Interview
How a 2011 lesson has fired up the Tony Brown-inspired Springboks
Physically dominating opponents and canny use of its bomb squad of forward replacements remain at the heart of South Africa’s ta…
Chris Jones
14 Aug 2024, 8:13
Contributors
Chris Jones
@chrisjonespress
Rugby and tennis correspondent of the Evening Standard for 22 years . Now in Sunday Times, ESPN,Mail on Sunday, Express, Mailonline and RugbyPass.
Interview
Mako Vunipola on his new life in France and future clash with Billy
When newly promoted Vannes started selling season tickets for their Top 14 debut, more than 50,000 applied causing the club’s we…
Chris Jones
20 Aug 2024, 4:26
How Nick Easter is juggling Test and club rugby
Former England captain Nick Easter enjoys a challenge which is why he is currently helping the USA Eagles prepare for their crucia…
Chris Jones
30 Aug 2024, 4:17
Interview
Ali Crossdale relishing competition with gold medallists at Perpignan
“Jefferson-Lee has come in from Agen and he has been amazing in pre-season. I have always enjoyed competition and Jeff has been …
Chris Jones
06 Sep 2024, 5:28
Exclusive
Premiership: Anglo-Welsh, URC merger reports 'wide of the mark'
Premiership rugby chiefs insist there are no ongoing negotiations with other leagues and talk of an imminent Anglo-Welsh competiti…
Chris Jones
16 Sep 2024, 5:42
Newcastle Falcons suffer triple injury and address Callum Chick rumours
Newcastle Falcons, desperate to erase the memory of a winless Gallagher Premiership campaign last season, have suffered a triple i…
Chris Jones
16 Sep 2024, 8:26
Sanderson dismisses injury-prone talk as Sale face concerning absentee list
England scrumhalf Raffi Quirke’s debilitating run of serious injuries has required surgery to insert a screw in the wrist that a…
Chris Jones
19 Sep 2024, 5:55
English rugby a 'million miles' away from fixing Championship crisis - Paul Turner
Paul Turner, the former Wales outside half, has been working minor miracles in the English Championship with a part-time squad at …
Chris Jones
20 Sep 2024, 4:02
'Tears up a lot of your plans': Skivington on Gloucester injury crisis
Gloucester boss George Skivington has warned the club’s fans there will be more pain before the new look back line featuring Wal…
Chris Jones
24 Sep 2024, 11:31
Adam Radwan learning from Jason Robinson as he seeks England recall
Newcastle Falcons flyer Adam Radwan has been studying videos of England wing Chris Ashton, the Gallagher Premiership’s record tr…
Chris Jones
27 Sep 2024, 3:35
Interview
Michael Lynagh: 'I got emotional in the dressing room. I found it very difficult'
The towns of Treviso and Townsville are separated by 9,293 miles but linked by their emotional importance to one of the most famou…
Chris Jones
29 Sep 2024, 4:34
'This is the first fixture of the season I think we can win' - Diamond
Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond has suffered a double blow in the build-up to the clash with Leicester Tigers but insists "th…
Chris Jones
01 Oct 2024, 5:50
Afo Fasogbon's 'back it up' warning from boss after Ellis Genge wave
Afolabi Fasogbon has been warned his decision to wave goodbye to Ellis Genge, as the England prop was replaced in Gloucester’s w…
Chris Jones
02 Oct 2024, 10:07
Radical Diamond 'remedy' implemented at Newcastle after latest loss
Last Saturday’s 10-42 loss to Leicester Tigers at home continued that dreadful run and Diamond’s debrief identified basic erro…
Chris Jones
08 Oct 2024, 6:53
George Skivington: 'Lewis Ludlow has wanted to take my head off'
Ludlow, who has captained Gloucester since 2020, has played more than 200 games for the Cherry and Whites and would expect to lead…
Chris Jones
09 Oct 2024, 2:32
Interview
'That was the first time I ever played against Faz... it was strange'
Mako Vunipola has a wealth of rugby experiences after a trophy-laden career with Saracens but hearing Owen Farrell’s unmistakabl…
Chris Jones
10 Oct 2024, 6:01
Jerry Tuwai on the verge of taking Fiji comeback to another level
Double Olympic gold medal winner Jerry Tuwai, whose future in the Fiji sevens squad was being seriously questioned under former he…
Chris Jones
02 Jul 2024, 4:00
Fiji relishing 'tough pool' as they aim for third gold medal in a row
Fiji sevens national coach Osea Kolinisau is using the experience of double Olympic gold medal winner Jerry Tuwai to prepare his p…
Chris Jones
27 Jun 2024, 10:15
Fiji boss' latest comments suggest Hoskins Sotutu has decision to make
England will face stiff opposition from Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne if in-form Blues No8 Hoskins Sotutu decides to give u…
Chris Jones
26 Jun 2024, 9:38
Latest stadium development set to save Bath £1m despite opposition
Beaten Gallagher Premiership finalists Bath have won a significant off-the-field victory that will save £1m despite angering some…
Chris Jones
12 Jun 2024, 5:02
