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Chris Jones

Rugby and tennis correspondent of the Evening Standard for 22 years . Now in Sunday Times, ESPN,Mail on Sunday, Express, Mailonline and RugbyPass.

'I have been told his shoulders are all metal now': Fit-again Lood de Jager back in the Sale selection mix
Fit-again Springboks lock Lood de Jager will bridge a 24-week gap in between appearances for Sale when he faces Harlequins next we…
Chris Jones
17 Feb 2021, 1:50
'I guess fate will decide' - Maro Itoje has addressed prospect of becoming first Black Lions captain
England lock Maro Itoje recognises the impact becoming the first black captain of the British and Irish Lions would have on the s…
Chris Jones
15 Feb 2021, 3:45
England's top clubs facing 50 per cent cut in RFU central funding
English rugby’s top clubs are bracing themselves for a potential cut of 50 per cent in Rugby Football Union (RFU) central fundin…
Chris Jones
13 Feb 2021, 3:29
US sharpshooter MacGinty rates England's rising No.10s and picks his heir to the flyhalf throne
USA Eagles outside half AJ MacGinty is enjoying an outstanding season with Sale Sharks and is uniquely qualified to run the rule o…
Chris Jones
12 Feb 2021, 1:50
'You guys want athletes to have opinions and then when they do a lot of people are shot in the foot for it'
England wing Anthony Watson has hit back at critics of players taking a knee and those who didn’t in support of the Black Live M…
Chris Jones
11 Feb 2021, 8:36
Irish suffer second Wallabies blow this week with Coleman now out injured
Having had Sekope Kepu quit the club at the start the week, London Irish have been handed another Wallabies blow with injury to Ad…
Chris Jones
10 Feb 2021, 7:58
Wasps tackle online bullies after Jacob Umaga deactivates his Instagram account
It has been a difficult few weeks for Jacob Umaga and Wasps are sticking up for him after he took drastic action on social media. …
Chris Jones
09 Feb 2021, 9:23
'He is a different person' - Sanderson calls on Eddie Jones to end Yarde's four year England exile
Sale boss Alex Sanderson believes wing Marland Yarde is “playing the rugby of his life” and deserves to end a four-year exile …
Chris Jones
08 Feb 2021, 7:53
Fiji hit by illness and injury as they prepare to defend Olympic sevens gold
Fiji coach Gareth Baber is dealing with injuries and illness amongst the squad he hopes can retain the Olympic Sevens gold medal a…
Chris Jones
06 Feb 2021, 13:18
Agustin Creevy reveals designs on Rugby World Cup 2023
Former Argentina captain Agustin Creevy wants to be part of the Pumas bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup by securing a new deal at L…
Chris Jones
04 Feb 2021, 4:32
'He hasn't signed anywhere': Richards dismisses claim that Mulipola is off to France
Reports from France this week stated that Logovi'i Mulipola had signed for Grenoble but Newcastle boss Dean Richards has rubbished…
Chris Jones
03 Feb 2021, 8:05
Keith Wood suggests 4th tour option can save the Lions from 'shame of shames'
Ex-Ireland skipper Keith Wood has grave concerns that the Lions will keep its special place in rugby’s hearts if wrong tour call…
Chris Jones
02 Feb 2021, 2:30
'I do not have an open checkbook whatsoever' - Alex Sanderson calls in 'clinical psychologists'
Alex Sanderson is calling in clinical psychologists to help his Sale Sharks players unlock their potential and deal with the press…
Chris Jones
01 Feb 2021, 11:58
Why Nick Easter is worried about England
Former captain Nick Easter believes England’s formidable pack has suddenly become vulnerable thanks to a catalogue of problems w…
Chris Jones
31 Jan 2021, 3:32
Richards: London Irish a 'top two' Premiership team
Newcastle boss Dean Richards is not known for his hyperbole which makes his assertion that London Irish are a “top two” Gallag…
Chris Jones
29 Jan 2021, 4:58
Newcastle embrace radical tactic to ensure Gary Graham remains ready for Scotland
Scotland depend on numerous Premiership-based players and Newcastle are going to an extreme length to ensure Gary Graham is 'bubbl…
Chris Jones
28 Jan 2021, 1:06
Mako Vunipola opens up on Joe Marler's latest England absence
Joe Marler has opted out of England duty for the 2021 Six Nations, a development fellow loosehead Mako Vunipola has had his say on…
Chris Jones
26 Jan 2021, 2:30
Wasps boss confirms extent of Joe Launchbury's leg break
Wasps boss Lee Blackett has revealed England lock Joe Launchbury will be out for six weeks with a stress fracture but believes he …
Chris Jones
25 Jan 2021, 6:35
Harlequins admit Gustard did not suit their environment
Harlequins have revealed in a searingly honest verdict on Paul Gustard’s time as Head of Rugby why they had to part company with…
Chris Jones
23 Jan 2021, 4:57
The Heath Robinson passing test that put Harry Randall on course for England cap
Harry Randall has put himself in line for a first England cap thanks to a speed camera from America, a stool, hula hoop and a cric…
Chris Jones
22 Jan 2021, 9:48
Fiji boss sends warning to overseas XVs stars hopping on Olympic bandwagon
Fiji’s overseas-based stars have been warned the continuing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will make it even tougher…
Chris Jones
21 Jan 2021, 10:08
'If you haven't been in a scrum for 8 months you're going to come back and be saying, How do I do this again?'
Logovi'i Mulipola explains his Gloucester detour, saying he couldn't handle the thought of 8 'boring' months in between games at N…
Chris Jones
19 Jan 2021, 11:49
'I haven't got a bad word to say about Steve Diamond... I would hate to think I was jumping into an open grave'
Alex Sanderson has paid tribute to Steve Diamond, the man he is replacing as Sale Sharks director of rugby, and insisted he is not…
Chris Jones
15 Jan 2021, 8:08
Saracens: American investment firm in talks to buy £20m share in club
Saracens are involved in ongoing talks with a number of investors in a bid to raise £20m by selling 50 per cent of owner Nigel Wr…
Chris Jones
15 Jan 2021, 1:45
'Alex knows how South Africans think, what makes them tick... it is a brilliant move from Sale'
Former Saracens boss Brendan Venter believes Alex Sanderson, who is set to be named Sale Sharks new director of rugby, is a “bri…
Chris Jones
14 Jan 2021, 4:04
'I won't be able to stay with him': Alex Goode on life in Japan and his opening round Top League clash with George Kruis
Alex Goode is set to make his Japan Top League debut this weekend with a familiar Saracens staring at him from the opposition. …
Chris Jones
13 Jan 2021, 11:08
Italy would be 'crazy' to ignore Odogwu says Blackett
Wasps boss Lee Blackett believes Italy would be “crazy” not to offer in-form Paolo Odogwu the chance to play international rug…
Chris Jones
11 Jan 2021, 6:12
'He is getting there... However, he will be the first to say there is a still lot more to come from him'
Dean Richards watched Newcastle wing Adam Radwan embarrass England’s Jonny May with a combination of pace and footwork and then …
Chris Jones
10 Jan 2021, 6:50
'Would I like to play myself if I was a young loosehead? No, I wouldn't.'
All Black prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen loves to make an impact and the decibel level will significantly increase when he takes to the p…
Chris Jones
08 Jan 2021, 2:58
'It does impact on the integrity of the competition': Number of cancelled Premiership matches now stands at 5
Tensions are rising near the foot of the Gallagher Premiership table due to the glut of cancellations involving Worcester and many…
Chris Jones
06 Jan 2021, 4:57
'Semi definitely has an intention and a desire to play in the Olympics'
After December friction between Bristol and Fiji over their Nations Cup use of Semi Radradra, 7s boss Gareth Baber is set for Olym…
Chris Jones
05 Jan 2021, 10:55
The specialist training making Wasps Premiership breakdown kings
Defence coach Ian Costello has revealed the specialist training that has turned Wasps into the outstanding breakdown team in the G…
Chris Jones
04 Jan 2021, 7:05
'I am fine' - Leicester Tigers boss Borthwick working remotely after testing positive
Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick is having to work remotely after testing positive for COVID-19.
Chris Jones
01 Jan 2021, 6:28
'I had a two-year deal with them' - Why Cobus Wiese turned down Saracens
The final month of an unprecedented year has seen Cobus Wiese face the shock exit of Steve Diamond, Sale Shark’s director of rug…
Chris Jones
31 Dec 2020, 2:07
'He's grafting and doing all he needs to do': The latest from Sale on Tuilagi's race for Lions tour fitness
Injury robbed England's Manu Tuilagi of 2017 Lions selection and the Sale centre is in a race to be fit for the 2021 tour to South…
Chris Jones
30 Dec 2020, 4:24
'Support ring-fencing for a period of time to let clubs get their finances in order'
The 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership table has an asterisk alongside four of the twelve clubs - including Newcastle - following cance…
Chris Jones
29 Dec 2020, 4:10
Cotter's warning for Fiji star Mata over potential Edinburgh exit
If Mata does leave Edinburgh, who he joined in 2016, a club in France is the most likely option for the No8.
Chris Jones
23 Dec 2020, 4:16
Saracens lie in wait as the smallest club in the Championship prepare for their toughest season ever
Ampthill's story highlights the very human effects of the pandemic on the second tier of rugby in England.
Chris Jones
22 Dec 2020, 9:42
Former RFU chief Nigel Melville handed key role with England's top clubs
Nigel Melville has been appointed to two key roles with Premiership Rugby and given the job of changing the image of the umbrella …
Chris Jones
20 Dec 2020, 5:51
'This the first time we have played against each other since backyard rugby'
The van der Merwe brothers, 29-year-old Akker and 25-year-old Duhan, are set for a reunion when Sale host Edinburgh on Saturday ni…
Chris Jones
19 Dec 2020, 1:35
'The headaches are horrible... really nasty': Alex Lozowski had Steve Thompson in his thoughts when recently recovering from concussion
Exiled England midfielder Alex Lozowski recently had his first experience of concussion and it was traumatic for the Montpellier p…
Chris Jones
16 Dec 2020, 5:24
'Although you do have to rest your internationals, when you hear that European music you want to play'
Reintegrating Test players for Champions Cup action has been a tricky balancing act for clubs suggests Wasps boss Lee Blackett.
Chris Jones
15 Dec 2020, 4:23
The inside information that could utterly undermine the Springboks during the 2021 Lions tour- Brits
World Cup winner Schalk Brits believes Matt Proudfoot's inside information on the Springboks could have a massive influence on the…
Chris Jones
11 Dec 2020, 2:24
'No disrespect to Scotland, but one of the things that they need to get rid of is the mental fragility in the side'
Newcastle defence coach Nick Easter says Scotland are still missing the mental and physical strength needed to challenge the best …
Chris Jones
09 Dec 2020, 8:08
'I can't say for certain this won't affect the team' - Players 'numb' after Diamond's shock Sale exit
Paul Deacon has been put in temporary charge as head coach at Sale and would like the chance to make the job permanent.
Chris Jones
09 Dec 2020, 4:38
Why teams kick so much, according to the Premiership's most frequent booters of the ball
"Kicking has a massive part to play in the game and gets a bad rap when it is poor without a plan, a clear principle and philosoph…
Chris Jones
04 Dec 2020, 4:32
Sale suffer double injury blow with Ben Curry coming off worse
Sale have paid a heavy price for their last-minute Premiership defeat at Newcastle, including the confirmation of serious injury t…
Chris Jones
03 Dec 2020, 3:40
'We don't necessarily go out to bore the pants off people'
Promoted Newcastle have won their opening two Premiership victories with a kicking game and pick-and-go carries by their forwards.
Chris Jones
02 Dec 2020, 4:49
'It is easy to say it is a farce... I wouldn't be so nasty with the French team' - Castaignede
Thomas Castaignede has dismissed claims the Autumn Nations Cup final has become a farce and warned England not to underestimate th…
Chris Jones
30 Nov 2020, 3:22
'I was part of the 29' - Matavesi has lost sense of taste and smell but wants to face Georgia
Sam Matavesi, the Flying Fijians and Northampton hooker, has lost his sense of smell and taste after testing positive for COVID-19
Chris Jones
30 Nov 2020, 1:45
Gustard: Harlequins committed to changing squad's age profile
Paul Gustard admits the Harlequins squad has been “too old for too long” and is committed to changing the age profile in a bid…
Chris Jones
26 Nov 2020, 10:03
'I don't think it's healthy': Warning as 44th South African set to join Premiership
With another South African signing set to join the Premiership, ex-Springboks assistant Alan Solomons is worried about the exodus.…
Chris Jones
25 Nov 2020, 3:47
Newcastle only needed '60 per cent capacity' to beat Bath at The Rec
Newly promoted Newcastle were given little chance of upsetting Premiership semi-finalists Bath, but they pulled off a major surpri…
Chris Jones
24 Nov 2020, 11:11
'It's getting boring' - rugby union must change warns Welsh great
Wales great Jonathan Davies fears rugby union is danger of ”stagnating” as defences dominate the sport and lead to endless kic…
Chris Jones
23 Nov 2020, 8:30
Scotland Fiji Autumn Nations Cup match could still go ahead claims O'Connor
Chief executive officer John O’Connor is refusing to accept Fiji’s participation in the Autumn Nations Cup is over after 29 po…
Chris Jones
20 Nov 2020, 1:59
'Too many people had the wrong perception of him' - the forgotten England forward making his Wasps colleagues look better
Wasps boss Lee Blackett believes England flanker Brad Shields has regained the form that made him a key figure in the Hurricanes S…
Chris Jones
19 Nov 2020, 7:03
Springboks No9 de Klerk reveals Covid battle: 'I'd very severe pains and fever... the body didn't react well'
Struck down by Covid-19 last month, Springboks No9 Faf de Klerk is ready for the start of the 2020/21 Premiership season with Sale…
Chris Jones
17 Nov 2020, 11:32
'He will have to get some kind of surgery': Gloucester's worst Polledri fears confirmed
Gloucester boss George Skivington has confirmed Jake Polledri for the knee injury he suffered while on Autumn Nations Cup duty wit…
Chris Jones
17 Nov 2020, 8:37
Fiji Rugby attempt to calm fears as entire camp placed in quarantine
The Fiji rugby squad are attempting to calm fears that they will unable to take part in the Autumn Nations Cup by undergoing furth…
Chris Jones
15 Nov 2020, 7:52
'Owen asked us the question - how are you guys feeling? And we wanted to take them on'
Hat-trick hero Jamie George admitted he was embarrassed to become the first England hooker to grab three test tries when he was re…
Chris Jones
15 Nov 2020, 1:18
Newcastle suffer catalogue of 'severe' lower limb injuries following 8-month lay-off
Without a league match in eight months, Dean Richards has revealed promoted Newcastle found the lay-off damaging in terms of injur…
Chris Jones
13 Nov 2020, 7:00
Why the Autumn Nations Cup could change perceptions about Worcester
Worcester are regularly viewed as a small-time outfit but the Autumn Nations Cup is poised to reflect well on the club and Alan So…
Chris Jones
10 Nov 2020, 11:58
'It was the first time I had seen guys doing the plank with a 130kg teammate sat on their back!' - Rowntree warns England about huge Georgia pack
Former Georgia forwards coach Graham Rowntree says the Georgia pack are among the strongest he has even seen.
