• Key Clash Preview: Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers

    Updated: 2010-09-02 16:00:02
    Each week, we'll be previewing one or two key clashes, and we start the season with a cracker - Saints v Tigers.

  • Key Clash Preview: Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers

    Updated: 2010-09-02 16:00:02
    Each week, we'll be previewing one or two key clashes, and we start the season with a cracker - Saints v Tigers.

  • Reasons to be excited about the new rugby season

    Updated: 2010-09-02 12:00:51
    We're counting down the seconds here at The Rugby Blog HQ, and Stuart Peel has listed a few reasons to be cheerful about the new season.

  • Reasons to be excited about the new rugby season

    Updated: 2010-09-02 12:00:51
    We're counting down the seconds here at The Rugby Blog HQ, and Stuart Peel has listed a few reasons to be cheerful about the new season.

  • What Are You Lot Smoking? – Part 1

    Updated: 2010-09-02 09:08:37
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Headline What Are You Lot Smoking Part 1 No Comment One of my favourite things about running this blog , aside from the chance to talk about rugby with huge numbers of people , to chat with professionals etc , is seeing just how odd people are . You may or may not be aware but you can install software to see what searches people are using to find your . site This is brilliant as it allows me to see just how nuts people really are . Why Google sends some of these searches to my site is beyond me , but then why people search them at all is a question as well . So at the start of each month I have decided to share the best of the searches show you how bizarre this can really . be Top 5 Bizarre Searches In no

  • The Rugby Blog Podcast 2010/11: Episode 1

    Updated: 2010-09-02 09:00:07
    Nick Heath kicks off the match previews, predictions and interviews ahead of the weekend's action.

  • The Rugby Blog Podcast 2010/11: Episode 1

    Updated: 2010-09-02 09:00:07
    Nick Heath kicks off the match previews, predictions and interviews ahead of the weekend's action.

  • Ultimate Aviva Premiership Team by Team Guide

    Updated: 2010-09-01 15:00:41
    Having completed our individual club guides for the new season, here they are consolidated into one article.

  • Ultimate Aviva Premiership Team by Team Guide

    Updated: 2010-09-01 15:00:41
    Having completed our individual club guides for the new season, here they are consolidated into one article.

  • WIN a pair of ASICS Lethal Tigreor 3 ST rugby boots

    Updated: 2010-09-01 12:00:21
    The Rugby Blog has teamed up with ASICS and their Smarter Rugby initiative to give three lucky winners a pair of the latest boot in the ASICS rugby range.

  • WIN a pair of ASICS Lethal Tigreor 3 ST rugby boots

    Updated: 2010-09-01 12:00:21
    The Rugby Blog has teamed up with ASICS and their Smarter Rugby initiative to give three lucky winners a pair of the latest boot in the ASICS rugby range.

  • Aviva Premiership Club-by-Club: Bath Rugby

    Updated: 2010-09-01 08:01:23
    We're expecting Bath and Saracens in the top two, and here's our team profile of Bath.

  • Aviva Premiership Club-by-Club: Bath Rugby

    Updated: 2010-09-01 08:01:23
    We're expecting Bath and Saracens in the top two, and here's our team profile of Bath.

  • Aviva Premiership Club-by-Club: Saracens

    Updated: 2010-09-01 08:00:24
    Our team-by-team previews finish with our predicted top two of Saracens and Bath - here are our views on Sarries this season.

  • Aviva Premiership Club-by-Club: Saracens

    Updated: 2010-09-01 08:00:24
    Our team-by-team previews finish with our predicted top two of Saracens and Bath - here are our views on Sarries this season.

  • Butch James out; Rossouw in starting lineup

    Updated: 2010-09-01 05:32:43
    Injuries to some players have hampered Springbok coach Peter de Villiers‘ plans to name an unchanged team for Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash against Australia. While there was an expectation that some players may have been rested for the Boks’ final game, De Villiers resisted tinkering with the team, and was keen to ensure the momentum was [...]

