Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
Sale Sharks are the ultimate ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ side. Top four contenders at home, yet relegation candidates away from the AJ Bell Stadium. Fans are starting to ask “who are the real Sale Sharks?” Stabilising the club in the 2016/17 season, Steve Diamond set lofty ambitions for the new campaign. Optimism was high in the […] READ MORE
Ever since Alex Sanderson took over the Sale Sharks they progressed at a fast rate. Winning is now part of their DNA and the only goal should be Premiership glory. Sale Sharks 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership Focus The only issue comes in depth. There is a considerable drop in star quality below the likes of Faf […] READ MORE
Moving from the regular season to the knockout rounds, as 2020/21 Premiership playoffs places were secured, the reality of this prolonged and somewhat crazy Covid-affected calendar year is shifted into the background. Four teams now ascend to the semi-finals. The penultimate weekend, before the two most accomplished sides will match each other in the Grand […] READ MORE
In the fourth of our series looking at the best overseas players to have appeared in England, James Barker compiles the South Africa Premiership Rugby XV. This team features the Springboks who’ve made the biggest impact in England. You can see the forward pack selection here Last Word on Rugby readers and supporters were given their say on […] READ MORE
Finally, after six thrilling weeks of competition, the World Cup Final has arrived. England v South Africa. Contests between these two sides are always brutal and Saturday’s final will be no different. South Africa seemingly are going in with their full metal jacket approach. They will want to bash England into submission. England will also […] READ MORE
A thrilling 2019 Rugby World Cup will finish on Saturday with either England or the Springboks as the victors. England are heavy favourites after demolishing the All Blacks. And, that will suit South Africa just fine after they outmuscled Wales on Sunday. It feels like a beauty and the beast tussle. Ironic given that England’s […] READ MORE
An expectant crowd of mostly Japan supporters witnessed the Springboks smother the Brave Blossoms at the Tokyo Stadium on Sunday, October 20. Scorers: South Africa 26 – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi 2 and Faf de Klerk Conversion: Handre Pollard; Penalties: Handre Pollard 3 Japan 3 – Penalty: Yu Tamura Springboks smother Brave Blossoms Supporters of the […] 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
Will Faf de Klerk play in the November Test against England is the question that has been on many Springbok rugby fans minds over the last couple of weeks. Faf de Klerk: An Important Member of the Springbok Squad De Klerk has been a bundle of energy for the Springboks in 2018, marshaling their kicking […] READ MORE
There are certain moments in sport where a player just has to deliver. Alan Shearer taking a penalty; Stephen Curry from the free-throw line, or Ian Poulter in the Ryder Cup. In rugby, a reliable kicker can be the difference between relegation or staying up. For the Sale Sharks, the desire to have that role […] READ MORE
Rugby has been my sport ever since I picked up the egg-shaped ball at the age of 4. I've played Union, League, Touch and Tag in a variety of positions and love to talk about this brutal but brilliant sport.
I started writing about sport in 2015, blogging about the main topics of the day but focussed on my main passion, rugby, during the World Cup that year. My goal would be to get to the next one in Japan 2019!