Australia vs Scotland; it is the most unlikely of rugby rivalries. After losing 16 times in a row to Australia between 1982 and 2009, Scotland have now won three of the past six games between the two nations.

After Scotland suffered some heroic thrashings in those 27 years, not one match was remotely close and two, a 45-3 victory in Sydney in 1998 and a 44-15 shellacking at Murrayfield in 2006, were routs. The most recent six matches have all ended with very close score lines, with three being won by a single point and none by more than six points. Continue reading 'AUSTRALIA WARY OF SCOTLAND'»

Jacob Stockdale scored two tries as Ireland completed a clean sweep of wins in their autumn series by beating Argentina 28-19 at the Aviva Stadium. CJ Stander also crossed to help his side to a hard-earned seventh win in a row after a bruising Dublin encounter.

Ireland led 13-0 at half-time but Joaquin Tuculet, Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Ramiro Moyano scored after the break for the much improved visitors. Argentina have now failed to win in eight attempts on Irish soil. Continue reading 'IRELAND VICTORIOUS AGAINST ARGENTINA'»

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane feels that the departure of Neymar will not weaken Barcelona in the forthcoming season.

The Brazil international made a shock decision to leave the Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month after the French giants cough up a world-record £198m in order to pursue his signature.

Since then, the Catalan giants have been on pursuit for a suitable replacement and Zidane admits that their close rivals will only become stronger with whoever comes into the squad. Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Paris Saint-Germain’s Angel di Maria are some of the names propping up the Barcelona shortlist, and Zidane still insists that there is nobody like Neymar.

Prior to the first-leg of the Spanish Super Cup tie, he said: “Barcelona is not weak — just the opposite. They have had changes. But in the end, Barcelona is Barcelona. We know how they play, and this will not change. Neymar cannot be replaced — there is nobody like him. But whoever comes in will play very well too. If we think it will be easier [to face Barcelona without Neymar], we are mistaken. The Spanish Super Cup has a special value, and even more against Barcelona. It is a game against the best rival we have.” Continue reading 'Real Madrid coach expects Barcelona challenge despite Neymar Exit'»

George Ford and Jonny May have worked wonders in tandem for their new club, Leicester.

Ford, the fly-half, has set in motion a Tigers back-line that has reaped riches for the fast-moving wing May, who has scored 10 tries in his first nine games for the club. A reunion in England colours is in the offing at Twickenham on Saturday after May recovered from the hamstring strain that ruled him out of last weekend’s game against Argentina and was retained in the 25-man squad to take on Australia. Continue reading 'FORD READY FOR ACTION'»