http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-green-and-gold-giants-finally-pack-a-punch-1816917.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-green-and-gold-giants-finally-pack-a-punch-1816917.html ]]> <p>Much to my disappointment, the scrummage did not quite develop into the headline-grabbing, tone-setting confrontation I had hoped for yesterday at Twickenham. Inevitably there was the odd penalty either way, but not the violent, passionate, 2005-esque flare-up we all so desired.</p> News & Comment Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-family-ties-family-tries-as-identical-twins-line-up-for-baabaas-1816918.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-family-ties-family-tries-as-identical-twins-line-up-for-baabaas-1816918.html <p>The Barbarians have picked their first set of twins, and identical ones at that, to face the Combined Services in the annual Remembrance Match at Aldershot on Wednesday evening. Rob and James Lewis – a scrum-half from London Welsh and a centre with Coventry respectively – have played together before with Wales Sevens and Ebbw Vale, and were opponents last Friday when their clubs met in the Championship. There is fun to be had with these chromosomal coincidences. In the 1950s, cricket's Alec and Eric Bedser were playing in an exhibition match at The Oval when Alec bowled the first three balls of an over to the great Frank Woolley medium-fast, and Eric sent the remaining three down as spinners. Woolley was clearly none the wiser, remarking to the wicketkeeper: "Wow, that young man's got a wonderful change of pace, hasn't he?" On the other (if identical) hand, Manchester United recently got into bother with their Brazilian twins Fabio and Rafael and a case of mistaken identity over a booking at Barnsley. The Lewis boys have been there, done that, as dad Steve, a former scrum-half and chief executive of the WRU, told Ruck and Maul: "They had an area final at school when Rob put in a high tackle but James was the one sent to the sin-bin. And it's happened more than once in Gwent age-group matches that Rob would be captain and the referee would turn to James to ask whether he wanted the kick or choice of ends." A proud spectator at Aldershot will be the twins' grandfather Ernie, 85, who was a touch judge at the Barbarians' famous 1973 meeting with New Zealand. Another family member will be there in spirit, the remembrance spirit – sister Abbie is an Army lieutenant who has just returned safely to Germany after a three-month tour in Afghanistan.</p> News & Comment Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-weaker-wallabies-must-rediscover-killer-instinct-1816604.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-weaker-wallabies-must-rediscover-killer-instinct-1816604.html ]]> <p>It goes without saying that this afternoon's Twickenham international between England and Australia is an important one for both countries as they seek to build confidence and continuity ahead of the next World Cup, but I have to confess that it's more difficult than usual to take a firm view on how things will turn out. A big part of me struggles to see the Wallabies winning, for reasons I will explain. There again, there is always something perilous about writing off any Australian team ahead of the event.</p> News & Comment Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/shane-geraghty-i-know-wallabies-are-out-to-get-me-1816605.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/shane-geraghty-i-know-wallabies-are-out-to-get-me-1816605.html ]]> <p>An awful lot has happened to England's rugby team since Shane Geraghty suddenly materialised at Twickenham in the spring of 2007 and ran Saturn-like rings round a high-rolling French back division containing such luminaries as Christophe Dominici, Vincent Clerc and Yannick Jauzion. A good deal has happened to Geraghty too, precious little of it a cause for celebration, but when he takes the field against the Wallabies today, it will be as if the last two and a half years never happened. That's the thing about supernovas: they always appear to be shining for the first time.</p> News & Comment Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/james-lawton-england-rugby-may-soon-have-to-face-hard-truth-that-johnson-is-not-fit-to-rule-1816608.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/james-lawton-england-rugby-may-soon-have-to-face-hard-truth-that-johnson-is-not-fit-to-rule-1816608.html <p>Six years after achieving one of the most stunning moments in the history of English sport Jonny Wilkinson might have been wise to take his sainted, miraculously resurrected bones for a flying visit to Lourdes before coming home for today's assignment against Australia at Twickenham.</p> News & Comment Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/the-ten-best-england-v-australia-rugby-matches-1815472.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/the-ten-best-england-v-australia-rugby-matches-1815472.html ]]> <p> England and Australia renew hostilities at Twickenham this weekend in their latest Cook Cup clash. </p> News & Comment Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:01:06 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/win-england-tickets-and-meet-lawrence-dallaglio-1815378.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/win-england-tickets-and-meet-lawrence-dallaglio-1815378.html ]]> <p> Fancy having a pint with rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio to discuss the second of England's Investec Challenge Series games against Argentina? </p> News & Comment Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:17:10 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/wales-v-new-zealand-ten-to-watch-1815294.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/wales-v-new-zealand-ten-to-watch-1815294.html ]]> <p> Wales are hoping to end one of sport's longest running hoodoos when they take on the All Blacks in Cardiff this weekend. </p> News & Comment Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:35:49 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/thompson-returns-rugbys-greatest-comebacks-1814579.