Game changers
The All Blacks once had the most devastating bench in world rugby.
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Green-eyed monster
Tri-Nations success has left Springbok fans with a sense of what might have been
Hope springs
With a new broadcast deal and coaching set-up, there’s reason for optimism in Australia right now.
Kicking up a storm
Dave Alred puts the boot in on critics who want to see more running rugby
Hard sell
The Nations Cup rolled into its second week but highlights were scarce as caution ruled
Real cost of criticism
Rugby players never go out on the park to lose – but it’s not the players who criticism hurts the most.
White line fever
Scotland are rock solid defensively but need to more clinical in converting pressure into points
The hurt locker
Thibault Giroud has applied sports science to make France one of the world’s most durable teams
Ferocious Pumas
Right from the third minute of Argentina’s win over New Zealand, the Pumas’ intent was clear.
Survival of the fittest
Ex-England flanker Tom Wood says Eddie Jones’ back-row quandary is a good problem to have
The Sexton conundrum
The way Andy Farrell handles his captain will define his tenure as Ireland head coach.
Divorce papers
Marriage between media and clubs is in trouble but it’s not too late to save relationship
Rethinking the Argentina approach
Argentina’s victory over New Zealand showed that more matches don’t always lead to better results.
Miracle men
Argentina shocked the All Blacks – now they need to show it wasn’t a one-off
Hard truths
The All Blacks’ dominance is slipping away and the NZ youth may not be ready for the challenge ahead.
Chart-topper
Luke Charteris is proving to be a big hit as a young coach at Bath
Missing in action
Brodie Retallick’s absence has hurt the All Blacks this year and never more so than during their defeat to Argentina.
Rough Diamond
‘Dimes’ can flip at any moment, but Sale’s director of rugby is still top-dollar entertainment
Up and running
The Autumn Nations Cup is live and while not perfect, rugby lovers have plenty of rugby to feast upon
Collapse of an empire
Once imperious and almost unbeatable, the All Blacks are now in the midst of a crisis that many fear will never end.
Battle of the backrows
Upcoming back-row stars are challenging England’s established order
Big Red
Wales prop Rhys Carré is set to continue his rugby education in the Autumn Nations Cup
Mind over matter
The All Blacks’ mental skills helped them win consecutive World Cups. Is it becoming a weakness again?
Plane crazy PR stunts
From naked calenders to British Bulldog, here are eight of the best advertising campaigns…
High stakes
The All Blacks are struggling to come to terms with World Rugby’s efforts to stamp out high tackling.
Massive, massive heart
Makazole Mapimpi’s story brought Rassie Erasmus to tears but he wants his situation to inspire change
Prop, rock and roll
Taniela Tupou showed in Bledisloe IV exactly what the All Blacks are missing from their propping stables.
Lost and found
It’s been a tough year for Argentina but it will be bloody good to have Los Pumas back
Hunger games
Jake Polledri is building a fearsome reputation as a ball-carrier and is Italy’s new totem
Red alert
The All Blacks have lost three men to red cards in four years. They’ve still not learned any lessons.
Double trouble
Everyone said the All Blacks were mad to shift Beauden Barrett to fullback. But it turns out everyone was wrong.
Winning combination
Picking the right captain can be difference between success and failure for a coach
The unwritten rule
Ireland’s home-based selection policy is both a blessing and a curse
Love Islanders
Les Bleus are looking to Pacific territories for talent, but will it bring heartbreak for young players in France?
Back from the brink
Akira Ioane has always been earmarked for greatness – but there have been a few speedbumps along the way.
Perfect prototype
Caleb Clarke may be 110kg of destructive power, but he’s no one-trick pony.
Prime suspect
Fans are focusing on Leicester’s ‘sell-out’ yet turning a blind eye to Amazon’s TV deal
Last orders
The truncated Six Nations came to a close on ‘Super Saturday’ leaving armchair fans just about sated
Defensive horror show
After two relatively safe showings, the Wallabies’ defence fell apart in Sydney. What went wrong?
Order in the house
After four years of constant change, the All Blacks have now found a midfield partnership that works.
The only way is up
It’s been a year since Kolisi lifted the World Cup but that’s only the start for Springbok skipper
Patience is a virtue
The 2020 Six Nations will go down as a curious affair but firm conclusions are required
As Goode as it gets
The England full-back opens up on the toughest month of his career and life in Japan
Plugging the gaps
Wales’ transition from old defence coach to new has been far from smooth.
Fear factor
Pasifika’s dreams continue to be crushed. Is it because Oceania’s heavyweights fear for their labour supply?
Jock Bok
Dual international John Allan says players can have ‘two hearts’ but must be single-minded
Mate against mate
Justin Marshall and George Gregan became best friends amid the game’s most ferocious rivalry.
No holding back
Six years after his arrival, Bundee Aki has left an indelible mark on Connacht and Irish rugby.
Honeymoon is over
A wave of euphoria swept through New Zealand rugby in June, but the bubble has burst.