Chris Jones
09 Nov 2020, 10:39
'I was worried people would tell me to shut up and practise scrums'
Wasps prop Biyo Alo has released five songs that have been streamed on Spotify more than 415,000 times - and there is more to come…
Chris Jones
06 Nov 2020, 10:21
'I was on a call with the NZR last night around that and it's looking really encouraging'
Pacific Rugby Players CEO Aayden Clarke believes it would be “utopia” to have two Pacific Islands teams join a new-look Super …
Chris Jones
05 Nov 2020, 9:41
Fiji set for massive boost even as they fight to contain virus outbreak in camp
Bristol centre Semi Radradra is understood to have made a rapid recovery from a serious hamstring injury and is set to take his pl…
Chris Jones
02 Nov 2020, 8:09
Eddie Jones: Referees to blame for stifling speed of the game
Eddie Jones is calling for referees to help Six Nations champions England develop their attacking game in the Autumn Nations tourn…
Chris Jones
01 Nov 2020, 7:57
'Two months ago Sladey and I were just two guys who played for Exeter Chiefs and we weren't great in big games'
Jonny Hill is delaying celebrating collecting three winners’ medals in as many weekends in a bid to cement his place in the Engl…
Chris Jones
01 Nov 2020, 6:34
Autumn Nations Cup organisers working desperately to save fixtures after Fiji squad Covid-19 outbreak
The Autumn Nations Cup organisers are working with the Fiji squad and the French Rugby authorities to identify how many players ha…
Chris Jones
01 Nov 2020, 4:09
It's taken 17 years for a second England player to join Jason Leonard in exclusive Test Centurion club - and he's chuffed it's Ben Youngs
It was 2003 when prop Jason Leonard won his 100th England cap and scrum-half Ben Youngs will match that feat this Saturday in Rome…
Chris Jones
30 Oct 2020, 4:41
Vunipola: Barbarians fiasco a 'timely reminder' of responsibility to play by the rules
Mako Vunipola missed the last England game in March due to self-isolation and he's keen everyone plays by the rules after Barbaria…
Chris Jones
29 Oct 2020, 7:30
'Ollie's physically blessed: his genetics are really good, he's a very explosive athlete with X-factor'
Manu Tuilagi's injury has opened the door for Ollie Lawrence to earn a debut England cap and he comes highly recommended.
Chris Jones
28 Oct 2020, 11:18
Jones defends snubbing Simmonds brothers despite double success
Eddie Jones today defended his decision to ignore Sam Simmonds, the European player of the year, and brother Joe, who led Exeter C…
Chris Jones
26 Oct 2020, 6:00
Legendary Dallaglio's pre-final message to Wasps: 'Continue to be bold and brave'
Lawrence Dallaglio knows what it takes to win Premiership titles and he has issued a pre-final message to his beloved Wasps.
Chris Jones
24 Oct 2020, 2:44
England poised to face Big H, the prop who is only 3st lighter than his famous father Veitayaki
Joeli Veitayaki had quite a sizeable reputation when propping up the Fiji front row and his son Big H now hopes to face England th…
Chris Jones
20 Oct 2020, 10:12
'My inbox is inundated with messages from Premiership players asking is there any chance of coming over to the MLR'
Former England international Ben Foden is in his third and final season with Major League Rugby side Rugby United New York.
Chris Jones
19 Oct 2020, 3:18
Cotter calls in 7 of his Flying Fijians to bolster Barbarians squad for England clash
Saracens are also supplying 11 players, headed by ex-England scrum half Richard Wigglesworth and Scotland wing Sean Maitland.
Chris Jones
18 Oct 2020, 7:12
Ex-England scrum-half hits out at Eddie Jones' 'publicity stunt, nonsense' treatment of Ben Spencer
Ben Spencer was the England go-to when an emergency arose for the World Cup final but he has been ignored this week despite his ex…
Chris Jones
16 Oct 2020, 11:17
Ex-England skipper hails 'phenomenal' Willis turnover numbers
Jack Willis has been the talk of the Premiership in recent months, with ex-England skipper Chris Robshaw describing his turnover w…
Chris Jones
15 Oct 2020, 11:32
Saracens' twice double winner Barritt on what will it take Exeter to win double
Exeter winning the European/Premiership double would be a huge feat... just ask Brad Barritt who did it twice with Saracens and lo…
Chris Jones
13 Oct 2020, 11:44
'Nadolo motivated is a monster' - Fiji powerhouse set for Test return
Nadolo, who quit test rugby last year, is back in the squad after a successful switch to Leicester proved he was still a defence b…
Chris Jones
12 Oct 2020, 0:53
'If Eddie Jones doesn't select him then he has some serious problems because Jack could make the Lions'
Wasps back row Jack Willis is bang in form after a long time out through injury and Nizaam Carr expects his old clubmate to get En…
Chris Jones
10 Oct 2020, 1:10
'Alex is ready but it's one thing me saying that - it's up to Eddie'
Alex Dombrand featured for England in 2019 against the Barbarians and Chris Robshaw believes he is now ready for a first Test cap …
Chris Jones
08 Oct 2020, 10:45
'He doesn't have an ounce of fat and is pure muscle'
Wasps are on an incredible run of form, winning eight from nine since lockdown, and boss Lee Blackett is chuffed with the Malakai …
Chris Jones
06 Oct 2020, 11:38
Problems for Fiji camp as Sevens star dumped by French club
Semi Kunatani had joined fellow countrymen Vilimoni Botitu and Osea Waqa at Castres, the club the 29-year-old signed for from Harl…
Chris Jones
05 Oct 2020, 3:22
Matt Stevens on the incredible moment he saved teenage Brad Barritt from drowning
Long before they were Saracens, England and Lions teammates, Matt Stevens and Brad Barritt attended the same school in South Afric…
Chris Jones
01 Oct 2020, 10:58
Wallabies secondrow crisis deepens as Rennie can't count on Adam Coleman
London Irish lock Adam Coleman will not be recovered in time to offer new Wallaby head coach Dave Rennie another second-row option…
Chris Jones
28 Sep 2020, 10:09
Curry worry for Sale Sharks as backrow out for up to six weeks
Sale have suffered another serious injury blow as they bid to reach the Gallaher Premiership play-offs with flanker Ben Curry rule…
Chris Jones
27 Sep 2020, 11:25
Kings coach versus the 2009 Lions heartbroken the franchise was liquidated last weekend
Worcester boss Alan Solomons had high hopes that the Kings franchise which played the Lions in 2009 would go on to great things.
Chris Jones
23 Sep 2020, 11:34
Saracens dare to deliver what England failed to do after beating the All Blacks
England failed to back up last year's seismic win over the All Blacks but Mark McCall has every belief Saracens can beat Racing af…
Chris Jones
22 Sep 2020, 10:22
'Test rugby is a big commitment and I have done it for 10 years but if they asked I would love to'
Josh Matavesi is backing Fiji to make a major impact in the new Eight Nations tournament despite the squad never having trained un…
Chris Jones
19 Sep 2020, 3:36
'I thought he'd be a hero': Steve Diamond rues Sale's most expensive cameo ever
It was September 7 when Sale brought back their ex-hooker Rob Webber as injury cover, but his comeback lasted just minutes six day…
Chris Jones
18 Sep 2020, 4:08
'Saracens have been really good to allow me to train and crack on... it's good to keep involved'
George Kruis is due to play in the 2021 Top League in Japan but he is still busy with Saracens and has given an insight to this we…
Chris Jones
16 Sep 2020, 11:06
Lood de Jager facing 'five to six months' out
Lood de Jager, Sale’s World Cup winning lock, is facing his third shoulder reconstruction and could be out of the game for six m…
Chris Jones
13 Sep 2020, 10:03
The Challenge Cup's David and Goliath: 'If we manage to pull it off then it will be a great story'
While Bristol have a team of superstars thriving in the Premiership, Dragons boss Dean Ryan is facing next week's European tie wit…
Chris Jones
11 Sep 2020, 10:20
Lood de Jager has bent metal shoulder pins, yet Steve Diamond wants him to feature in Premiership title race
Lood de Jager arrived at Sale afer two 2019 shoulder operations, but Steve Diamond is hoping the bent metal pins suffered at Leice…
Chris Jones
11 Sep 2020, 2:55
Ex-All Black Naholo and Coleman coming back from surgery as London Irish factor Saracens' relegation into their planning
With their Premiership status safe despite a seven-match losing streak, London Irish have planned for 2020/21 by sending Naholo an…
Chris Jones
08 Sep 2020, 3:07
'I am classing myself as a 1980's F1 car and these are 2020 F1 cars... they are much faster'
England wing Matt Banahan still rates himself “a 1980’s F1 car” but admits Gloucester’s group of turbo charged wingers Jon…
Chris Jones
07 Sep 2020, 7:34
The magnificent 7 Sale Sharks being sent to Springboks training camp
Steve Diamond has revealed Sale Sharks will be sending seven players to join the Springboks training squad – minus the injured L…
Chris Jones
07 Sep 2020, 3:33
Lood de Jager suffers third serious shoulder injury
Lood de Jäger has been hit by a third serious shoulder injury and is set to miss Sale’s bid for the Gallagher Premiership title…
Chris Jones
06 Sep 2020, 2:33
Wasps bring in Championship hooker as injured Taylor waits on scan result
Wasps lost four players to Premiership injury inside 34 minutes on Monday and they are likely to need cover at hooker due to the T…
Chris Jones
02 Sep 2020, 6:47
'He still has six per cent less muscle on that leg compared to his other one'
Having had two surgeries on his patella tendon and dealt with the setback of a leg infection, Josh Beaumont has one final hurdle b…
Chris Jones
01 Sep 2020, 11:04
Schalk Brits has named the player he thinks should replace Snyman in the Springboks squad
With RG Snyman unavailable until 2021 due to injury, Schalk Brits has picked who he thinks should be the second row's Springboks s…
Chris Jones
01 Sep 2020, 5:57
Revitalised Sale's radical breakdown rethink
After conceding 40 penalties in Premiership losses to Harlequin and Exeter, Sale adopted a radical approach to the breakdown in th…
Chris Jones
29 Aug 2020, 12:54
Dallaglio: Why Wasps DNA can help Cipriani and co fulfil Gloucester's potential
With Danny Cipriani having played with the new Gloucester coaching trio at Wasps, Lawrence Dallaglio predicts this DNA can bring s…
Chris Jones
28 Aug 2020, 8:32
'On our day off yesterday, Lood was still here at Carrington - he's an absolute pro'
Springboks giant Lood de Jager shored up the Sale lineout in a vital midweek Premiership win over Wasps that left Sharks boss Stev…
Chris Jones
27 Aug 2020, 11:02
'The more recognised names are the loudest on the pitch' - Skivington says Saracens still have 'Wolfpack mentality'
The Gloucester head coach has warned his side to prepare for a tough battle when they face Sarries at Allianz Park on Wednesday.
