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Why the haka is integral to theatre of rugby

Don’t banish the Read

Martin Johnson can't transform England on his own

There’s an element of God returning to his heaven at Twickenham this weekend as Martin Johnson leads England into battle for the first time since his investiture as team manager seven months ago. Read

RFU has to offer support if it wants a full-time Division One

The same famous, nay infamous, negotiating skills that meant the Rugby Football Union took a barely credible 13 years since the advent of professionalism to reach agreement with England’s top clubs have been in evidence once again. Read

Changing rugby's format needs central funding

The current relationship between full-time and part-time rugby had less than a month to run in its existing format. Read

Situation normal as confusion reigns at the RFU

I’ve been so preoccupied with Experimental Law Variations and referees recently it’s been some time since I had a proper moan about the impasse concerning the First Division. Read

Three-day rugby weekend could be a winner

This week sees four games in four games and four chances to note just how quickly summer can pass straight through autumn and end up in the bowels of winter. Read

RFU should resist calls for appeal system

How long will it be before rugby union follows in the footsteps of most American sports and tennis with the implementation of an appeal system? Read

ELVs mean we have to give the rugby referee a break

Brian Dick considers the tough job faced by rugby referees, especially with the introduction of Experimental Law Variations. Read

ELVs knocking Rugby off its feet

It was not my intention to grumble about ELVs, fresh directives or indeed anything to do with referees this week. The topic has been extensively covered in the build up to the new season. Read

Our game should still survive the ELVs attack

Rugby Correspondent Brian Dick pores over the new Experimental Laws Variations and wonders if they might not be so bad, after all. Read

Longer season will help us get used to new rugby rules

Brian Dick prepares for the first whistle of a long, long rugby season. Read

Barry saga damaging goodwill at Villa

Martin O’Neill Wednesday, July 30 2008, just after tea-time: “Naturally we’re all absolutely delighted that Gareth will be staying at Villa Park and relieved to find a resolution and closure to this saga.“Liverpool were informed that the deadline came and passed. Now we can all look forward to the coming season with relief, anticipation and ambition.”Martin O’Neill Saturday, August 2 2008, just before tea-time: “Gareth and his agent came in to say they still felt Liverpool could do the deal. I gave it some thought and realised at the end of it all there is little point in pretending.“Gareth wants to join Liverpool. Therefore, there will be no deadline. Liverpool have got all the time in the world to raise the money.” Read

Sport neglecting the big green issues

There are not many weekends during the summer when I pine for the football and rugby seasons and the daily frustrations they bring. Read

RFU puts money first in play-off sideshow

Two of Worcester's four Premiership campaigns have come down to final-day deciders, showing it is possible to provide end-of-season thrills without compromising the integrity of the Guinness Premiership. Read

Worcester Warriors: This time it's personal

As a rule I don't subscribe to persecution complexes. Read

Don't change rugby's laws for TV's sake

Rugby Correspondent Brian Dick fears the TV-led drive towards basketball-isation is behind some unwise tinkering with the laws. Read

My Midlands rugby Select XV of the season

Rugby Correspondent Brian Dick agonises over his selection for the Midlands League One team of the season. Read

Pertemps Bees - will they, won't they survive?

Pertemps Bees head to Goldington Road this weekend looking to expedite an Escape that would not be so much Great as downright miraculous. Read

Pertemps Bees fighting for their future

'Basement battle' doesn't even begin to describe this Saturday's colossal match between Pertemps Bees and Sedgley Tigers. Read

Right time to strengthen English coaching

Last weekend's round of European matches, in the Heineken Cup and the Challenge Ashtray, produced not just some surprise results, decent spectacles and the most bizarre decision of the season but some pretty useful grist to the Rugby Football Union's mill as well. Read