Should Owen Farrell play at 12 in the World Cup?

“AN INSIDE-CENTRE (No 12) needs to be the eyes and ears of the fly-half (ten), getting information from his outside and telling the ten where the space is.

"Eddie will come out fighting, as Australians generally do"

THERE IS an Australian way of playing, in my experience. They like high tempo and have a high skill-set. When they attack they have multiple options owing to the quality of ball-player they have. And when they run breakouts along the seam, they can afford to because of those skills.

No red for Mallía a mockery

'Head means red' is the mantra our former elite official wants at the World Cup

DOWNTIME WITH... ADAM BEARD "I got my missus a fake Gucci bag. She thinks it's real so is pretty chuffed!"

The Wales lock talks WWE, Adam Sandler films and gifting poo timers

THE SECRET PLAYER

Our former pro provides a unique insight into the game

Breaking the mould

In the land of wrestling monsters, DAVIT NINIASHVILI is the posterboy for adventurous back play

"The first thing that comes into my head, I'll do it..."

He's one of the most instinctive talents in the world game, so we grilled Darcy Graham to find out what makes him fick

...AND THEN THE OLYMPICS?

He's the face of the 2023 World Cup and now it emerges that France captain ANTOINE DUPONT plans to play sevens at next year's Olympics too. But how easy is the transition? RW speaks to men in the know

PAT PELLEGRINI

From Sevenoaks to Tonga, this fly-half has seen the game's many layers

BATTLE HARDENED

The warrior heart beats loud in FINLAY BEALHAM and the charismatic Ireland prop is hoping for his greatest adventure yet at the Rugby World Cup

MY LIFE IN PICTURES...DAN BIGGAR

As the veteran Wales fly-half prepares for his third World Cup, he talks through some standout memories

DANNY CARE

The evergreen England scrum-half's rollercoaster Test career is heading for the World Cup in France

ELLIE KILDUNNE

The Harlequins and England flyer is at the forefront of a new Red Roses era

"France 2007 didn't live up to the billing. Rugby wasn't in a great spot"

Splashes of colour on a drab canvas - that was the World Cup when it was last played in France 16 years ago. Stephen Jones anticipates more magic and magnetism this time around

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR ENGLAND AT THE WORLD CUP....

England have dropped like a stone since reaching the final of Japan 2019. But could Steve Borthwick's embattled squad spring a surprise at the World Cup in France?

Richie McCaw

A look back to 2011 when the great All Black went beyond the call of duty

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO...BE THE FIRST OPENLY GAY ALL BLACK

Former New Zealand prop Campbell Johnstone on breaking a glass ceiling

KEN OWENS

The Wales great who has represented the Lions and Scarlets with distinction

"My boys call me Trigga because I try to sing like Trey Songz"

The Wallaby talks nicknames, Denzel Washington and getting bumped by Ellis Genge

KOREA PATH

fly-half SEUNGSIN LEE tells us about representing his Korean heritage on the Test stage

ÉMILIEN GAILLETON

The top try-scorer in the Top 14, from centre, at Pau - and he's still just 19!

BODY TALK

With some powerful input from dietitians, psychologists, coaches, referees and players, Josh Graham shines a light on rugby's relationship with body image and eating disorders

RUAHEI DEMANT

The World Cup winner hopes to pick up where she left off for the Black Ferns

"You sense there will be wonderful occasions to come"

He has seen the transformation of the women's game and now Stephen Jones heralds a future where female stars know only a life of professionalism

The best rugby schools in the world RANKED

With the help of the team at NextGenXV, we bring you the rundown of the world's best school sides right now. Class is in session!

"I'm sticking to my guns regardless of what happens"

He's one of the most electrifying talents in the world game and 2023 will be remembered as a whirlwind year for so many reasons - this is what happened when we met Henry Arundell

"Will losing London Irish be the final wake-up call?"

THE WARNING signs have been flashing for decades. Covid may have brought things to a head, but a crisis in the Premiership was inevitable. The problems were baked in as PRL was never envisaged as a regulator and was not designed as such. From the outset it was compromised, with the executive answering to the clubs rather than acting in the interests of the league.

RUGBY RANT

Top players outside traditional powers deserve our love too, demands Squidge

"Alun Wyn set the tone.You just wanted to follow him"

BECAUSE HE is a year older than me, and he tended to play a year up as well, I only played against Alun Wyn Jones once or twice growing up. So I think the first time I properly met him was early on in my professional career, at Llandovery College.

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A PREMIERSHIP TALENT-SPOTTER

Harlequins scout Clive Martin explains how to identify young talent