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/thompson-returns-rugbys-greatest-comebacks-1814579.html ]]> <p> Steve Thompson's inclusion in the England side to face Australia this weekend completes a remarkable comeback. </p> News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:20:28 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ireland-star-odriscoll-plans-huge-wedding-1814557.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ireland-star-odriscoll-plans-huge-wedding-1814557.html ]]> <p> Amy Huberman and Brian O'Driscoll will throw Ireland’s celebrity wedding of the summer after block-booking an entire five-star hotel for five days. </p> News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:16:47 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/the-big-question-why-has-rugby-union-become-so-dangerous-and-what-should-be-done-1814152.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/the-big-question-why-has-rugby-union-become-so-dangerous-and-what-should-be-done-1814152.html News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/irelands-ogara-sued-over-property-deal-1813785.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/irelands-ogara-sued-over-property-deal-1813785.html ]]> <p> Ronan O'Gara was named in a court action yesterday in which a property company sought to force him and other investors to complete pre-recession deals for apartments. </p> News & Comment Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:43:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/win-tickets-to-watch-england-against-australia-and-argentina-at-twickenham-1813607.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/win-tickets-to-watch-england-against-australia-and-argentina-at-twickenham-1813607.html ]]> <p> Emirates, the award-winning international airline and partner of the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) referees and match officials, is offering England rugby fans the chance to see their team in action in their eagerly anticipated Investec Challenge Series games against Australia and Argentina. </p> News & Comment Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:18 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/chris-hewett-ban-on-gangtackling-would-curb-rising-casualties-1813662.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/chris-hewett-ban-on-gangtackling-would-curb-rising-casualties-1813662.html ]]> <p>Increasingly concerned by the ever rising number of injuries affecting top-flight professional players – of the 32-man England squad selected by Martin Johnson in July, only 20 were still standing this time last week – Twickenham officials are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the International Rugby Board's latest medical conference, which begins in nine days' time. In particular, they want to see whether the experts can come up with workable methods of depowering the tackle and making life just a little safer at the ruck.</p> News & Comment Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/peter-bills-gatlands-right-the-premiership-is-weak-1813498.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/peter-bills-gatlands-right-the-premiership-is-weak-1813498.html ]]> <p> Perhaps the most revealing quote of the past 10 days was that of England's Premier Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty. It confirmed the old adage that, it's not what they say but what they don't say... </p> News & Comment Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:56:04 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-firedup-front-three-can-handle-weight-of-nation-1812842.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-firedup-front-three-can-handle-weight-of-nation-1812842.html ]]> <p>When the Wallabies arrive at Twickenham to take on England next week, a few points of tradition will be challenged. Whatever the competition, year or venue, some things have always been assumed in the build-up to this most enticing of fixtures: England's scrum will annihilate the prop-weak Aussies; and the Wallaby back line will be too athletic, thick-thighed and naturally elusive for the straight-up-and-down English.</p> News & Comment Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-lions-entry-in-hall-of-fame-is-dominated-by-pride-of-celtic-tigers-1812844.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-lions-entry-in-hall-of-fame-is-dominated-by-pride-of-celtic-tigers-1812844.html <p>The Temple Speech Room at Rugby School was the venue on Tuesday for the fourth annual induction into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame, accompanied by the inaugural IRB lecture given by the former Wales centre and wing Gerald Davies, manager of this year's Lions squad. Nine inductees on a theme of the Lions in South Africa included 1955 tourists and great friends Cliff Morgan and Sir Anthony O'Reilly, alongside Syd Millar, Willie John McBride and Ian McGeechan. A Celtic gathering, to be sure, but the English may get a look-in next year, which will celebrate 100 years of the Five Nations.</p> News & Comment Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-wasps-abuzz-with-ideas-for-breaching-defences-1812154.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-wasps-abuzz-with-ideas-for-breaching-defences-1812154.html ]]> <p> The Guinness Premiership has taken its share of criticism over the last few days, not least from the Wales coach, Warren Gatland, who went for the jugular by describing this season's tournament as the worst he'd seen since first coming to these parts from New Zealand. </p> News & Comment Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/martin-johnson-time-to-deliver-1812155.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/martin-johnson-time-to-deliver-1812155.html ]]> <p> No one ever called Martin Johnson a soppy romantic and lived to tell the tale, but it is well nigh impossible to think of a more accomplished honeymooner. </p> News & Comment Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/mcgeechan-and-oreilly-enter-hall-of-fame-1810527.