Chris Jones
24 Aug 2020, 9:35
'Across the board our endeavour and skill has to change' - Diamond concerned by Sale's ill-discipline
Sale were pushing leaders Exeter hard before the lockdown but defeats by Harlequins and the Chiefs have seen Diamond’s men drop …
Chris Jones
24 Aug 2020, 3:39
Ex-Lions prop fears union going down the league route to solve scrummaging 'mess'
Former Lions prop Dai Young, who earned international Test caps at both union and league, fears for the set-piece in the 15-a-side…
Chris Jones
19 Aug 2020, 10:19
Diamond dismisses Sale race row over South African players not taking the knee
Sale boss Steve Diamond has responded after the pre-match stance of his South African players prior to last Friday's Premiership m…
Chris Jones
18 Aug 2020, 3:53
Row brewing over Sale's South Africans not taking the knee
The Premiership restarted last Friday with South Africans at Sale opting not to take the knee, a decision that has been queried ba…
Chris Jones
18 Aug 2020, 1:48
World Cup winner backs Willis to force change in Eddie Jones' back row thinking
Head coach Jones has tinkered with his back row combinations and at last year’s World Cup opted to play with two recognised open…
Chris Jones
17 Aug 2020, 6:49
'It wasn't reckless. It was good constructive rugby and he couldn't have done any more'
George Skivington, the new Gloucester head coach, praised outside half Danny Cipriani’s masterclass in how to exploit 14-man Wor…
Chris Jones
15 Aug 2020, 11:12
Wasps' Gopperth backs 22-year-old England prospect Umaga to avoid pitfalls of second season syndrome
Umaga is the son of Mike, the former Samoa international and rugby league player, and the nephew of Tana, the ex-All Blacks captai…
Chris Jones
04 Aug 2020, 9:26
English rugby shake-up includes new £12m television deal for remodelled Championship
The most extensive shake-up of the sport since rugby went professional is expected to be put before the 11 Championship clubs at t…
Chris Jones
31 Jul 2020, 1:48
Sale sound out their football neighbours in left-field attempt to gain Premiership restart cutting edge
Sale are hard at it in training ahead of their August 14 Premiership restart at Harlequins, even calling on football neighbours fo…
Chris Jones
29 Jul 2020, 9:22
Steve Borthwick's 'inspired' Welford Road speech outlines vision for Leicester revival
Steve Borthwick started work on Leicester on July 1 and his impact has been quickly felt, particularly when he took the squad on a…
Chris Jones
29 Jul 2020, 7:38
Argentina veteran Agustin Creevy is reportedly on his way back to the Premiership
Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy spent two seasons at Worcester in the run-up to RWC 2015 and he is now reportedly on his to London…
Chris Jones
29 Jul 2020, 2:22
100-cap Rob Simmons the latest high profile Wallaby to sign for London Irish
London Irish have developed a liking for recruiting high profile Australians and Rob Simmons is set to arrive at the Premiership c…
Chris Jones
28 Jul 2020, 9:17
Easter eager to compile dossiers on Gallagher Premiership opponents as Newcastle tread water
Nick Easter is a veteran of 15 seasons as a player but he is facing a unique new Gallagher Premiership challenge as Newcastle’s …
Chris Jones
26 Jul 2020, 2:45
Fiji's invite is for November only but here is why they would be a long-term Six Nations asset
The politics surrounding the game in Fiji leave much to be desired but there is one very good reason why they would be a useful as…
Chris Jones
24 Jul 2020, 10:21
'A lot of the time a young black kid is told to go on the wing because you're going to be an athlete, not a decision-maker'
New Leicester No10 Zack Henry claims too many coaches equate a player’s skin colour with selection in particular positions on th…
Chris Jones
22 Jul 2020, 10:34
'Adam rang me when this appeared and he has no idea where it came from'
Harlequins boss Paul Gustard has dismissed claims that former Wales prop Adam Jones is quitting the club to take up a new role wit…
Chris Jones
20 Jul 2020, 7:29
Ex-England forward Palmer wants to follow Alex King into Premiership coaching role from France
Tom Palmer, the former England, Wasps and Gloucester lock, completed a remarkable clean sweep of domestic and European titles and …
Chris Jones
20 Jul 2020, 2:29
Criticism mounting after RFU decision shuts famed academy that produced likes of Danny Care
Danny Care was one of many England players to come through the academy system in Leeds - now Yorkshire - but that facility has now…
Chris Jones
16 Jul 2020, 4:09
Eddie Jones: England pay cut is not 'any grand gesture by me'
With the Rugby Football Union making 139 redundancies to try and cut costs, England boss Eddie Jones has made no big deal about hi…
Chris Jones
16 Jul 2020, 2:35
Jamie Roberts in talks over shock Welsh club move
Qualified doctor Jamie Roberts has been working with the NHS since returning from South Africa but he is now in talks about joinin…
Chris Jones
15 Jul 2020, 3:46
41 days after Burgess let rip, George Ford has responded to the stinging allegations
Sam Burgess launched a stinging verbal tirade at George and Mike Ford on June 3 and the Leicester out-half has now responded to th…
Chris Jones
14 Jul 2020, 8:24
Steve Diamond reveals Manu Tuilagi was being chased by 'three or four' clubs
The Sale boss also confirmed that the England international has joined the Sharks on the same financial terms as the rest of the s…
Chris Jones
13 Jul 2020, 5:50
'If we don't fulfil our potential under these guys then we will have let ourselves down'
Scrumhalf Ben Youngs believes struggling Leicester will deliver a different style of play under new head coach Steve Borthwick to …
Chris Jones
12 Jul 2020, 3:19
The London Irish Premiership restart riddle that Darren Childs still doesn't have an answer for
The Premiership will finally return on August 14 but league CEO Darren Childs had no clarity at Friday's fixtures launch regarding…
Chris Jones
10 Jul 2020, 8:20
'The Heineken Cup will hurt... but at the same time what a great opportunity'
It's 10 years since Dragons last graced Europe's premier tournament but Dean Ryan believes it will be an important, bruising exper…
Chris Jones
09 Jul 2020, 9:37
The fraught Tuilagi split: Ben Youngs on why Leicester U-turn would be 'a little crazy'
Manu Tuilagi was one of five players who opted to leave Leicester rather than accept a pay cut and Ben Youngs can't see a U-turn h…
Chris Jones
08 Jul 2020, 8:46
England to stage Six Nations warm-up match prior to Italy in search of cash boost
Having just shed 139 jobs due to the pandemic, the RFU will look to claw back some cash by staging a Six Nations warm-up game for …
Chris Jones
07 Jul 2020, 3:19
Worcester insist they are standing by Michael Fatialofa as he faces £100,000 medical bills
Warriors co-owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham confirmed to RugbyPass they are funding an extension of the visas for Mich…
Chris Jones
06 Jul 2020, 3:03
Diamond: 'We have had no discussions about Manu Tuilagi'
Steve Diamond, the Sale Sharks director of rugby, has denied opening talks with Leicester’s Manu Tuilagi, but revealed the club …
Chris Jones
05 Jul 2020, 1:05
Barritt: Saracens player exodus 'incredibly frustrating'
Saracens captain Brad Barritt has revealed the loss of key members of the club’s high-profile squad following their relegation t…
Chris Jones
02 Jul 2020, 9:04
Baber signs new deal to mastermind Fiji's Olympic title defence
Baber’s deal was scheduled to end in December but with the Olympics being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fiji rugby offic…
Chris Jones
01 Jul 2020, 3:48
New Zealand head coach gives honest opinion on young sensation Caleb Clarke
Clark Laidlaw believes live-wire Blues wing Caleb Clarke can help New Zealand win Olympic Games gold in Tokyo next year after help…
Chris Jones
30 Jun 2020, 4:31
Bristol's big name signings to be given European Cup green light
European rugby officials are set to allow Semi Radradra, Jonny Gray and Aled Davies to play in key quarter-final matches in the He…
Chris Jones
29 Jun 2020, 3:36
Wigglesworth commits short-term future to Saracens but accepts new club on horizon
Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth, who is on course to become the first Premiership player to appear in 300 games, has sign…
Chris Jones
25 Jun 2020, 4:37
Wilson returns to Newcastle after just 3 games while bizarre reason keeps Sale waiting on Wiese
Mark Wilson had played just three times when the season stopped for Sale who are still awaiting the arrival of Cobus Wiese from So…
Chris Jones
23 Jun 2020, 11:11
Martin Offiah has had his say on possible Swing Low, Sweet Chariot RFU ban
The RFU have revealed they are reviewing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot… Martin Offiah, whom it was first sung about at Twickenham, ha…
Chris Jones
19 Jun 2020, 3:12
'I'm not sure Bastareaud was a smart signing... you want proper value and Robshaw ticks that box'
Getting bang for buck with overseas signings is crucial to MLR and USA boss Gary Gold believes San Diego Legion have hit the jackp…
Chris Jones
18 Jun 2020, 1:46
European clubs point finger of blame in global calendar discussions
European clubs have defended their stance at the World Rugby global calendar talks following criticism that they were unwilling to…
Chris Jones
16 Jun 2020, 6:58
Gatland gives his take on speculated 2021 Lions tour delay
Warren Gatland is set to take the Lions to South Africa in July 2021 but the coach has admitted this date could be pushed back fur…
Chris Jones
12 Jun 2020, 5:27
It's war: RPA go legal over permanent Premiership wage cut threat
Damian Hopley has warned that RPA members will take legal action to protect their rights after Premiership clubs threaten permanen…
Chris Jones
10 Jun 2020, 5:01
England centre Marchant available for Super Rugby return
England centre Joe Marchant will be allowed to remain in New Zealand playing for the Blues while his club Harlequins are following…
Chris Jones
08 Jun 2020, 13:12
Jones backs Borthwick to become England head coach
Eddie Jones is backing his former No2 Steve Borthwick to follow him into the England head coach role after working alongside the f…
Chris Jones
08 Jun 2020, 8:19
Harlequins shed light on first tentative steps towards a return to play
Harlequins have given a forensic insight into how Gallagher Premiership clubs are taking the first tentative steps towards a retur…
Chris Jones
08 Jun 2020, 7:29
Richard Hibbard insists he can play on forever... well, at least until he is 40
Richard Hibbard, the 36-year-old Dragons hooker, is preparing for his 17th season in pro rugby and feels he can go on until he is …
Chris Jones
05 Jun 2020, 10:27
Confirmed: First ever home-and-away Six Nations one of 3 options on table for Test restart
With the traditional November tour fixtures under threat, the RFU have revealed England could be involved in an extended Six Natio…
Chris Jones
04 Jun 2020, 5:19
Kyran Bracken's 3 sons are all following in the No9 footsteps of their ex-England scrum-half father
There is a spike in sons following their fathers into rugby and former England player Kyran Bracken is no difference as his three …
Chris Jones
04 Jun 2020, 4:36
Players formulating battle plan to stop 25 per cent pay cuts becoming permanent
English rugby top professional players are formulating a battle plan to head of attempts by the cash strapped Gallagher Premiershi…
Chris Jones
31 May 2020, 6:38
The Top 14's latest Fiji signings in talks to keep Olympic 7s dream alive
Fiji pair Tuimaba and Botitu have secured deals in the Top 14, but they are hoping for a compromise to release them for Olympics 7…
Chris Jones
29 May 2020, 10:00
'I'm not scaremongering': Ex-Ireland skipper Keith Wood has grave fears for 'complicated' rugby
Former Ireland captain Keith Wood has major fears for the future of rugby, including the complexity of the laws and its precarious…
Chris Jones
27 May 2020, 11:45
'It was still painful to watch': Itoje uses lockdown to finally review World Cup final loss with England
It wasn’t until the recent lockdown suspension of rugby that Maro Itoje finally found the urge to review the World Cup loss by E…
Chris Jones
26 May 2020, 6:00
Eddie Jones wants to have football style run of the touchline
Eddie Jones is set to adopt a football manager role and start patrolling the touchline, insisting spending the second half close t…
Chris Jones
25 May 2020, 7:18
The latest Brooke off the rugby production line is qualified for England and has just signed his first contract
As Zinzan Brooke prepares for the 25th anniversary of the most remarkable drop goal ever scored at a Rugby World Cup, the legendar…
Chris Jones
25 May 2020, 4:09
Hastings floats common-sense alternative to 'desperate' WR plan for new rugby hybrid
Former Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings believes controversial World Rugby plans to scrap scrums, line outs and mauls to …
Chris Jones
23 May 2020, 5:49
Sale outline exactly what they have been up to amid accusations of breaking Premiership training rules
Steve Diamond’s Sale were alleged to have broken ranks with their Premiership rivals on Monday by organising limited collective …
Chris Jones
21 May 2020, 4:53
'As much as I love Joe Marler, I wouldn't want to be in isolation with that guy'
Joe Marler has a colourful reputation, leaving England boss Eddie Jones claiming the prop is the person he would least like to be …
Chris Jones
19 May 2020, 11:30
'A shambles': Premiership rivals furious over Sale breaking ranks
Premiership clubs could be given green light on Wednesday to start training again - something Sale have already done after breakin…
Chris Jones
19 May 2020, 9:39
'There is obviously something wrong' - Vickery warns Gloucester must rediscover their identity after Ackermann exit
As Gloucester begin their search for a new coaching set up following Johan Ackermann’s departure for Japan, former captain Phil …
Chris Jones
18 May 2020, 7:53
Sale add to South African contingent, beating Saracens to sign Cobus Wiese
Cobus Wiese, who plays lock or flanker at the Stormers, chose Sale after Saracens were automatically relegated from the Gallagher …
Chris Jones
14 May 2020, 9:32
'It's not a holiday camp': James Haskell warns England's Japan-bound Premiership players
The globetrotting career of James Haskell saw him join the Tokyo-based Ricoh Black Rams in late 2011… that experience has left h…
Chris Jones
13 May 2020, 11:32
RFU issue statement amid latest Premiership Rugby club-versus-country fears
Premiership Rugby (PRL) and Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) had demanded they are consulted before any plans are confirmed for the …
Chris Jones
12 May 2020, 3:07
The 'objectionable' All Blacks guru Eddie Jones didn't like but thought was 'a great coach'
Eddie Jones, who follows a punishing personal work schedule, has revealed he gives himself an appraisal as England head coach ever…
Chris Jones
11 May 2020, 13:33
Brits: World Champions loss is Leicester's massive gain
Schalk Brits admits the loss of fitness expert Aled Walters is a massive blow for the World Cup winning Springboks but a significa…
Chris Jones
11 May 2020, 9:57
Jono Ross uses cattle to maintain his record breaking tackling excellence
In lockdown on his wife’s family farm near Bulawayo, Jono Ross took a refined approach to training to ensure his Sale tackling t…
Chris Jones
09 May 2020, 6:54
Ex-New Zealand and Wales chief: 'Do fans want to watch that rubbish?'
A chief architect of the original SANZAR, David Moffett also led a revolution in Welsh rugby but he now has grave fears for the sp…
Chris Jones
06 May 2020, 2:13
Report: Revolutionary 12 team World Nations Championship to be backed by WR
A revolutionary World Nations Championship, involving the top tier of 12 teams in a global competition, is now right back on the a…
Chris Jones
02 May 2020, 14:36
'The days of flogging a player have gone... but we must be really adaptable to finish the Premiership'
With the Top 14 season terminated and speculation the Guinness PRO14 might go the same way, the English top-flight is shaping up t…
Chris Jones
01 May 2020, 10:19
'We haven't made England the best paid international squad in the world for the last 16 years by going into meetings and agreeing the first number put on the table'
Premiership players chiefs will take part in one of the most important meetings in the history of the sport in England today to tr…
Chris Jones
30 Apr 2020, 2:19
'Pretty juvenile' - Friday hits back at Dan Leo threat to Olympic sevens
Mike Friday, the USA Sevens coach, today warned Dan Leo not to use the sport as a political football by threatening to get it bann…
Chris Jones
29 Apr 2020, 2:55
'My jersey was covered in blood' - The day the England Fun Bus started its record breaking journey
When Jason Leonard emerged from the underground changing room into the intimidating atmosphere of the Velez Sarsfield stadium in B…
Chris Jones
26 Apr 2020, 4:14
'Ugly controversy' rolls on as former Fiji PM fires off
The row over Francis Kean’s failed bid to join the World Rugby executive committee continues in Fiji with former prime minister …
Chris Jones
23 Apr 2020, 1:51
Latest radical idea to finish the Premiership would have major impact on title race
Officials are said to be looking at all potential options, but this latest formula will surely not find favour with mid-table club…
Chris Jones
21 Apr 2020, 3:57
'It's not broken for Tier 1 - but for Tier 2 you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea'
Gary Gold, the vastly experienced USA Rugby head coach, knows all about rugby’s world-wide cash crisis and will discover in the …
Chris Jones
19 Apr 2020, 4:52
Twickenham won't host all 57 of the Premiership's remaining matches
A newspaper report claimed English Rugby HQ would stage all remaining games as the stadium’s Marriott hotel was seen as perfect …
Chris Jones
18 Apr 2020, 4:08
Josh Beaumont opens up on very different personal battle compared to his electioneering dad
Bill is attempting to hold onto the chairmanship of World Rugby while his son is devising novel ways of completing his seven-month…
Chris Jones
15 Apr 2020, 7:05
Andy Marinos insists he isn't 'rubbishing' Super Rugby with his latest scheduling plan
The SANZAAR chief claims his plan is chiefly designed to find a way out of the restrictions imposed on rugby in the southern hemis…
Chris Jones
14 Apr 2020, 5:22
Lions tour takes on extra importance as South Africa Rugby feels financial strain of COVID-19
The Springboks are staging a three test series with the Lions next year.
Chris Jones
13 Apr 2020, 9:49
Chilling warning for top French clubs facing cash crisis
A leading French rugby official has issued a chilling warning about the financial impact of COVID-19.
