Ranking Europe’s Top 15 Club Teams After Weekend of April 18-19

The Champions Cup final will be an all-French affair after Toulon and Clermont Auvergne won their semi-finals. It ensured the pair will not be moved from this season’s top two placings in the power rankings and, as the second time in three seasons they have contested European rugby’s biggest prize, underlined the financial strength of French club rugby. No one from outside the top 14 has won what was the Heineken Cup since Leinster beat Ulster in 2012, and only one side has made it to the final from outside that league in the same time. That opens its own debate on how healthy for... 

Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of April 17-19

Toulon and Clermont Auvergne were undoubtedly among those teams most pleased with their outings this weekend in world rugby, winning in the European Rugby Champions Cup to set up a replay of the 2012-13 European final. Those French titans were joined by Edinburgh and Gloucester as this season’s European finalists as the latter pair triumphed in their respective semi-finals to make the Challenge Cup closer. For there to be winners, however, there must also be those more glum with current circumstance, and New Zealand coach Steve Hansen received news that fly-half Aaron Cruden may miss this... 

Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 18-19

Toulon and Clermont Auvergne booked their places in the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup final this weekend, getting the better of Leinster and Saracens, respectively, to stage an all-French curtain call. The Top 14 giants have been superb to set up a repeat of the 2012-13 Heineken Cup final, but only one player from among their ranks accounts for a spot in our team of the weekend. The Hurricanes saw their unbeaten start to the 2015 Super Rugby campaign come to an end, while the Bulls topped the Sharks to take their spot atop the South African conference. Those at the top weren’t the... 

Toulon vs. Leinster: Score, Reaction from 2015 European Champions Cup Semi-Final

Defending champions Toulon booked their spot in the final of the European Champions Cup with a thrilling 25-20 win over Leinster, needing extra time to dispose of the Irish visitors in Marseille. Fans were treated to a tremendous match of rugby played in the pouring rain, where Toulon‘s star power ultimately made the difference deep in extra time.     As The42_ie’s Murray Kinsella shared, the visiting fans’ French counterparts outnumbered them by a huge margin: Leinster‘s start couldn’t have gone any worse: Ian Madigan‘s kick went straight... 

Clermont vs. Saracens: Score, Reaction from European Champions Cup Semi-Final

Saracens put together a valiant effort but lost 13-9 against Clermont in the first European Champions Cup semi-final Saturday, as the French side powered its way to victory thanks to a great defensive effort and a solitary try early in the second half. People were expecting a grinding affair between two very physical teams, and Saturday’s clash didn’t disappoint. Defending champions Toulon and Leinster will meet Sunday in the second semi-final. Rugby player Andy Goode believed fans of the Premiership had to overcome their allegiances in the face of Saturday’s clash, with... 

European Rugby Champions Cup 2015: Semi-Final Fixtures, Live Stream, Predictions

The four finest teams in European rugby union will square off this weekend, with each desperate to secure their place in the final of the 2015 Champions Cup. To be dubbed kings of the continent represents a major incentive for the sides involved, with Clermont Auvergne, Saracens, Toulon and Leinster all vying for a spot in the Twickenham showpiece on May 2. Here’s the full schedule ahead of these two titanic clashes and a closer look at how the action is likely to play out over what should be an engrossing weekend. Live Stream Match 1: BT Sport Now (UK), beIN Sports Connect (US) Match 2:... 

Southern Hemisphere Exodus Illustrates Top 14 Pulling Power on the Rise

French rugby’s extraordinary ability to lure the brightest gems of the Southern Hemisphere is well-known, but a post-Rugby World Cup exodus this year suggests the landscape is changing in favour of the Top 14. It used to be that France was seen as a form of pension fund for the sport’s top players, a retreat saved for the twilight years when bones began to creak and international endeavours were considerably lessened. No longer is that the case, though, as players nearing or indeed already in their prime begin to join the legions amassing in Europe’s emerging superpower, with... 

Why Manu Tuilagi Is Likely to Be Key for England at the 2015 World Cup

England’s World Cup preparations begin in earnest when Stuart Lancaster convenes his squad of 45 in June. That extended party will need to be cut down for the tournament, by which time players will have to have proved form and fitness to earn inclusion. And there will be no player Lancaster will be more keen to see tick those boxes than Manu Tuilagi. The Leicester Tigers powerhouse is in the throes of a long-running groin injury that has wrecked his season. The 23-year-old has missed almost six months of rugby and will not feature for the Tigers again this season, per BBC Sport. He remains... 

How Does the Current All Blacks Back 3 Compare to New Zealand’s Best Ever?

Flair and attacking ability out wide have long been features of New Zealand rugby teams. More than anyone else, the All Blacks have combined the elements of skill, physicality and composure, with their deadly ability to finish and create on the outside to constantly pose a threat to opposition defences. The current group is one of their best in this department. Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Julian Savea, Cory Jane and Charles Piutau all offer different things and now more than ever, the All Blacks go five deep in the wing and fullback positions. Is it the best group the All Blacks have ever had covering... 

Why Rugby Union Should Not Court Sam Tomkins to Cross Codes

Rugby League star Sam Tomkins was in the news last week when he announced his return to the UK from New Zealand. The former Wigan man claimed homesickness had caused him to call time prematurely on his contract with the New Zealand Warriors, and he will be back in Blighty in time for the next Super League campaign, per the Guardian. And a return to his old club looks to be on the cards, according to the newspaper: Wigan appears the most likely destination for Tomkins, who could rejoin his brother Joel in the ranks at the DW Stadium. The Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said this week on the Wigan Today... 

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