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/mcgeechan-and-oreilly-enter-hall-of-fame-1810527.html ]]> <p> Ian McGeechan, a winning player and coach with the Lions in South Africa, and Sir Anthony O'Reilly, the most prolific try scorer for the British Isles side, were among the inductees to the International Rugby Board's Hall of Fame at Rugby School yesterday. The nine new entrants were all recognised for distinguished service on either side in Test series between the Lions and South Africa. </p> News & Comment Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/premiership-hits-back-at-gatland-comments-1810324.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/premiership-hits-back-at-gatland-comments-1810324.html ]]> <p> Premier Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty today dismissed Warren Gatland's criticism of the Guinness Premiership as a "cheap shot". </p> News & Comment Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:16:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/peter-bills-france-must-unite-in-order-to-win-world-cup-1810269.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/peter-bills-france-must-unite-in-order-to-win-world-cup-1810269.html ]]> <p> Former French President Charles de Gaulle knew his onions from his garlic. "How can you unite a country that produces 263 kinds of cheese" he once asked ? </p> News & Comment Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:55:22 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/gatland-slams-standard-of-premiership-1809804.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/gatland-slams-standard-of-premiership-1809804.html ]]> <p> Wales boss Warren Gatland has condemned the standard of this season's Guinness Premiership. </p> News & Comment Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:44:35 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-ripley-dodged-the-bullets-but-mckinneys-book-hits-the-mark-1809038.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-ripley-dodged-the-bullets-but-mckinneys-book-hits-the-mark-1809038.html <p>A book of rugby recollections, 'Voices from the Back of the Bus', has been brought together by Stewart McKinney, the Dungannon and Ireland flanker who toured with the 1974 Lions. What began as a hobby, prompted by an epiphanous moment at the memorial service for former Ireland coach Jimmy Davidson in 2007, has turned into 250 pages of contributions from more than 100 players: half of them Lions and almost all of them contemporaries of McKinney from the amateur days. There are wistful reminiscences and laugh-out-loud anecdotes of adventure and ribald misadventure. McKinney's own favourite? David Duckham's description of England's 1973 trip to Dublin at the height of the Troubles. Those England players who would have preferred to slip into Ireland quietly were dumbfounded by the large sign on the windscreen of their coach – "England Rugby Team" – not to mention the armed police outriders. "For the entire journey to the Shelbourne Hotel," Duckham writes, "Andy Ripley rocked back and forth in his window seat. Asked why, he replied, 'I'm trying to make it more difficult for the snipers'." The British Heart Foundation will receive 50 per cent of royalties from the book, and Ruck and Maul heartily recommends it.</p> News & Comment Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-the-risks-will-only-get-worse-but-theres-no-simple-answer-1809040.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-the-risks-will-only-get-worse-but-theres-no-simple-answer-1809040.html <p>Contrary to what the armchair cynic might assume, seeing Andrew Sheridan dislocate his shoulder last week made me feel horrible. Of course, an injury to any man with whom one is in direct competition can only improve one's chances of a call-up, but in this instance I felt nothing but sympathy for my old friend.</p> News & Comment Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/hayman-offers-launch-pad-for-new-falcons-1808246.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/hayman-offers-launch-pad-for-new-falcons-1808246.html ]]> <p>Following in Carl Hayman's considerable wake, out towards the seating area in the West Stand at Kingston Park, something catches the eye in a cubby hole of a side room. It's a newspaper holding up a wonky chair – a copy of The Independent, no less. The second best prop in the world, perhaps?</p> News & Comment Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-thinking-on-our-feet-is-the-best-game-plan-1808248.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-thinking-on-our-feet-is-the-best-game-plan-1808248.html <p>Despite the fact that the season is still unfolding, rather like the way we stretch and yawn when first awakening, I have been fascinated by the number of games where teams have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.</p> News & Comment Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/hunt-heads-to-aussie-rules-via-french-rugby-union-1805850.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/hunt-heads-to-aussie-rules-via-french-rugby-union-1805850.html <p> Australian rugby league star Karmichael Hunt has touched down at French rugby union club Biarritz in a move that leaves him one step closer to achieving a unique sporting treble. </p> News & Comment Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:28:09 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/the-phenomenon-of-british-rugby-and-its-rising-stars-1804876.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/the-phenomenon-of-british-rugby-and-its-rising-stars-1804876.html ]]> <p>Rugby, traditionally described as a game for hooligans played by gentlemen, is increasingly being taken up by women. </p> News & Comment Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-dodgy-run-but-well-still-have-a-laugh-at-bath-1804942.