Champions Cup
Confrontational, aggressive behaviour now sees a three-week Johnny Sexton suspension imposed by European Rugby powers, and is costing the 38-year-old an inglorious delay to his ambition to drive Ireland towards a first-ever Rugby World Cup goal. It comes after the [then] injured Leinster club player Sexton was investigated by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) at […]
With just 10 days to go until the start of the new United Rugby Championship season, we preview how Scotland’s capital city side Edinburgh Rugby can build on a successful campaign last year and push to reach another gear this 2022/23 season. Edinburgh Rugby: What their upcoming season looks like? 2021/22 Season The DHL Stormers […]
Leicester Tigers’ play-off challenge begins this weekend as they entertain local rivals Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the semi-finals of the play-offs. Tigers go into the contest having finished top of the Premiership’s regular season with 20 wins from 24 games. With this in mind, how are they looking as they enter […]
This weekend sees the biggest game in the European club rugby calendar. The Champions Cup final is finally here. Last year’s beaten finalists, La Rochelle, are back for another shot at glory. Opponents Leinster are looking to add yet another star to their jersey. In a game of such magnitude every collision could prove crucial […]
At LWOS, we have previously covered which countries have the most registered players. This got us thinking about other aspects of rugby’s popularity. At the very least, it can indicate how and where rugby flourishes. Using social media statistics, this list ranks the world’s most popular rugby clubs.Of course, social media won’t tell the whole […]
The European rugby quarter-finals have finished for another year. Both the Heineken Challenge Cup and Champions Cup quarter-finals were settled last weekend, and they did not disappoint. There was plenty of drama across the two competitions. Knowing this, Last Word on Rugby has analyzed the main talking points. That penalty shoot-out! Breathtaking conclusion The biggest […]
Last Saturday’s emotional victory over Bristol Bears secured Leicester Tigers a home semi-final in the end-of-season play-offs. This weekend however is Leicester Tigers’ toughest challenge yet as European heavyweights Leinster roll into town, for what should be a mouth-watering clash in the Champions Cup Quarter-Final. As to be expected, the fixture has caught the excitement […]
Transfer rumours regarding Leicester Tigers have become less frequent ever since Head Coach Steve Borthwick joined the club in 2020. However, in recent weeks there has been talk of improved Leicester Tigers’ wing options [which are already strong as they are]. Numerous reports that Bath and England’s Anthony Watson has agreed on a deal to […]
Leicester’s European tour has already seen them travel to difficult away venues to play tricky and stern opponents, yet come away with a victory. Last Sunday saw them face one of the toughest tests in club rugby as they took on Clermont Auvergne in the bearpit of a stadium that is the Parc Des Sports […]
We are fast approaching the business end of the season, with each week bringing a fixture of significant proportions. After enjoying a bye week last weekend, the Leicester Tigers’ big April commences this Sunday. The Tigers travel to France to play European hotshots Clermont Auvergne in the first of their two legs of their Heineken […]
PREVIEW – There’s not much in club rugby more exciting than the Heineken Cup play-offs. Well, maybe a play-off involving Marcus Smith and his razzle-dazzle Harlequins. It’s the club’s first knockout game in Europe’s top competition for nine years, facing a Montpellier side who are currently 1st in the Top 14. Despite this, Smith spoke […]
From afar, the Leicester Tigers’ recent form drop could be on one hand, a worry for their supporters or, it is nothing more than a blip on a very near to perfect 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership. Leicester Tigers had an unexpected Saturday off last week. Due to their last pool game in the Heineken Champions Cup […]
With the official word from European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) that all postponed Round Two Heineken Champions Cup/Challenge Cup games will now be recorded as a 0-0 draw. It means each team collects two points, irrespective of their squad Covid-status [at that time] or ability to travel. Following a series of meetings of the Board […]
For the last seven seasons in the Champions Cup, Racing 92 have reached the knockout stages in Europe’s elite competition. Unfortunately, they have never won any European silverware despite losing in three finals to Saracens, Leinster and Exeter. Although last season’s run was underwhelming after a quarter-final defeat against Bordeaux Bègles at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, […]
Last Word on Rugby is refocusing attention on the Gallagher Premiership ahead of the 2021/22 season. This article centers on Northampton Saints, who finished fifth last season but will be looking for a closer top-four challenge this time. Saints biggest departure in offseason Props Francois van Wyk and Owen Franks have departed, which could impact […]
The Harlequins 2021/22 season promises to be a massive challenge for the current Gallagher Premiership Champions. After parting ways with their head coach Paul Gustard last season, the team set about playing an exciting brand of rugby to run the other Premiership sides off their feet. One by one, they picked them off and got […]
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Saturday’s fixture Ireland v South Africa is a moc-Cup Final. It sees Johnny Sexton drive Irish hopes of a pinnacle World Title while defending title-holders the Springboks utilize their advanced 7-1 bench strategy. Ideally, fans could view this match-up later in the draw – your number one versus numbered teams two, three, or four should […]
The 2023 MLR draft Toronto Arrows game happened a week ago. Canada’s only professional rugby union team as usual selected players from Canadian universities. However, this time, they drafted players from Quebec universities. These players will likely play in the new Arrows gear including the refreshed logo that was revealed on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. […]
It’s been 20 years since England were crowned 2003 Rugby World Cup champions, and Last Word on Rugby caught up with one of the successful squad members Simon Shaw. 2003 Rugby World Cup Anniversary: Simon Shaw Simon Shaw shared with Larissa Falls his favourite moments and memories from the 2003 triumph, and looked ahead to […]
The Paris Olympics 2024 qualification for Africa concluded in Harare, Zimbabwe with Kenya 7s beating South Africa 17-12 in the Africa men’s 7s to earn a direct ticket to next year’s showpiece. The Africa 7s tournament couples up with the Paris Olympics 2024 qualification. The two African rugby powerhouses found themselves in this tournament after […]
The Rugby World Cup 2023 round two matches saw most teams solidify their position in their respective pools. The pools have teams that have the upper hand of featuring in the quarterfinals. Teams leading the pools have so far had two out of two wins in their respective pools. RWC 2023 round two matches overview […]
England eventually found a way through a determined but under-par Japanese outfit on Sunday evening. England won ugly yet momentum is growing, with two wins over the pool’s two toughest opponents, Argentina and Japan. It was not pretty but, successful World Cup campaigns rarely are, and England ultimately might have one foot in the quarter-finals. […]
Hard to fathom that this year’s Rugby World Cup brings up the 20-year anniversary since the 2003 RWC tournament in Australia. A contest where Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau would be involved in one of the more epic finales in all RWC folklore. The 40-year-old was then in his early career with the Australian national team, […]
The first round of Rugby World Cup 2023 fixtures felt like ‘Christmas come early’ for rugby fans. It was a celebration across the French host nation, and this weekend looks to be just as action-packed. That first weekend certainly delivered some shiny gifts. Attacking flair from Wales v Fiji, a brilliant no-look cross-field kick from […]
About Author
Scott Hornell, Managing Editor
Scott is building a strong base in Journalism and Online Sports reporting, and he is our Managing Editor for the LWOS Rugby department.
Scott produces content on both Rugby, League and contributes towards his other passion - Motorsports.
Scott currently reports on Super Rugby/Bunnings NPC, and the Rugby Championship/International rugby, as well as the NRL.