Raffi Quirke: Catch him if you can
Meet Raffi Quirke, Sale’s resident barber, budding restaurateur and future England scrum-half.
Montpellier’s a winning proposal for Mercer
The former Bath No8 is a man on a mission following his move to France
Features
What’s next for the Wallabies’ backline artillery?
All of a sudden, the Wallabies have a wealth of players to accommodate in their backline.
Montpellier’s a winning proposal for Mercer
The former Bath No8 is a man on a mission following his move to France
Signs of good things to come
The XV picks out the ones to watch from the Premiership’s new faces
Recognising Scott Barrett’s rise into locking royalty
Scott Barrett may be the least appreciated player in the All Blacks, but also one of the most important.
Rags to riches
Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has overcome a traumatic upbringing to become rugby’s biggest powerbroker
Star Columns
Time to inject Quade Cooper back into the Wallabies
Will Genia believes the Wallabies could use an injection of experience into their backline.
Jordie Barrett red highlights pros of NZR and RA joining forces
Sense has prevailed in the Southern Hemisphere – but will World Rugby follow suit?
World 12s challenges the status quo
A shock new rugby format has divided fans on launch but what is the rationale behind the announcement?
Analysis
Springboks’ not-so-secret weapon a huge test for All Blacks
When the All Blacks and Springboks clash, the lineout could decide who emerges victorious.
Anton Lienert-Brown following in footsteps of Conrad Smith
Analysis: The All Blacks aren’t likely to again rely on an out-of-position centre at the next World Cup.
Why Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are the perfect pair
Analysis: Arguably the greatest locking partnership in rugby history has finally been reunited.
Interviews
England’s future is in safe hands with Steward
Leicester’s full-back plans to get the Tigers back to the top – and keep his England starting spot
The star-spangled Banners
Popular Bath, Gloucester and England wing leaves the game with no regrets
Filling the void
As a player, Calum Clark was uncompromising and made mistakes but in his new role he aims to be a force for good
Editor’s Choice
Deciphering Ian Foster’s plans for the outside backs
The All Blacks have themselves a huge selection headache in the outside backs.
A different ball game
Sportable plan to revolutionise data analysis of the game – and the sky’s the limit
The XV Video
Audio Articles
Opportunity Knocks
Struggling to read all of the great content on The XV?
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Stats and Snapshots:
The Highlanders’ Crusade
Rob Vickerman and Andy Clarke take an in-depth look at the Highlanders’ stunning victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Podcasts
The XV – Rugby History
A podcast about the history of rugby and it’s roots in different countries, narrated by historian Tony Collins.
Rugby Centurions
Rugby Centurions celebrates players who have won 100 International Test Caps or more for their country, making it the world’s toughest membership.
The XV – Audio Articles
Each month, we produce a selection of audio narrated versions of some of The XV’s most popular editorial articles so you can enjoy the best of The XV on the go, in the gym or on your commute to work.
The XV Contributors
More Stories
The arms race
How do you keep top players in Scotland? And how do you replace the ones who leave? Recruitment supremo Jan McGinity lifts the lid on contracting.
Striving for perfection
England’s attack has been a work-in-progress since the heroics of 2019, so can they re-find their mojo?
Making a head start
Progressive Rugby want to help the sport deal with the head injury crisis but will anyone listen?
Intellectual poverty
Fluid movement of players and coaches means intellectual property is always going to be tough to lock down.
Unburdened and unbowed
Liam Squire sets the record straight on the media storm that was his 2019 season.
Iron men of rugby
There are self-styled enforcers everywhere but South Africa produces the hardest men.
Border crossing
The IRFU’s willingness to transfer players between provinces offers a lifeline to some but pain to others.
Loyalty in question
Clubs need to make player welfare a priority, not an afterthought
The mythical beast
Chris Robshaw knows all about the agony of narrowly missing out on a Lions tour but he recognises its uniqueness
Final push
Rugged All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick is eyeing the 2023 World Cup as his international swansong.
Silver bullet or silver medal?
A probable $465m cash injection is going to change New Zealand rugby forever.
Push the pass
The All Blacks’ offloading game has faded dramatically since Wayne Smith left the coaching fold.
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