Articles
News & Opinions articles
Topical articles and commentary on rugby events around the world.
The Deans DilemmaWith the Lions prowling on the horizon, Robbie Deans can feel confident that his Wallabies are hitting form at the right time.
Band of BrothersWhat a remarkable weekend for brothers. The Savea brothers stole the show for the Hurricanes but they weren’t the only ones…
Joe Schmidt – a master of his tradeThere have been many names linked with the soon to be vacant Ireland job but one man stands out above the rest.
Deans needs strong leadership group to control aussie troublemakersAustralia’s biggest challenge is not the Lions, but making their twitter-mouths part of a team environment argues Eddie Jones
Ireland’s Dream Team Just Needs to be AskedIf New Zealand can appoint a team of top coaches to win a World Cup, then why can’t Ireland?
England's failure to dare cost them a Grand SlamSimon Halliday argues that the pace and power of Wales was too much for an England side whose defensive selection policy has ruled them out as an attacking force.
Wales alone wouldn't beat the WallabiesWales may have won the Six Nations but recent history has shown that they alone won’t have enough to beat the Wallabies.
Don’t let Steve Walsh Choose the Lions teamThe margin of Wales’ victory over England created a multitude of myths that need stripping away ahead of the Lions tour
The Rugby Site team picks their Lions XVThe Rugby Site team picks their Lions XV on the evidence of the Six Nations.
Six Nations: Final Round HighlightsWales steamrolled England in Cardiff to secure the 2013 Six Nations Championship. See video highlights of all 3 matches
Wales's Defence put to the Test in CardiffExpect low risk rugby in this weekend’s Six Nations decider as both sides are likely to attmept to defend their way to victory
Hold Your Breath for Cardiff, otherwise hold your noseA strong defence against a spluttering attack does not make for the most compelling finale to the Six Nations, but what the hell, this is Wales versus England for the Championship
Brian O’Driscoll – a once in a generation playerA tribute to Brian O’Driscoll, the finest outside centre of the professional era and, in JG’s Irish eyes, the greatest to have turned out for his country
Reason & JG select thier Lions XV on formMark Reason and JG pick their Lions XV based solely on the latest round of the Six Nations
Six Nations: Round 4 HighlightsSee how the penultimate weekend of the Six Nations was played out [video highlights]
France and Ireland leaders are on trialPhiippe Saint-Andre’s inflexibilty over substitutions expose his tactical limitations as a coach.
A Winning Attitude - Part Two: See The LightIn Part Two of a winning attitude Wayne Smith looks at a team’s attitude to space and how they react to it
Pushy Steve Walsh and the whistle of prejudiceThe outcome of the Six Nations is likely to be decided by the fickle whistle of Steve Walsh, a man who arrives in the UK after yet another poor performance, culminating in him pushing Conrad Smith out of his way.
Mark Reason & 'RR' pick their Lions XV (on form!)Mark Reason and RR have put their heads together and come up with what will almost certainly not be the Lions XV that run out in Brisbane, but this lot are in fine form!
Robshaw & Wood Leading by ExampleTom Wood and Chris Robshaw continue to lead England both on and off the pitch. Robshaw put in another heroic shift against France, for which he earned the man of the match, but I suspect that England’s captain will concede that Wood was his team’s leading performer on Saturday.
Six Nations: Round 3 HighlightsRound 3 of the Six Nations saw England continue their quest for the Grand Slam, with Wales keeping their Championship hopes alive & Ireland being defeated by the Scots to end theirs.
England’s fitness will win a close matchPaul Rees argues that this England side is the best since Clive Woodward’s squad won the 2003 World Cup
Why French rugby needs a Twickenham humiliationI hope that France get stuffed at Twickenham on Saturday, although I have my doubts. I hope that France lose by 30 points. I hope that Les Bleus finish the match with 13 men, squabbling and fighting amongst themselves.
A Winning Attitude - Part One: Adieu To All ThatIn part one of ‘A Winning Attitude’ Wayne Smith looks at France and fears that ‘French Flair’ may be gone forever
A Simple Message for GatlandWarren Gatland’s recent comments about ‘The English’ aren’t likely to endear him to anyone except, perhaps, the Australians.
The Six Nations So FarFormer England Head Coach, Brian Ashton reviews the performance of the teams so far this Six Nations
Rugby's Road to RioWhile some of the IRB Sevens Series seem more like a party than a rugby tournament, the sport’s inclusion at the 2016 Olympic Games gaurantees it’s taken seriously on the field
England’s Backrow MasterclassTom Wood put on one of the great Six Nations displays against Scotland as England’s back row send out a warning to Ireland
Billy Twelvetrees shows France what they are missingSimon Halliday muses on the first round of Six Nations matches and reckons that England can now push on to a Grand Slam
