Why France are my favourites for the title

PETER O’Mahony’s appointment as Ireland captain for the Six Nations at the age of 34 was a little surprising, in much the same way as Jamie George’s was for England.

Ealing go back on top in 12-try showstopper

EALING Trailfinders secured an emphatic victory over Doncaster Knights in a frantic 12-try thriller.

Macqueen's Tigers are hungry for more

LEICESTER Tigers’ claimed their first victory of the season last Sunday as Vicky Macqueen’s newcomers broke their duck with a 22-19 win at Sale Sharks.

Crisis? Not in my view, says Sanderson

WITH four straight defeats in all competitions and a season-ending injury to England lock Jonny Hill adding to their extensive list of unavailable players, the impending two month break from Premiership action cannot have come at a better time for Sale.

Lawes the enforcer as Saints ease home

LEAGUE leaders Saints avoided a potential banana skin with a six-try victory over winless Newcastle Falcons.

Chairman Bear sees his wishes granted

IF the scoreline defied plausibility, then this match itself defied all logic.

Saracens in position for sprint to the line

SARACENS flanker Andy Christie faces a stern task breaking into the Scotland back row for the Six Nations but an outstanding performance in this win over Exeter will have done his cause no harm.

Enjoy it, says veteran Marler

JOE Marler has urged England’s fresh faces to “embrace the historical” Six Nations stage and show off their “super strengths”.

Hill's move to Lyon hangs in the balance

LYON's move for England lock Jonny Hill appears to be on the brink of collapse after he suffered a knee injury that is set to keep him out of action for the rest of the season.

Christie glad to be back in Scotland fold

FOR all the fresh faces in Scotland’s Six Nations squad, their starting XV to face Wales in Cardiff next Saturday is likely to have a largely familiar look.

Van Graan delighted by Spencer's recall

BATH boss Johann van Graan has hailed Ben Spencer’s England return as a triumph of perseverance after his captain and scrum-half was named in Steve Borthwick’s 2024 Six Nations squad.

David: I'm loving the freedom I get here

NICK David is revelling in the freedom given to players at Harlequins and is in contention for a place in the England A squad for next month's clash against Portugal.

Rams would be happy to play in RFU's new Tier 2

NATIONAL One leaders Rams are among the clubs to have submitted an expression of interest to join the new Tier 2 League proposed by the RFU.

Ward: Diamond is the right man for Falcons

STEVE Diamond takes over at Newcastle this week with club stalwart Micky Ward believing the hard-nosed former Sale and Worcester director of rugby is exactly what the Premiership's basement club needs.

Reid: We are out to finish on a high

EVEN for five-time champions Toulouse, achieving a perfect 15 points from 15 record from the first three rounds of the Champions Cup had proved beyond them until this season.

Lynagh lets rip with stunning try double

LOUIS Lynagh, just 23 and still with a big future, returned to form and prominence with a decisive brace of first-half tries as Quins marched into the round of 16 with a seven-try demolition of Ulster.

Leicester left waiting for spot in knockouts

LEINSTER may have started slowly but their typical steely composure eventually overpowered Leicester for a third successive encounter between the teams.

Sanderson hoping record crowd will inspire Sharks

ALEX Sanderson wants La Rochelle to feel the noise as they prepare to take on the back-to-back European champions in front of a predicted sell-out at the Salford Community Stadium.

Tough for Falcons as Diamond gets ready

NEWCASTLE’S players will have their fourth boss in less than a year when Steve Diamond starts work as consultant director of rugby next month.

Ben making a Kell of an impression with Bury!

BEN Kelland took over the forwards coach responsibilities alongside his work in Bury St Edmunds’ second-row and has created a formidable pack that have contributed to his side’s unbeaten home record.

Lewis hoping to make some big headlines of his own!

DAN Lewis believes Leicester Lions have what it takes to beat the drop after their victory over Blackheath last weekend.

Students are being taught some crucial rugby lessons

LOUGHBOROUGH are relishing the opportunity to play in National 2 West because of the experience it offers.

Focus for Field is finding a way forward to a fantastic future

THE departure of longstanding director of rugby Gareth Lewis and the loss of key players has presented Huddersfield with a challenging first half of the season.

Taylor happy to leave the bad times behind

FOLLOWING London Irish’s demise, Gloucester has been a safe haven for numerous redundant Exiles and promising England U20s flyhalf Rory Taylor is one of many loving life in his new surroundings.

Llandovery edge past rivals Ebbw

LLANDOVERY clung on to beat Ebbw Vale 17-15 in the battle of the Welsh Premiership’s top two.

Noon proud to be top of the hit parade

BECKY Noon is delighted her dirty work in the engine room is being noticed as the Leicester Tigers lock was named top tackler in the Women’s Premiership this season.

Hutchinson glad to be back in the fold

MUCH has been made of the five backs from free-scoring North- ampton who have made the Six Nations squad, but just as deserving was the recall for Scotland centre Rory Hutchinson whose last cap came 18 months ago.

England must play with the 'wow' factor

ONE of the biggest talking points of Steve Borthwick’s 2024 Six Nations squad is the selection of Jamie George as England captain. I’m not sure how innovative or game-changing it is, or whether it will prove to be great foresight.

Beard: To get the call was a dream come true

OSCAR Beard missed the call he dared not expect. The Harlequins centre had shut himself in his room at home at the time England’s head coach Steve Borthwick was calling players to tell them they were in his squad for the Six Nations.

Rees-Zammit: I still can't believe this is happening

LOUIS Rees-Zammit is targeting a hybrid role in the NFL, combining the running back and wide receiver positions.