Talking Rugby Union | Bringing the latest rugby union news to the fans

0May 18, 2012
London Sevens – Five Stars from a record breaking weekend

After eight previous stops, in five continents, over six months; the 13th World Sevens Series reached its final destination at…
2May 17, 2012
Ian Evans – Unsung Hero

‘One after the other.’ A short and simple statement that tells you all you need to know about Ian Evans’…
1May 16, 2012
TMO – The hidden men!

They are the hidden men of rugby. The officials we rarely see. Their job seems simple, yet the Television Match…
0May 14, 2012
Pack your Beret and cheese board…

At 25 years old and a rugby education very much deep rooted in the south west of England (having played…
2May 11, 2012
Here’s to Wally

David Wallace is the latest Ireland legend to announce his retirement. I thought I’d share one or two memories of…
0May 10, 2012
TRU writers RaboDirect Pro 12 Teams of the Year

With another fantastic year of Pro 12 rugby, the season is drawing to a close with the playoffs up next,…
0May 9, 2012
Uncapped Players Who Could Make An Impact In South Africa

With England’s tour to South Africa just around the corner, players up and down the country are fighting to be…
2May 9, 2012
TRU writers Aviva Premiership Teams of the Year

With another fantastic year of Aviva Premiership rugby, the season is drawing to a close with the playoffs up next,…
6May 8, 2012
The All Blacks Midfield Conundrum

With the June internationals just around the corner, the All Black selectors have a conundrum on their hands, where to…
2May 7, 2012
Super 15 – Rugby’s Elite Tournament

There has long been a debate surrounding which is the elite club rugby competition in the world – the Heineken…
1May 4, 2012
Life after the Splash

One way or another, it has been a mixed bag of a season for Northampton Saints so far. After a…
0May 4, 2012
Hopefully no more Blues for Bedford

Hey, I’m Alex Rae and I play lock/backrow for Bedford Blues in the RFU Championship, this is my first blog…
1May 2, 2012
Super Rugby Statistical Analysis – Cream Rising To Top!

Super Rugby Round 11 is upon us and the cream is rising to the top with the Stormers, Crusaders and…
0May 1, 2012
Stuart Hogg: The Young Warrior

Most nineteen year old rugby players would dream of making their debuts for their country’s first team, but for Stuart…
4April 30, 2012
Ireland’s locks to open in second row?

For the last number of years Ireland’s second row has been the permanent residence of Paul O’Connell and Donnacha O’Callaghan….
6April 27, 2012
My First All Blacks Rugby Squad 2012 – Form or Class?

The first All Blacks squad of 2012 will be announced in a month for the June internationals and I have…
0April 26, 2012
Is life at the Sportsground getting better?

Connacht remain on course for their highest league finish after a third PRO12 victory on the bounce. Matthew Jarvis struck…
12April 25, 2012
Ireland’s New Talent

When Ireland name their squad to travel to New Zealand this summer, it’s inevitable that there will be several uncapped…
0April 24, 2012
The Red O’Driscoll

Mick O’Driscoll calls time on a career in which he has amassed over 200 appearances for Munster, enjoyed a 2…
6April 23, 2012
Five Of The Best For RWC 2015

With international coaches already putting into action plans which aim to have their squads in optimum shape come the 2015…
1April 20, 2012
Sam Dickinson the new guy on the Saints block

For whatever reason there is a bit of an exodus coming from Northampton Saints right now and you can understand…
0April 19, 2012
Wales vs the Southern Hemisphere

After reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in New Zealand last year, Wales went on to win the Six…
0April 18, 2012
Keeping in Line – Assertive or Aggressive behaviour?

If there’s one thing A-Level Sports Studies has taught me, it’s that there is nothing wrong with a bit of…
1April 17, 2012
New Zealand Super Rugby Nomads

With the increasingly global look to Super Rugby, there are now plenty of rugby nomads who are playing for teams…
8April 16, 2012
International Coaching is a Fine Art

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has come in for some criticism in recent months, particularly in the aftermath of the embarrassing…
6April 13, 2012
What next for French rugby?

Throughout its history, France has had its fair share of mad kings and revolutions. And with the end of Marc…
0April 12, 2012
Ulster victory will be good for Kidney and Ireland!

Very few teams have escaped from Thomond Park with victory in the Heineken Cup. Visiting teams are more often overwhelmed…
1April 12, 2012
Stuart Lancaster the right man for England

When Martin Johnson resigned as England head coach there was a lot of discussion as to who should replace him….
0April 11, 2012
A Sad End for Wasps Flanker Tom Rees

Whilst the retirement of flanker Tom Rees in March due to a knee injury was disheartening for England, it was…
0April 9, 2012
Geoff Parling: The Slow Crank to the England Ranks

The journey from rugby anonymity to England’s starting second row specialist has been one of the longer roads to the…
0April 6, 2012
Ben Morgan, future shed legend?

This season Gloucester’s young owner Ryan Walkinshaw has thrown his support behind Bryan Redpath giving him license to go out…
0April 5, 2012
Leinster Legend

When talking about great players of the past it is easy to eulogise and fall into the murky waters of…
1April 4, 2012
Time to set Sale

The worst kept secret in rugby in Sale Sharks’ history is out. Sale have announced that they are to move…
0April 4, 2012
A Destructive Powerhouse

In the quiet grounds of Franklin Gardens, Northampton lives a destructive, powerful and fierce front row who go by the…
0April 3, 2012
A rugby inspiration

Making it as a professional in rugby, or in any sport for that matter, requires a great amount of hard-work…
0April 2, 2012
Is Farrell the new Wilkinson?

It is an inevitable truth that every new English fly half will ultimately be compared to Jonny Wilkinson in one…