Chris Jones
13 Apr 2020, 2:16
Nigel Owens uses his column to break some massive career news
Nigel Owens has postponed retirement from top flight refereeing and admits he could stay in the game for another two years with th…
Chris Jones
11 Apr 2020, 0:38
English rugby's top players will need 'four weeks'
Saracens performance director Phil Morrow sits on an advisory group for Premiership Rugby and is predicting it will take a month o…
Chris Jones
10 Apr 2020, 3:11
Sale Sharks to order Springboks back to club as Premiership completion plan to be unveiled
Sale Sharks, who stand second in the Gallagher Premiership, are planning to recall their Springboks players who have returned to S…
Chris Jones
08 Apr 2020, 4:20
'We have a long history of injuries to developing players who are asked to play injured'
Nearly a year into his role at Rodney Parade, Dean Ryan has grounds for optimism that struggling Dragons are finally ready to brea…
Chris Jones
07 Apr 2020, 9:32
Bring back Folau? RWC winning Wallaby coach's radical, wrecking ball suggestions for saving rugby in Australia
Bob Dwyer, the World Cup-winning coach who helped turn the Wallabies into a major rugby force, has launched a withering attack on …
Chris Jones
06 Apr 2020, 4:14
Harlequins flanker Semi Kunatani arrested in Fiji
The country’s leaders condemned the actions of Fijians who have ignored instructions to self-isolate due to the risk of catching…
Chris Jones
06 Apr 2020, 1:09
Letters being sent to all Premiership players as entire league gets furloughed
England’s Premiership rugby clubs are informing players they are being furloughed during the COVID-19 crisis with individual let…
Chris Jones
01 Apr 2020, 5:25
'I heard some people die next to me' - ICU left Fatialofa traumatised
Michael Fatialofa has spoken for the first time of his battle to walk again after suffering a catastrophic neck injury playing for…
Chris Jones
01 Apr 2020, 1:57
Fiji and the contractual dilemmas caused by the postponed Tokyo Games
Last week’s announcement that the Olympics have been delayed a year has caused sevens coach Gareth Baber an unexpected headache,…
Chris Jones
31 Mar 2020, 11:13
Dan Leo's message to cash strapped Tier 1 countries: 'Welcome to our world'
Dan Leo, CEO of the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare organisation, has a message for Tier 1 rugby nations as they face serious financ…
Chris Jones
29 Mar 2020, 1:52
The real priority for World Rugby right now and it isn't bailouts for unions
World Rugby chiefs insist the sport is united as it faces the financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but calls by John …
Chris Jones
25 Mar 2020, 3:40
How over 300 tackles a season left Jono Ross' shoulder 'hanging on'
The Sale Sharks back row had continued to maintain his reputation as the iron man of the sport in the English league despite requi…
Chris Jones
24 Mar 2020, 8:00
Championship side warn that COVID-19 has left their future in doubt
Coventry Rugby’s Butts Park Arena has been closed to ensure they follow Government advice which has disrupted the club’s opera…
Chris Jones
23 Mar 2020, 5:29
Plastic surgeons nearly gave up fight to close wound in PSDT's leg
The 27-year-old’s leg was saved by the skill of the surgeons who operated on him in South Africa.
Chris Jones
23 Mar 2020, 4:30
Saracens will not be saved from relegation
Saracens will not be saved from relegation and players are not threatening to strike as English rugby struggles to cope with the f…
Chris Jones
21 Mar 2020, 3:21
'Anyone can support a team when they are winning trophies'
The London club's strength of character has been severely tested, but long-serving Brad Barritt predicts they will remain a major …
Chris Jones
19 Mar 2020, 8:05
This summer's London and Paris sevens set to be sacked off
World Rugby are expected to announce next week that the London and Paris legs of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series are to join a grow…
Chris Jones
18 Mar 2020, 4:30
Sensational Vunipola brothers report well wide of the mark
There has been speculation the England pair are looking at Super Rugby as an option following Saracens’ relegation to the Champi…
Chris Jones
17 Mar 2020, 6:20
Revealed: PSDT nearly lost his leg last month due to freak injury
The 2019 World Rugby player of the year will be out of action for another three months with a problem described as very rare by St…
Chris Jones
17 Mar 2020, 5:10
The Sharks teammate Faf de Klerk is backing for a Test recall
The scrum-half has forced his way back into the South Africa team since moving to Sale in 2017 and is predicting similar success f…
Chris Jones
16 Mar 2020, 3:57
Why the World's best sevens player has knife and fork written on his boots
Jerry Tuwai, the reigning World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, has revealed why he puts the words “knife” and “for…
Chris Jones
15 Mar 2020, 13:00
Man tasked with saving Championship expects ringfencing to go ahead
The ex-chief executive of the South African Rugby Union recently spent 26 days working at crisis club Saracens, during which time …
Chris Jones
12 Mar 2020, 5:24
Diamond slams green-eyed critics of Sale's Springbok recruitment drive
Next weekend’s Premiership Rugby Cup final is not the most important in English rugby, but it offers the Manchester club the cha…
Chris Jones
12 Mar 2020, 1:15
Monye fears Marler's England career could be over
Former England wing Monye knows Marler well and believes the prop could retire for a second time from test rugby after the inciden…
Chris Jones
09 Mar 2020, 5:06
Kruis explains wave as he walked off the pitch and it's not what you think
England lock George Kruis denied he was waving goodbye to Twickenham for the last time after helping defeat Wales 33-30 in what is…
Chris Jones
07 Mar 2020, 13:30
'Gutted' Mako Vunipola: Eddie apologised to me on phone after medical ban
Mako Vunipola today admitted he was gutted to be banned by England’s medical staff from facing Wales at Twickenham.
Chris Jones
07 Mar 2020, 8:03
Neil Back: England will target Biggar and his injured knee
Neil Back spent his England career hunting outside halves and today warned Wales No10 Dan Biggar to expect a torrid examination of…
Chris Jones
06 Mar 2020, 2:14
'In the last twelve months I've had two shoulder operations, won the World Cup and moved to England - a pretty busy time'
The Springbok lock is ready to make his Sale debut on Friday having recovered from the painful shoulder injury suffered when tackl…
Chris Jones
04 Mar 2020, 2:03
Six Nations insider fears sponsor backlash over £300m paywall deal
Six Nations chiefs have been warned they could face a backlash from sponsors if they take the Championship away from terrestrial t…
Chris Jones
02 Mar 2020, 2:24
Six Nations £300m paywall deal: 'We would not rule anything out'
Six Nations chiefs are distancing themselves from “speculative” claims the tournament will operate behind a paywall under a ne…
Chris Jones
01 Mar 2020, 9:01
'All that went through my mind was take everything, don't shoot my brother and my friend'
Gloucester flanker Ruan Ackermann has revealed he sought help to deal with the flashbacks he endured following a frightening gunpo…
Chris Jones
26 Feb 2020, 4:45
Six Nations issues update on status of Italy's coronavirus-threatened game with England
Measures to combat the outbreak in the Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto regions have forced Italian rugby authorities to cancel…
Chris Jones
25 Feb 2020, 5:45
French flair must still exist in more structured approach, says Edwards
France made it three wins in a row with a pulsating 27-23 victory against reigning champions Wales on Saturday.
Chris Jones
24 Feb 2020, 4:45
George Ford's warning for England's future opponents
George Ford has warned England’s opponents they are creating the best defence in world rugby under the direction of John Mitchel…
Chris Jones
23 Feb 2020, 11:01
Marland Yarde 'faster' than before horrendous knee injury after turning to top sprint coach to revive England career
Marland Yarde is using one of the world’s top sprint coaches to relaunch his England rugby career after overcoming a horrendous …
Chris Jones
19 Feb 2020, 2:33
Sevens postponements have Fiji fearing French-based stars won't make the Olympics
Gaining release of some world-class players from their clubs is now tougher as the Singapore and Hong Kong postponements have coun…
Chris Jones
18 Feb 2020, 10:15
Zach Mercer used LEGO to rebuild his England career
Bath No8 Zach Mercer built at LEGO version of the Statue of Liberty to keep him “sane” during four months out of the game and …
Chris Jones
15 Feb 2020, 10:26
'Pretty juicy' - Dombrandt vs Tuisue in battle of the Test hopefuls
Harlequins No8 Alex Dombrandt and London Irish opposite number Albert Tuisue know all about international rejection and will use t…
Chris Jones
14 Feb 2020, 3:13
17 stone centre credits genes and not weight training for massive physique
Rohan Janse van Rensburg wants to power Sale into the Gallagher Premiership play-offs and relaunch his Springbok career with the a…
Chris Jones
13 Feb 2020, 5:50
'We were already going to be facing Saracens with our hands tied behind our backs - now they have tied our legs as well'
A shock RFU budget cut has left clubs such as Paul Turner's Ampthill furious they will face the relegated Londoners whose fall fro…
Chris Jones
12 Feb 2020, 5:55
RPA warns of a mass player revolt over Seven Nations plot
The chief executive of the Rugby Players Association, which looks after England’s leading players, has warned against expanding …
Chris Jones
10 Feb 2020, 10:05
'Hate is for terrorists. Not rugby players'
Former Scotland captain Peter Brown, elder brother of fellow international Gordon, has tried to defuse what he believes is needles…
Chris Jones
07 Feb 2020, 5:45
Jones ramps up verbal attacks on Scotland with comments about their tactics
Eddie Jones has continued his war of words with Scotland claiming Gregor Townsend’s side are one of the “biggest kicking teams…
Chris Jones
06 Feb 2020, 3:49
Steve Diamond gives wonderfully blunt assessment of England's 'Curry at 8' experiment
Eddie Jones' decision to go with Tom Curry as his No8 in Paris came in for much criticism... now Curry's club coach, Sale's Steve …
Chris Jones
05 Feb 2020, 5:54
Haskell: Jones right to select Curry at No8
The England coach has faced a backlash for switching the blindside to cover for the injured Billy Vunipola in the Six Nations defe…
Chris Jones
04 Feb 2020, 4:38
Italy's continued inclusion in Six Nations questioned after 23rd consecutive loss
Italy coach Franco Smith has defended their right to be in the Six Nations championship despite the 42-0 loss to Wales in Cardiff …
Chris Jones
01 Feb 2020, 12:56
'While South Africa were tremendous in the final, if they played five times, England would win four'
Casteignede is backing “x-factor” scrum half Antoine Dupont to provide the magic to give France victory over England in their …
Chris Jones
31 Jan 2020, 1:18
'France 2023 could be a real watershed moment for Fijian rugby'
Vern Cotter is taking over from John McKee as their head coach when his Montpellier contract ends in July and Alex King has given …
Chris Jones
30 Jan 2020, 11:09
Jamie Joseph desperate to avoid club rugby conflict in Japan
Jamie Joseph, who led Japan to the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, has made it clear the new domestic professional lea…
Chris Jones
29 Jan 2020, 6:19
'Is there frustration? Absolutely' - England scrumhalf Robson won fight with DVT, now he must win over Eddie Jones
Dan Robson won his battle to save his rugby career and now wants to convince Eddie Jones that he is the scrumhalf England need to …
Chris Jones
26 Jan 2020, 3:17
'People talk about Sarries being relegated and that taking a bit of pressure off... you'd be lying to say it doesn't'
Wasps boss Dai Young believes his club can now concentrate all its efforts on qualifying for next season’s Heineken Cup competit…
Chris Jones
25 Jan 2020, 10:34
'He was a bit of a maverick' - England back Thorley taking inspiration from unlikely hero
Gloucester wing Ollie Thorley is taking inspiration from “maverick” former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli as he attempts to …
Chris Jones
24 Jan 2020, 6:14
Parisse send-off: Italy boss strongly defends controversial plan
Italy coach Franco Smith has defended his decision to give former captain Sergio Parisse a final farewell cap against England in R…
Chris Jones
23 Jan 2020, 2:54
Jones and Farrell: England 'best thing' for Saracens players
Eddie Jones believes England’s Six Nations campaign can help his Saracens players deal with the ramifications of relegation from…
Chris Jones
22 Jan 2020, 6:31
Pivac: 'Massive' Warburton role in Wales set up revealed
Wayne Pivac, the new Welsh coach, and captain Alun Wyn Jones today revealed details of the key role Sam Warburton has been given i…
Chris Jones
22 Jan 2020, 3:31
Phil Davies' Namibian plan to bolster Yorkshire's Championship survival bid
The former Premiership outfit are adrift at the bottom of the English Championship having hit serious financial problems that have…
Chris Jones
21 Jan 2020, 9:22
Furious club owner can't fathom why Saracens are allowed complete this season's Premiership campaign
The salary cap-bursting London club have accepted automatic relegation from the top flight at the end of the season, but one rival…
Chris Jones
21 Jan 2020, 8:15
Jones gives honest assessment of new coaches at rival Six Nations teams after naming England squad
The England head coach wants his team to play the 'greatest rugby' the sport has ever seen in the upcoming Six Nations championshi…
Chris Jones
20 Jan 2020, 5:48
Dean Richards' pointed warning to Championship-bound Saracens
The Newcastle boss, who took Harlequins back up to the top flight of the English game in 2006, is on course to do the same with Ne…
Chris Jones
20 Jan 2020, 1:29
Saracens to hold crisis talks with Jones and Gatland as possible player exit strategy emerges
Saracens are to hold talks with Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland to discover what implications relegation to the Championship for br…
Chris Jones
18 Jan 2020, 4:59
Saracens: 'Club prepared to do whatever is reasonably required'
As revealed by RugbyPass, an automatic drop to the second tier of English rugby is on cards for 2020/21 due to the club's inabilit…
Chris Jones
17 Jan 2020, 2:28
Heavyweight prop snubbed by Gatland who bench presses 210kg ready for Six Nations debut
WillGriff John, the 20-stone Sale Sharks prop, has taken a circuitous route to the top... now that he has reached it, he tells Rug…
Chris Jones
15 Jan 2020, 4:27
Exclusive: Bring in NFL style coach's challenge is the call from top English club chiefs
Wasps’ Dai Young, Gloucester’s Johan Ackermann and Sale’s Steve Diamond are unhappy with the current Television Match Offici…
Chris Jones
13 Jan 2020, 9:34
MacGinty's season all but over after brutal injury
The Sale out-half was hurt in the defeat at La Rochelle, 15 months after he shipped a similar injury that kept him out for twelve …
Chris Jones
11 Jan 2020, 1:12
Sale boss not sold on Eddie Jones' outrageous Ben Curry position change request
Eddie Jones believes Sale flanker Ben Curry, twin brother of Tom, could become an international scrumhalf but the Gallagher Premie…
Chris Jones
09 Jan 2020, 9:30
Man who axed 18 Saracens 'mercenaries' has no fears for club's future
Two of the architects of Saracens' success have dismissed fears that looming job and pay cuts will seriously undermine the club’…
Chris Jones
08 Jan 2020, 3:41
Job and salary cuts facing Saracens stars
Edward Griffiths, the new Saracens chief executive, has told the club’s high-profile squad some players may have to leave or fac…
Chris Jones
06 Jan 2020, 5:01
Recent monstrous tackles confirm Fekitoa's reputation as Wasps midfielder to be feared
It has taken a while for the former All Black midfielder to get into the swing of things in England following his switch from Fran…
Chris Jones
03 Jan 2020, 9:48
Lood de Jager may have just cut his recovery time from shoulder surgery in half
The South African second row was expected to be sidelined for up to six months following his post-World Cup final operation, but t…
Chris Jones
02 Jan 2020, 3:40
Baber: Talks ongoing with European clubs as gold medal pressure mounts
Gareth Baber knows all about the weight of national expectation as he attempts to mastermind Fiji’s defence of their HSBC World …
Chris Jones
30 Dec 2019, 1:48
Gloucester boss's proposal for how Wales could use Louis Rees-Zammit
Johann Ackermann is urging Wales to include flying wing Louis Rees-Zammit in their Six Nations squad after 18-year-old scored a ha…
Chris Jones
28 Dec 2019, 9:24
World Rugby insist controversial changes to the Sevens format will not be revoked
Reports claim coaches and players are considering taking their grievances to the International Court of Sport Arbitration.
