Crusaders stun Blues to keep season alive

CRUSADERS salvaged some dignity in their torrid Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a shock 29-27 win over league leaders and fierce rivals the Blues.

Resting players for big games isn't on

IT WAS just a couple of weeks ago that certain people were up in arms because the South African clubs had fielded weaker teams rather than their full strength sides in away games during the Champions Cup.

Calcutta Cup win the highlight of my career

I WAS sat on a mattress on the floor of Alex Lewington’s flat in Twickenham waiting for the rest of my stuff to come out of storage when Gregor Townsend rang me out of the blue to say I was in the Scotland squad for the 2020 Six Nations.

Barnes hits four in nine-try rout

HAMPSHIRE ran in nine tries to thrash Surrey and kick-start their campaign with Curtis Barnes crossing for four.

Saracens hold on to take it at the death

SARACENS held their nerve to secure a home semi-final and put an end to Gloucester-Hartpury unbeaten season.

Day O'Reilly missed out on Hollywood

WHEN he last spoke in public, at his old Dublin rugby club a few hefty punts from the church where they held his funeral mass on Thursday, Tony O’Reilly summed up his extraordinary life in one sentence:

Diamond out to add some steel

EVEN someone without Steve Diamond’s coaching experience would have known that taking over at Newcastle was never going to turn them into an overnight sensation.

Champion Trailfinders cut Blues to shreds

EALING celebrated their Championship triumph with a nine-try trouncing of fourth-placed Bedford to finish seven points clear at the top of the table.

Toulouse provide a lesson in brilliance

THERE have been some extraordinary Champions Cup finals over the decades but none better than this titanic clash for the ages which saw Toulouse pull away in extra-time to claim their sixth title.

We can beat anyone now says stoked up Matavesi

SAM Matavesi knew something had changed when he joined up with Northampton after Fiji’s World Cup quarter-final exit last autumn.

Du Preez keeps it in family for Sale

WHEN Sale signed George Ford two years ago, it seemed that Robert du Preez would have his time on the field rationed as he sat on the bench.

Collier fits the bill for NZ challenge

ENGLAND finished the Six Nations with a resurgence, but their next destination, New Zealand, is usually a Red Rose burial ground.

Try tsunami sends a mixed message

Peter Jackson looks at an increase in points scored but suggests the figures may be hiding a problem for the Prem

Bath and Saints to win - but only just

IT’S hard to see Northampton changing the way they’ve played all season when they face Saracens in the first Premiership play-off semi-final under the lights at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night.

Awesome! Toulouse make it a super six

CHAMPIONS Cup final player of the match and European rugby’s biggest star Antoine Dupont revelled in captaining Toulouse to their unprecedented sixth title.

Holders Kent are back in business

KENT began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with a thrilling victory over Hampshire.

Lightning Bo bags 'amazing' fab four

RAPID winger Bo Westcombe-Evans stormed her way to an incredible four tries to help Loughborough Lightning secure maximum points over their nearest league rivals, Harlequins.

'Privilege to play in Jonny's 10 jersey'

ACHIEVING his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in No.10 Newcastle's shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his stay at the Premiership's struggling side.

Best I've felt for six years - Roux

QUINN Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it'll be a stretch for him to be around at Bath for as long as Johann van Graan.

Lake's at double to sink the Dragons

OSPREYS maximum claimed points to keep alive their mathematical hopes of making the playoffs while also clinching the Welsh Shield.

Falcons' misery but hosts restore pride

THE battle of the battered ended with Newcastle becoming the third team to go through a Premiership campaign without a victory and generGloucester ating cheers rather than jeers.

It's away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries

SALE ended their StoneX curse to reach the Premiership play-offs for a second straight season and deny Saracens a home semi-final courtesy of an almighty performance from their beefy back row.

Big win but it's not enough for Bears

BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.

Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day

BATH have been in the top four all season and on a tense super afternoon, Saturday with play-off places at stake, they made no mistake against an understrength and underwhelming Saints XV.

Ex-Wasps buzzing for European glory

THIBAUD Flament has risen from Loughborough University's fifth team to become a French international with the intention of next weekend becoming a Champions Cup winner again.

Hendy: We want special send off for top Saints

NORTHAMPTON flyer George Hendy has enjoyed a breakthrough year with the table toppers and while the likes of Saracens insist they won't be distracted by their departures, he says club legends moving on has fuelled the fire for his side ahead of the play-offs.

Williams is still the centre of attention

WHEN Bristol signed Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Virimi Vakatawa last year to boost their midfield, few would have picked James Williams in their fantasy team.

Danny hails departing 'Quins legend' Collier

HARLEQUINS' household names are nearing the end of their careers but scrumhalf Danny Care believes their new coaching team has built a strong foundation for the club moving forward.

Big Ben strikes at right time for Sale

BEN Curry is often referred to as the twin brother of Tom, the 50-cap England flanker who has missed the entire season for Sale because of a hip injury that required surgery.

Uzokwe: Championship has got tougher to win

DESPITE not getting the chance to secure promotion Premiership, to the back rower Simon Uzokwe says Ealing TrailChampionfinders' ship title win means just as much due to the increasing quality of the division.