Alex Bywater

2 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Alex Bywater |Nik Simon

At the luxurious Campus training centre in Quinta do Lago on Wednesday, the locals turning up for their padel and tennis matches and Pilates sessions were shocked at what they found. Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, already preparing for pre-season with Eddie Howe’s side on the Algarve, looked especially surprised at the increased security as he headed for a kickabout. But this is what happens when the British & Irish Lions are in town. Everything goes up a notch.

3 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Alex Bywater

At the entrance to Sale Sharks' Carrington training centre, a slogan is painted on the wall to remind those who visit of the club's ethos and values. Part of it reads: 'A team. A community. A family.'And as Rob, Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez can readily attest to, the Sharks absolutely do live and breathe by those words. Since 2019, Sale has been not only a team, but also a community and family for the three Springbok brothers. Soon, however, there will be a parting of ways.

3 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Alex Bywater

In an all-time Premiership classic, Bath’s treble dream stayed alive as they sealed a place in English club rugby’s domestic final for the second straight season. Johann van Graan’s side have been the best team in the country this term and have also won the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup. Now, they are only one game away from a third trophy after surviving a significant scare by Bristol who played some scintillating attacking rugby. This really was a brilliant encounter.

3 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Alex Bywater

When you've beaten cancer at 21, been made redundant and bounced back to become a Premiership star and potential England international seven years later, perspective tends to come your way. Joe Batley's story is remarkable. And as we sit down, another page is written as he is named in the Premiership team of the season following a breakthrough campaign for the Bristol Bears lock.

3 weeks ago | msn.com | Alex Bywater

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