England flanker Armitage completes Toulon switch

2011-05-13T18:30:40Z

England international flanker Steffon Armitage on Friday became the latest player to quit the English Premiership when the London Irish star completed his move to big-spending French side Toulon.

Armitage was granted an early release from his contract having already agreed terms on a two-year deal at the Top 14 club, w...

England rugby star faces rap for alleged row

2011-01-19T12:30:35Z

England international Delon Armitage faces a misconduct charge from the Rugby Football Union for allegedly pushing a doping control officer, media reports said Wednesday.

It is alleged Trinidadian-born Armitage used threatening and/or abusive and obscene language towards the officer from UK Anti-Doping duri...

Quins stun Saints as Exiles' losing run continues

2011-01-01T18:30:21Z

Harlequins came from behind to become the first team to win at Premiership leaders Northampton this season with a hard-fought 16-13 success on Saturday.

Quins were 10-3 behind and down to 13 men at Franklin's Gardens after John Andress and England back-row Nick Easter had both been sent to th...

Wilkinson a 'genius', says Toulon skipper Van Niekerk

2010-12-12T18:30:44Z

Toulon captain Joe van Niekerk hailed England star Jonny Wilkinson as a "genius" after the fly-half kicked four penalties and a conversion in the French club's 19-13 European Cup win over London Irish.

"The guy is a genius," said the Steve Borthwick, who led England in the last Six Nations championship, has been left out of the 32-man elite squad for next season announced by national team manager Martin Johnson on Thursday.

The 30-year-old...

16-man Ospreys edge Tigers to reach last eight

2010-04-16T07:23:53Z

Welsh side Ospreys secured their third successive European Cup quarter-finals spot on Saturday as they beat two-time champions Leicester Tigers 17-12 in a thrilling clash.

The one try of the match came from Ospreys' Irish winger Tommy Bowe, who touched down for his seventh try of the pool phase to become just the second player after Northampton take on two-time winners Munster on Friday at the Irish side's Thomond Park fortress and try to reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup.

Elsewhere France are on the brink of securing four places in the last eight for the first time since th...

Two-try McCusker leads stunning Scarlets comeback

2010-04-16T07:34:38Z

Two tries in four minutes from flanker Rob McCusker allowed Welsh side Scarlets to stage a stunning comeback on Sunday and beat Pool Six rivals London Irish 31-22 in the European Cup.

The result did little, however, for either side's hopes of reaching the last eight as reigning champions Leinster, who travel to Twickenham

Toulouse progress to last eight in rugby, Saints go marching on

2010-04-16T07:34:32Z

Three-time European Cup winners Toulouse joined fellow French side Biarritz in the last eight of this season's tournament when they beat English side Harlequins 33-21 on Sunday in their Pool Five match.

Maxime Medard got their all-important fourth try - which gave them a bonus point and means they will top the pool whatever the results next weekend - against opponents that briefl...

Two-try McCusker leads Scarlets stunning comeback

2010-04-16T07:34:39Z

Two tries from flanker Rob McCusker in four minutes saw Welsh side Scarlets stage a stunning comeback on Sunday and beat Pool Six rivals London Irish 31-22 in the European Cup.

Victory did nothing really for either side's hopes of reaching the last eight as reigning champions Leinster, who travel to Twickenham to play Lo...

Clermont, Cardiff keep knockout hopes alive

2010-04-16T07:35:24Z

French side Clermont and last season's semi-finalists Cardiff stayed in the hunt for places in the last eight of the European Cup on Saturday with deserved victories.

Clermont outclassed previous Pool Three leaders Ospreys 27-7 in France to put them second behind new leaders Leicester, who trounced Italian side Viadana 47-8.

Clermont need...

Venter unleashes ref rant as Tigers tame Sarries

2010-04-16T07:57:43Z

Saracens coach Brendan Venter seems set to face disciplinary action after criticising the performance of referee David Rose following the English Premiership leaders' 22-15 loss away to Leicester.

Venter said Rose had been a different referee in the second half of Satur...

Ulster, London Irish braced for French rugby fury

2010-04-16T08:16:43Z

Ulster and London Irish will pin their European Cup quarter-final hopes on their brittle French opponents once again pressing the self-destruct button on Saturday.

Ulster's stunning 23-13 Pool 4 win over Stade Francais in Belfast last weekend was overshadowed by French pair Toulouse and Cardiff Blues with a 29-19 win on Sunday at Harlequins while French side Biarritz cast aside mediocre league form to batter Newport Dragons to maintain their perfect start.

Sale joined Cardiff on nine poi...

