Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
Gloucester take on Pau tomorrow evening in what will determine who wins their Challenge Cup group, and secure a home tie in the quarter finals. Pau currently lead the group, with 24 points, with Gloucester trailing by three. Tom Savage has been named as captain as the Cherry and Whites set out to overturn the six […] READ MORE
We are now past the half way mark in Europe and the likely qualifiers have made themselves known. There were huge wins for Connacht, Edinburgh and Gloucester, whilst holders Stade Français hauled themselves back into contention in Challenge Cup Round Four. But it is the PRO14 sides who have most to cheer. With three Celtic […] READ MORE
After a bruising Autumn International series that tested most squad depths, two rounds of European action may be a welcome distraction for many coaches. Key men can be rested and returning players can be eased back in. However the next fortnight requires a difficult decision to be made: to rest or not to rest? James […] READ MORE
Challenge Cup Round Two did not disappoint after an eventful first week, with six away wins out of ten fixtures. Last Word on Rugby rounds up the best of the action, and considers the continuing ambivalence of the French sides in this competition. Giants Toppled at Home In 2005 Stade Français and Toulouse contested the Heineken […] READ MORE
This season’s European Challenge Cup started in France on Thursday, with Pau beating Gloucester 27-21. It ended in Switzerland, with Connacht thumping the touring hosts Oyonnax 43-15. From Siberia to Switzerland, Last Word on Rugby rounds up the highlights of Challenge Cup Round One, including a shock win for an Russian side. Further Progress for […] READ MORE
Another weekend of knockout rugby is upon us, with the European Rugby Challenge Cup kicking off on Friday evening in Edinburgh. With the pool fixtures completed, focus now turns to the knockout stage. Four mouth-watering ties promise to be another memorable weekend of action. Challenge Cup Quarter Final Preview Edinburgh v La Rochelle Top14 leaders La […] READ MORE
The Only Way Is Up for Bristol November 7th, 2016 could prove to be a vital turning point in Bristol Rugby’s season. Winless all season and rock-bottom of the Aviva Premiership, the west country outfit sacked Director of Rugby Andy Robinson, putting Mark Tainton in temporary charge. Two months later, after four wins on the […] READ MORE
Challenge Cup round six sees only two sides definitely through it is all to play for. Here is how Last Word on Rugby sees the quarter finals panning out. READ MORE
French international star Pascal Pape embarrasses French rugby with his actions against Edinburgh. Stade Francais faced off against Edinburgh in the third round of the European Challenge Cup on Saturday. The match was fun, exciting, and an absolute joy to watch. The match also provided another controversy to distract slightly from the Dylan Hartley debacle. […] READ MORE
With European tournaments continuing this weekend and six rounds of the Aviva Premiership gone, the league table has a familiar look to it at the very top and perhaps the predicted look to it at the very bottom. However these opposing pictures do not tell the story of what has been an enthralling and unpredictable start […] READ MORE
A father of 4, I split my time between writing about Rugby & Wine. My writing influences are Steve James & Michael Atherton and I lament the dying art of the true correspondent.