Chris Jones
23 Dec 2019, 9:56
Akker van der Merwe doesn't like the weather in Manchester
Springbok hooker Akker van der Merwe survived a match halting hail storm at Exeter and is now determined to stop a Northampton sto…
Chris Jones
19 Dec 2019, 4:39
'Tex has been one of our most impressive summer signings... he's a smashing guy who is full of energy and life'
Harlequins' hopes in Europe have died a death but Paul Gustard is pinning his hopes on the club's Fijian flavour lighting up their…
Chris Jones
18 Dec 2019, 1:24
Brad Shields a major Six Nations doubt for England
England flanker Brad Shields has injured the foot that ruled him out of the Rugby World Cup again and faces at least another month…
Chris Jones
14 Dec 2019, 10:35
'People will already be writing us off... that is a motivating point'
The defending HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions failed to get out of their pool last weekend in Dubai and are gunning to ma…
Chris Jones
12 Dec 2019, 11:23
Mucking in not a problem for Tom Curry as he gets ready for his 28th game in 2019
The young Sale back row is showing no signs of slowing down despite a hectic schedule club schedule following on from his World Cu…
Chris Jones
11 Dec 2019, 7:05
The Brits verdict on England lining up Proudfoot, architect of their RWC scrum demise
With the set-piece being where the rot set in for Eddie Jones in the World Cup final, Schalk Brits weighs up whether recruiting th…
Chris Jones
10 Dec 2019, 9:05
Wounded Harlequins view Anthony Joshua as ideal inspiration for hitting back at Ulster
The Londoners stayed on in Belfast on Saturday night and watched the English boxer regain his heavyweight belts to the opponent he…
Chris Jones
10 Dec 2019, 3:20
Japanese virus could cost Moriarty Six Nations
Ross Moriarty, the Wales and Dragons No.8, is battling to be fit for the Six Nations after contracting a virus at the Rugby World …
Chris Jones
08 Dec 2019, 3:30
James Horwill is poignantly trying to emulate his late friend Dan Vickerman by winning the Varsity
The world of rugby was plunged into sadness when the former Australian lock took his own life in 2017... now his Test team pal is …
Chris Jones
03 Dec 2019, 8:51
Sale Sharks' pursuit of Nakarawa intensifies as lock's career at Racing in tatters
Sale Sharks will this week step up their bid to sign Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa, the former European Player of the Year, who is cu…
Chris Jones
01 Dec 2019, 5:36
Saracens' radical step in bid to head off more accusations about their finances from rival clubs
With no let-up in the negative publicity surrounding Saracens and the salary cap saga, the Londoners are considering a radical mid…
Chris Jones
26 Nov 2019, 7:14
'It is not something to be proud of and it's an area that we are constantly working on'
Fiji were crowned HSBC World Rugby Sevens champions last season but coach Gareth Baber had identified one unwanted reputation his …
Chris Jones
26 Nov 2019, 2:29
Eddie Jones entering tug-of-war over England attack guru
The man who masterminded England's attack at the Rugby World Cup is said to be the target of Dave Rennie and Rugby Australia.
Chris Jones
25 Nov 2019, 3:00
Kearns spews damning indictment of Aussie rugby on NZ radio show
World Cup winner Phil Kearns has delivered a damning indictment of Australian rugby, claiming Dave Rennie, the new Wallaby coach, …
Chris Jones
24 Nov 2019, 11:14
Sponsorship expert's stark warning for 'toxic' Saracens
After deciding not to appeal the 35-point deduction and a £5.3million fine imposed by Premiership Rugby, the credibility of the L…
Chris Jones
19 Nov 2019, 2:35
'I am done with the Sharks' - 'Beast' Mtawarira considering overseas offers
Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira has confirmed he is considering offers to continue his remarkable rugby career outside South Africa, …
Chris Jones
17 Nov 2019, 14:00
Schalk Brits has revealed the special game he wants to play just before his 40th birthday
It was Wednesday when it emerged the popular South African hooker was retiring for a second time but even that announcement was pr…
Chris Jones
14 Nov 2019, 5:20
'Ever since I have been at Saracens, we have been universally disliked... it's not really new to us'
After dealing with a lively reception from the crowd at Gloucester, Alex Lozowski's Saracens are next off to Paris as they try to …
Chris Jones
13 Nov 2019, 8:59
Du Preez places his Springboks hopes on 'doing a Faf' at Sale
Having seen Faf de Klerk become a national hero in South Africa, Robert du Preez is hoping a rich vein of form at Sale can force h…
Chris Jones
13 Nov 2019, 5:11
Kiss: How Naholo behaved in London Irish training shows he's not just about the pension pot
Les Kiss, the London Irish head coach, insists All Black Waisake Naholo has a key mentoring role to play at the club and believes …
Chris Jones
11 Nov 2019, 2:22
Sale won't see World Cup winner de Jager in action in Manchester until 2020
South Africa are arriving home to celebrate their World Cup win and the price Lood de Jager will pay for getting injured in the fi…
Chris Jones
05 Nov 2019, 9:36
How having a star-studded squad will hinder - not help - Saracens' bid to avoid relegation
Saracens have, on paper, a star-studded team capable of going on a relegation-preventing winning run, but their efforts will be hi…
Chris Jones
05 Nov 2019, 5:11
'You have to surround yourself with other great leaders and Owen has the core of Saracens' leadership group with him'
Chris Robshaw's reputation took a hammering following questionable decisions at the ill-fated 2015 World Cup, but Brad Barritt bel…
Chris Jones
11 Sep 2019, 10:51
Nakarawa isn't bothered about Wallabies' adopted Fijians
Lock Leone Nakarawa insists he is not “bothered” about facing four Fijian born players who will be lining up for Australia whe…
Chris Jones
09 Sep 2019, 10:48
Wilson: The journey for us is only just starting
Mark Wilson was battling to establish himself in the Newcastle Falcons back row as England staged the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but fo…
Chris Jones
09 Sep 2019, 6:45
Jones: 'Mako definitely won't be ready for the start of RWC'
England's Mako Vunipola was expected to be fully fit within 10 days of getting injured against Ireland on August 24, but Eddie Jon…
Chris Jones
06 Sep 2019, 15:31
'I'm amazed people are that critical. If you're an English supporter you must love the club'
Saracens may be under investigation for the way they organise their financial affairs off the pitch, but no one can question the w…
Chris Jones
05 Sep 2019, 12:41
'It would be a nightmare to defend against Schalk if he picks the ball up off the base of the scrum and uses his footwork'
A squad of 31 players will force teams to improvise at the World Cup and Jacques Burger believes South Africa can benefit from the…
Chris Jones
03 Sep 2019, 5:01
Irish legend tips Eddie Jones' England to win the World Cup
It's not often that England get support from their Six Nations rivals but one Ireland legend is backing them to lift the World Cup…
Chris Jones
29 Aug 2019, 7:21
Zinzan Brooke: Brodie Retallick's delayed influence can mirror England's Richard Hill in 2003
Zinzan Brooke has no trouble with Steve Hansen picking an injured Brodie Retallick, claiming the second row's eventual comeback ca…
Chris Jones
28 Aug 2019, 10:53
Playing two fiercely competitive No7's can be highly effective
Tom Curry’s all-consuming desire to become England’s first-choice No6 at the Rugby World Cup allowed him to shrug off a high s…
Chris Jones
26 Aug 2019, 7:18
Maro Itoje's Tuilagi verdict: 'When Manu is at his best he is an absolute monster'
England have been waiting years to properly get the injury-hit Manu Tuilagi back in harness, but the levels he hit at Twickenham o…
Chris Jones
24 Aug 2019, 10:48
Mata: Creating World Cup history would surpass 2016 Rio gold medal
Viliame Mata was part of the Fijian squad that clinched sevens gold at the Rio Olympics but he believes creating RWC history next …
Chris Jones
24 Aug 2019, 1:06
Saracens to sign Damian Willemse if he is ignored by the Springboks
Damian Willemse is a fringe players sweating on whether he will make the Springboks' World Cup squad, but his possible exclusion i…
Chris Jones
23 Aug 2019, 2:00
'There is an outstanding record of guys who have lost their way finding their way again at Sale'
Sale skipper Jono Ross is chuffed with his club's reputation under Steve Diamond in reforming players and setting them on the path…
Chris Jones
21 Aug 2019, 11:27
Saracens in the dark about Michael Cheika's latest play for Will Skelton
With the clock counting down to the Wallabies' World Cup squad announcement, Michael Cheika mentioned Will Skelton could be a cont…
Chris Jones
20 Aug 2019, 3:04
Pacific Island players reaching 'boiling point' over Northern blockade
Seilala Mapusua, the former London Irish and Samoa centre, has warned World Rugby that frustration over the constant loss of talen…
Chris Jones
19 Aug 2019, 1:32
George Ford on the key difference between the RWC squads of Lancaster's failures and Jones' hopefuls
With the start of England's 2019 World Cup campaign now just weeks away, George Ford explains the one key difference between now a…
Chris Jones
16 Aug 2019, 9:03
The bitter disappointment that fuels Maro Itoje
Maro Itoje can still remember the moment four years ago when his World Cup dream was shattered by Stuart Lancaster, a bitter disap…
Chris Jones
15 Aug 2019, 6:22
'What you're seeing now are players doing incredibly well on the sevens series and then getting picked up by 15s'
Fiji blazed the trail but with England's Ruaridh McConnochie the latest in a long list of players successfully using sevens toward…
Chris Jones
14 Aug 2019, 11:04
Slade's near-miss: When the injury happened last week it was a case of 'oh no, not now'
Injury in the days leading up to England's RWC squad announcement wasn't ideal for Henry Slade, but he is relieved he didn't suffe…
Chris Jones
13 Aug 2019, 10:33
Manu Tuilagi reveals new nickname after making England's RWC squad
Previous World Cups have been unkind to Manu Tuilagi but he is aiming to make it third time lucky after finding favour with Englan…
Chris Jones
12 Aug 2019, 11:07
Fiji add firepower to their line up for Samoa clash
Harlequins new signings Vereniki Goneva and Tevita Cavubati have been drafted into the Fiji team to face Samoa in Suva on Saturday…
Chris Jones
08 Aug 2019, 9:51
'We couldn't say anything at that point because things needed to be signed'
Ireland rugby fans will get an indication of what the future could hold for their national team against Italy in Dublin on Saturda…
Chris Jones
08 Aug 2019, 9:05
Jonathan Davies recalls a very different 'warm-up' to the 1987 Rugby World Cup
England and Wales arrive at Twickenham on Sunday for the opening Rugby World Cup warm-up game having followed intensive training p…
Chris Jones
07 Aug 2019, 10:39
Phil Davies denies it's jobs for the 'boyos' with Welsh hires
Namibia coach Phil Davies believes his decision to enlist two coaches from Welsh club rugby to help prepare the Rugby World Cup mi…
Chris Jones
06 Aug 2019, 3:33
Fiji to experiment on Samoa and Tonga
Defending champions Fiji will use their final Pacific Nations Cup match with Samoa to try out new combinations ahead of the Rugby …
Chris Jones
05 Aug 2019, 1:51
'When the Wasps fans see him they'll say 'he's small' but so is Kolbe and Jason Robinson'
Italy fullback and new Wasps signing Matteo Minozzi will signal the end of an 11-month battle to overcome a horrific knee ligament…
Chris Jones
01 Aug 2019, 5:11
Jones sends message from Fiji on what MLR can do for game in Canada
The day-to-day existence for Canadian players wasn't great when Kingsley Jones took over, but he now believes exposure to the MLR …
Chris Jones
31 Jul 2019, 8:22
Christian Wade has taken the next key step in his rugby to NFL journey
Christian Wade never had to think much about wearing protection when he played rugby, but it is now very much part of the agenda a…
Chris Jones
30 Jul 2019, 1:36
McKee IDs Fiji's headline mistakes against Japan
Fiji head coach John McKee and his players return home tomorrow (Mon) determined to address the “critical mistakes” that under…
Chris Jones
28 Jul 2019, 7:43
Fiji to unleash two of its biggest guns
Fresh from sharing their two-Test series with the Maori All Blacks, Fiji coach John McKee is aiming to unleash some of his big gun…
Chris Jones
23 Jul 2019, 0:47
Fiji draft 9 players as 27-man squad named for Pacific Nations
Rugby Head Coach John McKee has drafted in nine players for the first match of their defence of the World Rugby Pacific Nations C…
Chris Jones
21 Jul 2019, 1:35
Six Nations will no longer be shown exclusively on free-to-air TV
Following the failure of World Rugby to set up the Nations Championship, investment firm CVC are set to buy into the Six Nations w…
Chris Jones
12 Jul 2019, 6:24
Fiji could lose Radradra and three other key players for Maori game
Head coach John McKee may be forced to leave out key backline threats including Semi Radradra and Vereniki Goneva when Fiji face t…
Chris Jones
10 Jul 2019, 3:56
'I don't know where the rumours are coming from... he has not walked out of the team'
In camp preparing for a two-match series with New Zealand Maori, Fiji boss John McKee has been forced to assure fans that an assis…
Chris Jones
05 Jul 2019, 10:07
Just three spots up for grabs as Jones hints he knows the identity of 28 of England's RWC 31
Eddie Jones announced a squad of 38 names on Thursday and he has hinted that 28 of those names are already definitely in his 31-st…
Chris Jones
05 Jul 2019, 1:33
Jones insists England can still win the World Cup despite dumping three players with over 250 caps
Eddie Jones has shown no loyalty to three veteran England players with a multitude of caps, but it doesn't bother him as he feels …
Chris Jones
04 Jul 2019, 6:40
'The World Cup is a hell of an opportunity... our mentality has changed and we now go out to win'
It's a daunting step up, going from playing at English Championship level to facing the might of New Zealand, but Janco Venter can…
Chris Jones
03 Jul 2019, 11:17
'It's very pleasing so many of our players are with top professional clubs'
Fiji's preparations for the World Cup are underway and John McKee has saluted the calibre of player he has in his squad due to the…
Chris Jones
02 Jul 2019, 10:52
Date set for 'the biggest decision in the history of professional rugby in England'
English rugby chiefs will be asked to support controversial plans for a 13 team Gallagher Premiership with an end to automatic rel…
Chris Jones
27 Jun 2019, 6:22
'If I was a betting man I would be expecting to be waving goodbye to James shortly'
Steve Diamond is in the habit of successfully rehabilitating renegade rugby players and it appears James O'Connor is about to swop…
Chris Jones
25 Jun 2019, 11:33
EXCLUSIVE: 'I may have to look at my technique' - Vunipola on injury, rehab and the World Cup
Mako Vunipola will join England’s World Cup training camp tomorrow having discarded his crutches and tells Chris Jones about the…
Chris Jones
24 Jun 2019, 3:10
