Top14

Cheslin Kolbe record transfer steps up 2021/22 French Top14 countdown

When the Cheslin Kolbe record transfer deal was confirmed this weekend, it helped step up the 2021/22 French Top14 competition countdown. Even though in rugby, the mere notion of a player transfer has no such impact as a Christiano Ronaldo, or a Lionel Messi move to PSG. Still, when one of the biggest names in […]


James Barker, Editor - Jan 9, 2021

Following reports that Bath back row Zach Mercer will sacrifice his chances of England caps by joining Montpellier Hérault, it has been announced that Gabriel Ibitoye will join the club as a ‘medical joker’.  Neither will be impressed by their new club’s current form, however. In Round 14 they lead 19-0 at half time away […]

La Rochelle
James Barker, Editor - Nov 9, 2020

La Rochelle leads the French Top 14 after eight rounds of league action, after beating top of the table Clermont Auvergne  19-10. Last Word on Rugby brings you a summary of this weekend’s action and senior editor James Barker looks at the disrupted season so far. #TOP14 – J8Il y en a eu pour tous […]

Gavin Harper - Sep 27, 2020

Finn Russell was delighted to have helped guide Racing 92 to the Heineken Champions Cup final. The Scotland stand-off was at the heart of their win over defending champions Saracens in Paris on Saturday, and is now setting his sights on next month’s final. Racing 92 advance to the @ChampionsCup final! 💙 The Parisians end […]

Tell Us - do you read the Rugby Papers?

In these modern times, the good old Rugby Papers have appeared to become a second rate option. Compared to all the ‘rugby pods’ or independent websites available today, how does the average rugby reader actually consume content these days? Here at Last Word on Rugby, we decided to ask you ‘what is your preferred option?’ […]

French Top14 ready as September return date reached

It seemed an extreme timeline yet, French Top14 rugby has met and passed the September return date. Now rugby fans can rejoice, players can again celebrate together, as the whistle blows ‘time on’. Sitting idle for nearly four months, after the French government ruled that all sport would be postponed during the Coronavirus pandemic, there […]

Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup

There will be 24 teams in the newly announced 2020/21 Heineken Champions Cup (also called the European Rugby Champions Cup). This is an increase of 20 teams from the 2019/20 Champions Cup structure. These teams will include the top eight clubs from Premiership Rugby, Guinness PRO14, and French Top 14. This new format was created […]

James Barker, Editor - Jul 3, 2020

Unlike the Gallagher Premiership and the Pro14, the French Top 14 has ended the 2019/20 domestic season. With no promotion or relegation, the existing teams are busy organising their squads ready for the restart in September. Here we have collated all the Top 14 transfers to have taken place. For obvious financial reasons, there won’t […]

Toronto Wolfpack
Sam Harris - Jun 20, 2020

Over the years there has been a natural divide for fans, players and coaches alike when it comes to rugby league and rugby union.  However, some players have switched between the codes and Last Word on Rugby has decided to look at five of the best players to play both. Sonny Bill Williams Sonny Bill […]

The Northern Hemisphere has a few cities that have both rugby union and league. These cities have one rugby code in the first-tier and a second-tier in another code. Furthermore, all three of these cities could very easily have a tier-one team in both codes of rugby. Two of them had first-tier teams in both […]

Sir Bill Beaumont has recently been re-elected as chairman of the International Rugby Board. He has been in this position since 2016. Beaumont is a former captain of the England team, where he earned 34 caps. He played for England from 1975-82 and for the British and Irish Lions from 1977-80. Opportunities and Challenges for […]

World Rugby

France top the list as most ill-disciplined World Rugby country in 2019-20, rattling up 10 red cards across the four major professional league’s, international tests, and the World Cup. Rugby’s clampdown on how the laws of the game are now refereed and interpreted have meant a spate of cards this year, including 51 red cards […]

Top14 Round 14 'New Years' Wrap

Top14 rugby and French legs of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge quarter finals are in major doubts following the news that French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has banned all sporting events until September. There are also plans to keep crowds from events until January. Season unlikely to be finished It’s back to the drawing […]

RUGBY LIFE (news and views) under the Rugby Lockdown

For the majority of fans, they sustain a rugby life balance. One where participating, following and enjoying watching the game is Nirvana. But now, under the rugby lockdown, there is less and less to enjoy. So to fans who have very little to digest, we present RUGBY LIFE – news and views across the Rugby […]

Heineken Champions Cup

The news broke on Monday morning of discussions regarding a Club World Cup in the place of the current European competitions. EPCR have since given a statement on the current state of affairs.  Robert Rees brings you the latest on the proposal. Club World Cup proposal Much like football, there is a want from some […]

Greatest Amateur Era XV

It’s time to pick your greatest amateur XV. We’ve compiled a list of the greatest players in every position from the amateur* days of rugby. The players played all or most of their significant careers pre-1996 and YOU can choose who gets in each jersey. 88 men have been brought together in a who’s who […]



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National Rugby League

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.

Welsh Rugby Union head coach Warren Gatland looks on with pride after the Wales Grand Slam Celebration
Thomas Booth - Mar 27, 2020

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 […]

Rugby Heroes and Villains of 2023; Scotland

In a look back, Last Word on Rugby views the Rugby Heroes and Villains for 2023. Not focused entirely on one or the other – balanced in as how the sport of rugby union is a team-based game; as much as for individuals who can shine or be villainised for their contributions. Over the last […]

Rugby Canada women's team player, Fancy Bermudez, celebrates try against France

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 […]

Your Favourite Rugby Players' Most Interesting Hobbies
Ricky Carroll, Editor - Mar 27, 2020

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 […]

Jean-Bouin, home of the Stace Stade Français vs Leicester game on Sunday

The Champions Cup game of the Stade Français vs Leicester game will take place on Sunday at 12:30 PM ET. This will be the first group-stage game for Stade Français Paris after the Leicester Tigers won on December 10 against the Stormers. While Stade Français lost on the road against the Sale Sharks, it will […]

Marcus Smith, of the Harlequins F.C., playing against Racing 92
Charlie Inglefield - Mar 27, 2020

The two most impressive teams this past week in European Professional Rugby Club (EPRC) competition were perhaps the Harlequin F.C. and the Exeter Chiefs. And in those games, Marcus Smith and Will Joseph were superb in Harlequins’ scintillating win over Racing 92 in Paris. On Saturday afternoon, the Chiefs were equally impressive in downing mighty […]

Premiership Rugby home-field advantage

Considering Premiership Rugby home-field advantage, you can question whether it is a constant benefactor? or a changeable one? A discussion for fans and stakeholders alike, home and away sides both. In this season to date, it is not a sole contributor to the current standings although, it will always play it’s part in every sport. […]