Another blow for England as Watson ruled out of RWC
England's troubled build-up to the World Cup continued with the news that Anthony Watson will miss the entire tournament because of a calf problem.
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Overseas players should be available for England – Rugby Players' Association
Players based at overseas clubs should be available for England selection under a temporary lifting of the current restriction enforced by the Rugby Football Union, according to the Rugby Players' Association.
Chris Ashton reaches try milestone in Leicester’s thrashing of Exeter
Try-scoring 101 for Chris Ashton. English rugby’s most prolific finisher cemented his status as the Premiership’s greatest ever try-scorer by becoming the first player in the history of the competition to reach 100 tries, running in a hat-trick in Leicester’s dominant win over Exeter. Ashton, who last week announced he is retiring at the end of the season, began the match on 98 but the 36-year-old wasted little time in racing to three figures before adding his third on the day and his 101st in total.
Maro Itoje calls on Premiership Rugby to halt player exodus to France
Maro Itoje has called on Premiership Rugby to halt the player exodus to France as he refused to rule out moving overseas when his Saracens contract expires next year.
Mike Brown suggests England embrace central contract model
Mike Brown supports the idea of central contracts for England players as a way to ease the burden on clubs operating in a bleak financial climate. Brown's own career will continue into the 2023-24 season when he will be 38 years old after he agreed a contract extension with Leicester, who have seen enough during five appearances to extend his initial short-term deal.
Cross-fertilisation: English players going abroad is a progressive move
I t is amazing how swiftly perceptions can change in sport. Remember how English cricket once revolved around the County Championship until Twenty20 cricket and the Indian Premier League came along? Or the days when the most famous footballers in England ran pubs in retirement to help make ends meet? Progress can sweep aside old-school certainties quicker than you can say leather balls and neat side partings.
Handre Pollard shines as free-scoring Leicester dismantle Bristol
A Handre Pollard-inspired Leicester showed their title credentials with a statement win that moved them clear of the pack in the race for the semi-finals. The South African fly-half’s 19-point haul included a try as Tigers ran in six at Welford Road, with skipper Julian Montoya scoring twice, along with finishes from Ben Youngs, Anthony Watson and replacement hooker Charlie Clare.
Doris, Sheehan fit for Grand Slam-chasing Ireland
DUBLIN: Forwards Caelan Doris and Dan Sheehan passed fitness tests to start for Grand Slam-chasing Ireland against England in the Six Nations rugby on Saturday at Lansdowne Road.