ALL READS
If you like to reminisce about the brilliant 2006 Sale Sharks team, are amazed by the turnaround that defence guru Shaun Edwards is orchestrating with France or even just fancy a good old Six Nations quiz, we are the site for you.
Read, relive and enjoy all our long form features, listicles and bits of fun below.
”Rugby players are either piano shifters or piano movers. Fortunately, I am one of those who can play a tune.”
French International Scrum-Half Pierre Danos
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.
Six Nations: Five Talking Points from Round 5
The 2020 Six Nations is in the books as England sealed the title with a convincing win against Italy, Scotland ground out an important win against Wales before Ireland and France played out a thriller. Read our Five Talking Points below.
QUIZ: Can you name the Six Nations Grand Slam Winning XVs?
A hard one to test your memories but can you recall the Six Nations Grand Slam Winning XVs? This is post-2000 when Italy joined the competition with them and Scotland the only teams not to do it.
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.
QUIZ: Can you name the England 23 for their 2015 Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji?
It all started so well for England at the 2015 Rugby World Cup when they beat Fiji on opening night, with Sam Burgess coming off the bench to much fanfare. They would ultimately crash out at the pool stages after losses to Wales and Australia, but can you name the 23 who took to the field in the first game?
Gallagher Premiership: Five Talking Points from Round 20
With two rounds to go in the Gallagher Premiership Bath, Wasps, Bristol and Sale are all still fighting hammer and nail to join Exeter Chiefs in the playoffs while Northampton Saints remain in freefall and Saracens continue to fight to the bitter end.
QUIZ: Can you name the XV’s to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand since rugby turned professional in 1995?
Only a select few can join this club. But can you name the XV’s to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand since rugby turned professional in 1995?
Remembering Sir Clive Woodward’s infamous spell in football with Southampton FC
Sir Clive Woodward, remarkably for a World Cup winner, has not coached in professional rugby since the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour.
Instead, he turned his back on the oval game to become Technical Director at Southampton FC above King of the Jungle Harry Redknapp.
We remember a disastrous spell when Sir Clive tried to break into football.
Gallagher Premiership restart fixtures and results: Your complete guide
As rugby makes its comeback after the coronavirus pandemic, here is your complete guide to the remaining fixtures in the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.
QUIZ: Can you name the England Rugby starting XVs for their opening Six Nations games up to 2019?
Yes, we know this is a tough quiz, but can you name all the players to have started for England in the opening game of a Six Nations Rugby Championship in 10 minutes?
North vs South: What if Premiership Rugby did State of Origin?
With New Zealand Rugby bringing back the North Island vs South Island game that went extinct back in 1996, we tried to pick our potential teams for the Gallagher Premiership version of a North vs South clash.
British and Irish Lions 2021 Starting XV: The Flanker decides
Who is a potentially bolter? Who’s on the plane? Who is going to be captain? Ahead of the 2021 Lions Tour to South Africa, The Flanker panellists pick their starting XV for the 1st Test in Johannesburg on 24 July.
Rugby’s best coaching meltdowns: From Cheika to Venter
Sometimes the pressure just gets the better of you, as these rugby coaches, unfortunately, found out.
See our list of the best coaching meltdowns, as these managers go full Kevin Keegan.
QUIZ: Can you name every England captain since 2000?
In total, 21 players have captained England in official test matches since 2000, but how many can you name?
Play our quiz to find out.
QUIZ: Name the rugby players with the most appearances in the Six Nations
There are 37 players to get, with every nation but France (rather surprisingly) featuring a player in the list.
This is list is only for appearances post-2000 when Italy joined the old Five Nations Championship to make it six.
Dealing with Rugby’s racism problem
The prevailing narrative is that rugby does not have the same issues with racism that other sports, mainly football, have.
With the Black Lives Matter movement making great strides, we take a look into how racism affects the oval game.
Rugby’s Greatest Matches: England 55-35 France
We live in an age of craziness - whether that is a South African billionaire calling his firstborn something that resembles a GCSE algebra question or our overlord Joe Wicks taking over our living rooms one burpee at a time.
Brian Ashton and the 2007 World Cup: England in revolt
When England were outclassed 36-0 by South Africa in their second pool game of the 2007 World Cup, not much hope was on show for the holders.