The Saints What a score! European Champions Toulon came to Welford Road having won their last nine games but Leicester Tigers put a stop to that run thanks to a…
Tournaments
Challenge Cup: What you may be missing
Welcome domestic break for key clash You don’t have to go far back into the annals of European competition to find Cardiff Blues and London Irish mixing it with some…
A letter from South Africa: Things go from bad to worse for Springboks
The Springboks’ autumn tour to Britain, Ireland and Italy went from bad to worse, bookended by two unexpected losses to Ireland and Wales, with the latter compounded by a potentially…
European Champions Cup: five epic clashes
ROUNDS THREE and four of Europe’s elite club competition sees teams play the same opponents in successive weeks – so it’s a chance to either turn the tables or hammer…
Rugby Rant: European rugby letting down minnows
Last year, one team in eight in Europe was from outside the three professional leagues. This year, it’ll be one in 20. At the most. Another day, another disappointment, as…
The Top 14 and the death of l’esprit de clocher
There’s a revolution underway in French rugby, one that is having ramifications for the home nations. We’ve already seen evidence of it in October when Toulon, Toulouse and Racing Metro…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Biggar the better He didn’t create any tries with breath-taking passes or scything runs, he didn’t kick any points as he had Leigh Halfpenny to do that job,…
The rise of Exeter Chiefs
AS CHRISTMAS rushes towards us, what are the standout stories in this season’s Aviva Premiership? No one expected London Welsh to be so utterly out of their depth, and those…
Saints and Sinners: The weekend’s talking points
The Saints Irish eyes are smiling For the first time since 2006, Ireland won all three of their November Tests, as a ferocious rear-guard action in the last quarter of…
Autumn International player analysis: Anthony Watson, England
STANDING IN front of the assembled press at Pennyhill Park last Thursday after being named in England’s match-day 23 to face New Zealand, Anthony Watson was asked what part of…