Analysis and photos from the European Champions and Challenge Cup finals
Tournaments
Greene King IPA Championship play-offs: let the real battle begin
THE HACKLES are up, the tension unmistakable. After the long grind of a 22-match league programme, the Greene King IPA Championship reaches the play-off stage this weekend and the question…
The Springboks test out their new kit
It looks like the arms race has begun… In 2003, England were ahead of the rest of the Rugby World Cup pack because they were the first ones to utilise…
Analysis: What do Armitage and Kvesic offer at the breakdown?
The number seven is almost as sacred in modern Test rugby as it is at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s theatre of dreams. Thanks to a lineage of eye-catching, influential players…
Clermont giant Sebastien Vahaamahina ready to rumble
Sebastien Vahaamahina is a big man with a soft voice. And soft hands, too, as he’s shown this season for Clermont in combining set-piece solidity with ball-handling athleticism in the…
England captain Abi Chamberlain looks ahead to the London Sevens
England Sevens captain Abi Chamberlain talks through the squad’s best finish on the Women's Sevens World Series – finishing third in Canada – and their goals ahead of the London…
Premiership analysis: Four moments of Wasps magic
As a glorious Sunday afternoon for Wasps extended into evening, news broke that the club would be launching a retail bond listed on the London Stock Exchange. According to chief…
European Champions Cup final: A statistical preview
Jack D'Arcy takes a look at the facts and figures ahead of this weekend's European Champions Cup final between Clermont and Toulon at Twickenham…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Smokin’ Joe On a high-scoring weekend of Aviva Premiership action, Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson produced a contender for Try of the Season in their 36-29 win over Exeter…
The six contenders for Aviva Premiership glory
Intrigue, excitement, outrage, indignation – the current domestic campaign in this country has encouraged just about every emotional reaction from a captive audience. With three regular season rounds to go, six teams remain in…