Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
Most fans might be thinking “how long until the Rugby World Cup?”. Not long, yet before we get to that special moment of the oval ball calendar, there is still time for a big event designed specifically for the fans – a World XV vs Barbarians. From the European Professional Rugby Club (May 19-20) fixtures, […] READ MORE
The Tonga Ikale Tahi national rugby union side has announced a strong side for 2022, which includes recalls to former Wallaby Israel Folau, and former All Black Charles Piutau, as well as others who can remold the Pacifica side’s rugby future. Finally able to make the selection of several former Internationals, Tonga has brought in […] READ MORE
World Rugby has voted to allow former international players the chance to switch allegiance to a new country. Voted in by the full council of partner nations, the improved World Rugby eligibility rules will be a huge encouragement to many who have publically asked for the opportunity to represent one nation, another playing for another. […] READ MORE
Opening the penultimate weekend on the domestic calendar, this year’s Gallagher Premiership semifinals start with the enthralling Bristol Bears vs Harlequins, before Exeter vs Sales completes the preliminary finals playoffs. At the outset of this long and arduous 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership campaign, many of those predicting who would be holding the trophy at this point […] READ MORE
Rugby union players can be well paid, and despite the pandemic, there are still plenty of lucrative contracts out there. Looking at various media sources, Last Word has identified the highest-paid rugby union players in the world. 14th. Faf de Klerk – £500,000 The Sale Sharks and World Cup-winning scrum-half is pocketing half a million […] READ MORE
Following Lord Myners’ report into the Premiership salary cap, one of his recommendations was to look into getting rid of marquee players. Each Premiership team currently have two marquee player slots whose salary’s are exempt from the overall cap. Over the years the purpose of these players has somewhat shifted. They began as a way […] READ MORE
Following the selection of a Pacific Island XV of the best-imported players into the Premiership, James Barker now selects a Premiership New Zealand XV; the best Kiwis to have played in England. Premiership New Zealand XV 15. Charles Piutau – Wasps, Bristol Bears A fairly simple decision to begin with. The most highly paid player […] READ MORE
Resilient Bristol Bears secured a late 30-11 bonus point win over Stade Français to retain their 100% record in the Challenge Cup pool stages. Late tries from Harry Thacker, Charles Piutau and Toby Fricker added to the early Luke Morahan try to claim their third bonus point win in Pool 4. The away side frustrated the hosts as they […] READ MORE
The Pacific Nations arguably produces some of the best players in world rugby but, their sides struggle to perform. A major talking point pre-World Cup was the number of players from the Pacific playing for the Tier One nations. However, Fiji showed glimpses of their world-class quality in the first half against Australia; as well […] READ MORE
Bristol Bears laid down their marker in game one of this season’s Gallagher Premiership, with a home derby win over Bath back in August, 2018. Now, in their final home game, Pat Lam’s ultimate target of Champions Cup rugby could be taken seriously. Although, the Friday night match at Ashton Gate saw Bristol draw with Sale 20-20, to leave […] READ MORE
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.