Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
What makes a British and Irish Lions tour so special? The players involved are the best of the best. There are no passengers on the bus heading towards the Lions first test squad selection. Everyone can make the test team and that is why the media love speculating the matchday 23. Announced days ago, deciphering […] READ MORE
There is no getting away from the hard fact that Eddie Jones does not like change. On Sunday afternoon he finally fielded an experimental side. Ever since he took over England it has been Ford and Farrell as his generals. On Sunday we saw a new man running the ship – Marcus Smith. The result […] READ MORE
The next generation of rugby greats has been thrown up in this year’s Under-20 Six Nations. However, this time it is not the rugby legends themselves but the next era taking on the family name. Some call it nepotism, but good genes could well be the scientific answer. Nevertheless, the pressure to live up to […] READ MORE
Only one side stands alone having won five European Cups. Toulouse over the last decade have been playing with four stars on their shirts, but now they are in a league on their own. Simply the greatest European side ever! Their fifth title was a long time coming with only Maxime Medard left from the […] READ MORE
Ex Scotland international Tim Visser joined The Telf Rugby Podcast this week and spoke about his frustration on missing out on the Lion Tour 2013 along, with the potential Scottish representation this year. The following are excerpts from that interview from podcast host and Last Word on Rugby contributor, Alastair Telfer Discussing the Lions 2013 […] READ MORE
The European Champions Cup has been dominated in the last decade by three teams: Leinster, Toulon, and Saracens. This ruthless domination offers up a common question: is there a specific blueprint to achieve European rugby success? Three key principles from that question stand-alone to assist a side to win a European Champions Cup. However, not […] READ MORE
The climax of the Pro14 season takes place on Saturday as Munster travel to the RDS to take on Leinster in a mouth-watering final. The two sides impressively topped their respected Conferences with 14/16 wins. League points however play no factor in a one-off final. Can Leinster make it four consecutive Pro14 titles? Or will […] READ MORE
For all rugby fans in the Northern Hemisphere, there is one day pencilled into the diary that you cannot miss: Six Nations Super Saturdays! At the weekend it lived up to all the hype with Scotland destroying Italy, Ireland shocking England and France snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against Wales. 10/10 entertainment factor […] READ MORE
Wales are one special night in Paris away from a 5th Grand Slam. To put this into perspective in the last 15 years: Ireland has done it twice, with England and France only doing it once. Although actual titles are a lot more even in recent years, Wales are the kings of the Slam. Yet, […] READ MORE
Ever since the emergence of professional rugby, the Pacific Islands have produced the highest calibre of elite athletes who, individually, have developed into top tier rugby players, Tonga, Fiji and Samoa have some of the best individual talents across both Super Rugby and European clubs. Their influence transcends the hemisphere boundaries. However, at international level […] READ MORE