Tongan quartet powering Ampthill towards the big time

Four Tongan internationals headed by ex-Northampton prop Soane Tonga’uhia are powering a small Bedfordshire club towards the second division of English rugby – one step away from the Gallagher Premiership. Ampthill RFC are one point clear in National Division One and if they can maintain their form, promotion to the English championship will see the Read More …

Tom Jones gives his verdict on the back row battle between Newcastle and Exeter

Newcastle versus Exeter; Battle of the Back Rows 6. Don Armand © Vs Gary Graham 7. Matt Kvesic Vs Will Welch © 8. Sam Simmonds Vs Mark Wilson Armand Armand led the defensive effort for Exeter, working tirelessly at the breakdown and ‘trucked it on’ in attack. 7/10 Graham The blind side flanker was clearly Read More …

With Danny Cipriani you get what you expect – on and off the pitch

Danny Cipriani is consistent on and off the pitch. With ball in hand the outside half has always been able to unlock defences with handling and vision that few of his rugby generation can match. Off the pitch, he is a walking accident waiting to happen. He even opted out of Britain to escape his Read More …

Schalk Brits ends his retirement and targets 2019 World Cup with Springboks

Schalk Brits has ended his self-imposed retirement from rugby after being convinced by South African coach Rassie Erasmus that he can win a place in the Springboks squad for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Brits and Erasmus have been in close contact since the former Saracens hooker returned for the Springboks in the final Read More …

Billy Vunipola gets timely advice from Renaldo Bothma after arm surgery

Billy Vunipola has undergone surgery to repair the arm he broke for a second time in England’s losing test series with South Africa and now faces another long period of rehabilitation. It is understood Vunipola had a plate inserted in the arm last week after breaking it in the same place in the second test Read More …

No happy return to Saracens for favourite son Brits says Wray

Owner Nigel Wray today made it clear Schalk Brits will not be returning to Saracens for another season despite the hooker’s expected inclusion the South African match squad against England in Cape Town on Saturday, a month after ending his 10 year career at the Premiership champions. The 37-year-old, 10-times capped Springbok hooker, enjoyed a Read More …

Goode still not good enough for Eddie Jones and England

Alex Goode looks certain to miss out on England’s summer three test tour of South Africa despite proving he remains one of the most dangerous attacking forces in the Aviva Premiership. Head coach Eddie Jones has still not contacted Goode, who was in scintillating form again for Saracens as they destroyed Gloucester 62-12 to earn Read More …

Billy Vunipola back after broken arm to boost England and Saracens

Billy Vunipola is back in the Saracens match squad after nearly four months out with a broken arm for the clash with London Irish on Sunday. With Wasps No8 Nathan Hughes already ruled out of the three test England tour to South Africa in June, the return of Vunipola is great news for England and Read More …

Feehan quits and opens the way for new thinking for Six Nations and Lions

John Feehan’s 16 year reign as one of the most powerful men in world rugby ended today when he quit as CEO of he Six Nations and British and Irish Lions. Feehan was involved in four British and Irish Lions tours and introduced bonus points to the Six Nations and leaves at a critical time Read More …

World Rugby to rule on Shields making England tour

World Rugby will be asked to sort out a potentially damaging row between England and New Zealand over Eddie Jones’s request to include Hurricanes forward Brad Shields in the England squad for the three test tour of South Africa in June. RugyPass has been told that with New Zealand insisting they have the right to Read More …