Ranking Europe’s Top 15 Club Teams After Weekend of January 22-24

There was no shortage of drama—and just a hint of comedy—about the final weekend of pool play in the Champions Cup, as we learned who will face who in the quarter-finals. One of the most striking things about how the last eight clubs have shaken out is that we are guaranteed an English team in the final, with four Premiership sides in the top half of the draw. Saracens will play Northampton, while escape artists Exeter will face Wasps, with the winner of each game facing off for a place in the final. In the bottom half of the last-eight draw, Racing 92 will host Toulon, while Leicester... 

Ranking the Biggest Hits in World Rugby for Weekend of January 22-24

This week we saw a double helping of Owen Farrell, a classic case of prop vs. scrum-half and a shuddering tackle that Ulster’s veteran No. 10 Ian Humphreys will want to forget. The end of the Champions Cup pool stage was do or die for a number of teams, but this week’s compilation comes from games on which there was little resting. Just goes to show, there’s no such thing as a dead rubber in rugby. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

Ranking the 2016 RBS 6 Nations Fly-Halves on Game-Winning Potential

The 2016 RBS Six Nations will bring together a collection of the finest players Europe has to offer, and a promising contingent of fly-halves shoulder heavy burdens coming into the competition. Barely a week remains until the tournament gets underway, and it’s those with “No. 10” stamped across the backs of their jerseys who will be expected to play their parts as point-clinchers and game-deciders. Some nations boast more depth in the fly-half position than others. A portion of teams will rely on one standout pick in the pocket, whereas certain coaches will undoubtedly still be... 

Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of January 22-24

Exeter Chiefs stormed the gates late on to seal their spot as the surprise entrants in this season’s Champions Cup quarter-finals, defeating Ospreys 33-17 on Sunday to steal in front of Clermont Auvergne and make the last eight. The Aviva Premiership side joined fellow English outfits Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Wasps and Northampton Saints in the quarters, while Top 14 giants Toulon, Racing 92 and Stade Francais also made it through. A host of Exeter stars make this week’s best XV following their contributions in a stunning win against disappointed Ospreys, with the Champions Cup showcasing... 

Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of January 22-24

Rugby fans across the continent were treated to a third successive weekend of action from the European Rugby Champions Cup in recent days as the competition’s quarter-final lineup wrapped up. Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Wasps, Racing 92, Toulon, Exeter Chiefs, Stade Francais and Northampton Saints will all take their places in the tournament’s final eight, with the latter three passing as best-placed pool runners-up. Meanwhile, the Challenge cup quarter-finals also took shape as Harlequins, Gloucester, Sale Sharks, Grenoble, Connacht, Montpellier, Newport Gwent Dragons and London... 

5 England Rugby Players Who Never Reached Their Potential

England rugby’s recent past is full of young bright lights expected to develop into star players but who never reached their potential. All five England players included in this list are backs who should have shone for the Red Rose in the late 2000s and this decade, but who, for a variety of reasons, became nearly-men of English rugby. In compiling this list Steffon Armitage has been excluded because the back-rower is unquestionably world class and he has reached his potential, albeit with Toulon, not England. Of those included, some have themselves to blame, while others simply did not suit... 

Sean O’Brien Not Rory Best Should Captain Joe Schmidt’s Ireland

Rory Best was named as the new captain of Ireland by national team coach Joe Schmidt on Wednesday, ahead of Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip and Jonny Sexton. Rory Best is a “steady hand,” as the Irish Examiner called him, but because of his age, his competition for the No. 2 jersey and the demands of his position, Sean O’Brien not Rory Best should captain Joe Schmidt’s Ireland. So why has Joe Schmidt appointed the Ulster hooker as his skipper? Rory Best is one of the most likeable and personable players in world rugby and is respected by all in Ireland. One need only look... 

Chris Ashton’s 5 Worst Moments

It has been a miserable week for Saracens wing Chris Ashton. No sooner was the 28-year-old recalled to the England squad than he has found himself sidelined with a 10-week ban after being found guilty of eye-gouging Ulster’s Luke Marshall, per BBC.co.uk. The former rugby league man has been in fine form for his club and forced his way back up the pecking order after being deemed surplus to requirements for much of coach Stuart Lancaster’s time in charge of the national side. Now it looks as though he will be denied the chance to resume his international career in the forthcoming Six... 

Ranking Europe’s Top 15 Club Teams After Weekend of January 15-17

The penultimate round of Champions Cup rugby action resulted in a rousing win for the Ospreys, while main contenders Saracens, Racing 92 and Toulon confirmed quarter-final places. Leicester Tigers also booked their passage to the last eight. There is much left to play for in terms of the fight for the runners-up spots to progress to the knockout stages, and Ospreys and Clermont Auvergne are still vying for the top spot in Pool 2. There are tumbles this week for Toulouse, who have waved the white flag in Europe, and Ulster, who were soundly beaten by Saracens. Northampton Saints return... 

Ranking the Biggest Hits in World Rugby for Weekend of January 15-17

If your name is Bryan Habana, you might want to watch this week’s collection from behind your sofa. The Springbok World Cup winner has made a living out of his searing pace and finishing ability, but neither could help him when he was collared, twice, by Wasps’ bruisers. And so flyin’ Bryan features heavily this week alongside a second row with an unorthodox tackling technique, a clash between team-mates and a big bosh in the act of scoring. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

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