Chris Foy

1 week ago | dailymail.co.uk | Chris Foy

After Brive's tense victory over Provence maintained their quest for promotion to the Top 14, the post-match talk turned to how they might commemorate a Lions call-up for their iconic import, Courtney Lawes. Standing in front of the tunnel at Stade Amedee-Domenech, club president Thierry Blandinieres and the Englishman he succeeded, Simon Gillham, were full of enthusiasm.

1 week ago | dailymail.co.uk | Chris Foy

During his formative playing stint at Auch in France's second tier, Tom Harrison learned the Gallic mantra which is as true now as ever before: 'Pas de melee, pas de victoire' – 'No scrum, no win.'That philosophy is particularly relevant to England's recent fortunes. Last year, set-piece struggles were a factor in the national team's agonising series of narrow defeats.

1 week ago | dailymail.co.uk | Chris Foy

There will be one additional job in Andy Farrell’s in-tray on this summer’s Lions tour of Australia – after the head coach agreed to publish an autobiography upon the team’s return. Farrell has already started working on the early sections of the book, entitled ‘Being Myself’, due to hit the shelves before he returns to his role with Ireland for the autumn series.

2 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Chris Foy

When players are found guilty of dangerous defending, they are sent to tackle school, so it is time for coaches found guilty of abusing referees to be sent to officiating school – to understand the complexities of an impossible job. This chronic issue for the sport is in the spotlight again because Steve Diamond has been handed a six-match ban for targeting officials with 'utterly unacceptable' abuse following his Newcastle side's defeat at Exeter last month.

3 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Chris Foy

The people have spoken. The response has been emphatic. Since news broke that Spain want to host the 2035 men's World Cup, there has been a deluge of support – rightly so. Imagine a final at the redeveloped, iconic, 105,000-capacity Nou Camp in Barcelona. Yes, please. It ticks all the boxes, but it might have to be part of a shared event. Italy have been waiting patiently for their moment too, as a fixture in the establishment these days.