Rugby News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumours
FEATURE: Essential 2023/24 French Top14 analysis before the competition kicks off this week. Last Word on Rugby contributor Larissa Falls has done a ‘deep dive’ to bring you the most comprehensive guide for the 2023/24 season, analysing all 14 competing teams. 2023/24 French Top 14 analysis: Part 1 of 2 Part 1 of 2 is […] READ MORE
The European rugby quarter-finals have finished for another year. Both the Heineken Challenge Cup and Champions Cup quarter-finals were settled last weekend, and they did not disappoint. There was plenty of drama across the two competitions. Knowing this, Last Word on Rugby has analyzed the main talking points. That penalty shoot-out! Breathtaking conclusion The biggest […] READ MORE
The Champions Cup is back and we are all primed and ready for a fortnight of action packed thrills and spills. On the face of it Pool Three looks to be one of the more straightforward groups in the competition. Saracens are two from two and sitting top. Glasgow and Cardiff have both won one […] READ MORE
The Heineken Champions Cup kicked off with a huge weekend of rugby in Round One. Here at Last Word on Rugby, our group of writers will cover all the results and the outcomes. Concentrating on Pool Three, Rhiannon Garth Jones previews the group and looks over last week’s matches, when Saracens started their campaign to […] READ MORE
Week one of the Heineken Champions Cup gifted some big scores, big shocks and some old fashioned thumpings. A huge weekend of rugby is over, and Robert Rees gives you your 2018/19 Champions Cup round one summary Pool One Standings Leinster – 5 points Toulouse – 4 points Bath – 1 point Wasps – 0 […] READ MORE
Home advantage meant nothing for Lyon and Castres, as they overcame Toulon and Toulouse respectively, in their Top14 Barrages to book their places in the 2017/18 semi-finals. Lyon will take on Montpellier; while Castres will face Racing, to determine who will make it to the Top14 grand final at the Stade de France, on Saturday […] READ MORE
The Top14 Round 16 action resumed after the final pool fixtures of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions. The French are well represented in the quarter finals – Toulon, Clermont, La Rochelle and Racing 92 all progressing in the Champions Cup. Pau, Stade Francais and Brive likewise, in the Challenge Cup. Round 16 in […] READ MORE
While not a test match in name, the feeling on the ground was exactly the same intensity. As New Zealand ran on an All Blacks side with few experienced players, they had to face a nugget and hard French XV Selection in Lyon. The result was not assured, right up till the last minute, the French […] READ MORE
The break in league fixtures for the start of the European competitions offered some respite for the league’s struggling teams. But the Top 14 round eight fixtures gave teams like La Rochelle and Toulon the chance to further their pursuit of leaders Lyon. Here’s all you need to know from Top 14 round eight: Toulon […] 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
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.