O'Gara's La Rochelle set up final showdown with Leinster
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle set up another Heineken Champions Cup final showdown with Leinster as they powered past Exeter Chiefs 47-28 at Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux on Sunday.
Sam Simmonds Sport News
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.
'Victim of financial struggles' - Jack Willis signs new three-year Toulouse deal to cast doubt on England career
England flanker Jack Willis has signed fresh terms at French club Toulouse, putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal. His contract was due to expire after the current season following his move from Wasps in November, but his extension could mean he is banned from representing England.
'We were blown away': Dobson rues 'flat' Stormers performance after Champions Cup exit
Stormers head coach John Dobson lamented his team’s flat performance at the worst possible moment after they were knocked out of the Champions Cup at the hands of Exeter Chiefs on Saturday night.
Exeter Chiefs rout Stormers to book semi-final spot
Exeter emphatically ended South African interest in this season's Heineken Champions Cup as they booked a semi-final place by beating the Stormers 42-17 at Sandy Park. The Chiefs, Champions Cup winners in 2020, will face La Rochelle or Saracens in the last four later this month after a six-try success. If reigning European champions La Rochelle beat Saracens on Sunday, the semi-final will be in Bordeaux, but a Saracens triumph would send a mouth-watering all-English showdown to Bristol City's Ashton Gate. Just a week on from a stamina-sapping victory over Montpellier that was decided on try count after extra-time, Exeter delivered an immense performance that saw them dominate every key area. The Stormers encountered difficulties travelling from Cape Town to Devon, and they were never in contention as Exeter posted tries during the first 30 minutes from full-back Tom Wyatt, captain Jack Nowell and his fellow wing Olly Woodburn, all converted by Joe Simmonds.
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.
Heineken Champions Cup wrap: Exeter through to quarter-finals on try countback
Exeter reached the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals on try count after extra-time following a dramatic 33-33 draw with Montpellier at Sandy Park.
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.