  • Ospreys Team vs Ulster

    Updated: 2010-09-01 01:32:44
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Magners league News Ospreys Ospreys Team vs Ulster No Comment The Ospreys team for the opening game vs Ulster has been named and it’s , um , . interesting No Byrne , no Bowe , no Adam Jones , no AWJ , Byrne , Shane and Paul James on the bench . This is hardly a first choice line up yet again showing the problem with starting a league with low key games . How different would it be for a derby match where the whole country is watching That is not to say there isn’t plenty of interest . How Gareth Owen has developed over the summer , Ben Lewis hopefully getting some regional game time after a horrid time with injury and the debut of Fussel are highlights for me and a lot of people I know are interested in seeing

  • Join our pool for the Magners League Prediction Game

    Updated: 2010-08-31 16:00:41
    We are running another pool for The Rugby Blog on SportGuru this season, so make sure you get involved and make your picks before Friday.

  • Join our pool for the Magners League Prediction Game

    Updated: 2010-08-31 16:00:41
    We are running another pool for The Rugby Blog on SportGuru this season, so make sure you get involved and make your picks before Friday.

  • James Gaskell to captain Sale Sharks

    Updated: 2010-08-31 14:37:21
    Sale Sharks have announced their youngest-ever captain in the shape of second row James Gaskell.

  • James Gaskell to captain Sale Sharks

    Updated: 2010-08-31 14:37:21
    Sale Sharks have announced their youngest-ever captain in the shape of second row James Gaskell.

  • Poll: Who will win the Aviva Premiership?

    Updated: 2010-08-31 12:00:16
    The new season is now just a few days away, and as we reach the climax of our Club-by-Club previews, we want to know who you think will win the Premiership.

  • Poll: Who will win the Aviva Premiership?

    Updated: 2010-08-31 12:00:16
    The new season is now just a few days away, and as we reach the climax of our Club-by-Club previews, we want to know who you think will win the Premiership.

  • Bulls prop released on bail

    Updated: 2010-08-30 17:11:00
    South African rugby player Bees Roux, who is accused of the murder of a Pretoria police officer, has been released on bail.

  • Blue Bulls prop Bees Roux charged with murder

    Updated: 2010-08-30 16:40:31
    • Roux charged with murder of sergeant Ntshimane Mogale• 28-year-old's lawyer says his client intends to plead not guiltyThe South African rugby union player Bees Roux has been charged with murder after allegedly beating a policeman to death in Pre...

  • Scotland announce warm-ups

    Updated: 2010-08-30 16:32:53
    Scotland have announced fixtures against Ireland and Italy as part of their build-up to next year's World Cup in New Zealand.

  • Scots warm-up with Irish & Italy

    Updated: 2010-08-30 16:32:11
    Scotland will face Ireland and Italy at Murrayfield next year as part of their preparations for the World Cup.

  • Ashley-Cooper stays positive

    Updated: 2010-08-30 15:41:58
    Adam Ashley-Cooper is optimistic over the rest of the Wallabies' Tri-Nations campaign despite their defeat to South Africa.

  • Steve Borthwick¿s braced for a title charge with Saracens in a bid to revive England career

    Updated: 2010-08-30 15:33:00
    They were just one minute away from being crowned English champions and completing a remarkable season that entertained and irritated in equal measures.

  • Scotland line up clashes against Ireland and Italy ahead of World Cup tilt

    Updated: 2010-08-30 15:32:22
    Scotland will face Ireland and Italy at Murrayfield next year as part of their preparations for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

  • James injury worry for Boks

    Updated: 2010-08-30 14:32:59
    South Africa's Butch James remains a major injury doubt for the Springboks' clash with Australia in Bloemfontein.

  • Collins fitness boost for Ospreys

    Updated: 2010-08-30 14:12:19
    Team news and preview ahead of Friday's Magners League opener at Ravenhill.

