Gerard Meagher

2 days ago | theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher

Geoff Parling has been appointed as Leicester’s new head coach, bringing an end to a drawn out recruitment process to find Michael Cheika’s successor. Parling is currently employed as the Australia assistant coach but will return to Welford Road after this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour. The former second-row Parling, 41, spent six years at Leicester and will be a popular appointment among the Tigers faithful.

4 days ago | theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher

It took a trip across the border and an opponent with other things on their mind but Bristol stopped the recent rot with a bonus-point victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive. Their performance did not quite live up to all the pyrotechnics that adorned their Big Day Out at the Principality Stadium but six tries and a win over a second-string Bath side was enough to satisfy their supporters.

6 days ago | theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher

Henry Pollock has been included in the British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer, capping a remarkable rise for the Northampton back-rower, but there is no place for Owen Farrell or another former England captain Jamie George. Pollock, 20, is the standout name in Andy Farrell’s 38-man squad that, as revealed by the Guardian, is captained by Maro Itoje.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Gerard Meagher

Maro Itoje will be named captain of the British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia on Thursday, the Guardian understands. Itoje is set to become the first Englishman to lead the Lions in 24 years when he is unveiled as part of Andy Farrell’s squad announcement at a live event at the O2. Itoje, the England captain, became the overwhelming favourite for the role when it emerged Caelan Doris had suffered a shoulder injury last weekend that required surgery.

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Ugo Monye |Robert Kitson |Andy Bull |Gerard Meagher |Michael Aylwin

Ugo MonyeBuild the team around The majority of my spine players come in the pack. In some areas the leading candidate is a cut above the rest and none more so than Dan Sheehan at hooker. He’s nailed on as first choice. I’d put Maro Itoje in that bracket too and, due to lack of alternatives, I would’ve had Caelan Doris before news of his shoulder injury emerged. Perhaps the most important player is the one back I’ve selected in this category, however.