The Irish Times

England just thinking big but they need a new Neil Back

With opensides there has to be a leader of the pack to encourage others to follow

Wed Feb 28 2018 - 08:30

No happy ending for Pat Lam as Connacht fall short in play-off

Northampton will play Stade Français for a place in next season’s Champions Cup

Sat May 20 2017 - 18:25

Connacht triumphed thanks to a try that never should have been

EPCR admit referee’s error in awarding late Connacht lineout; Northampton may face investigation into selection

Sun Dec 18 2016 - 16:41

Leinster should cruise against apathetic Northampton

Saints manager Jim Mallinder looks to have put Europe on back-burner in team selection

Fri Dec 16 2016 - 15:55

McGrath relishing battle with England's former bad boy Hartley

Northampton hooker is spearheading England surge having overcome disciplinary issues

Wed Dec 07 2016 - 01:00

George North to miss Leinster clash

Northampton winger will be assessed by independent medical specialists

Tue Dec 06 2016 - 16:57

Beauden Barrett a call back to the romantic age of the outhalf

Modern defences have forced outhalves to became the executors of someone else’s will

Thu Oct 13 2016 - 12:43

George Ford back at outhalf for second Test against Australia

Owen Farrell moves to the centre in place of Luther Burrell - Jack Nowell also comes in

Thu Jun 16 2016 - 10:39

Resurrected England roll on with comeback win over Wallabies

Eddie Jones’ side made a late surge to win and set up an historic series victory

Sat Jun 11 2016 - 14:50

Owen Farrell to make first start at outhalf under Eddie Jones

George Ford dropped for first Test against Australia while Marlon Yarde starts on wing

Thu Jun 09 2016 - 11:12

Cheika failed in bid to bring Ben Te’o into Australian fold

Australia coach unable to persuade former Leinster centre to join Wallabies

Sat Jun 04 2016 - 12:46

England defeat Wales with five-try display ahead of tour to Australia

Wales travel to New Zealand knowing the margin of defeat could have been even wider

Sun May 29 2016 - 18:08

Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland must get England’s Ford to reverse into Twickenham traffic

George Ford and Owen Farrell must be turned and met by bloody-minded tackling

Wed Feb 24 2016 - 07:00

Elliot Daly in line to win England debut against Ireland

Versatile Wasps back has impressed coach Eddie Jones

Tue Feb 23 2016 - 20:51

Eddie Jones focuses on pragmatism over patriotism with ‘hated’ England

The Six Nations visit of Ireland will be his first game at Twickenham since taking over

Tue Feb 23 2016 - 07:00

JJ Hanrahan holds nerve to secure points for Saints

Former Munster back kicks late penalty as Northampton edge contest with Bath

Sat Dec 05 2015 - 17:47

Sam Burgess: My heart was not in rugby union

‘Everyone is saying I’ve taken the easy option but it would have been easier to stay’

Tue Nov 10 2015 - 01:32

Sam Burgess leaves Bath and returns to Australian rugby league

South Sydney Rabbitohs set to make Burgess the highest-paid NRL player on €1m a year

Thu Nov 05 2015 - 16:18

Sam Burgess returns to Bath training, but for how long?

Following England’s World Cup exit it’s been reported he could return to rugby league

Mon Nov 02 2015 - 15:10

Mike Ford confident Sam Burgess will stay in rugby union

Bath coach quashes rumours 26-year-old is returning to the South Sydney Rabbitohs

Thu Oct 29 2015 - 10:27

Sam Burgess keen to stay in union, but not as a centre

Bath coach Mike Ford says the rugby league convert wants to play in next RWC at six

Thu Oct 08 2015 - 10:19

Andy Farrell denies undue influence over England selections

More recriminations as assistant coach faces fresh media inquisition on role

Tue Oct 06 2015 - 01:14

Gordon D’Arcy: Burgess is blunder that could bury England

Bath centre lacks the sense of timing required to be effective at international level

Wed Sept 30 2015 - 07:45

England urge Luther Burrell to stake his claim for a central role

Test against France a vital opportunity to seal a coveted place in World Cup squad

Fri Aug 21 2015 - 20:30

England’s brave attempt falls just short in Twickenham thriller

Sides run in 12 tries between them in helter-skelter finale to Six Nations

Sat Mar 21 2015 - 20:52

England squander chance to run up bigger return against Scotland

Stuart Lancaster acknoledges three tries from Jonathan Joseph, Ford and Jack Nowell was a meagre return given England made 11 line-breaks

Sun Mar 15 2015 - 23:00

Six Nations 2015: England player ratings

John O’Sullivan assesses the English performances at the Aviva Stadium

Sun Mar 01 2015 - 19:08

Ireland’s Grand Slam ambition on course after England put to sword

Robbie Henshaw scores first try in stunning display as Joe Schmidt’s side make it 10 wins straight

Sun Mar 01 2015 - 16:57

Jonathan Joseph fast becoming England’s centre of attention in the Six Nations

The 23-year-old Bath player is hoping that number 13 isn’t unlucky for him

Tue Feb 17 2015 - 01:00

Sexton relieved to have passed a defining test

Mon Feb 16 2015 - 09:23

England start slowly but get through the gears to beat Italy

Stuart Lancaster’s side recover from early Parisse try to romp home at Twickenham

Sat Feb 14 2015 - 17:57

England to put faith in forward power against Wales

Lancaster likely to keep things tight at venue where England have lost four out of last five

Thu Feb 05 2015 - 23:00

Six Nations 2015: Six of the best get ready to rumble

The grand old tournament should be full of its usual twists and turns. Gerry Thornley sets the scene

Wed Feb 04 2015 - 13:14

Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter set to make England bench against Wales

Coach Stuart Lancaster reduces squad to 25 for Six Nations opener in Cardiff

Tue Feb 03 2015 - 19:28