Best of the Weekend: Saints & Gloucester upset apple-cart

- March 7, 2016

Saints upset Saracens in gritty affair at AllianzResponsible for putting the cat among the pigeons at the top of the table this week were Northampton, whose 20-15 victory over Saracens tightened the standings within the top five. What was more remarkable was the lack of a try for Mark McCall’s

Best of the Weekend: England slam still on; Super Rugby returns

- February 29, 2016

We’ve made it through some lean months, but finally the rugby bumper crop has arrived. This weekend saw Six Nations, Aviva Premiership, Guinness Pro 12 and Top 14 rugby played across Europe, with Super Rugby also returning to our screens.Grand Slam dream still alive for EnglandEngland continued their Six Nations

6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby

- February 23, 2016

1. Battle at the basement heating upNot long ago it looked like a foregone conclusion that the battle to avoid relegation from the Premiership was going to be a two horse race but now it looks likely to become just as interesting as the battle for the play off places.The

Best of the Weekend: Falcons and Warriors grab upsets

- February 22, 2016

Tough times continue for Leicester and BathBen Botica battled tricky conditions to kick 18 points on the way to Harlequins’ 25-19 victory over Leicester. Marland Yarde provided the killer blow, latching onto Botica’s chip for the final try after Leicester had scored in the first half through Harry Thacker. Leicester

6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby

- February 1, 2016

1. Itoje spurred on by England omissionAs the hype around Saracens’ second row Maro Itoje was starting to heighten it became clear that Eddie Jones was not going to get caught up in it all as the England head coach released him back to his club from the Elite Playing

Best of the Weekend: Saracens and Leicester survive scares

- February 1, 2016February 1, 2016

Comeback victories for Saracens, LeicesterSaracens fought back from a 13-0 half time deficit to beat Bath 19-13 and cement their position at the top of the Premiership. Tom Homer’s 13th minute try was converted by Rhys Priestland before the Welsh fly-half added two penalties to conclude Bath’s scoring for the

The Rugby Fan’s Bucket List: Why Toulon is No.1

- January 22, 2016January 22, 2016

It's easy to be cynical about Rugby Club Toulonnais. They have an owner who is either eccentric, if you're being kind, or akin to a spoilt child if you're being harsh realistic. They lavish money on the world's biggest superstars, offering them eye-watering pay packets to come and live the

6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby

- January 12, 2016January 11, 2016

1. Munster at their lowest ebbIt has been 21 years since Munster were last shut out in European rugby but on Saturday they were the closest that they have been for many a year. A late Conor Murray try meant that they didn’t have to suffer the ignominy of

Rugby Predictions for 2016: Who will win what?

- January 5, 2016

So, no World Cup and no Lions tour in 2016... but there is still so much for rugby fans to look forward to, from a Six Nations that promises to be closer than ever, to a bafflingly revamped Super Rugby competition - including new Argentinian and Japanese franchises - that

6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby

- January 5, 2016January 5, 2016

1. A fly (half) in the ointmentA lot of talk recently has been about whether Owen Farrell or George Ford deserves the Number ten shirt for England when the Six Nations comes around, and it has looked until now like Farrell would get the nod. But Danny Cipriani, with a