'I had a two-year deal with them' - Why Cobus Wiese turned down Saracens
The final month of an unprecedented year has seen Cobus Wiese face the shock exit of Steve Diamond, Sale Shark’s director of rug…
Chris Jones
31 Dec 2020, 5:07
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.
'He's grafting and doing all he needs to do': The latest from Sale on Tuilagi's race for Lions tour fitness
Injury robbed England's Manu Tuilagi of 2017 Lions selection and the Sale centre is in a race to be fit for the 2021 tour to South…
Chris Jones
30 Dec 2020, 7:24
'Support ring-fencing for a period of time to let clubs get their finances in order'
The 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership table has an asterisk alongside four of the twelve clubs - including Newcastle - following cance…
Chris Jones
29 Dec 2020, 7:10
Cotter's warning for Fiji star Mata over potential Edinburgh exit
If Mata does leave Edinburgh, who he joined in 2016, a club in France is the most likely option for the No8.
Chris Jones
23 Dec 2020, 7:16
Saracens lie in wait as the smallest club in the Championship prepare for their toughest season ever
Ampthill's story highlights the very human effects of the pandemic on the second tier of rugby in England.
Chris Jones
22 Dec 2020, 12:42
Former RFU chief Nigel Melville handed key role with England's top clubs
Nigel Melville has been appointed to two key roles with Premiership Rugby and given the job of changing the image of the umbrella …
Chris Jones
20 Dec 2020, 8:51
'This the first time we have played against each other since backyard rugby'
The van der Merwe brothers, 29-year-old Akker and 25-year-old Duhan, are set for a reunion when Sale host Edinburgh on Saturday ni…
Chris Jones
19 Dec 2020, 4:35
'The headaches are horrible... really nasty': Alex Lozowski had Steve Thompson in his thoughts when recently recovering from concussion
Exiled England midfielder Alex Lozowski recently had his first experience of concussion and it was traumatic for the Montpellier p…
Chris Jones
16 Dec 2020, 8:24
'Although you do have to rest your internationals, when you hear that European music you want to play'
Reintegrating Test players for Champions Cup action has been a tricky balancing act for clubs suggests Wasps boss Lee Blackett.
Chris Jones
15 Dec 2020, 7:23
The inside information that could utterly undermine the Springboks during the 2021 Lions tour- Brits
World Cup winner Schalk Brits believes Matt Proudfoot's inside information on the Springboks could have a massive influence on the…
Chris Jones
11 Dec 2020, 5:24
'No disrespect to Scotland, but one of the things that they need to get rid of is the mental fragility in the side'
Newcastle defence coach Nick Easter says Scotland are still missing the mental and physical strength needed to challenge the best …
Chris Jones
09 Dec 2020, 11:08
'I can't say for certain this won't affect the team' - Players 'numb' after Diamond's shock Sale exit
Paul Deacon has been put in temporary charge as head coach at Sale and would like the chance to make the job permanent.
Chris Jones
09 Dec 2020, 7:38
Why teams kick so much, according to the Premiership's most frequent booters of the ball
"Kicking has a massive part to play in the game and gets a bad rap when it is poor without a plan, a clear principle and philosoph…
Chris Jones
04 Dec 2020, 7:32
Sale suffer double injury blow with Ben Curry coming off worse
Sale have paid a heavy price for their last-minute Premiership defeat at Newcastle, including the confirmation of serious injury t…
Chris Jones
03 Dec 2020, 6:40
'We don't necessarily go out to bore the pants off people'
Promoted Newcastle have won their opening two Premiership victories with a kicking game and pick-and-go carries by their forwards.
Chris Jones
02 Dec 2020, 7:49
'It is easy to say it is a farce... I wouldn't be so nasty with the French team' - Castaignede
Thomas Castaignede has dismissed claims the Autumn Nations Cup final has become a farce and warned England not to underestimate th…
Chris Jones
30 Nov 2020, 6:22
'I was part of the 29' - Matavesi has lost sense of taste and smell but wants to face Georgia
Sam Matavesi, the Flying Fijians and Northampton hooker, has lost his sense of smell and taste after testing positive for COVID-19
Chris Jones
30 Nov 2020, 4:45
Gustard: Harlequins committed to changing squad's age profile
Paul Gustard admits the Harlequins squad has been “too old for too long” and is committed to changing the age profile in a bid…
Chris Jones
26 Nov 2020, 13:03
'I don't think it's healthy': Warning as 44th South African set to join Premiership
With another South African signing set to join the Premiership, ex-Springboks assistant Alan Solomons is worried about the exodus.…
Chris Jones
25 Nov 2020, 6:47
Newcastle only needed '60 per cent capacity' to beat Bath at The Rec
Newly promoted Newcastle were given little chance of upsetting Premiership semi-finalists Bath, but they pulled off a major surpri…
Chris Jones
24 Nov 2020, 14:11
