One of the Premiership’s runaway leaders falters; the other strides out with a certain inevitability. Saracens go top, the only team unbeaten, nine from nine. Their unbeaten run in all competitions extends to 20, their last defeat being to Leinster in the quarter-finals of Europe in April. They were a long way from their best,…
Blame it on the bogey: player banned for ‘clearing contents of nose’ at opponent
Toyota Cheetahs centre Nico Lee has received a 13-week ban after he “cleared the contents of his nose” on to an opposition player’s face. Lee was cited following the incident, which happened during South Africa-based Cheetahs’ Guinness PRO14 game against Connacht in Galway last Saturday. He was reported under Law 9.27 – a player must…
Premiership rugby clubs vow to join forces to tackle losses
Leading rugby clubs in England say they need to act together to reduce wage inflation and control costs as the Guardian today reveals the most recent recorded losses of Premiership clubs total a combined £28.5m. The Guardian analysis, backed up with interviews from the majority of the Premiership’s chief executives, shows clubs are still struggling…
South Africa mix pace and power and expect ‘tasty’ battle with England
There are a few words you might choose to use about England’s pack before you land on the one Warren Whiteley settled on. “Nice” was what Whiteley said when he found out England had picked Tom Curry, Brad Shields and Mark Wilson to play in their back row at Twickenham. “Nice.” He sounded like he…
Meet the Clealls: the Saracens twins forging a winning partnership
As kids, Poppy and Bryony Cleall always sat back-to-back when they were unwrapping their birthday presents so they wouldn’t spoil the surprise if they were both given the same things. This stuff is always tricky for twins. Like the time Bryony got picked for England Under-18s but Poppy didn’t, or Poppy made the under-20s but…
Bath ready to make unprecedented request for Toulouse replay
The Champions Cup organisers have confirmed Bath have signalled their intentions to request formally that last week’s defeat by Toulouse is replayed in what represents a remarkable course of action from the West Country club. Champions Cup pool-by-pool preview: Burns given chance of redemption | Gerard Meagher Bath have informed European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR)…
Expenses spared: Japan’s rugby union players are being paid just £13 per day
If Eddie Jones’s warning that they will be “physically smashed” against England on Saturday was not jarring enough for Japan’s players, their coach has revealed his squad are being paid only £13.64 a day (2,000 yen) to represent their country. That amount does not even cover a steak (£19.45) or burger with chips (£13.75) at…
Gareth Steenson: ‘My career is built on being told I wasn’t good enough’
Munster supporters visiting Devon for the first time this weekend should brace themselves for a strangely familiar experience. A south-west based band of brothers, deeply rooted in their local community, fiercely committed to putting their region on the European map and roared on by a passionate audience? The cathedral green of Exeter has a more…
Premiership looks like 10 in a scrum plus Saracens and Exeter on top
The Strictly Come Dancing sequins and heels may be absent but in every other respect club rugby union is poised to strut its stuff. Rarely has a season offered such opportunity for those bold enough to reach out and seize it: a World Cup is on the horizon and a can-do attitude could yet transform…
Six Nations: talking points from second round of fixtures
1) Player welfare should not be compromised Early this season officials were hard on players whose acts risked causing a head injury. It led to a flurry of cards and bans but then came a World Rugby directive that the TMO should be used sparingly so games did not become addled by hold-ups. As a…