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06

Geoff Parling: Champions Cup should revert to the old system

Leicester Tigers boss Geoff Parling reckons European chiefs should turn back time to revive the Champions Cup and revert to their old system.

05

Superb Sharks demolish Clermont

■ By SAM JACKSON Off to a flyer: Tom O’Flaherty gets the first try for Sale in their impressive win at Clermont Auvergne PICTURE: Alamy SALE Sharks secured a brilliant 35-14 bonus-point win against Clermont Auvergne yesterday to boost…

Dowson: I’d love to keep Furbank at club

■ By PAUL REES PHIL Dowson thought long and hard before signing a new contract at Northampton and believes players should also carefully consider their options before committing. Half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith have agreed new deals…

Newcastle Red Bulls wing Christian Wade sets sights on Chris Ashton try-scoring Prem record

Christian Wade is back and hungry to chase down Chris Ashton’s record as the all-time leading try-scorer in the Prem.

Glasgow Warriors 28-21 Toulouse: Rampaging Warriors fight back to stun Antoine Dupont & co

A stunning second-half comeback from 21-0 down saw Glasgow Warriors topple six-time European champions Toulouse in a thunderous Champions Cup encounter at Scotstoun.

Harlequins vs Bayonne: Oscar Beard – I want to test myself against the best out there

Marcus Smith returns against Bayonne as Harlequins look to build on an impressive display against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

Leicester Tigers 15-23 Leinster: Adam Radwan told to force England to pick him

Geoff Parling had some straight advice for try-scoring Adam Radwan after the wing had raised hopes of a first Leicester Tigers win over Leinster since 2008.

Northampton Saints vs Pretoria Bulls: We’re ready for a battle, says George Hendy

Buoyed by their impressive win in Pau last Sunday, Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson has made only two changes to the starting lineup as they chase another statement win against Pretoria Bulls.

Newcastle Red Bulls 14-10 Johannesburg Lions: It’s two in a row for battling Bulls

Murray McCallum powered over the try line in the final minutes as Newcastle Red Bulls left it agonisingly late to break down the Lions and get back-to-back Challenge Cup wins.

Connacht hit 50 to slay the Lions

■By GEORGE LAWRENCE Connacht .......52 Black Lion ....... 0 A RAMPANT Connacht got their Challenge Cup campaign back on track with an eight-try rout of winless Georgian invitational team Black Lion. Connacht captain Paul Boyle scored a hat…

Paul Rees: Lawrence Dallaglio’s reasons to cheer for Prem clubs in Europe

Paul Rees talks to England’s World Cup winner about the Champions Cup – and Steve Borthwick’s selection choices

Healthy first half helps Heath hold out hiking Tykes

■ By GRAHAM COX Blackheath ............36 Leeds Tykes ..........28 HOSTS BLACKHEATH crossed six times to claim maximum spoils, before two late Leeds Tykes tries sealed a four-try bonus point. The travelling Tykes struck first, with…

Dings all sing from the same win sheet

■ By LILEE O’CALLAGHAN Dings Crusaders ..41 Leicester Lions ....22 DINGS CRUSADERS produced a convincing performance to secure a sensational victory over Leicester Lions. The Crusaders had started intently, in retaining an early kick,…

Brickfield dreams building for Albion

■ By PADDY MARSH Plymouth Albion ..24 Sale FC.....................14 PLYMOUTH ALBION kept up their unbeaten home record, with a persistent collective effort against Sale – who pushed them all the way at Brickfields. Albion had fallen…

Albion’s drive for home form sees Moa race down the line

■ By JOSEPH TERRY PLYMOUTH Albion No.8 Benjamin Moa has called the Brickfields a fortress as his side battle for a place in the Champ. Moa, 23, scored twice in a 56-20 victory against Sedgley Park, as Ryan Lamb’s Albion remained in the…

Hoppers’ fall gives Ionians a guarantee for a win

■ By BRIAN NORMAN Hull Ionians.....41 Preston G............ 7 HOME SIDE HULL Ionians claimed a simply comprehensive win over Preston Grasshoppers, with a seven-try showcase at Brantingham Park. Ionians can thank clinical finishing, when…

