Ireland’s Sevens game bearing fruit
The revival of Ireland’s Sevens programme has been an unexpected success story
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The Lions’ Biggar gambit paved the way
The Lions fly-half was instrumental in orchestrating the second-half comeback to defeat the Springboks
Will there be a changing of the guard for England?
With the Lions away, some players have seized their opportunity to impress Eddie Jones
Unfinished business chasing the Olympic dream
Team GB’s Harry Glover has got a golden eye on the Tokyo Sevens tournament
David Havili proving the All Blacks dream is alive and real
More often than not, it can take a little bit of time before players really embed themselves into test rugby.
Why Gatland has rolled the dice
Eyebrows were raised when the Lions unveiled their squad for the first Test but every eventuality has been covered
Does the Lions need to change to ensure its future?
The 2021 Lions tour of South Africa has been a lame affair with limited opposition, so is it time to mix it up for Australia in 2025?
Against-the-odds win breathes life into Wallabies
The Wallabies will have taken some massive lessons and belief out of their series-win over France.
Building the All Blacks around Richie Mo’unga’s Crusaders
Analysis: The All Blacks are building their attack around the in-form Richie Mo’unga.
Marika Koroibete’s rescinded red card a lesson for World Rugby
World Rugby need to seriously rethink 20-minute red cards.
Baby Bleus widen Galthie’s 2023 talent pool
France lost a tight series Down Under but there were enough longer-term positives to please coach Fabien Galthié
The civil strife that shadows the Lions tour
Looting and Covid have South Africa teetering on the brink but the country has been faced with catastrophe before
TJ Perenara the new guide for integrating returning All Blacks
TJ Perenara will follow a different path back into the All Blacks than Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick.
The unlikely lads pushing for a Lions Test start
Few people outside Ireland had heard of Tadhg Beirne or Jack Conan in 2017, now both players are in contention to start the first Test
Which locks should start for the Lions Tests?
Warren Gatland has a wealth of riches in the second row and has a big decision to make for the first Test
Ian Foster’s All Blacks vision taking slow steps forward
We don’t yet have a full appreciation of what Ian Foster is trying to do as head coach of the All Blacks.
Cohesion key in Canterbury’s ongoing success
Analysis: All signs point to Canterbury marching on in the Farah Palmer Cup.
Eyes on the prize
A Test match in all but name, the clash with South Africa A has shown the Lions precisely what awaits.
The era of Ardie Savea has arrived
With Sam Cane set to spend plenty of time on the sidelines, Ardie Savea needs to make a statement.
Fiji’s major France-honed advantage over the All Blacks
Analysis: The All Blacks were absolutely demolished at the breakdown in their first test with Fiji.
Japan’s progress must not cost the Pacific nations
The Rugby Championship can’t simply keep absorbing new teams when they reach tier-one status.
Thinking outside the Boks
As Covid-19 ravages the Springboks camp, who can the South Africans turn to as the Lions series looms?
David Havili gives the All Blacks a new edge at 12
Analysis: The All Blacks relied on the full bag of tricks of their new second five in their win over Fiji.
Rugby’s eligibility laws relics of a bygone era
Did rugby throw the baby out with the bathwater when they changed the international eligibility laws?
Should the Lions run away with the Test Series?
The Tier 1 nations walloped the emerging nations in a one-side weekend of rugby while the Lions limp on
Rieko Ioane’s chance to cement All Blacks centre shift
Injuries have given Rieko Ioane a clear run at the All Blacks No 13 jersey.
Don’t give up the fight
At 33, Josh Turnbull had a Wales call-up after three years in the wilderness. It is just reward for hard graft
Huw Jones’ Harlequins harmony
Huw Jones and Harlequins are a match made in rugby heaven.
Best yet to come for Scott Robertson’s Crusaders
Scott Robertson has signed on for two more years with the Crusaders. What will the near future hold?
Adding blitz to rugby’s last bastion of slow ball
Analysis: While breakdowns are getting faster, the scrum mostly remains stuck in rugby’s dark ages.
Dalton Papalii’s battle to usurp the All Blacks’ best
After spending three years’ in the shadows of Sam Cane and Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii is set to break free.
