Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
The Heineken Champions Cup is back, with the best European clubs competing against each other. Almost all the biggest stars in the northern hemisphere will be involved and there are plenty of teams with a point to prove. We take a look at what to watch out for this weekend, and in the tournament to […] READ MORE
Leinster and Racing92 are well known for their forward prowess, and have displayed it throughout their successful Champions Cup campaign. It’s recently been written that Racing could, if they wished, put out a pack weighing in excess of 1000kg. It’s not the side they have gone with, but here’s a look how both sides will […] READ MORE
The Aviva Premiership 2017/18 returns this weekend after the distraction of the Six Nations. Whilst it is only for one week before the European quarter finals weekend, there is a lot to look forward to in Round 17 and beyond. In anticipation, James Barker takes a look back at the highlights of the Aviva Premiership […] READ MORE
Guy Novès’ hiring after France’s 2015 Rugby World Cup capitulation was met with praise from many corners of the rugby world. The former Toulouse coach had developed the rouge et noir into domestic and European juggernauts. He built a dominant pack and complimented it with a dynamic and entertaining backline led by the magician Frederic […] READ MORE
So often the bridesmaids, but are Clermont Auvergne finally ready to take centre stage at the top of the altar after consecutive wins over Saracens? Clermont Auvergne 24 – Saracens 21 Sunday’s 24-21 victory over the struggling European champions came courtesy of Scott Spedding’s late penalty. This meant the men from the Massif Central backed […] READ MORE
Leinster and Munster asserted their dominance and guile at the breakdown and in the tight for back-to-back wins. Over the last two weeks, Ireland’s top provinces Leinster and Munster celebrated wins over Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers respectively. All four matchups, home and away, relied heavily on tough, gritty, physical, game line battles. You could be forgiven […] READ MORE
The question most fans had was ‘whether La Rochelle could travel as well as they could host?’. So their bonus point 34-27 win in the English capital answered that, as La Rochelle shine in the Champions Cup competition. Currently legitimising last season’s breakthrough brilliance, by winning five of their opening seven games in French Top […] READ MORE
Big spending French outfit Montpellier travel to Dublin to take on European royalty in Leinster as they look to legitimise their credentials. Recruiting the likes of Ruan Pienaar, Aaron Cruden and Luois Picamoles has put Vern Cotter’s outfit firmly in the mix to lift this season’s Champions Cup trophy. Five wins in their initial seven […] READ MORE
Rob Baxter has brought Exeter Chiefs up from the depths of the Championship, back into the top tier and reached the summit in winning the 2016/17 Aviva Premiership. However, as the champions of England prepare to enter the European Champions Cup pool of death by facing Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park on Saturday evening, the […] READ MORE
As they head into their crunch match against the Exeter Chiefs, the result will reinforce an attempt at the elusive 'double-double'. In fact, it's arguable that they are the best club team on the planet at the moment and would most likely give any international side a good game. READ MORE
