For and Against: An NFL-style rugby draft
The hype of the NFL draft captures the attention of America’s sporting media every year - so could a similar concept be used to give rugby some more pazazz?
QUIZ: Can you name every player in the 2005 British and Irish Lions squad?
There were 50 British and Irish Lions players in the squad for the 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand, which saw the visitors thumped by the All Blacks. But can you name all of them in ten minutes in our rugby quiz?
Five British and Irish Lions selection headaches for head coach Warren Gatland
The 2021 British and Irish Lions tour against South Africa is here. With the squad announced this week, here are five selection issues head coach Warren Gatland must mull over as he names his team to play the Springboks.
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 and Gallagher Premiership must learn lessons from football’s European Super League
Twelve clubs, including the traditional “Top 6” in England plus Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletico Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus have stated their intention to be “founder members” of a European Super League. Rugby and the Premiership must not go the same way.
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.
QUIZ: Can you name every member of the 2013 British and Irish Lions?
There were 46 British and Irish Lions players in the squad for the 2013 tour of Australia, which saw the visitors secure a fantastic 2-1 victory against the mighty Wallabies. But can you name all of them in just five minutes?
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.
Six Nations 2021: Six Talking Points from Round 5
We still don’t have a winner of the 2021 Six Nations. France produced the most brilliant of finishes to break Welsh hearts in Paris while Scotland demolished Italy in Edinburgh to leave the Azzurri without a win in the tournament in six years. Electric Ireland put England to the sword in Dublin to leave them a dreadful fifth in the table. Here are our key talking points from the action.
Six Nations 2021 player ratings: France 32 - 30 Wales
Wales’ Six Nations Grand Slam dream was ended in dramatic fashion as an overtime try from Brice Dulin secured a breathtaking 32-30 win for France. Read The Flanker’s player ratings after a fantastic 80 minutes in Paris.
Six Nations 2021 player ratings: Ireland 32-18 England
The Flanker rates the players on both sides after Ireland’s 32-18 victory over England in Dublin to close out both their 2021 Six Nations campaigns.
Six Nations 2021 player ratings: Scotland 52-10 Italy
The Flanker rates the players from Scotland’s comprehensive win over Italy by a score of 52-10 on the last weekend of the 2021 Six Nations.
Six Nations 2021: Six Talking Points from Round 4
Round 4 of the 2021 Six Nations was one for the ages in these COVID-19 affected times. Wales kicked off the festival of rugby by trouncing Italy, England and France then played out an epic at Twickenham before Ireland squeezed past Scotland at Murrayfield. Read our talking points from the weekend below.
Six Nations 2021: Six Talking Points from Round 3
Have all you Six Nations rugby fans got your breath back? England in Cardiff is always a niggly affair but the 2021 edition was off the charts as the Red Rose went down to a resurgent Wales in controversial circumstances. Ireland dispatched Italy in Rome while we mourned the postponement of Scotland against France in Paris due to COVID-19 positive results. Read our talking points from the weekend below.
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.
Six Nations 2021: Six Talking Points from Round 2
Six Nations 2021 continues as Wales narrowly beat 14-man Scotland and England got back to winning ways by thrashing a stubborn Italy at Twickenham. Title favourites France held on for a crucial win in Dublin as Ireland push them all the way. Read our Six Talking Points from the weekend’s action.
Six Nations 2021: Six Talking Points from Round 1
Six Nations 2021 is underway to a roaring start as Scotland stun England at Twickenham and Wales edge out a dogged Ireland. France also look ominous as they batter Italy to get their title tilt underway. Read our Six Talking Points from the weekend’s action.
Six Nations 2021 preview: Le Crunch to decide the title?
The Six Nations 2021 is almost here - but who is going to claim glory this year? Will England stay on top? Will France topple their old enemies? Will Ireland or Scotland make a charge? We are about to find out.
South Africa in the Six Nations: For and against
The Springboks joining the Six Nations is one of rugby’s current hot-button issues - but would it solve the current problems, and what new ones might it create if the Rugby World Cup champions made the switch?
QUIZ: Can you name these rugby stat leaders for all the major national teams?
For all you rugby anoraks out there, below is a quiz to get the juices flowing. We want you to name the top try scorer, points scorer and appearance maker for the Six Nations teams along with the Springboks, All Blacks and Wallabies.