Concussion controversy raises serious questions
The Luke Cowan-Dickie case illustrates rugby’s grave and nebulous concussion peril.
Beard perfectly groomed for Lions
Here’s why Adam Beard has been selected over James Ryan and Jonny Gray for the injured Alun Wyn Jones
Knowing when to call it quits
When rugby is so intertwined with who you are as a person, how do you ever call time on the game?
All Blacks depth reaching bursting point
The All Blacks have plenty of options to pick from but few certain starters amongst their squad.
England’s next generation step-up
Some of England’s fresh faces may be coming men, but others have already arrived.
Why the Wallabies must lay down a marker against France
A series with a depleted France presents Dave Rennie’s Wallabies the chance to get back on track.
Finding space for Japan in The Rugby Championship
Japan can’t suddenly be expected to regularly compete with the superpowers of world rugby.
The Lions are up and running
The Lions are purring but the spectre of Covid tracks them around South Africa
The Lions reprise the 10-12 axis
Two games in, Warren Gatland and his coaches are already showing varied gameplans to keep the Springboks guessing
Will Jordan has one hand on the All Blacks No 14 jersey
A five-try haul against Tonga won’t have harmed Will Jordan’s chances of starting in major tests.
No ‘justice’ for All Blacks in drawn Lions series
Roman Poite’s startling admission should have All Blacks fans – and the rest of the rugby world – up in arms.
Tom Rogers set for lift off with Wales
After producing Barry John and Car Carwyn James, Cefneithin RFC have unearthed a new star: Tom Rogers.
All hail the Oxford Blues
Manon Johnes have combined their studies at Oxford with playing international rugby and the Varsity Match awaits
Where the All Blacks actually improved in 2020
Analysis: 2020 was supposed to be an easy transition year for the All Blacks. That wasn’t the case.
Finn Russell set to weave his Lions magic
Lions have to weigh up the risk and reward of starting Finn Russell in the Test series
Is Jordie Barrett the fix to the All Blacks’ problem position?
It may be a left-field move, but Jordie Barrett has all the skills needed for a shift back to the midfield.
The quest for equality
What will it take for a current male player to come out as gay?
The bedrock of the Lions scrum
Tadhg Furlong is integral to the success of the esteemed touring side, a player they dare not lose
Where the All Blacks will find their ferocity
The All Blacks have talked about getting aggressive, but it will be up to individuals to make a difference.
What we learnt from the Lions v Japan
Two key injuries aside, it was a useful hit out for Warren Gatland’s tourists but stiffer tests await
The cultural shift that’s transformed the All Blacks
A massive change in the All Blacks culture is helping to bring the best out of players.
Tracking the history of the Lions
The toughest tour in sport gives players the chance to be remembered as greats of the game
Why is Conor Murray the new Lions captain?
The Munster and Ireland scrum-half has precious little captaincy experience but he will have to learn fast on the biggest stage
Damian McKenzie at a career crossroads
A stint overseas, no matter how short, could spell an end to Damian McKenzie’s All Blacks hopes.
Gatland’s Lions attempt to climb their Everest
The Lions tour starts in Edinburgh today but their toughest opponent will surely be a pandemic that has brought the world to its knees
Big Will Skelton remains the Wallabies’ one that got away
Despite interest from Australia, Will Skelton has signed a mammoth contract to remain in France.
Premiership final: The key battles
Where might Saturday’s mouth-watering Premiership Final be won and lost?
England’s Toon army
A quartet of Newcastle Falcons will show off their wares to a wider audience and Toby Flood gives you the lowdown
The struggle to replace Ma’a Nonu
The All Blacks are yet to find a midfielder that possesses the same subtleties to their game as Ma’a Nonu.
France’s tour of hotel hell
A callow French squad prepare to embark on their grinding voyage to Australia
How rugby is addressing the tackle height
The England World Cup winner believes great strides have been made in making tackles safer but there is more to do
All Blacks exclusion could be the making of Cullen Grace
Paradoxically, being dropped by the All Blacks could kick-start the career of 21-year-old Cullen Grace.
John Hardie’s race is run
The Scotland backrow reflects on a career of glory, trauma and fulfilment as he hangs up his boots
How the All Blacks will bring fire back to the fore in 2021
The All Blacks have selected a set of forwards that can bring some much-needed aggression to the pack.
