Not long after, Germany still under coach Mike Ford’s guidance, lost its place in the Rugby Europe Championship, due an agonisingly narrow loss against Portugal in the 2019 promotion-relegation playoff.
The internet is littered with lists of the heaviest rugby players playing the sport, even if frustratingly few are anything like accurate.
Crazy meetings, intensive care units and giving up Test rugby - Cornell du Preez's journey to the cusp of European glory.
England talisman Maro Itoje is set to renew his rivalry with Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth as they have been respectively named at No4 by their clubs Saracens and Toulon for this Saturday night’s Challenge Cup semi-final in France.
Tom de Glanville spent last week training with England, but he will now play against Eddie Jones' side for the Barbarians next Sunday.
In the second of the 15 for 10 series, we take a look at the all-decade team of Bristol Bears who have re-established themselves as a Premiership team.
Super Rugby may have diminished in fan interest in recent years, but that hasn't stopped it churning out talent... check out the RugbyPass Super Rugby Under-23 squads.
With Eddie Jones set to name his England squad ahead of the Guinness Six Nations next Thursday, he was given a major boost with the return of Maro Itoje.
Saracens have welcomed back two British and Irish Lions for their clash with Sale Sharks.
Billy Vunipola could make his first appearance of the season for Saracens after he was named on their bench to face Bristol Bears at Allianz Park on Saturday.
