An 'alignment group' and 'ABC' analysis - how Bristol have upped the dressing room ante during recent Premiership intervals
Bristol have looked a transformed team in recent Premiership second-halves and Pat Lam has explained what they get up to at half-t…
Liam Heagney 06 Jan 2021, 13:35
Light shed on Alex Cuthbert's latest injury absence which is now 14 weeks and counting
Ex-Wales winger Alex Cuthbert made an instant impact at Exeter when he joined in 2018 but he has since been struck by series of in…
Liam Heagney 06 Jan 2021, 11:21
Defending champions Exeter react to drastic call from France to cancel this season's Champions Cup
Exeter are hoping to welcome Toulouse to Sandy Park this month but there are calls elsewhere in France to scrap the 2020/21 Champi…
Liam Heagney 06 Jan 2021, 7:31
'Can you imagine Siya Kolisi living in Cov?' The Rugby Pod on the Wasps-in-for-Springboks-skipper rumour
The Rugby Pod have their say on a Christmas cracker, the rumour that Premiership finalists Wasps are in for South Africa skipper S…
Liam Heagney 05 Jan 2021, 13:43
'The Dan du Preez incident has been blown out of all proportion': Sale latest on citing and brawl-causing water carrier incidents
A citing involving Dan du Preez from Saturday versus Gloucester has generated headlines for Sale as has a brawl involving their wa…
Liam Heagney 05 Jan 2021, 9:00
'I said take a bit off the back and sides and then just make the top a bit fluffier'
An extraordinary head of hair accompanied Duncan Weir when he returned to the Scotland No10 shirt last November and he has now had…
Liam Heagney 05 Jan 2021, 7:16
Video: Rees-Zammit starts 2021 with electric try just days after Ian McGeechan name-checks him as Lions tour bolter
Louis Rees-Zammit was name-checked as a Lions tour bolter earlier this week and he started his 2021 with Gloucester with an exhila…
Liam Heagney 02 Jan 2021, 12:46
The grape-into-wine analogy that left Pat Lam smiling heading into 2021 with his Bristol Bears
2020 Premiership rugby will be remembered for the difficulties caused by the pandemic but Bristol boss Pat Lam isn't all doom and …
Liam Heagney 02 Jan 2021, 8:08
Video: How referee Nigel Owens reacted when he realised he had no yellow card to sin-bin a Dragons player
Referee Nigel Owens has a much-lauded reputation for his way with words and events in Llanelli on New Year's Day have added to his…
Liam Heagney 02 Jan 2021, 7:27
Wasps' verdict on winger Paolo Odogwu's rare four-game run as their starting No13
Paolo Odogwu is more recognised as a winger at Wasps but he recently enjoyed a four-game run as Lee Blackett's starting No13.
Liam Heagney 02 Jan 2021, 6:41
'Everyone needs to be a little careful' - Double-winning Exeter's response to latest Esportif Premiership player salary report
Esportif's salary report claims No10 is best-paid Premiership position and openside the worst, but Exeter aren't reading much into…
Liam Heagney 02 Jan 2021, 5:31
'I asked someone what do they mean by hairdryer. I'd never heard that expression'
Pat Lam was compared to Alex Ferguson following the Boxing Day win at Harlequins but the comparison was lost on the Bristol boss. …
Liam Heagney 31 Dec 2020, 13:50
The one Premiership Covid-19 protocol that Northampton boss Chris Boyd still can't fully get his head around
Chris Boyd is chuffed with how Northampton have risen to the challenge of Covid but one Premiership protocol continues to bemuse t…
Liam Heagney 31 Dec 2020, 6:43
Testing change ensures Bristol's New Year Day game goes ahead despite absence of all 6 front rowers from win at Quins
Bristol have lost 1 front row to Covid and 5 others to isolation protocols but their Premiership game against Newcastle will still…
Liam Heagney 30 Dec 2020, 11:18
'Missing them? I wouldn't think so' - League leaders Exeter on Premiership life without fierce rivals Saracens
Exeter have netted four bonus-point wins in four Premiership games but they insist the league isn't suffering from the absence of …
Liam Heagney 30 Dec 2020, 8:18
Exeter deliver update on severity of Stuart Hogg's hamstring injury five and a half weeks before 2021 Six Nations start
The sight of Stuart Hogg limping away from the Exeter fray with a hamstring injury six weeks before Six Nations left Scotland fans…
Liam Heagney 30 Dec 2020, 6:11
'I had to have a word with him and I used the word stupid'
Charlie Atkinson has bounced back from being recklessly hit by Owen Farrell, but his teenage exuburence isn't fully to the liking …
Liam Heagney 30 Dec 2020, 4:46
Chris Boyd's blunt verdict on Northampton's underwhelming 2020
Northampton were tipped to challenge for honours at the start of 2020 but the Chris Boyd set-up won just 6 of 24 matches this cale…
Liam Heagney 29 Dec 2020, 13:01
No10 now the best paid position in the Premiership and Top 14, but it remains tough love for those at hooker
The Esportif Intelligence comparison of rugby player salaries in England, France and PRO14 is a talking point at this time every y…
Liam Heagney 29 Dec 2020, 11:25
'We wouldn't even dare consider him for this week': Lee Blackett issues update on injured Wasps duo Kibirige and Barbeary
Sunday's Premiership win for Wasps at Sale came at a price and boss Lee Blackett has now given an update on Zach Kibirige and Alfi…
Liam Heagney 29 Dec 2020, 10:23