE CHANCES of a white Christmas in Perpignan would seem about as likely as Wales one day beating Australia. Down in the deep south of France, the winters are mild…
Rugby World
How to – Stay in Top Condition
AS THE festive season looms, you will need to manage your time and social life well, writes John Dams, Harlequins’ head of strength and conditioning. So while others take a…
Old Haberdashers – Team of the Month (September 2012)
HOW MANY players are lost to the game because they’re loath to commit to training? Sweden back-row Seb Taylor had doubts himself when first arriving in London, but he now…
The Championship Blog — B & I Cup Week 4 round-up
WITH TWO-thirds of the pool stage games now completed, four Championship clubs look certain to progress to the knock-out stages, while it looks very much like the end of the…
Rugby Personality of the Year 2012
AT THE end of a rollercoaster year, the BBC’s annual Sports Personality of the Year bash was extravagant as it was tearful. We are desperately trying not to let go…
Heineken Cup: Winners and Losers
EVERY YEAR, as Christmas drew closer, my school rugby team would embark upon a festive fitness regime. Regardless of how much frost there was, we would work on early morning…
Conditioning combo 3: sled drags, press-ups & med ball throws
THIS IS the third in a series of conditioning combos put together by Harlequins head of strength & conditioning John Dams. They are all dynamic three-exercise circuits or ‘triple sets’,…
Neighbours prepare to spill blood in 1872 Cup
ALTHOUGH STERN faces will be talking about the benefits the Scottish pro sides can gain from the next three rounds of the Heineken Cup, it is safe to say that…
Moneyball: The Best backrowers in Europe
RUGBY IS a subjective old sport. When it comes to talk of who is top of the pile, it's hard to come to a definitive answer, with pub-know-it-alls basing opinions…
The French are flying in the Heineken Cup
IT'S THE half-way stage of the Heineken Cup and for the French clubs things are looking good. With three of the six pool matches gone, only Biarritz of the seven…