  • WRWC matchday 3 roundup

    Updated: 2010-08-30 08:01:00
    England, New Zealand, France and Australia secured WRWC semi final spots as the group stages of the competition came to a close

  • The Pros and Cons of Offering Warren Gatland a New Contract

    Updated: 2010-08-27 09:09:15
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Featured Headline Rants The Pros and Cons of Offering Warren Gatland a New Contract One Comment One of the aspects of Welsh rugby getting a lot of debate is the news that the WRU are in talks with Warren Gatland about offering him a new contract to take him beyond the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand . We wanted to look at both sides of it so we offered out the option of writing the pros and the cons of offering Warren Gatland a new contract to . Twitter Whilst we did get articles for both sides of the argument I have decided to rewrite the pros one the one I got didn’t quite hit the mark for me , but will make an interesting article in it’s own right . Whilst I am not fully behind offering him a new contract I

  • Sports Journalism – Pretty Shoddy

    Updated: 2010-08-26 14:54:01
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Featured Headline Rants Tri-Nations Sports Journalism Pretty Shoddy 2 Comments I am tarring a lot of people with the same brush here , so apologies to the large number of worthwhile sports journalists . However we should all be aware , by now , of my dislike for the Western Mail school of journalism make everything a shock’ and people don’t say things they rap’ And if you are wondering just how poor and formulaic the Western Mail really is check out their football reporting not unsurprisingly they have changed it now But it is far from just us that have press that couldn’t find a rugby pitch if they were given a map plenty of other nations have them . And right now New Zealand have managed to provide us with a

  • Springboks vs Australia @ Loftus – team sheets

    Updated: 2010-08-26 11:51:50
    South Africa: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Danie Rossouw, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Butch James, Juan de Jongh. [...]

  • Mark Taylor Interview – The Captains Climb

    Updated: 2010-08-25 19:37:23
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Featured Headline News Mark Taylor Interview The Captains Climb No Comment One of the biggest Welsh rugby charity efforts in a long time is getting ready to get under way . The walkers including amongst their number 15 ex-Welsh captains such as Rob Howley , Colin Charvis and Eddie Butler are climbing Kilimanjaro in an effort to raise money for lung cancer research and . facilities Mark Taylor , one of the ex-captains braving the trek , was kind enough to take time out to answer a few questions about the walk for us . There is a massive fund raising target set for all concerned , and Mark has a personal target of 2,000. So please do sponsor him on this very worthy endeavour . You can sponsor him here Mark

  • Springbok team to face the Wallabies

    Updated: 2010-08-24 11:27:26
    Francois Steyn will replace Gio Aplon who drops out of the squad altogether and Jaque Fourie returns after suspension to take over from Juan de Jongh at outside centre. De Jongh moves to the bench. Those are the only changes to the starting line-up of the side that lost to the All Blacks at FNB [...]

  • Rugby Awards Time – Magners League Style

    Updated: 2010-08-24 08:11:42
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Dragons Featured Headline Magners league News Rants Rugby Awards Time Magners League Style No Comment Don’t ask me how some awards get decided , it seems a lot of the time a tombola is used to decide who is worth getting an award and the Magners League awards are no . exception Ok that’s a tad harsh , a lot of the awards decided are worthy . For example I may be biased as an Ospreys fan but Tommy Bowe has been so superb this season he is fully deserving of the players player of the year award . But one that has confused me is that the Dragon s boss Paul Turner has won the Magners League Best Coach . Award Now he has been doing decently down at Rodney Parade , but pardon me if I don’t join in the lauding of him

  • Brussow’s return to rugby delayed

    Updated: 2010-08-24 07:55:16
    Springbok flank Heinrich Brussow will need follow-up surgery on his knee and delay his return to professional rugby. The operation, set to be performed on Tuesday afternoon, means Brüssow will be unavailable for selection for the Springbok tour to Europe in November. Brüssow was assessed during the recent Springbok training camp in Johannesburg and it [...]

  • Carter out for 8 weeks

    Updated: 2010-08-23 06:22:55
    All Black ace Daniel Carter will not participate in any rugby matches for up to 8 weeks because of ankle surgery. The surgery means Carter will be unavailable for the All Blacks final Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney on 11 September. All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said Carter had been troubled by niggling pain [...]

