Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 15 to 17

This week, a our team of the weekend has a back three with 12 tries between them from their respective performances. The Wasps’ Christian Wade, who may well have been mindful of England coach Eddie Jones’ comments earlier in the week, claimed half of those. The Australian suggested a few of his Grand Slam winners had been far from impressive since returning to club action, per Chris Jones of the BBC.co.uk. Wade’s six-star display was perhaps the best way the wing could have shown the Red Rose boss if anyone isn’t pulling his weight, the 2013 Lions tourist is more than... 

Where Does Dylan Hartley Rank on List of Rugby’s Best Hookers Right Now?

World rugby audiences were divided earlier this year when newly christened England coach Eddie Jones made the decision to re-elect Northampton Saints hooker as national team captain, warts and all. Debate was fervent leading up to that selection, with many feeling Hartley, while talented, didn’t pose the discipline necessary to be a leader figure for a team ushering in its new era under ex-Australia and Japan coach Jones. But Hartley proved his doubters wrong, at least to some extent, and helped forge a path that led England to a Grand Slam triumph in the 2016 RBS Six Nations, keeping himself... 

Power Ranking the 2016 Six Nations Sides on the Strength of Their Forwards

The 2016 RBS Six Nations may be a firm fixture in the rear-view mirror, but the tournament itself is still being dissected after a forward-inspired England side rightly ran to a historic Grand Slam victory. In theory, it should only ever be the most deserving outfit that collects the winners’ prize, the most balanced party with major strengths in both their pack and back line, giving them the weapons necessary to succeed. Not every nation is as fortunate, though, with some presenting a lop-sided look, boasting quality in one area of the pitch and not the other, while some are unlucky enough... 

Substitutions: The Rule Change World Rugby Needs Most

Substitutions, or rather, reducing them is the rule change the rugby world needs most. World Rugby, the sport’s international governing body, currently permits teams to select eight players on the substitutes’ bench. But the expansion of substitutes has had several major negative knock-on effects on rugby—both as a spectacle and for the players themselves. The most important benefits of limiting the number of new players who can take to the field are seeing more skilful rugby and fewer injuries. As a result, it is time for World Rugby to reduce the number of interchanges to five. Rugby... 

3 Players Who Have Best Chance of Australia Call-Ups for Summer Internationals

Australia, runners-up at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, face England in a three-test home international series in June. With players such as Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell out of consideration, there should be some fresh faces in Michael Cheika’s Wallaby squad and matchday 23. Here, Bleacher Report analyses the three players most likely to move from the fringes of the Australian team in 2015 to a leading role in 2016, starting with the Test series against England. Begin Slideshow  Read More →

5 Players Who Have Best Chance of England Call-Ups for Summer Internationals

England have the Grand Slam in their pockets and three teams in the last four of the European Champions Cup. Suddenly, after the despair of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, English rugby is midway through one of its most successful calendar years in quite some time. Perhaps the biggest test of this new era is yet to come and may well present itself in the shape of Australia. Runners up in last year’s showpiece, the Wallabies lie in wait for head coach Eddie Jones’ men as they head down under for a three-Test series this summer. Jones has already integrated the burgeoning talent of Maro Itoje... 

Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of April 8-10

A standout weekend for English rugby saw Leicester Tigers, Wasps and Saracens each advance to the semi-finals of this season’s Champions Cup after defeating Stade Francais, Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints, respectively. Elsewhere, Racing 92 collected a 19-16 win over reigning champions Toulon to complete the last four, but the French teams fared far better in the Challenge Cup, where Montpellier and Grenoble managed to make it into the semis.  While Europe’s campaign ticks toward its end, the 2016 Super Rugby season is just getting into third gear, and this week saw the Queensland... 

Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 8 to 10

The weekend’s fare was full of drama with Champions Cup quarter-finals contested in Europe while the Super Rugby rumbled on down south. We saw a rousing comeback from Wasps to knock out Exeter, while they were joined by two other English sides in the semi-finals as Saracens beat Northampton and Leicester thrashed Stade Francais. The champions were also dethroned as Racing Metro accounted for Toulon to carry the French flag into the final four. The Chiefs continued to lead the way in Super Rugby with the sublime Aaron Cruden at the helm, while another All Black also hit form as Julian Savea... 

3 Players Who Should Join Josh Charnley and Switch Codes

Many have tried and failed in their attempts to break the mould in rugby union after dominating in league, and next season will see Wigan Warriors wonder Josh Charnley become the latest marvel to switch codes. The Press Association confirmed in March that Super League star Charnley will follow the footsteps of fellow Wigan alumnus and former England great Jason Robinson by joining Sale Sharks of the Aviva Premiership (h/t Guardian). Expectations are always high whenever players make a cross-code move, with many waiting to see exactly how their skills transfer from one form of the sport to... 

Power Ranking the 2016 Six Nations Sides on the Strength of Their Backs

The 2016 Six Nations provided more tries than any championship since 2006. The following power ranking of Six Nations sides on the strength of their backs emphasises collective cohesion over individual talent and focuses more on attack than defence. Will the ranking follow the final 2016 Six Nations standings? Begin Slideshow  Read More →

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