Heineken Cup Memories: Leinster come back from the dead

- May 22, 2014

With the last ever Heineken Cup final taking place this weekend, we thought it would be an appropriate moment to look back at one of the most amazing memories this fine tournament has given us. So sit back, and relive an epic comeback that is up there with the best

From the archives: European dominance bodes well for neglected Ireland

- January 16, 2014

As we head into the final round of the Heineken Cup pool stages, things are looking good for the Irish provinces. Come the end of the weekend, they should have three teams through to the knockout stages (barring any aberrations at home from Leinster or Munster), while even Connacht have

From the archives: Fantasy Rugby – The Christmas XV

- December 12, 2013

Christmas will soon be upon us, so this week's From the Archives feature is a cracking (excuse the pun) XV of festive favourites. Enjoy!Article first published on December 8th, 2010We have a festive Fantasy XV this week, and it's a pretty strong side with a healthy balance of power and

From the archives: Leinster come back from the dead against Northampton

- December 5, 2013December 5, 2013

Leinster and Northampton renew their rivalry this weekend, with this fixture having thrown up some epic encounters in the past. Here, we relive the astonishing 2011 final.This article was first published on May 23rd, 2011Superb Leinster complete the most unbelievable of turnarounds.Stunning. I can't have been the only person who

From the Archives: Halloween XV

- October 31, 2013October 31, 2013

This haunting team was first published five years ago, but it's still looking strong - do you have any suggestions for how it could be improved?1. Yeti – combines the hairy nature of the front row with the height and power needed for the modern day loose-head. 2. Cyclops – has one eye

From the Archives: ‘Martin Johnson has some tough decisions to make’

- October 18, 2013October 17, 2013

With the England squad announcement for the QBE Autumn Internationals this week, and all the inevitable analysis/opinions that come with it, we thought it would be good to look back at some reactions to previous squads. We've picked out a reactionary piece from five years ago, looking at one of

From the Archives: Three cheers for the Heineken Cup!

- October 11, 2013October 11, 2013

With the start of (probably) the final Heineken Cup just hours away, this week's 'From the Archives' feature is particularly nostalgic, revisiting a simpler time when rugby fans could enjoy the best club rugby competition in the world in blissful ignorance, not having to worry about what was going on

From the Archives: ‘Johno’s search for England’s midfield solution’

- September 26, 2013September 26, 2013

In the wake of the selection puzzle now facing Stuart Lancaster this autumn, we've trawled through the archives to find an article from a few years back when then head coach Martin Johnson faced a similar conundrum. As it turns out the three centres he ended up using that autumn

From the Archives: Fantasy Teams – A Bearded XV

- September 19, 2013September 19, 2013

The second instalment of our from the archives feature is a little more light-hearted and harks back the days of fantasy XVs (a feature we should really get going again, so feel free to suggest any teams you'd like to see in the comments below!).This article was first published

From the archives: Controversy and the Cup – just another Heineken weekend

- September 12, 2013September 12, 2013

Welcome to the first of another new weekly feature, in which we will hunt around in The Rugby Blog's archives for some of the best content from years gone by, only to most likely spend hours getting wound up once again about Johno's selection policy or watching ridiculous Brendan Venter