  • Meet the Dragons This Sunday

    Updated: 2010-08-20 06:47:38
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Dragons Featured Headline News Meet the Dragons This Sunday No Comment If you are a Newport Gwent Dragons fan , or if you have any interest in meeting their players anyway , then this Sunday is teh day for . you The Dragons are having a meet the players’ day at Motorpoint , where you can ask questions , meet your heroes or villains and help support charity as all money raised on the day will go to Cycle Challenge . Wales Unfortunately I am away all weekend camping and no doubt getting soaked to the skin so won’t make it but for those who do I hope you have a great time , and use the contact us form if you want to write about it for the blog The email I received if . below Thought you might like to know that

  • Rugby, Sunshine and Golf

    Updated: 2010-08-20 06:29:03
    , Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Featured News Rugby , Sunshine and Golf No Comment 3 of my favourite things in the world rugby , sunshine and golf . If I won the lottery tomorrow I would end up travelling around the globe following all 3. But even for those that don’t have millions behind them , as in almost everyone reading this blog I should imagine , there are some options . available 7 s is the best answer for some summer rugby as long as you are not playing in it . And unless it’s the Fat Boy 7 s I’m unlikely to grace sic a 7 s pitch again . But for those fit enough then there is an awesome looking tournie being run by David Strettle It’s set in the gorgeous location of La Manga with 7 s rugby , Netball , Golf and sunshine and a few

  • Castle will pay tribute to John Smit in his 100th Test

    Updated: 2010-08-20 05:26:05
    John Smit makes his 100th Test appearance this Saturday when the Boks take on the All Blacks at the FNB Stadium in Soweto and Castle will pay tribute to the Springbok captain by offering every adult at the game a free beer. Castle Lager, an associate sponsor of the South African rugby team, will ensure [...]

  • Will records fly on Saturday at FNB Stadium in Soweto?

    Updated: 2010-08-19 09:13:29
    On Saturday when the Springboks face the All Blacks in their Vodacom Tri-Nations match at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, there will be an ateempt to break a Guinness Book of records World record. The day, already steeped in history, will now also be marked with a record attempt to get the most flags flying [...]

  • Kockott on his way to WP?

    Updated: 2010-08-16 11:52:18
    Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott might be heading for Western Province next season. Mercury columnist Mike Greenaway indicated last week that the Sharks No 9 was in talks with Western Province with a view to joining them next year. Given that his shares in Durban have fallen dramatically over the course of the 2010 season, the news [...]

  • New Ospreys Training Shirt?

    Updated: 2010-08-08 09:41:09
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Featured Ospreys New Ospreys Training Shirt One Comment Personally I am hoping this is just a hoax but Cai Griffiths and Sonny Parker have just been Twittering about the new Ospreys training shirt . Worse it seems that a number of people on Twitter seem to think that it is a good thing . Which just goes to show how many people there are out there with bad . taste To quote Prysiau from the Rugby Rebels thread about this Maybe I’m wrong , but I’m absolutely convinced clubs could make far more money from merchandise if they actually put together a shirt that wasn’t utterly sh t . Why do they do it All the top clubs seem to emulate SF . No-one stands out , we just have a bejewelled multi-coloured rainbow of

  • Betting Competition – Who is in?

    Updated: 2010-08-08 08:52:29
    Home Forum About Us Free Newsletter Rugby Twitterers Local Clubs Contact Us Home Betting Tips Featured Betting Competition Who is in No Comment As I have said before I am looking to make some changes to the Welsh rugby blog add new aspects , bring in new people . And one thing I am very interested in doing is adding a bit of competition . But everyone and his dog runs a fantasy rugby’ competition though I may also do that Instead I am looking for something a little different . And since I like a flutter or two I am thinking a betting competition is in . order What do I mean by that Simple . I will provide anyone taking part with logins to be able to write up some betting tips on the blog ahead of the games . We all start the season on an amount you choose up to you , you can even bet with

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