Greatest overseas signings for each Gallagher Premiership club
From Sebastian Chabal to Francois Louw, we have selected the best overseas signings in the history of each Premiership Rugby club since 1995.
Where are they now? Scotland’s XV on Stuart Hogg’s debut in 2012
Stuart Hogg announced back in March he would retire at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but we took a look at the starting XV on his debut against Wales back in 2012.
Nine of the best scrummagers in modern rugby history
Dominant scrums can provide points-scoring opportunities, grind down your opposition physically and provide a massive mental boost to a forward pack in games of rugby. With that in mind, we picked nine of the best scrummagers of the modern era.
Northampton Saints 2013/14 Premiership winning team: Where are they now?
Northampton Saints won their first Premiership title in 2014 by defeating Saracens after extra time at Twickenham. Alex Waller smashed over for a late try to win the game but here is what the starting XV are doing nowadays.
Top 12 points scorers in Heineken/Champions Cup history
Top drawer goalkickers are crucial and can be the difference between winning and losing matches. Here are the top 12 points scorers in Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup history.
Concussion forced me to give up rugby - the game I love
Alastair McKee has played rugby for over 15 years but a series of concussions have forced him to stop playing. In this essay, he talks about the heartache associated with the decision and what the great game has given to him.
Remembering World Cup winning All Black Piri Weepu at London Welsh
The Flanker remembers World Cup-winning All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu’s spell at London Welsh, which saw the famous old club relegated from the Premiership without winning a single game.
Remembering Brian O’Driscoll’s try against Australia for the 2001 British and Irish Lions
In 2001, Brian O’Driscoll announced himself on the world stage when he destroyed the Wallaby defence to score a brilliant individual try for the British and Irish Lions. The Flanker pays tribute to the dancing Ireland centre.
Top 11 try scorers in Rugby World Cup history
Finishers in rugby are worth their weight in gold and these guys certainly were assassins when it came to crossing the whitewash. Here are the top 11 try scorers in Rugby World Cup history.
Rugby’s biggest 'passing of the torch’ moments
From O’Driscoll to Barrett and Wilkinson to Japan, rugby has as it has evolved seen numerous moments where the torch carried by one generation has been handed down to another to bear.
A tribute to Dimitri Yachvili: the original Le Petit General
Le Petit General Dimitri Yachvili was a rugby playmaker like no other in a stellar career for France and Biarritz. A passing master whose box and goal kicking were unrivalled, he was rugby’s quarterback that had the oval ball on a string. Here is an ode to the legendary scrum-half.
The top 13 points scorers in Premiership Rugby history
Good goalkickers in rugby are worth their weight in gold and can be the difference between winning and losing matches. Here are the top 13 points scorers in Premiership Rugby history.
Remembering Takudzwa Ngwenya’s try against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup
Rugby World Cup's allow players to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage of all. Takudzwa Ngwenya did just that in 2007 when he destroyed Bryan Habana on the way to a brilliant try. The Flanker pays tribute to the flying American winger.
Revisiting England’s 2013 Junior World Championship winning team
The England under-20s class of 2013 won the top prize of the Junior World Championship, with the players achieving varying degrees of success. Tragic tales of early retirements, lawsuits against ex-teammates and a sun cream company CFO meant we found out what they were up to now.
Rugby’s Greatest Matches: Exeter Chiefs 34-37 Saracens
It was set for a historic day at Twickenham when Saracens arrived for the 2019 Gallagher Premiership final, chasing their second Double in four years. Up against them was familiar opposition in the Exeter Chiefs. What would transpire over the next 80 minutes defied all logic - and caused Alastair Eykyn to break Exeter hearts.
Ranking the 33 players Martin Johnson handed debuts to as England Head Coach
During his tenure from 2008 to 2011 as England Head Coach, legendary World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson handed 33 players their debut for the national team. With some more successful than others, The Flanker has ranked them below.
Five Great Moments of Rugby Shithousery
The dark arts, gamesmanship or, as we like to call it, shithousery is as big a part of the sport as a Jonny Wilkinson drop goal or a Phil Bennett sidestep. We have picked out five of the greatest, most controversial and downright devious moments of shithousery in rugby history.
An ode to Martin Castrogiovanni and his memorable spell at Leicester Tigers
With his long shaggy hair, fearsome scrummaging ability and wearing his heart on his sleeve, legendary Italy international prop Martin Castrogiovanni remains a fans hero at Leicester Tigers. Look back on his time at Welford Road and how he lit up the Premiership with his rugby skill.
Rugby’s Greatest Matches: Worcester 30 (59) - Bristol 30 (58)
Love it or hate it, the RFU Championship two-legged Playoff Final has thrown up some classic games over the years. Back in 2015, Bristol Bears and Worcester Warriors squared off for a barnstorming second leg that had tries, cards and a conversion in the last minute to win a place in the Premiership.
Where are they now? New Zealand’s XV on Kieran Read’s debut in 2008
With Kieran Read agreeing to play for Counties Manakau in the domestic Mitre 10 Cup in New Zealand this season, we wound back the clock on the double World Cup winner and former World Player of the Year’s career. Check out who Read made his debut alongside against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2008.