Northern Hemisphere
The European competitions kick off this week, with the stand-out game arguably Toulon vs Saracens on Saturday afternoon. But the action starts on Thursday night, with an equally interesting game at the Twickenham Stoop. Last season’s beaten finalists Harlequins take on Stade Français in the European Challenge Cup 2016/17 opener, in a repeat of the […]
A year on from the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England and many people are happily reminiscing about the games they attended and their best memories from the tournament. But what has been the real impact in terms of improving the sport’s popularity and profile in a football dominated country? 370 miles separates the southernmost […]
As seems to be a perennial event these days, World Rugby made a raft of law changes coming into the new season. Whilst these seem to be predominantly based around ‘the scrum and tackle ball area’ they have been done with a simple objective; to speed up the game , increase the ball in play […]
Two weeks into the new Guinness Pro12 season, and it’s a mixed start for most teams. Here’s a Welsh regions round-up, to see where they are in the league and how they compare to their rivals. After the first two rounds of games, a good start means the Ospreys and the Cardiff Blues lie well […]
At the end of Aviva Premiership round three, Bristol Rugby have perhaps predictably sunk to the bottom of the table. After a narrow loss at Twickenham against Harlequins two emphatic defeats to Northampton Saints and Wasps have reiterated the struggle the West Country side will have this season. Whether they will stay up, may depend […]
After three rounds of action the Pro12 table is taking shaping with the top six pulling clear of the weaker teams. Here is a look at their displays so far.
Andy Robinson’s men need only look at Exeter’s approach to a slow start to the season and the key for Bristol Rugby is that they must not panic.
After a shaky start under newly promoted Director of Rugby John Kingston, a shock win against Saracens this weekend will be a turning point for Quins.
Solving The Henry Slade Conundrum Henry Slade’s meteoric rise has been well-documented over the past couple of years. His role in Exeter Chiefs own journey to the upper echelons of English Rugby meant that, following England’s extremely below-par performance in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Slade was seen by many as the man to take […]
A lot can be said for Leicester Tigers‘ solid win over Bath Rugby last weekend. Not only was it a relief for their dedicated fan base, but the comprehensive win over the West Country side injected much needed optimism into Richard Cockerill‘s men, who made a rusty start to the season. Now with three wins […]
For the last decade in the Aviva Premiership, there have been signs at Bath Rugby that they may be working their way back to their heyday of the late 80’s & the 90’s. There have been bright starts in recent years with good entertaining rugby played on quick hard autumnal pitches and sides studded with […]
The Burns family have an embarrassment of riches to choose from in the Fly-Half position
As with the Champions Cup there will be a new name on the trophy in the ‘second tier’ competition, as the away sides cause upsets in the European Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals, the most surprising being Newport Gwent Dragons defeating the current holders Gloucester at Kingsholm. Over the years of European Quarter Finals, we normally expect […]
As the Aviva Premiership is kicking into full gear, from a distance you notice the International player roster. It appears that every side has key players helping them achieve their goals of 2016/2017. Recognizing the importance of those players in Premiership Rugby, Last Word On Sports examines the best of the ‘Foreign Legion’. With input from […]
Saracens face a severe test when they visit their opponents from last year’s final in Round 2 of the Aviva Premiership down at Sandy Park.
Former All Black Victor Vito performs well for La Rochelle in first Top 14 start
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Ever found yourself in a chat with a rugby-mad buddy, only to be baffled by the lingo and the rules? Let’s start unscrambling that confusion by diving into the world of the National Rugby League (NRL) – the premier global competition in Rugby League.
Warren Gatland has had his say on the Rugby World Cup in France in his recent UK Daily Telegraph article. Wales failed to progress beyond the last eight not because they were outfought and outthought. Rather that there is something wrong with the rules of the game, and how it is played at the highest […]
The 2023 Rugby Canada women’s team might be seen as one of the best years in the national team’s history. There were many highlights for the national team, including playing the Pacific Four Series in the nation’s capital in the summer. 2023 Rugby Canada women’s team: Finished second in the WXV 1 competition Strengths Players […]
Rugby League players are a talented and fearless bunch, so it only stands to reason that amongst them are some unusual hobbies. If you’ve ever wondered what some of the most exciting rugby league players in the world get up to in their spare time, or get up to now that they’ve retired, then we’ve […]
The 2024 Six Nations is just around the corner and so starts the four-year cycle for all teams. For England and Steve Borthwick, the foundations have been laid by an encouraging semi-final performance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Charlie Inglefield asks what might this team look like through the eyes of Borthwick? And whether […]
As Alex Sanderson, Sale’s coach said after his team’s ugly 11-9 win over Bath – they found a way to win. Sale are definitely in the mix to go one better this year and win the Gallagher Premiership. On Friday’s evidence, they need to be a lot better. They played a second-string Bath outfit who […]
Saracens were back to their brutal best on Saturday. They suffocated the life out of a high-flying Harlequins outfit with consummate ease. This despite losing Ben Earl, and Elliot Daly in the warm-up and Alex Lozowski a couple of minutes into the game. No problem, up stepped the likes of Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell […]
We’re crunched the numbers, looked through the stats and brought you 14 wacky and wonderful facts from Round Five of the premier French League. 14 Top14 Round Five Facts and Figures Perpignan recorded their first victory of the season- the last Top14 side to do so- and got their first points in the standings. La […]
About Author
James Barker, Editor
James is an Editor for Last Word on Rugby. He covers the Gallagher Premiership and in particular Gloucester Rugby, his hometown club. When not at Kingsholm James may also be found supporting Gloucestershire Cricket.