1. CHOKE TACKLE MADNESS The choke tackle, in which turnovers are effected by preventing the ball carrier from going to ground, was much admired when Ireland introduced it to union…
Alan Pearey
Kyle Eastmond should be part of England’s EPS
Kyle Eastmond didn’t make it into the latest Opta Team of the Week, but there was plenty of love for him on BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight show. “He’s the most balanced runner…
Rugby Championship: why time is South Africa’s biggest enemy
The Sharks beat the Bulls last week and probably put paid to the Pretorians’ hopes of a Currie Cup semi-final berth. Former Springbok coach, Nick Mallett, continually linked to coaching…
RWC 2015: Disabled station access at Twickenham not up to scratch
There was a lunch meeting last week about the Varsity Match, held in a hospitality box at Twickenham stadium. At its conclusion, the affable convener Rob Cole, a director at…
Rugby Championship: why the All Blacks dominate the game
If you had to name one player who summed up the world-beating All Blacks, who would it be? Richie McCaw? It would be hard to disagree. Dan Carter? Hasn’t played…
The Championship preview: Bristol and Worcester firm favourites
The Championship raises the bar They came from all points west: Chris Morgan, of the Pirates, stayed overnight in Ipswich to break the seven-hour journey from Cornwall. Plymouth’s Iain Grieve…
French sides are nothing to fear, says Paul Sackey
FORMER ENGLAND wing Paul Sackey has backed the exclusion of France-based players from the national side on his return to the Aviva Premiership.
Another record-breaking year for the London Sevens
AS FANS put the final touches to their safari outfits, 12 captains and coaches taking part in the Marriott London Sevens at Twickenham this weekend launched the tournament at Barn…
Gatland right to be wary of Aussie mind games
STICKS AND STONES may break my bones but words will never hurt me. The Australians have been making a mockery of that adage for years, no nation being wiser to…
Kelly van Harskamp, the flying Dutchwoman
KELLY VAN HARSKAMP of the Netherlands was the IRB Sevens Women’s Player of the Year in 2010-11 – and this video shows you why. First capped against Wales at the…