#Danny Cipriani

The new Gallagher Premiership Rugby season kicks off on Friday with an enthralling encounter that sees Saracens begin life back in the top-flight against Bristol Bears following their promotion at the end of last term. Bristol Bears against Saracens gets underway at 7:45pm at Ashton Gate before an action-packed weekend of Premiership…

It is 67 years since a Wales team travelled to Colombes on the north-west edge of Paris and denied the hosts a Grand Slam. Since then, on four occasions when the Grand Slam has been on the line on home turf, France have converted their chance to win the clean sweep. England will have to overturn recent form as well as decades-old history to win on…

A walking wounded Gloucester Rugby side head to the Stade de Gerland on Sunday to take on French Top 14 side Lyon in the opening round of the European Heineken Champions Cup. The Cherry and Whites have been badly hit by injuries in the last week and turn their attention to Europe having won just their opening game in the Gallagher Premiership,…

has revealed his agony at missing out on his World Cup dream. But the Sale playmaker has vowed to stay fit and ready if called upon by his country. As expected, the fly-half was the big name casualty as Stuart Lancaster finally announced his 31-man squad for next month's greatest show on earth. The England head coach did find room for former who…

Next weekend, the 2022 edition of European rugby's treasured showpiece begins and there is huge expectation of a classic Six Nations campaign. Sportsmail's panel of experts - columnists Sir Clive Woodward, Danny Cipriani and Andy Nicol, along with former Wales coach and captain Rob Howley and former Ireland full back Geordan Murphy - debate the…

JAPAN have stunned Germany to win 2-1 after a sensational fight back! Super subs Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano both scored as Japan pulled off an incredible victory. Before the game, German stars made a gesture to Fifa by all covering their mouths in a "silenced" protest at not be being allowed to wear the OneLove rainbow armband. Result: Germany 1…

Joe Heyes returns from England duty to start for Leicester Tigers against Bath on Saturday afternoon (3pm). The 22-year-old tighthead prop was released from Eddie Jones' squad having not featured in the first two rounds of the Six Nations, while Ollie Chessum, George Ford, Ellis Genge, Freddie Steward and Ben Youngs were retained. Heyes' cover…

The 2022-23 Gallagher Premiership season kicks off on Friday with a west country derby between Bristol and Bath at Ashton Gate. It is the 26th Premiership campaign, and 11-time champions Leicester will defend the crown they won after a thrilling Twickenham final against Saracens. Here, the PA news agency looks at the 13 runners and riders,…

Bottom of the pile last season but with Johann van Graan's arrival comes a degree of optimism that things will improve. At the very least supporters can expect more commitment than was shown in the humiliating defeat by Gloucester in April and in Chris Cloete, Dave Attwood and Quinn Roux, the South African coach has added some heft to his forwards.…