Andre Esterhuizen tells England not to put Marcus Smith in a “box”

Andre Esterhuizen, the Springbok centre, is urging England not to put Marcus Smith “in a box” if they want to ensure the outside half can deliver his unique skills in the Six Nations championship. Smith signalled his return from an ankle injury with a Man of the Match performance which eclipsed Finn Russell, the Scotland Read More …

Nick Evans wants Harlequins to be “most admired club in Europe”

Nick Evans believes Harlequins have to deliver back-to-back Premiership titles to achieve their goal of becoming the “most admired club in Europe.” Standing in the way of the reigning champions on Saturday at the StoneX stadium are arch-rivals Saracens in the play-off semi-final and Evans, one of the sport’s outstanding attack coaches, insists his players Read More …

Mike Brown planning to become rugby sporting director

Former England full back Mike Brown, who launches his new Premiership career with Newcastle Falcons on Sunday against former club Harlequins, is starting a university course to become a rugby sporting director when he quits playing. Brown has visited Norwich City’s training ground, to meet their Sporting Director, Stuart Webber and is taking a two Read More …

Forshaw ready for game of Snakes and Ladders with Harlequins

Mike Forshaw, the mastermind behind Sale’s formidable defence, compares trying to stop Harlequins from unleashing their attacking flair tonight with a game of Snakes and Ladders. The teams clash with Sale believing they can still claim a home semi-final play off, but to move a step closer to that target they will have to shut Read More …

Rising coaching star Nick Evans is a fan of LQB rather than KBA

Former Ireland outside half Ronan O’Gara is getting his La Rochelle team to embrace the concept of Keep Ball Alive (KBA) as they bid for European glory but All Black Nick Evans prefers LQB as he steers Harlequins towards a Gallagher Premiership title challenge. Former All Black Evans admires O’Gara’s KBA edict but sees the Read More …

Andre the Giant has Semi Radradra in his sights

Harlequins Andre Esterhuizen faces the toughest midfield test in world rugby as he attempts to nullify Bristol’s Semi Radradra tomorrow and catch the eye of the Springbok selectors preparing for the summer series with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa. Radradra is returning from injury and rejoins a potent Bristol match squad that Read More …

The day the England rugby fun bus made a first stop in Argentina

When Jason Leonard emerged from the underground changing room into the intimidating atmosphere of the Velez Sarsfield stadium in Buenos Aires in 1990 he had no idea it signalled the launch of a record breaking England career that would see him rise to the Presidency of the Rugby Football Union. On the 30th anniversary of Read More …

Mike Brown should be part of England’s World Cup armoury says All Black Evans

All Black Nick Evans believes Mike Brown has turned himself into an attacking force Eddie Jones must include in England’s World Cup squad in Japan despite the Harlequins full back having missed out on Six Nations action. Brown is stuck on 72 caps having been dropped for England’s November tests with Elliot Daly at No15 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 …