Personal tragedy fuelling Fijian Asaeli Tuivuaka's rise on the sevens circuit
Asaeli Tuivuaka came away from Paris at the start of June as a World Sevens champions, but behind the Fijian's emergence is a hear…
Chris Jones
20 Jun 2019, 11:33
Jake White's Japanese club hit by arrest of their fly-half on cocaine charge
An arrest on the suspicion of possessing cocaine of a fly-half has led to Jake White's Toyota Verblitz team in Japan withdrawing f…
Chris Jones
20 Jun 2019, 5:13
Sevens stars and the MLR-effect - why USA could be World Cup 'banana skin'
A year ago Gary Gold guided the USA to an historic win over Scotland and now the Eagles head coach is planning to use the internat…
Chris Jones
18 Jun 2019, 4:32
Dominiko Waqaniburotu rewarded as Fiji's 42-man squad named
Dominiko Waqaniburotu was at the heart of Fiji's shock win over France last November, a success now rewarded with him keeping the …
Chris Jones
15 Jun 2019, 12:27
George North saw gremlins in 2015 pre-season running - now Paul Stridgeon aims to make Wales even fitter
George North claimed in 2015 he went 'to places no man should go to'... now Wales are aiming to push the barriers even further as …
Chris Jones
14 Jun 2019, 9:26
Fiji's bid to retain Olympic gold has received a funding boost
Winning gold medals at an Olympics doesn't come cheap, but defending men's sevens champions Fiji have taken steps to ensure they w…
Chris Jones
13 Jun 2019, 11:23
'England will be based around the Saracens machine and that mindset will pay real dividends'
Saturday's Top 14 final between Toulouse and Clermont will showcase potent French firepower, but Alex King believes a Saracens-min…
Chris Jones
12 Jun 2019, 10:53
Island nation is prepared to offer Israel Folau a Test level return
Rugby Australia's contract termination has ended Israel Folau's Wallaby career, but another Test-playing nation has outlined plans…
Chris Jones
12 Jun 2019, 7:52
'This will be the best prepared Fijian team to travel to a Rugby World Cup'
There were fears last month when Fiji lost some staff, but they have regrouped and believe they are ready to deliver their best-pr…
Chris Jones
10 Jun 2019, 2:25
Pau sign replacement for disgraced All Black Carl Hayman
Former Cardiff Blues favourite and Taranaki forwards coach Paul Tito has accepted a three-year deal to replace the disgraced All B…
Chris Jones
09 Jun 2019, 6:08
Former Bath coach appointed Fiji Rugby backs coach for RWC
Former Bath head coach Tabai Matson says he is “honoured and humbled” to be appointed the backline coach for the Fiji Rugby Wo…
Chris Jones
08 Jun 2019, 1:48
Fiji Sevens prodigy won't be cashing in overseas
Fiji Sevens star Meli Derenalagi insists he will not be cashing in on his new found fame as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Rookie of …
Chris Jones
06 Jun 2019, 8:14
Saracens critics motivated by 'jealousy' - Wray
Saracens have started work on a new £23m stand at their Allianz Park stadium but owner Nigel Wray denies the Heineken Cup and Gal…
Chris Jones
06 Jun 2019, 3:28
England legend Martin Johnson believes that Dylan Hartley is a must at the Rugby World Cup
World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson is backing Dylan Hartley to be included in Eddie Jones’s England squad for this year’…
Chris Jones
05 Jun 2019, 2:43
Fiji coach reveals what's next for Nasoko after Edinburgh deal falls through
Former captain Kalione Nasoko will undergo knee surgery in Australia to ensure he can help Fiji defend their Olympic Sevens gold m…
Chris Jones
04 Jun 2019, 4:19
England 'Pool of Death' rival has insider knowlege on Mitchell's defensive system - MacGinty
US Eagles outside half AJ MacGinty believes their inside information on England defence coach John Mitchell will help unlock Engla…
Chris Jones
03 Jun 2019, 3:53
Ben Ryan: 'Somebody should be pointing fingers'
Great Britain defied the odds to win a silver medal in the Rio Olympic sevens tournament despite a haphazard build-up which saw th…
Chris Jones
03 Jun 2019, 1:50
Jaguares coach strikes back at Phil Kearns' claims they cheated SANZAAR
Jaguares coach Gonzalo Quesada has hit back at claims the South American franchise was “cheating” by featuring the majority of…
Chris Jones
30 May 2019, 3:49
Rival coach launches claims of illegality against both Fiji and Australia on eve of Paris Sevens finale
Fiji and Australia have faced claims they were breaking the law with their ruck play leading into the title-deciding final leg of …
Chris Jones
29 May 2019, 4:30
'At this rate there won't be sport in five years and there won't be the Springboks'
SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux has claimed the future of the Springboks is in serious danger if plans for new television rule…
Chris Jones
28 May 2019, 5:35
The car park calling-out incident that convinced James Haskell that Dylan Hartley must go to Japan
Dylan Hartley has not played any rugby this year but has to lead England to the Rugby World Cup with his ability to “call out”…
Chris Jones
26 May 2019, 4:19
Ex-All Black calls on England to select 'devastating' Mike Brown
All Black Nick Evans believes Mike Brown has turned himself into an attacking force Eddie Jones must include in England’s World …
Chris Jones
23 May 2019, 4:40
Fans told to stay away from Fiji Sevens players in London
Fiji Sevens coach Gareth Baber is today celebrating his birthday but the squad is avoiding any distractions.
Chris Jones
23 May 2019, 1:02
Fiji's World Cup preparations dealt a blow as coach cut from staff
The perennial problem of keeping rugby in Fiji on budget has forced head coach John McKee to release one of his support staff ahea…
Chris Jones
21 May 2019, 5:23
Steve Hansen weighs in on South African refereeing controversy
Steve Hansen has flagged up the thorny issue of inconsistent refereeing in the build-up to the All Blacks attempt to make history …
Chris Jones
20 May 2019, 3:03
'One week a lad can be farming in his village and the next he is playing in Hong Kong'
Gareth Baber is en-route to link up with his Fiji Sevens squad in London having overcome the latest set-back in a season that has …
Chris Jones
20 May 2019, 2:35
'It is has been quiet in terms of contact...Hopefully, I can rock up'
Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk flies home to South Africa tomorrow to start preparing for the Springboks assault on the World Cup.
Chris Jones
19 May 2019, 2:56
Fiji fly out for London Sevens minus their hospitalised coach
Fiji's season on the international sevens circuit has been eventful and the latest drama has concerned the hospitalisation of thei…
Chris Jones
17 May 2019, 1:39
'All of the island nations are going to front up... it makes us dangerous at the World Cup'
A good first impression with Samoa at the under-20 World Cup first put Elia Elia on Harlequins' radar... now he's wants to represe…
Chris Jones
15 May 2019, 11:11
'We're in the process of identifying someone to supplement and add to our current coaching group'
Speculation about Conor O'Shea's position in charge of Italy has grown with Cheetahs' revelation Franco Smith is leaving, but the …
Chris Jones
15 May 2019, 8:31
'Some may say I turned my back to Fiji, but it isn't the full story... I wanted to give our local players a chance'
Taqele Naiyaravoro has been capped in the past by Australia, but he has now explained why he played for them and why he wants to p…
Chris Jones
14 May 2019, 12:20
'We could be accused of emulating other clubs and we do pinch other people's ideas... plagiarism is part of the deal'
Steve Diamond's spending spree has been reminiscent of how Saracens initially went about their business of becoming a success - bu…
Chris Jones
14 May 2019, 11:31
Fiji 7s coach struck down with bacterial infection as squad named
Fiji’s bid to recapture the HSBC World Rugby Sevens title has received a major boost with Waisea Nacuqu, who broke his collar bo…
Chris Jones
13 May 2019, 2:56
Hateful derision of club drove Saracens players on - Goode
Alex Goode, the European Player of the Year, believes the constant criticism and claims of salary cap breaches has helped turn Sar…
Chris Jones
12 May 2019, 3:01
Maro Itoje: 'It was all part of the master plan'
Maro Itoje has set his sights on another Heineken Cup and Premiership double after helping Saracens outmuscle Leinster to become E…
Chris Jones
11 May 2019, 13:21
Fan behaviour threatens future of Army versus Navy game
The famous Army versus Navy rugby match, which attracted a sell out 80,000 crowd to Twickenham, is under threat due to the behavio…
Chris Jones
09 May 2019, 8:16
Giant Taqele Naiyaravoro's Fijian World Cup dream hanging by a thread
The Fiji sevens squad are currently undergoing intensive training in an attempt overtake the USA.
Chris Jones
09 May 2019, 1:39
'It will be fascinating to see how this plays out at the World Cup' - Hopley on South Africa's RWC player rep
Having a dedicated players' union representative as part of a Test team's management staff was unheard of until last month's appoi…
Chris Jones
08 May 2019, 10:23
'I feel that we get the short end of the stick a lot of times in South Africa'
Veteran Schalk Brits, who will be 38-years-old on May 16, wants to see an overhaul of the Super Rugby judicial committee hearing s…
Chris Jones
07 May 2019, 7:24
Why Sevu Reece may never play for Fiji
Head coach coach John McKee believes Crusaders winger Sevu Reece wants to play for Fiji at the World Cup.
Chris Jones
06 May 2019, 1:31
Fijian duo could yet make final legs of World Series
Jerry Tuwai and Waisea Nacuqu could defy injury worries and force their way back into the Fijian 7s squad for the final legs of th…
Chris Jones
03 May 2019, 3:09
Bristol Bears' new signings better be ready for a massive playbook
Samoa captain Chris Vui has helped Bristol Bears defy the doom mongers with a high risk attacking game plan that could earn a top …
Chris Jones
02 May 2019, 0:45
From American football to rugby union and bulking up 25kg - Saracens prop Titi Lamositele's journey
Prop Titi Lamositele was an American football star at High School running for 2172 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns and that explos…
Chris Jones
01 May 2019, 5:54
Fiji 7's coach lays out crucial changes needed to keep team competing for future honours
Head coach Gareth Baber, who has guided Fiji to within three points of HSBC World Sevens Series leaders USA despite injury disrupt…
Chris Jones
29 Apr 2019, 2:31
Sharks head coach lambasted in astonishing open letter
Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has been accused of operating a culture of “fear” and should be dumped along with his entire…
Chris Jones
26 Apr 2019, 1:42
'Media frenzy sits around relegation in most English sport... but is it good for young player development?'
Nearing the end of his first season at Northampton, Super Rugby winner Chris Boyd debates whether the drama of relegation is good …
Chris Jones
25 Apr 2019, 7:01
'China asked us if Fiji could supply about 200 coaches which was impossible for us'
So impressed are the Chinese with the success of Fiji in the Sevens game that they recently made an extraordinary request to the O…
Chris Jones
25 Apr 2019, 2:11
The Canadian lock that Newcastle are relying on to avoid the drop
When Evan Olmstead left Newcastle last year they were a top four club... now he's back from New Zealand and helping them fight for…
Chris Jones
24 Apr 2019, 2:09
RPA takes swipe at EPCR's 'watered down statement' after Vunipola fan incident
Damian Hopley will raise serious concerns over player safety with English rugby chiefs tomorrow after Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola…
Chris Jones
23 Apr 2019, 10:47
London Irish powerhouse has warning for teams playing Fiji in the World Cup
Albert Tuisue has powered London Irish back into the English Premiership and now wants to help Fiji win the World Cup in Japan.
Chris Jones
22 Apr 2019, 7:48
'I haven't had any contact with England this season' - the English qualified backrow being left out in the cold
Sale Sharks captain Jono Ross is the hardest working player in the Gallagher Premiership and admits he is getting increasingly fru…
Chris Jones
18 Apr 2019, 4:53
Robshaw: Ex-England captain took Kyle Sinckler aside over discipline
Former captain Chris Robshaw believes he has recaptured the form to keep his World Cup dream alive and is “desperate” to convi…
Chris Jones
17 Apr 2019, 6:41
NZR predict staggering NZ$30 million losses
The New Zealand Rugby Union has posted a NZ$1.9 (£900,000) million loss for 2018 and is predicted to be facing a massive NZ$30m (…
Chris Jones
17 Apr 2019, 3:13
Danny Cipriani: When and where he will retire
Sometime England star Danny Cipriani has revealed he will finish his playing career at Gloucester after signing a new three-year d…
Chris Jones
14 Apr 2019, 1:44
Springbok Pollard set to land £1m-a-season move - reports
Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard could be heading to France at the end of this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan in what w…
Chris Jones
12 Apr 2019, 8:38
'Maybe I need a chest protector... it was a big old slap (from Sinckler) and it wasn't necessary at all'
Harlequins' Kyle Sinckler saw yellow for his unnecessary attack on Faf de Klerk last Friday, but the Sale scrum-half knows it won'…
Chris Jones
10 Apr 2019, 11:29
Fiji head coach hails Tuwai as 'four players on the field' and reveals Singapore strategy
Fiji coach Gareth Baber has paid tribute to Jerry Tuwai, describing the play-maker as “four players on the field” after securi…
Chris Jones
09 Apr 2019, 7:27
'Physically, it was a shock to the system ' - Wade surprised by NFL call-up
Former England wing Christian Wade admitted it was a “huge surprise” to discover today that he had been drafted to the NFL Buf…
Chris Jones
08 Apr 2019, 9:16
Sacked Guy Noves awarded hefty sum in FFR firing case
Sacked French rugby coach Guy Noves has been handed €1m by an industrial tribunal who ruled he was unfairly dismissed by the Fre…
Chris Jones
08 Apr 2019, 6:50
Ford: 'It isn't the biggest game I have played for Leicester'
George Ford has delivered a damning assessment of Leicester as they head into a potential relegation decider with Newcastle on Fri…
Chris Jones
07 Apr 2019, 14:02
The Springbok rival that's kept Danny Care's England World Cup dream alive
Scrumhalf Danny Care is taking inspiration from Faf de Klerk’s return from test exile to power his bid to help England win the W…
Chris Jones
03 Apr 2019, 3:06
Details of the Kitshoff deal that denied Sale Sharks and kept him in South Africa
Sale Sharks have failed in their bid to sign Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff after the Stormers put together package worth nearly R…
Chris Jones
01 Apr 2019, 12:11
New Fiji 7's captain makes honest admission ahead of 'Pool of Death' in HK Sevens
New Fiji Sevens captain Paula Dranisinukula know he faces a massive task as he spearheads the team’s attempt at a remarkable fif…
Chris Jones
01 Apr 2019, 2:46
EXCLUSIVE: Will Skelton will not be going to the Rugby World Cup
With the World Cup looming Saracens lock Will Skelton has finally ended speculation about his Wallabies future.