From Russia with love
South Africans swapping heat of Highveld for cold comforts of a big payday in Russia
Bledisloe mediator
One unusual moment from Liam Messam’s many matches against Australia stands out above the rest.
Rugby’s most destructive runners
The XV investigates the game’s most influential ball carriers in the last 12 months
Trouble brewing
Andy Farrell needs to deliver a Six Nations title if he wants to be the toast of Ireland
Defence against the dark arts
The All Blacks are no strangers to filth and yet they have no love of the enforcer.
Closing time
English rugby needs to make sobering call for last orders on promotion and relegation
Selection battles
The wait for the call from your coach to inform you if you’re in or out is agonising
Rugby’s greatest mismatch
The man set to replace Warren Gatland almost produced one of the greatest upsets of the modern era.
Cowboy boots
Gopperth is the sheriff in town as Wasps prepare for final showdown
Man behind the mask
Unorthodox, scary, driven… everyone coached by Eddie Jones has a story to tell
Flash in the pan
The All Blacks are rightfully fearful expectation could limit Caleb Clarke’s potential.
Power transition
The All Blacks changed tack and used their ball carriers to overwhelm the Wallabies in Bledisloe II.
Patriot games
The question of eligibility is an emotive subject in the world of international rugby
Instant classic
Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 served up a match of thrilling intensity with the Devonians worthy champs
Long road to glory
A young, fearless Wallabies team is rebuilding the reputation of Australian rugby.
The pain game
Dave Ewers has overcome eviction, injuries and self-doubt to be on the cusp of glory
Family guy
Imhoff is a father figure for Racing’s band of brothers in Champions Cup showpiece
Same old All Blacks
Despite a new head coach, not much has changed for the All Blacks, tactically speaking.
Time to re-Joyce
Second row’s strong roots can help Bristol branch out in Challenge Cup final
Taking sides
On Sunday, for the first time in almost three decades, a Kiwi referee took charge of an All Blacks match.
Seeing red
A rash of Top 14 red cards, has seen many French commentators call for more flair and less flare
Flaw in the Death Star
The All Blacks can’t win games by dropping a goal and it’s a big problem for them.
Culture vulture
Townsend channels Fergie and Pep to get a team-first ethos with Scotland
It’s a knockout
Two heavyweights are ready to trade blows in a punchy Gallagher Premiership final
Bouncing back
Sam Cane’s reign began with a draw, but the new All Blacks captain won the respect of his nation.
The heat is on
Premiership Rugby has endured an annus horribilis and changes to their governance must be afoot
Powered by pain
Losing to England means the All Blacks start a new era with a pain that will fuel them for years.
Taking a stand
Ashton Hewitt has found his voice and is determined to call out racist bigots
The Doc’s wisdom
World Cup-winning coach believes a broken game can be fixed with a return to old school values
Breaking the age barrier
Ian Foster begins his All Blacks coaching era with a luxury not afforded to his predecessor.
Scratching the surface
Why the schools system in Leinster is both a blessing and a curse to Irish rugby
Right man for the job
Sam Cane has long been destined to be All Blacks captain.
A case of misplaced nostalgia
Is the unpalatable truth that rugby in days of yore was boorish and bedraggled?
The lost art
The homogenisation of loose forwards is killing a whole generation of would-be No 8s.
Mind games
Racing 92 attack coach Mike Prendergast explains Finn Russell’s modus operandi
Lost generation
Rugby Australia needs more initiatives to engage those with Indigenous heritage.
Money matters
Professional players face financial ruin if they don’t adapt to the new Covid world.
Father and son
What is it that makes the bond between a father and a son so special?
The Springboks pattern
Will the Springboks change up their tactics from the World Cup when the Lions come to SA?
French education
Gabriel Ibitoye left Harlequins for a new challenge and he’s making headlines at Agen
Hanging by a thread
Australia and New Zealand currently hate each other, but they desperately need each other.
The end of an affair
South African rugby is throwing its weight behind the PRO16 after stagnating down South
End of an era
Super Rugby Aotearoa engaged fans but broke the players and may not be the long term answer for NZ.
The forgotten man
Once heralded a superstar, Huw Jones saw his stock plummet but his self-belief has never waned
Tales of the unexpected
Tupou Vaa’i didn’t even have a Super Rugby contract at the start of the year. Now he’s an All Black.
Seeing the light
Rugby has protected its assets for too long, it needs to open up to survive and thrive
Man in the middle
The pressure to make the right decisions as a referee is at a tipping point
School of hard knocks
Anton Lienert-Brown has fought a long mental battle to become a regular All Black.
Race against time
Jacques Nienaber says his Springboks are playing catch-up but the Lions should be wary
Wow factor
Unorthodox but brilliant, Scott Robertson wants a job with the British and Irish Lions.
When forwards go rogue
It’s pretty easy…scrum, lineout, ruck. Yet some forwards have shown they can’t follow that simple brief