'Must have been getting a coffee' - officials off to wobbly start in Rome
The standard of the officiating in the opening minutes of Italy versus Ireland Guinness Six Nations game in Rome has ridiculed on …
Sam Smith
27 Feb 2021, 9:47
Contributors
Sam Smith
@SamSmithReports
Roving reporter and RugbyPass Employee of the Month Runner Up, March 2016. Based in Auckland, New Zealand.
'Shocker': Confusion among fans as Jordie Barrett's conversion controversially ruled out
Fans have taken to social media to express their confusion at a controversial call by the assistant referees that denied Jordie Ba…
Sam Smith
27 Feb 2021, 3:22
Watch: Asafo Aumua ploughs through four Blues defenders to cap off sweeping Hurricanes move
The Hurricanes have exploded into life in their opening Super Rugby Aotearoa match of the year, with powerful hooker Asafo Aumua c…
Sam Smith
27 Feb 2021, 2:08
Chris Ashton to make Worcester Warriors debut
Former England wing Chris Ashton will make his eagerly-anticipated debut for Warriors in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match …
Sam Smith
26 Feb 2021, 8:10
Watch: Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon leads spine-tingling haka to open Super Rugby Aotearoa
The Highlanders have opened Super Rugby Aotearoa with a bang by performing a haka ahead of the first match of the new season.
Sam Smith
26 Feb 2021, 1:51
Munster's Joey Carbery poised to end 60-week injury layoff
It has been a frustrating near 14-month stint on the sidelines at Munster for their injury-plagued out-half Joey Carbery.
Sam Smith
25 Feb 2021, 12:00
Ireland star Jacob Stockdale returns to action after injury cost him Six Nations place
Ireland three quarters Jacob Stockdale will return to action for Ulster as they take on the Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium on Friday …
Sam Smith
25 Feb 2021, 9:02
'The doctor said I would never play again': All Black Nepo Laulala upbeat ahead of first season with Blues
In 2016, Nepo Laulala shifted north from the Crusaders to the Chiefs. The move didn't go to plan, however, with Laulala suffering …
Sam Smith
24 Feb 2021, 21:29
5 teams handed home ties as Champions Cup restart details confirmed
With rounds three and four cancelled in January, EPCR have come up with revised formats to finish this season's Champions and Chal…
Sam Smith
24 Feb 2021, 9:36
Northampton sign Karl Wilkins from Pro D2
Karl Wilkins was 18 when he decided to embark on a French adventure that has now ended with him coming back to Northampton all gro…
Sam Smith
24 Feb 2021, 7:32
Wasps bring in tighthead Nicky Thomas
A variety of reasons have forced Wasps to look around to bolster their front row, tighthead Nicky Thomas arriving in from Ospreys.…
Sam Smith
24 Feb 2021, 7:14
Recent Ireland skipper Henderson signs IRFU contract extension keeping him at Ulster
Fresh from being a first-time Ireland captain, Iain Henderson has signed an IRFU contract keeping him at Ulster for the next while…
Sam Smith
24 Feb 2021, 6:45
10 weeks' worth of suspensions handed down to Rapava-Ruskin, Williams and Bedlow
The RFU have doled out suspensions for three disciplinary hearings after two red cards and a citing in two Premiership games last …
Sam Smith
24 Feb 2021, 6:31
Crusaders hand young midfielder starting role in place of injured duo for Highlanders clash
The Crusaders have named a near full-strength team to face the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Aotearoa season-opener at Forsyth Ba…
Sam Smith
23 Feb 2021, 22:42
'With Beaudy going, Richie is probably the only proven 10 in the country': All Blacks' first five shortage could influence the Chiefs' selections
Hall highlighted the growing problem for the All Blacks with Beauden Barrett playing in Japan, that the number of proven first fiv…
Sam Smith
23 Feb 2021, 18:49
'He's been knocking on the door for a while': Super Rugby veterans' shock All Blacks bolter picks
With the new Super Rugby season just two days away from kick-off, two stalwarts of the competition have made early predictions on …
Sam Smith
23 Feb 2021, 18:27
Assistant coach Kelly Brown confirms Glasgow exit
It was just six months ago when ex-Scotland back row Kelly Brown was unveiled as new Glasgow assistant after ten years at Saracens…
Sam Smith
23 Feb 2021, 9:29
Lions officials have sounded out UK Government to help host 'home' tour - reports
With the 2021 Lions tour still shrouded in doubt, it is now being reported that board officials have made an approach to the UK Go…
Sam Smith
23 Feb 2021, 6:14
Fagerson's appeal hearing going ahead on Tuesday afternoon
Banned Scotland prop Zander Fagerson will argue his case when his Six Nations suspension appeal is heard on Tuesday afternoon.
Sam Smith
23 Feb 2021, 5:39
Chiefs name Brad Weber as co-captain for 2021 Super Rugby season
The Chiefs have confirmed halfback Brad Weber will join All Blacks captain Sam Cane as co-captain of the Chiefs for 2021.
Sam Smith
22 Feb 2021, 18:15