Jade Konkel’s burning desire
Jade Konkel gave up a pro contract to become a firefighter but it hasn’t dampened her World Cup dream.
Card confusion reigns supreme across global game
Conflicting messages over high tackles and head knocks in both hemispheres remain game’s reliable constant.
The miracle of Ashton Gate
An astonishing weekend of rugby featured comebacks, trophies and breathtaking drama
Bear necessities
In the past Bristol were rudderless and lacking in confidence but with the right backing, brighter times lie ahead
Lightening the Lood
Sale’s giant Springbok talks family, injury, and facing the Lions
Premiership team of the season
As a madcap campaign draws to a close, The XV selects its team of the season from England’s top flight.
The new propping blood gunning for All Blacks selection
The All Blacks will look to rejuvenate their front-row in 2021. Which men are due a call-up?
Jerome Kaino’s final bow
Four years on from his departure from New Zealand, Jerome Kaino is enjoying his final days as a player.
No ordinary Joe
Harlequins have enjoyed a renaissance to spirit them to the play-off semi-finals and Chris Robshaw thinks he knows why
How the Blues and Highlanders will approach their finals clash
Analysis: There may be similarities in how NZ’s Super Rugby teams play, but they each have their quirks.
A handful of debutants likely for All Blacks re-build
After a limited year in 2020, the All Blacks finally have a full calendar ahead of them to rebuild.
Breaking the Springboks defensive line
The defensive system adopted by South Africa in Japan was impregnable, so how do the Lions unlock it?
Touched by genius
Former Springbok boss Nick Mallett explains what sets Rassie Erasmus apart as a player and coach
Neil Barnes’ old-school impact on the Chiefs
Neil Barnes’ tenure with the Chiefs is coming to an end after five years with the franchise.
Saracens power up
The Basque derby was settled in bonkers fashion as the Premiership campaign ended on a bumper weekend of rugby.
The Battle of Pretoria
The 2009 Lions Second Test was one of the most brutal games ever seen
No more false starts in battle for All Blacks No 10 jersey
The extended 2021 season will finally allow for a proper head-to-head for the All Blacks No 10 jersey.
Ireland’s special project
Ireland’s recent policy of recruiting foreign-born players has boosted the team but divided opinion.
The perfect mix
Poppy Cleall manages to combine strength and skill to set the standard at No8
Lions provide blueprint for global game
The British and Irish Lions of 2017 set the standards for the years to come. Will the same be the case in 2021?
The Flying Scotsman
Scotland centurion Sean Lamont talks Mustangs, brotherhood, naked calendars, and Craig Joubert.
Final hurdle
The Blues are on track to host their first Super Rugby finals showdown since 2003.
The gloves are off
Coaching flare-ups, desperate injuries and Premiership drama featured on a tumultuous weekend’s rugby.
The Bear Cub
After sparkling form and an England call-up, Harry Randall had to deal with injury lows but he’s back to spearhead a Bears title push
One last shot
Five years after his last cap, and a month shy of 37, Morné Steyn could again play his part in a Lions series.
Half’s time
Promising Chiefs halfback Xavier Roe has finally earned himself a start after an exceptional provincial season.
Loose ideas
An injury to Shannon Frizell has possibly made the loose forwards selection picture clearer for the All Blacks.
Destiny’s child
From tragedy and torment to trophies and tours, Andrew Porter’s journey to the Lions.
The need for speed
Jonny May was one of the fastest wings in the world but he wanted to get faster. Step forward Dan Pfaff, the revered US athletics coach
Age is no barrier
Victor Matfield says Alun Wyn Jones can still thrive as part of the old-boy network
Taking back the throne
Aaron Smith has taken his game to new heights in 2021 and is back in the conversation for world’s best.
The Chiefs take flight
The Exeter Chiefs are looking ominous as Tuilagi returns and Harlequins dazzle their way into the play-offs
Red mist
The Reds’ 40-34 win over the Chiefs breathes new life into a competition that was quickly becoming stale.
The game behind the game
World Cup Wallabies assistant Shaun Berne knows how cut-throat the coaching industry can be.