Chris Jones
29 Mar 2019, 9:32
The Super Rugby record 'The Beast' is about to break and the fellow Bok he's taking it from
Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira has been hailed as a rugby legend as he prepares to equal Adriaan Strauss' record as the most capped Sout…
Chris Jones
28 Mar 2019, 9:37
Ex-Wallaby captain Horwill weighs in on World Rugby's controversial 'jackal' proposal
Former Wallaby skipper James Horwill has warned proposed law changes aimed at driving the “jackal” out of the sport could fund…
Chris Jones
27 Mar 2019, 7:57
Fiji name new 7s captain after Edinburgh bound Nasoko ruled out
Fiji Sevens Coach Gareth Baber has been robbed by injury of captain Kalione Nasoko who will miss the defence of the HSBC Hong Kong…
Chris Jones
27 Mar 2019, 6:12
Fiji player's Edinburgh contract doubts as two teammates face court appearances
Head coach Gareth Baber has revealed key forward Mesulame Kunavula will not be joining Edinburgh this season and has returned to t…
Chris Jones
25 Mar 2019, 3:21
Wales get Rugby World Cup pool warning as Fiji's 'Demolition Man' set to be unleashed
Fiji Head Coach John McKee has some bad news for World Cup pool opponents Wales and Australia with the “Demolition Man” Lepani…
Chris Jones
23 Mar 2019, 2:38
Ellis Genge: 'It is the darkest place the club's been...Geordan was speechless'
England prop Ellis Genge has admitted the Leicester players are letting the club down after they slumped to 29-15 loss to arch-riv…
Chris Jones
23 Mar 2019, 2:06
Kenyan Rugby boycott could be about to end
Kenya Rugby Union chiefs believe they have finally agreed a pay deal that will see striking players return for the four remaining …
Chris Jones
21 Mar 2019, 10:06
Fiji's Rugby World Cup preparations just got significantly tastier
Fiji coach John McKee is in Japan this week finalising preparations for their World Cup campaign which now includes a two-match se…
Chris Jones
20 Mar 2019, 10:48
Dean Richards on what's really holding England back and the obvious solution
Dean Richards believes ring-fencing the Gallagher Premiership is the only way to boost England’s chances of future World Cup and…
Chris Jones
20 Mar 2019, 6:11
Matavesi makes astonishing claim over Fiji's World Cup prospects
Josh Matavesi has warned Grand Slam champions Wales they face a Fiji team that is ready to shock the sport by winning the World Cu…
Chris Jones
19 Mar 2019, 12:07
England's RWC 'Pool of Death' just got a whole lot deadlier as Argentina set to unleash European based players
Mario Ledesma, the Argentina coach, has delivered more bad news for England by revealing his is ready to use previously ignored Eu…
Chris Jones
18 Mar 2019, 6:44
Struggling Fiji set projected return date for their Sevens skipper
Fiji sevens prop Paula Draunisinikula is ready to take over the leadership of the team’s defence of their HSBC Hong Kong Sevens …
Chris Jones
15 Mar 2019, 9:05
Fiji on cusp of hosting leg of Sevens Series thanks to a little help from a friend
Despite failing to convince World Rugby to let Fiji host a leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, the reigning Olympic champio…
Chris Jones
14 Mar 2019, 3:20
Drink driving Fiji 7s captain now faces race against time to make Hong Kong
Fiji Sevens captain Kalione Nasoko, who will be sentenced for drink driving on March 29, is battling to overcome a knee cartilage …
Chris Jones
13 Mar 2019, 11:27
'Breeding farms' - Incensed Samoan PM the latest to launch broadside on World Rugby greed
Samoa's Prime Minister has attacked World Rugby’s plans to launch a Nations Championship insisting the proposed structure will m…
Chris Jones
13 Mar 2019, 5:09
Itoje leaves England camp as Eddie names 31-man squad
England head coach Eddie Jones has finally accepted that Maro Itoje needs to be allowed to fully recover from the knee injury that…
Chris Jones
11 Mar 2019, 3:03
'Twickenham is nice. You don't get people spitting on you'
Eddie Jones has painful personal memories of last season’s Calcutta Cup disaster and is promising to repay Scotland with a inten…
Chris Jones
11 Mar 2019, 2:35
'I'm lucky to be alive because I was basically dead three times in 2018'
Former Saracens hooker Ethienne Reynecke will be 37-years-old on March 20th - a birthday he never thought would be celebrated afte…
Chris Jones
08 Mar 2019, 2:06
'We have always been open to conversations with Wales and Scotland about the possibility of Team GB'
England rugby chiefs insist they not scrapping their Sevens squad but admit they are in talks with Wales and Scotland in a bid to …
Chris Jones
08 Mar 2019, 1:15
Ex-All Black nicknamed 'The Hacksaw' calls time at 37
Former All Black Sam Tuitupou has finally decided to quit rugby at 37-years-old and set up his own player agency. Tuitupou won …
Chris Jones
06 Mar 2019, 7:05
Fiji 7s wing Nacuqu suffers season ending injury
The problems continue to pile up for Gareth Baber the Fiji Sevens coach who has now lost wing Waisea Nacuqu with a fractured colla…
Chris Jones
06 Mar 2019, 1:40
'Mako is the great deceiver'
Phil Morrow calls Mako Vunipola the “Great Deceiver” and predicts the prop will be an even more powerful force when he complet…
Chris Jones
05 Mar 2019, 5:24
Saracens are spending £2m over the salary cap - and it's legal
Saracens are adamant they are playing by the Gallagher Premiership salary regulations which allows the club to spend nearly £9m…
Chris Jones
04 Mar 2019, 4:13
Radical proposal for Pacific teams in response to controversial Nations League
Dan Leo, the former Samoa lock and current player welfare manager for Pacific players based in Europe, has made a radical proposal…
Chris Jones
01 Mar 2019, 1:51
Fiji prepare for 3-day 'overseas' training camp in Toulouse
Fiji head coach John McKee is in France preparing for an important three-day camp with his overseas based players in the build up …
Chris Jones
27 Feb 2019, 13:27
Cockerill's plan to raid Pacific Islands for the next 'Tuilagi'
Edinburgh boss Richard Cockerill is planning to raid the Pacific Islands for more “x-factor” players to join Fijian star Vilia…
Chris Jones
27 Feb 2019, 2:12
'It is making Wallabies think twice about going overseas' - Castle shares Giteau law stance
The RA chief executive made her comments in the wake of South Africa’s decision to scrap their rule which says non-Super Rugby p…
Chris Jones
25 Feb 2019, 14:27
Fiji 7s get double boost ahead of Las Vegas
Fiji’s bid to win the Las Vegas leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series has been give a double boost with wingers Alasio Naduva and …
Chris Jones
25 Feb 2019, 9:40
Fiji Sevens captain's grovelling apology for 'error of judgement' but European move a step closer
Fiji Sevens captain Kalione Nasoko, who has made a public apology for his arrest for drink driving, but it's not stopped a top Eur…
Chris Jones
22 Feb 2019, 1:21
Fiji 7s may lose speedster as team hit by more problems
The troubled Fiji Sevens squad have hit another problem as they prepare for the Las Vegas and Vancouver legs of the HSBC World Sev…
Chris Jones
21 Feb 2019, 1:23
Scotland's Josh Strauss left red-faced after airport bungle
Scotland have gained special clearance from French authorities to let No8 Josh Strauss take on Les Bleus in Paris on Saturday afte…
Chris Jones
20 Feb 2019, 5:32
New selector outlines what Quade Cooper has to change to make the Wallabies
Michael O’Connor, the new Wallaby selector, has made it clear Quade Cooper has to take less risks to earn a test recall followin…
Chris Jones
20 Feb 2019, 4:05
Fiji Sevens team in chaos - a court appearance, a bail extension and Top 14 poaching rumours
Fiji's Sevens team has been rattled by two players facing court proceedings and another being strong linked to a move to the Top 1…
Chris Jones
19 Feb 2019, 11:54
Former French flanker has theory on France's increasingly bizarre selection policy
Former captain Serge Betsen admits he has already ripped up his wish-list for France in this season’s Six Nations following loss…
Chris Jones
16 Feb 2019, 3:05
Overseas assistants added as Fiji 7s coach admits off-field issues have hurt the team
Fiji Sevens coach Gareth Baber has admitted recent disciplinary problems have made his job tougher as he prepares the Olympic cham…
Chris Jones
14 Feb 2019, 1:06
Untreated injuries and waiting for pay - the shocking truth on life after a World Cup repechage
The question of how smaller rugby unions treat and insure their players has been highlighted by the problems three Kenya players h…
Chris Jones
12 Feb 2019, 4:52
'South African players are very willing to listen but are a bit reluctant to change'
Former England captain Nick Easter is being hailed as an “exceptional coach” who will make a major impact in Super rugby with …
Chris Jones
11 Feb 2019, 7:37
The multi-millionaire who's been topping up Pocock's salary
Multi-millionaire David Paradice has been topping up David Pocock's current three year playing contract to ensure he remains in Au…
Chris Jones
10 Feb 2019, 3:10
Another Fiji Sevens player has been arrested
Gareth Baber, the Fiji Sevens head coach, is facing another major problem in what is turning out to be a season of serious set-bac…
Chris Jones
09 Feb 2019, 12:28
Why 'machine' Tom Curry is finally England's answer at No.7
Steve Diamond believes Tom Curry is a “machine” and will deliver another fearless performance against France to prove he is th…
Chris Jones
07 Feb 2019, 4:16
McCaw's solution to stop All Blacks player drain
All Blacks legend Richie McCaw never considered playing abroad but admits New Zealand have to accept the damaging player-drain is …
Chris Jones
07 Feb 2019, 2:01
Diamond breaks silence on Retallick £1m move
Sale Sharks headcoach Steve Diamond has spoken to the rumours around All Black Brodie Retallick signing for the Manchester based c…
Chris Jones
06 Feb 2019, 4:58
Bastareaud must switch position if he wants to continue his French Test career - Castaignede
Thomas Castaignede believes Mathieu Bastareaud could launch a new international career in a different position for France, insisti…
Chris Jones
06 Feb 2019, 1:29
The dangerous clearout method Pocock and other poachers need to be protected from
David Pocock needs to be protected from illegal neck rolls that have already forced him to miss key games for the Wallabies and is…
Chris Jones
06 Feb 2019, 0:48
EXCLUSIVE: Maro Itoje out of Six Nations
Maro Itoje is out for eight weeks after injuring medial ligaments in England’s outstanding victory over Ireland in Dublin forcin…
Chris Jones
04 Feb 2019, 2:06
Fiji coach responds as team rocked by shock retirements
Fiji head coach John McKee is confident his squad has enough strength in depth to deal with the decision by Montpellier wings Tim…
Chris Jones
31 Jan 2019, 13:54
'I am struggling to think of a test match contest that could be more physical in 2019'
Former captain Nick Easter is billing England’s battle with Grand Slam champions Ireland in Dublin on Saturday as the most feroc…
Chris Jones
30 Jan 2019, 7:15
Sam Cane might return from broken neck sooner than many fear
Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper is hoping All Blacks flanker Sam Cane will be given the green light to start playing again by the e…
Chris Jones
30 Jan 2019, 1:07
Rhys Webb's fiancee returns to Wales with the couple's three children in tow
Rhys Webb, the Wales scrumhalf who put his test career on hold to sign a big money deal with Toulon, is having to say goodbye to h…
Chris Jones
28 Jan 2019, 4:54
Video - 'Reckless' tackle breaks Baker's jaw in two places
Perry Baker, the World’s outstanding sevens player, is to undergo surgery to repair a double fracture of his jaw following a tac…
Chris Jones
28 Jan 2019, 1:32
How a Tongan revolution has transformed a small English club into promotion contenders
Four Tongan internationals headed by ex-Northampton prop Soane Tonga’uhia are powering a small Bedfordshire club towards the sec…
Chris Jones
25 Jan 2019, 7:28
Schmidt gives an emphatic answer to lingering Lions speculation
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has ruled himself out of taking charge of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021.