Tigers burn bright to send Hull home

■ By MO SHER Sheffield Tigers....22 Hull...............................0 LUCKLESS Hull’s woes continued, as they left at Dore Moor with a double-pointless performance in Sheffield Tigers’ win. The Tigers made a fast start, as Mark Ireland…

Wharfe’s kick-mass ends Greens’ dream

■ By EDWIN WILLIAMS Wharfedale ............34 Scunthorpe ............28 FOR THOSE who think kicks win matches, look no further than Wharfedale’s narrow win over Scunthorpe. Dale had opened the scoring, after Jack Greig fielded Scunthorpe’s…

Away danger is no stranger for Fylde!

■ By AMELIA LINE Rossendale ............ 10 Fylde ........................57 FEARLESS FYLDE continued their 100% away record with a clean sweep second half showing, which tainted home side Rossendale’s initial first-half burst. The…

Ward’s hat-trick creates buzz for Hornets

■ By PADDY WARNER Exeter Uni.........38 Hornets............. 54 HORNETS underlined their top-five credentials with an emphatic victory at Exeter University, pulling clear after a tight first half to secure their eighth win of the campaign.…

Nathan plots a Taylor-made win

■ By ADAM CLEARY Lymm .......................33 Cinderford ..............43 CINDERFORD leapfrogged Lymm in the table with an impressive bonus-point victory on the road. The away side made a perfect start when star man Nathan Taylor crossed…

Barnes leave it late to maintain title tilt

■ By BEN SHEARD Guernsey..........21 Barnes...............29 TITLE-CHALLENGERS Barnes secured a late yet impressive victory at Guernsey thanks to tries from Ross Kane and Jacques Birch. The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes through Ant…

Exeter finish the season unbeaten

SCHOOLS REPORT ■ By JOSEPH TERRY EXETER sealed an undefeated ACE League campaign beating SGS in a promotion final 33-31. The Devonians held on despite two tries from SGS to close the margin for a perfect record, collecting 45 points from…

L’borough triumph to take top spot

BUCS RUGBY ■ By JOSEPH TERRY LOUGHBOROUGH moved top of the BUCS Super Rugby table, after defeating Exeter 49-40 in a back-and-forth tie. Tom Riman and Sam Bryan scored braces each alongside Owain Evans, Ben Taylor and Ben Roberts for seven…

Thursday, Dec 11

17

Leo Cullen on why perfection isn’t realistic after Leinster’s seven-try Champions Cup win over Harlequins

For many in the Leinster camp, it feels like the start of the season with the return of the international players Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Joe McCarthy, who all put in impressive individual performances over last Saturday’s 45-28 bonus…

14

The biggest rugby events in the UK and Ireland in 2026

Every year, rugby has their big matches and tournaments that every fan of the sport is looking forward to. This year, both the UK and Ireland will host the best international squads in the world in two different competitions, plus we’ll…

Tuesday, Dec 9

18

European Rugby Champions Cup: Full Tournament Preview and Key Contenders

Introduction: A New European Rugby Season Begins The 2025-26 European Rugby Champions Cup is back. Starting on December 5th, the club rugby competition in Europe combines English Premiership, French Top 14, and United Rugby Champions.…

Football Betting Trends in Different Countries Around the World

Football’s status as the world’s game is undisputed, with billions of fans following their favourite clubs and national teams across continents. In plenty of countries, football slips into daily routines, shaping how people spend weekends,…

Sunday, Dec 7

05

England head coach Steve Borthwick hopes it will be fifth time lucky at 2027 Rugby World Cup

Steve Borthwick has been around the World Cup block a few times and knows his England side have to keep on winning tight games if he is to make it fifth time lucky – despite their dream draw.

Wales drawn with England in Rugby World Cup pool

Fierce Six Nations rivals England and Wales will clash in the pool stage of the 2027 World Cup.