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Forwards have to think on their feetForwards are conditioned from a young age to make sure that they get to the breakdown, but sometimes it is the worst thing they can do
The Rolling Maul IIWhen the perfect rolling maul is on the move it is almost impossible to stop. It is like discovering the secret of perpetual motion. You cannot tackle a player legally. You cannot get at the ball. There is not much of a front to drive against. The only option left is to…infringe.
Rugby soon to end it's Olympic exileRugby union will not feature in the Olympic Games, but the sport will end its long exile in 2016 after a long battle by the International Rugby Board to gain admission, first by the late Vernon Pugh and then by one of his successors as chairman, Bernard Lapasset.
Bringing a top lineout drive back down to earthMartin Johnson’s great Leicester lineout was a mighty hard thing to stop, but American Football provided a few clues
Victor Matfield: LineoutCOMING SOON…Victor Matfield shares with you the technical and tactical lineout skills he has developed over his playing and coaching career.
Financial dark cloud looms over Welsh rugby.On the day that Gavin Henson signed for London Welsh, his fifth club in less than two years, the financial dark cloud looming over Welsh rugby grew darker.
Is rugby becoming another soccer?In the amateur era, rugby was known as a tough game where justice was frequently administered by the players on the field.
The price of Anglo-Saxon stoicismThe tours showed, yet again, that there the game in New Zealand and Australia is fundamentally different to that in Europe.
The Rolling Maul Part IBrendon Ratcliffe loves the rolling maul. If forwards are piano shifters, then the rolling maul is the Steinway of rugby.
South Africa v EnglandHeyneke Meyer has outsmarted Stuart Lancaster in the first two tests between the Springboks and England.
Australia v WalesJG thinks that the afternoon test match in Sydney presents Wales with an opportunity to beat Australia in what will be their fifth encounter in nine months
All Blacks v IrelandWithout Dan Carter and five other changes to the starting lineup, have the All Blacks given Ireland a sniff of a historic first win in the final test of the series?
Take them out wide EnglandPlaying for the shirt in England Sport has become conventional wisdom after England’s problems in NZ.
A Great Weekend of RugbyWhile much attention will return to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa this weekend, there are other games which should not be ignored.
Mike Cron: The Scrum Setup PreviewMike Cron shows you the key elements to ensuring a strong, safe and balanced scrum set-up.
Let the Battles CommenceA feast of international rugby awaits this weekend. JG makes his predictions.
An interview with Martin CastrogiovanniCastro describes his scrummaging philosophies, his rugby idols and why he wants to share his skills.
Scotland’s splash and grab teaches Australia a beautiful lessonScotland’s shock defeat of Australia has Mark Reason waxing lyrical about the skillful delight of wet weather rugby
Rugby means more to South AfricaGetting to know the South Africans was a huge part of the All Blacks World Cup success
Lions WatchThere appears to be an abundance of riches in some positions but a dearth of talent in others.
ConcussionOn rugby pitches around the world the IRB recommendation is regularly ignored.
on Conditioning
Brad Thorn – the man and the manaWayne Smith pays his tribute to Brad Thorn and looks back on a few of the stories that define the man.
Castro Scrum II: Scrum PowerIn this module Castro takes you through his scrum positioning techniques to produce the greatest power. Showing you how to build a stable set-up, work as a cohesive unit and how to make the greatest impact. “With the scrum it’s the small things, a small thing can change a lot.”
Will they never learn?The abiding memory of the week leading up to last year’s world cup final was the almost unanimous belief in NZ that the All Blacks would win at a canter. It was a foregone conclusion. Game over before it started.
Irish eyes are dreamingIt will need a few more All Black injuries to justify Ireland’s increasing optimism about their chances against New Zealand this summer.
Consistent Leinster TriumphsDespite having a family interest in Ulster (my wife works for the company that provides their playing/leisure kit) it was fitting and important that the side who were consistently prepared to play the most varied and challenging rugby throughout the tournament triumphed.
We haven't won for a bit so can we change the rules pleaseThe bleating clubs of England and France demand a change to the qualification process as Ireland continues to dominate the Heineken Cup.
Thorn in Ulster’s sideCan there be a professional rugby player who has achieved as much as Brad Thorn? Representing Australia 8 times in rugby league and then winning 59 All Black caps is a unique achievement in itself. Despite his achievements the 37 year old still has a voracious appetite for the game. While some team mates from the successful All Blacks team of last year went off the boil, recuperated from injury or just wallowed in the glory of the victory, the oldest man in the side was soon back at work within days, playing in Japan.
What’s the (bonus) PointMark Reason hates the bonus point system and says it creates manifestly unjust outcomes at the end of the season which is why no other sport will have anything to do with it.
75% Dan is Still the Main ManGraham Henry looks at Steve Hansen’s first squad as All Blacks manager and expects Sonny Bill Williams to start the first test against Ireland.