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-dodgy-run-but-well-still-have-a-laugh-at-bath-1804942.html <p>Rugby players are, in general, fair-weather fans of the press. When things are going well or when you know you've played well the day before, the coffee tables of recovering players are littered with every Sunday paper. When waking up after a loss, however, they are nowhere to be seen. Of course, we all hear celebrities claiming "I never read the papers" but none of us really believes them.</p> News & Comment Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-two-no9s-can-really-put-the-quick-into-quick-ball-1804242.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/brian-ashton-two-no9s-can-really-put-the-quick-into-quick-ball-1804242.html <p>Having enjoyed a succession of wonderful games last weekend, I felt a huge sense a gratitude to the Heineken Cup for reaching parts of me the Guinness Premiership has so far failed to reach.</p> News & Comment Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/mauger-advice-can-help-twelvetrees-to-stay-grounded-1804243.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/mauger-advice-can-help-twelvetrees-to-stay-grounded-1804243.html ]]> <p>There was no sign of Billy Twelvetrees at Leicester Forest Services the other morning. Inside WH Smith, though, on the back page of the Leicester Mercury, there was a photograph of the golden-haired new golden boy of the Leicester Tigers, next to the headline: "How Billy Rose to Tigers Hero." </p> News & Comment Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ian-mcgeechan-it-was-vital-this-year-for-the-lions-to-stay-competitive-1802674.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ian-mcgeechan-it-was-vital-this-year-for-the-lions-to-stay-competitive-1802674.html ]]> <p>There is a billboard on the London-bound platform of Ian McGeechan's local station peddling flights to South Africa. It's a journey he knows well and one that has very probably come to define him. It was a quarter of a century ago that he first embarked on it and only three months since he last made the return trip. Each time it has been as a Lion and each time he has come home with his reputation enhanced and the standing of the blood-red jersey that is so dear to him similarly burgeoned.</p> News & Comment Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/borthwick-embraces-expansion-of-players-union-1801898.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/borthwick-embraces-expansion-of-players-union-1801898.html ]]> <p>The England captain Steve Borthwick has given his approval to the expansion of the Professional Rugby Players' Association into a new organisation catering for players inside and outside the game's elite. </p> News & Comment Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/twelvetrees-its-a-dream-come-true-to-play-1801381.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/twelvetrees-its-a-dream-come-true-to-play-1801381.html ]]> <p>Leicester might have an injury list so lengthy they could start switching their home games across the road to the Royal Infirmary, but such is the way of things at the East Midlands sporting institution even a man of the match debut-day performance in the Heineken Cup can be no guarantee of selection. Billy Twelvetrees left the changing room at Welford Road yesterday clutching his trophy but wondering whether he would make the selection cut for the Italian job away to Viadana next Saturday.</p> News & Comment Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-play-hard-then-party-hard-ill-drink-to-that-1800951.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/david-flatman-play-hard-then-party-hard-ill-drink-to-that-1800951.html <p>Over the years the game has certainly changed. The blokes are bigger now, the training and analysis more precise and these elements combine to make the collisions more crushing and the expected workload more mountainous. Scrummaging is far more competitive than it used to be and the breakdown is now so littered with dos and do nots that the sheer concentration needed is mind-blowing. There are, however, some things that, we pray, will never change.</p> News & Comment Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-french-connections-let-kelleher-keep-his-sideshow-on-the-road-1800957.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ruck-and-maul-french-connections-let-kelleher-keep-his-sideshow-on-the-road-1800957.html <p>Toulouse's former All Black scrum-half Byron Kelleher has broadcast a rambling apology, available on YouTube, after being charged with drink-driving and affray. Kelleher had been out last month partying into the early hours when he rear-ended a Porsche and received bruising to an eye socket and a shoulder in an ensuing fight. How unlike our own dear French export, Jonny Wilkinson, who wouldn't say boo to a foie gras. However, Kelleher has friends in high places. He is dating Julie Noves, who happens to be the daughter of Toulouse's long-serving coach Guy, and the naughty No 9, whose former squeeze in New Zealand was a porn star, has returned to the side picked by his prospective father-in-law to face Sale in the Heineken Cup today. </p> News & Comment Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/james-haskell-theres-myth-and-magic-here-france-is-unique-1800478.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/james-haskell-theres-myth-and-magic-here-france-is-unique-1800478.html ]]> <p>Inhale deeply of Parisian air and you'll detect a distinct whiff of cordite as the most brash and colourful of all French clubs embark on a very personal European campaign.</p> News & Comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ospreys-ready-to-soar-1800480.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/ospreys-ready-to-soar-1800480.html ]]> <p> Another Heineken Cup arrives and so brings with it the usual group of punters who might just come to be classed in the mug category for piling their hard-earned on the Ospreys. </p> News & Comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100