Chris Jones
23 Jan 2019, 6:22
All Blacks legend left O'Shea feeling like a novice
Italy head coach Conor O’Shea has been using Wayne Smith as his special “counsel” and admits the World Cup-winning All Black…
Chris Jones
23 Jan 2019, 4:15
EXCLUSIVE: Perry Baker dismisses 'word of mouth' rumours of code switch
Perry Baker, the World’s best sevens player, has dismissed claims he is to sign for Biarritz in France and insists his only targ…
Chris Jones
23 Jan 2019, 3:20
Fiji 7s leave door open for disgraced player
Coach Gareth Baber has insisted his Fiji Sevens squad will continue to operate a strict disciplinary policy heading into the defen…
Chris Jones
22 Jan 2019, 10:41
EXCLUSIVE: Toulon's rot could spread to French team warns man who coached both sides
Philippe Saint-Andre believes France’s hopes of dragging themselves back up the World rankings could be undermined by the dreadf…
Chris Jones
21 Jan 2019, 4:54
'This year is a big year and Fiji has got the confidence to beat big teams'
Vereniki Goneva believes Fiji’s stunning 21-14 historic first victory over France proved they can be a major force at the Rugby…
Chris Jones
18 Jan 2019, 1:36
Spying still a reality in rugby union
Eddie Jones has admitted spying on the opposition still happens in rugby union and will be taking measures to ensure the oppositio…
Chris Jones
17 Jan 2019, 10:22
'I had doubts if I would ever play test rugby again'
Vincent Koch has revealed he feared missing the 2019 Rugby World Cup after signing for Saracens but is backing Rassie Erasmus to m…
Chris Jones
17 Jan 2019, 2:18
Eddie Jones explains Dylan Hartley omission
Eddie Jones admits he does not know when captain Dylan Hartley will be fit to regain his place in the England squad for the Six Na…
Chris Jones
17 Jan 2019, 1:52
Fiji's new strategy to improve 15-man game and it could be bad news for 7's
The Fiji Rugby Union is taking steps to control the country’s love of Sevens which it believes is hampering attempts to make the…
Chris Jones
16 Jan 2019, 1:20
Two players stood down as Fiji 7s rocked by off-field incidents
Fiji, the reigning Olympic sevens champions, have been rocked by off-the-field problems in the build up to the Hamilton and Sydney…
Chris Jones
13 Jan 2019, 2:08
'He is a real physical specimen...and probably the premier No.7 in the country'
Sale captain Jono Ross believes Tom Curry has become England’s outstanding openside flanker and can make the problem No.7 jersey…
Chris Jones
10 Jan 2019, 9:16
Eddie Jones' damning England camp injuries statistics - report
Eddie Jones’s controversially tough England training sessions meant players were five times more likely to sustain injuries on i…
Chris Jones
09 Jan 2019, 4:58
A number of Kenyan Sevens players are boycotting their union
Kenya’s top sevens players are being asked to take a 50 per cent cut in their contracts as their cash strapped rugby union faces…
Chris Jones
09 Jan 2019, 2:05
'I was seriously ill and battling for my life. At times I felt like just stopping'
Billy Vunipola has been told to put a nightmare year that has seen him break his arm three times behind him and regain confidence …
Chris Jones
27 Dec 2018, 4:21
EXCLUSIVE: 'We have prepared the letters to take World Rugby to court'
England’s top clubs are paying 20 players more than £350,000 a season which has triggered the legal action being taken against …
Chris Jones
23 Dec 2018, 2:55
EXCLUSIVE: Burger to leave Saracens
World Cup winner Schalk Burger today confirmed he is leaving Saracens at the end of the season and will head back to South Africa …
Chris Jones
20 Dec 2018, 4:47
Why the search for a new England coach may lead to France
England are monitoring the progress of three French based coaches as they begin the task of preparing for life after Eddie Jones, …
Chris Jones
18 Dec 2018, 4:06
EXCLUSIVE: 'Faf is going to sign for three or four years'
Faf de Klerk, who was nominated as a World Rugby Player of the Year, is to sign a contract that will see him stay in the UK for at…
Chris Jones
16 Dec 2018, 3:45
Fiji 7's star makes sensational switch to 15-a-side and there'll be plenty of suitors
The Fiji Sevens squad is reeling after one of their Olympic gold medal winners has quit the Sevens circuit and move into the 15-a …
Chris Jones
14 Dec 2018, 0:58
EXCLUSIVE: 'The Springboks have only reached 50 per cent of where we need to be' - Faf de Klerk
Faf de Klerk started this year exiled from test rugby, but will head into 2019 as one of South Africa’s most important weapons a…
Chris Jones
12 Dec 2018, 11:00
How Samoa are stepping up player recruitment push as World Cup draws closer
Charles Piutau may have been ruled out of bidding for a place in the Tonga 2019 World Cup team, but Samoa are stepping up plans t…
Chris Jones
11 Dec 2018, 11:32
Erasmus drops Springboks bombshell
Rassie Erasmus has spoken about his future as Springboks head coach after taking on a "suicide job".
Chris Jones
10 Dec 2018, 1:35
The reasons why the Pacific Islands Super Rugby franchise bid has been rejected
Super Rugby chiefs are struggling to find a viable new format but one thing is clear they do not want Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to ent…
Chris Jones
06 Dec 2018, 2:06
'It was not his fault' - England's Ben Te'o returns to New Zealand despite playing just 33 minutes for Worcester this season
England centre Ben Te’o has been allowed to return to New Zealand despite making just one replacement appearance for Worcester W…
Chris Jones
05 Dec 2018, 4:26
'There will be no relegation' - club owner outlines reasons why Premiership will get rid of drop
With just four points separating bottom club Newcastle from sixth placed Bath, Premiership clubs are vocalising their determinatio…
Chris Jones
04 Dec 2018, 2:58
EXCLUSIVE: 'We are not the sick man of English rugby'
Nick Eastwood denies Wasps are the sick man of English rugby, weighed down by more than £50m of debt after their ground breaking …
Chris Jones
03 Dec 2018, 1:37
Where Brian O'Driscoll believes the All Blacks have failed
Brian O’Driscoll believes New Zealand have failed to replace key players, stripping the defending champions of their aura of inv…
Chris Jones
29 Nov 2018, 9:51
There's been a dramatic twist in Schalk Brits' search for a new club
Schalk Brits, who came out of retirement to play for South Africa in their series win over England in June, has had to find a new …
Chris Jones
28 Nov 2018, 2:07
EXCLUSIVE: Premiership Rugby Ltd agrees multi-million pound deal with CVC to sell stake
Just a few months after rejecting a £275million deal for a 50% stake, Premiership bosses have negotiated a new bumper deal with f…
Chris Jones
27 Nov 2018, 4:33
England regain power on the pitch but suffer £30.9 million pound loss off it
Eddie Jones may have put England’s Chariot back on track for next year’s World Cup in Japan after an impressive November serie…
Chris Jones
26 Nov 2018, 4:37
'I think 'disarray' is a little bit harsh mate' - Cheika comes out fighting after Beale and Ashley-Cooper sanctions
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has denied the team are in 'disarray' after a disciplinary issue involving Kurtley Beale and A…
Chris Jones
23 Nov 2018, 8:50
Beale lands himself in hot water again, the real reason behind his and Ashley-Cooper's Wallabies axing
Australia’s troubled season hit a new low today as it emerged that key players Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper were axed fo…
Chris Jones
23 Nov 2018, 7:15
How a Wallaby helped steer Ben Te'o's switch to union
England centre Ben T'eo has revealed how a current Wallaby was a key influence in his decision to make a code swap to union.
Chris Jones
23 Nov 2018, 6:07
Fiji coach makes bold prediction as ten plays eight in the world rankings
Fiji may have never beaten France but head coach John McKee is predicting victory at Stade de France thanks to the inside knowledg…
Chris Jones
22 Nov 2018, 1:36
Sleeping giant have 'Everest to climb' to be ready for Pool A in Rugby World Cup
Former Wales flanker Lyn Jones admits he has an “Everest to climb” to make Russia competitive at next year’s Rugby World Cup…
Chris Jones
21 Nov 2018, 4:27
'He's my old mate...he's a streetfighter, so it does make them dangerous
Eddie Jones is predicting under-fire Michael Cheika will show his street-fighting skills and has warned the England players they w…
Chris Jones
19 Nov 2018, 1:05
The 'phenomenon' who is about the break Keith Wood's front row try scoring record and his incredible strike rate
Ireland legend Keith Wood's international try scoring record which took 63 tests in Irish and Lions colours over nine years to ama…
Chris Jones
16 Nov 2018, 3:49
Ex-Wallabies coach Jones' brutal attack on current team and names his new 4-person coaching panel
Grand Slam coach Alan Jones has branded the current Wallabies “unwatchable” and launched a withering assessment of the coachin…
Chris Jones
16 Nov 2018, 2:08
Wallaby great slaps Cheika with back-handed vote of confidence
Wallaby great David Campese is backing Michael Cheika, who has lost 13 of his last 16 matches in charge of Australia, to continue …
Chris Jones
15 Nov 2018, 5:26
World Rugby won't be bullied as Eddie Jones threatens boycott in wake of Underhill try controversy
World Rugby chiefs are refusing to get involved in a war of words with Eddie Jones who is threatening to boycott future meetings w…
Chris Jones
14 Nov 2018, 4:57
'I phoned Gregor to assure him I wanted to play for Scotland, and always wanted to play for my country'
Dean Richards warned Eddie Jones he was in danger of losing players to rival countries and that has happened with Newcastle flanke…
Chris Jones
12 Nov 2018, 4:57
‘I am onside here, I am going to charge it down’ - Lawes offers his first hand take on controversial off side decision
Courtney Lawes has given his first-hand account of the controversial decision that cost England dearly in their crunch November Te…
Chris Jones
11 Nov 2018, 11:59
Confident Itoje fires word of warning to All Blacks
Maro Itoje is predicting an England win against New Zealand and has “no doubt” that can be achieved if Eddie Jones’s men sti…
Chris Jones
09 Nov 2018, 12:35
Steve Hansen makes extraordinary claim about the significance of the England game
Coach Steve Hansen believes the looming clash with England at Twickenham is bigger than the All Blacks three test Lions series las…
Chris Jones
08 Nov 2018, 8:03
Dan Carter sends a warning to England
Dan Carter has warned England the All Blacks are now even better than the team he helped win the 2015 World Cup heading into Satur…
Chris Jones
08 Nov 2018, 1:26
England teammate says kicking god Wilkinson shaped Farrell in his own image and now he's 'a talent you very rarely see'
Jonny Wilkinson, the greatest kicker in English rugby history, has helped turn Owen Farrell into the biggest threat to New Zealand…
Chris Jones
07 Nov 2018, 1:01
How the most famous All Blacks jersey came to be owned by an Englishman and the special tribute planned for 1905 “Originals”
The All Blacks are to pay homage to their country’s most famous rugby jersey which is on display at Twickenham’s World Rugby M…
Chris Jones
05 Nov 2018, 20:42
Eddie Jones insists that England can "one hundred per cent" beat New Zealand
The war of words between England and New Zealand has started claiming England can "100 per cent" beat New Zealand.
Chris Jones
04 Nov 2018, 15:05
Jesse Kriel heaps praise on John Mitchell for crucial role in England win
Jesse Kriel heaps praise on Mitchell for defensive performance against Springboks.
Chris Jones
03 Nov 2018, 14:02
Tuilagi misinformation is Eddie Jones' first shot in propaganda war on Boks
Eddie Jones is claiming England will try and avoid too many damaging “collisions“ with the Springboks at Twickenham, but is se…
Chris Jones
25 Oct 2018, 10:59
Nick Easter picks his England backrow to face the Boks... but there's no room for Itoje
Nick Easter believes it would a mistake to hand Maro Itoje the England No6 jersey against a monstrous Springbok pack and is urging…
Chris Jones
24 Oct 2018, 12:08
The two things standing in the way of the ARU sacking Michael Cheika
Michael Lynagh believes Michael Cheika is bulletproof heading into next year’s World Cup in Japan even if the Wallabies continue…
Chris Jones
22 Oct 2018, 12:11
EXCLUSIVE: 'It is so hard' - Gridiron crossover star issues reality check for NFL bound Wade
A USA sevens star who moved from American Football to rugby union, has warned Christian Wade he faces one of sport’s toughest ch…
Chris Jones
20 Oct 2018, 3:32
EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Jones visited Newcastle following snub claim - Richards
Dean Richards has revealed Eddie Jones has finally found his way to Newcastle. Jones failed to attend any of their matches thi…
Chris Jones
17 Oct 2018, 12:12
'It is potentially changing the face of the game' - dangerous play sanctions have 'gone too far' - Pivac
Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac, who will take charge of Wales after next year’s World Cup, believes sanctions to deal with dangerous…
Chris Jones
17 Oct 2018, 1:58
Saracens reveal extent of Billy Vunipola injury
Saracens and England have been dealt a blow with the new that Billy Vunipola is set for another extended absence after his arm bre…
Chris Jones
15 Oct 2018, 8:21
Scotland suffer Laidlaw blow for Autumn internationals
Scotland plans for the Autumn internationals have suffered a blow with scrum half Greig Laidlaw set for an absence.
Chris Jones
15 Oct 2018, 2:20
EXCLUSIVE: World Rugby respond to allegations that Tier 2 nations 'handicapped' at World Cup
Chris Jones
12 Oct 2018, 13:15
EXCLUSIVE: True extent of Launchbury absence revealed and it's not good news for England
England have suffered another shattering blow with Wasps captain Joe Launchbury ruled out for a lengthy period after opting for su…
Chris Jones
12 Oct 2018, 1:21
The truth behind Joe Launchbury's latest omission as Wasps' lose three players
Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson will have ankle surgery that will rule him out of England’s November test matches and it is looking …
Chris Jones
11 Oct 2018, 7:07
Marland Yarde's worst injury fears confirmed
Marland Yarde’s hopes of breaking into the England squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup have suffered a major setback.
Chris Jones
09 Oct 2018, 3:34
EXCLUSIVE: 'I want to make it clear that no one broke any trust or created any animosity'
Dai Young is adamant his relationship with Willie le Roux has not been affected by the Springbok fullback’s international renais…
Chris Jones
08 Oct 2018, 7:37
EXCLUSIVE: 'The England selectors don’t show that interest' - Eddie Jones needs to stop snubbing Newcastle Falcons - Richards
Dean Richards has warned Eddie Jones that his continued absence from Newcastle Falcons matches could see English talent snapped up…
Chris Jones
04 Oct 2018, 2:28
EXCLUSIVE: 'It's his decision' - Mark McCall admits Saracens may not re-sign Will Skelton
Mark McCall has revealed Saracens want Wallaby lock Will Skelton to sign a new contract that would continue his self-imposed inter…
Chris Jones
03 Oct 2018, 6:48
'That's rubbish' - Conor O'Shea braced for the 'usual tripe' about Georgia entering the Six Nations
Conor O’Shea is braced for the “usual tripe” in the build-up to Italy’s clash with Georgia in Florence next month which is…
Chris Jones
01 Oct 2018, 6:38
'It was a light bulb moment' - Will Skelton reveals exactly how he went from 148kg to 135kg
A slimmed down Will Skelton could be heading back to Australia to bid for a World Cup squad place after using a weight loss App to…
Chris Jones
30 Sep 2018, 1:55
Exclusive: 'Something is fundamentally very wrong in rugby' - Phil Vickery
Former England captain Phil Vickery believes Joe Marler’s decision to quit international rugby is a "red flag" that rugby cannot…
Chris Jones
27 Sep 2018, 23:46
Pacific Islands Super Rugby team moves step closer...but based in Hawaii
A combined Pacific Islands team could be launched as a Super Rugby franchise based in Hawaii in 2020.
Chris Jones
27 Sep 2018, 3:10
'The most excited I have been for any job' - Rowntree explains why he's chosen Georgia
Graham Rowntree, the former British and Irish Lions coach who quit Harlequins in the summer, has revealed that becoming Georgia’…
Chris Jones
25 Sep 2018, 8:15
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