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Topical articles and commentary on rugby events around the world.
NH teams look to make a statement against the All BlacksWorld champions New Zealand venture north in the coming days and they will look to extend an enviable record against Europe’s finest. The All Blacks have suffered just three defeats to Six Nations opposition on the 11 tours they have embarked on since Italy joined the northern hemisphere’s premier championship in 2000.
England, Scotland and Wales all have a perfect opportunity to bloody the nose of the world No.1 side in the coming weeks. But how?
USA v New Zealand: a stepping stone to build rugby globallyThe United States will play host to New Zealand at the iconic Soldier Field, the home of NFL side the Chicago Bears, on November 1 in a fixture that is as much a marketing exercise as it is a rugby match and one that it is hoped will propel the game in North America to unprecedented heights.
On the road with rugby charity Bhubesi Pride in AfricaRichard Bennett is a rugby missionary in the truest sense of the word.
Richard is the founder and driving force behind Bhubesi Pride, a rugby-based charity that organises annual rugby coaching expeditions for education and development in Africa.
The charity has visited ten countries to date on a quest to unite African children through rugby while addressing health education and life skills, empower local people with equipment, resources, training and knowledge and inspire sustainable development.
Lancaster locked in until 2020For most people it’s difficult to know whether you will have a job next week – let alone 2020 – unless, it seems, you are Stuart Lancaster.
England’s head coach has just put pen to paper on a six-year contract extension with the Rugby Football Union in what can be seen as a ringing endorsement of his achievements both on and off the field since taking charge in March 2012.
Grenoble find French flair in a structured approachFrench rugby has always had something of an issue with structure. However, this season has seen something of a revolution in little old Grenoble, where the structured rugby being coached by Irishmen Bernard Jackman and Mike Prendergast has seen the club introduce their own brand of ‘French flair’.
Savea the trump card in a deck full of acesAnother year, another title for the all-conquering All Blacks.
Saturday’s clinical 34-13 victory over Argentina set the seal on a third consecutive Rugby Championship crown with one round still to play.
Steve Hansen’s side continue to set the standard with a brilliant blend of precision, power and flair perhaps best personified by the phenomenal talent that is Julian Savea.
Premiership bosses hope money can buy happinessGraham Jenkins dissects the implications of Premiership Rugby’s new £5.1m salary cap and expanded home-grown player ‘credits’. Will the new cap keep the big-spending French and Japanese clubs at bay? And will England’s homegrown talent thrive? Or will the new rules see the emergence of a 2-tier league of haves and have-nots?
Second-best Springboks?South Africa ran the All Blacks close in The Rugby Championship this weekend, adding to their credentials as the second ranked team in the IRB rankings a year out from Rugby World Cup.
Maggie Alphonsi on her World Cup win and retirementMaggie Alphonsi, The Rugby Site contributor, talks to us about winning the World Cup, the drive that got her and the team there, and her thoughts on retirement.
Premiership is the hot ticketWith the World Cup only a year away and the RFU keen to increase the fan base, The Aviva Premiership is in the spotlight. Will we see fast, running rugby and a torrent of tries?
