Sam Burgess to switch codes in time for RWC

- February 6, 2014

Reports in the Daily Mail are indicating that England rugby league star Sam Burgess will make a sensational code switch in time for the Rugby World Cup next year, as England look to fast track him into the squad for the sport's showpiece event on home soil.Burgess has reportedly agreed

Tom Wood: “We’ve let the fans down; we owe them a big showing”

- January 16, 2014

When Tom Wood limped off the Liberty Stadium pitch on Sunday afternoon, it was not just Northampton Saints fans that were nervously gnawing on their fingernails. Wood has become an integral cog in the England machine, and his being injured for the Six Nations would have been a serious blow

Is Trimble’s Ulster commitment and consistency enough for Ireland?

- January 14, 2014January 13, 2014

Congratulations were due to Andrew Trimble on Friday evening as the long-serving wing set a new Ulster appearance record in the Heineken Cup, earning his 58th cap and surpassing the previous benchmark set by Dr David Humphreys who watched on as Ulster stumbled to a 27-16 victory over a weakened,

WRU’s threat of ‘new’ regions is laughable… and dangerous

- January 3, 2014

To say Welsh rugby is in crisis would be an understatement. Having missed the New Year's Eve deadline set by the Welsh Rugby Union to sign a new deal, Regional Rugby Wales have been offered one more chance to do so, with the Union promising that a new agreement will

The ‘6.5’ – what is their role, and can they be successful?

- December 19, 2013

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a number of exceptional performances from players we have come to term as ‘6.5s’, but what sets these players apart from their colleagues, who arguably fit the traditional six, seven, and eight stereotypes more accurately?In the modern game of rugby, which has

Innate belief sets All Blacks apart, but are they the best ever?

- November 27, 2013

On Sunday in Dublin, rugby history was made. Deep into extra time, the All Blacks scored a converted try to complete not only a remarkable comeback against Ireland, but also confirm themselves as the first team in the professional era to complete a 'perfect' year. Their scorecard for 2013 reads

Trayfoot keen to capitalise on recent game time

- November 20, 2013November 20, 2013

Twenty-two year old flanker Joe Trayfoot is a perfect example of the home-grown succession strategy at Harlequins. With the international period leaving Quins without their England stars, Trayfoot has stepped into the breach and performed superbly.After a brief LV= Cup sojourn, all eyes return to the Premiership this weekend, and

Lewis Moody: 6 Nations disappointment should create hunger in England

- October 29, 2013October 29, 2013

The last time a full England side took to a rugby pitch, a massacre took place. England were blown away by 30 points to three by great rivals Wales, losing in an instant not only a Grand Slam and a Six Nations title, but also their pride. 'Bouncebackability' has become

Matt Kvesic Column: initiation at Gloucester and targets for England

- October 24, 2013

In the first of his new exclusive column on The Rugby Blog, Matt Kvesic talks about settling into life at Gloucester, as well as his excitement at facing a first full season in the England set-up.I've really enjoyed the start to my time at Gloucester. All the boys and all

Ellis Park epic highlights gulf between the best and the rest

- October 9, 2013October 9, 2013

The build-up to Saturday's test at Ellis Park between South Africa and New Zealand was so intense, and there was so much hype surrounding the fixture, that it seemed unfeasible the game could live up to expectations. The two best teams in the world, a repeat of the legendary 1995