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Lancaster’s Hartley headacheGraham Jenkins dissect’s the Dylan Hartley discipline conundrum facing Stuart Lancaster. England’s most capped current player also has the most compromised discipline record in the international game. Hartley’s a world class rake and critical to England’s rugby’s 2015. He also knows there’s only so much a coach with the value set of Lancaster can take.
Wayne Smith – Steve Hansen’s most visionary selectionRespected New Zealand based journalist Liam Napier gains unique access and explores the value of Wayne Smith’s reappointment to the All Blacks and their 2015 mission to be the first team to claim back to back Rugby World Cup titles. “Strategically I really like the role of plotting the defence and working out how we can get the ball back, whether that’s by forcing poor kicks or turning it over at the ruck,” Smith says. “Whatever it is, that ball creates a lot of tries.” Enjoy this Rugby Site exclusive.
The world's best coaches – 2014Graham Jenkins identifies the five coaches who made the biggest difference to the global game. The world’s best coaches of 2014.
We welcome your comment and feedback, who are your top five globally?
Scrums, Props and RefereesAs we look forward to the return fixtures in this weekends European Rugby Champions Cup, Murray Kinsella focusses his torch on the dark art of front row play.
Dissecting referee Wayne Barne’s interpretation last week of Munster tight head BJ Botha’s battle with Clermont loose head Thomas Domingo and profiling the challenge Nigel Owen will have this weekend to interpret and manage this most intense and influential aspect of play.
No pressure Nigel!
Match fixing and rugby – The fight to ensure the integrity of our gameAs the dust settles on another series of fiercely-fought inter-hemisphere clashes another intense battle continues, the one to preserve the integrity of the sport.
Match-fixing scandals have hit increasingly close to home in recent months with football, cricket and rugby league all tarnished by reports of alleged corruption. Until now, rugby union has escaped such ignominy but far from celebrating the fact, officials are stepping up their efforts to keep it that way.
A Rucking Revolution?FIJI SEVENS HEAD coach Ben Ryan published a number of intriguing tweets yesterday evening highlighting a technique which he believes has the game “in crisis”.
The former England Sevens boss has an issue with the rucking technique that, depending on where one is from, is referred to as a crocodile roll, tin opener, can opener, body roll, croc roll, alligator roll, gator roll, saddle roll or log roll.
England performance a timely mix of brute force and intellectGraham Jenkins dissects a very timely England performance against Australia. A victory not just built on brute force but their most intelligent performance of the autumn. Lancaster’s side saved the best until last with a dominant 26-17 victory over Australia.
Autumn Internationals, A Southern Hemisphere PerspectiveLiam Napier reviews the Autumn internationals and delivers a southern hemisphere perspective on the form contenders a year out from rugby’s biggest show.
The art of being smart - coaches everywhere under spotlight in RWC lead upSimon Halliday shares with us his thoughts around the Autumn Internationals to date and what they tell us about form and contenders for the 2015 RWC.
Murray Kinsella Ireland vs Australia OverviewMurray Kinsella dissects the Ireland vs Australia test match. Delivering a breakdown that has real relevance to coaches and players around the world. We know you are enjoying Murray’s perspective and game understanding. Enjoy.
Ford brings England's future into focusGraham Jenkins reviews England’s performance against Samoa over the weekend, identifying George Ford as the shining light the England team has been searching for.
Predictably fired up after a turbulent week off the pitch, Samoa went after the comparatively slight Ford, and some of his team-mates, but he reminded us he has the steel to complement the abundance of skill he can call on.
Dan Carter: coming back from adversity (part 2)One of the most gifted players of his or any generation, Carter insists hard graft has played a more significant part in his undoubted success. “Hard work is crucial,” he said. “You can have all the talent in the world but if you are not prepared to work at the highest level then that is a big part…"