Leinster topple Scarlets as French suffer

2010-04-16T08:26:55Z

Holders Leinster scored a riproaring 32-7 win away to Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday to bolster their hopes of reaching the European Cup quarters.

After starting out their campaign with a loss to London Irish in Dublin Leinster had got thems...

Leinster flanker Jennings loses appeal for gouging

2010-04-16T09:41:50Z

Leinster's Shane Jennings has had his appeal against a 12-week ban for gouging dismissed by an independent committee here on Thursday.

The flanker was suspended until January 6 after he was found guilty of eye-gouging London Irish lock Nick Kennedy in a European Cup tie on October 9.

He will miss three Euro...

Ospreys edge Clermont, Stade stage fightback thriller

2010-06-11T21:44:54Z

Ospreys edged Clermont 25-24 in a nail-biting European Cup clash on Sunday in which the French club fought back from a 19-point deficit.

Tommy Bowe, Ryan Jones and Barry Davies scored five-pointers for the home side at Swansea's Munster and Leicester put Italian opponents to the sword on Saturday as American winger Takudzwa Ngwenya grabbed a stunning hat-trick to steer Biarritz closer to the quarter-finals.

Double champions Munster, defeated by Northampton in ...

Saracens go top of the table despite Borthwick loss

2010-04-16T10:06:59Z

Saracens recovered from the loss of injured England captain Steve Borthwick to move top of the Premiership table with a hard-fought 19-16 win over Gloucester on Sunday.

Gloucester led for much of the match but Saracens side into a "tribe" ahead of their opening English Premiership fixture this season against London Irish at Twickenham here on Saturday.

South African Venter, who previously had a spell at London Irish as player-coach, ...

England recall Wilkinson to rugby squad

2010-04-16T11:28:09Z

England on Tuesday left out Danny Cipriani and recalled Jonny Wilkinson in announcing their 32-strong Senior Elite Player squad unveiled by manager Martin Johnson and Elite rugby director Rob Andrew.

Johnson said the decision in getting the squad down to size had been difficult "because there is a great...

Steffon Armitage ready to prove international worth

2010-10-21T10:40:54Z

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England unveils rugby squad for Barbarians

2010-10-22T09:40:03Z

England coach Martin Johnson has handed first starts to six players in the squad to play the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.

Harlequins Chris Robshaw and Jordan Turner-Hall are named at blindside ...

No place for Cipriani in England rugby squad

2010-10-22T09:40:08Z

Danny Cipriani, the flyhalf once regarded as Jonny Wilkinson's natural heir, has been left out of England's squad for the upcoming home-and-away Tests against Argentina.

But 2003 World Cup-winning hooker

No place for Cipriani, as England recall Thompson

2010-10-22T09:40:07Z

Danny Cipriani, the flyhalf once regarded as Jonny Wilkinson's natural heir, has been left out of England's squad for the upcoming home-and-away Tests against Argentina.

But 2003 World Cup-winning hooker

Croft eyes Lions chance in English league finale

2010-06-12T12:08:15Z

England flanker Tom Croft has another chance to stake a claim for a place on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in Saturday's Premiership final at Twickenham.

The Leicester player was ...

London Irish hoping that Ryan Lamb can learn from their top Catt

2010-10-21T10:39:28Z

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Paulica Ion charged with shoring up London Irish's pack

2010-10-21T10:39:03Z

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Booth hails Catt

2010-10-21T10:39:06Z

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Ugo Monye has the heart of a Lion

2010-10-21T10:39:06Z

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Disappointed Delon Armitage's ready for 'biggest test'

2010-10-21T10:37:58Z

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Jones focused on play-offs

2010-10-21T10:37:32Z

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Saracens bring in new players

2010-10-21T10:37:15Z

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Sarries bring in new players

2010-10-21T10:37:12Z

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Exiles lose skipper Casey for six weeks

2010-10-21T10:33:58Z

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Lewis injury overshadows Gloucester win

2010-04-16T17:19:40Z

Gloucester were left facing a scrum-half injury crisis after coming from behind to regain top spot in the English Premiership with a 23-21 win over previous leaders London Irish at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Dave Lewis broke his ankle after the 19-year-old fell awkwardly after a fierce tackle by London Irish No 8 Chris ...

Warwick joins London Irish

2010-04-16T15:08:15Z

Australian back Paul Warwick has joined London Irish from Munster on a three-year contract, the English Premiership side announced Tuesday.

Warwick, 28, will join the current league leaders from the Irish province at the start of next season on a deal that will keep him with the Exiles until 2012.

A full-back...

Steffon Armitage gets England rugby call

2010-04-16T15:10:41Z

London Irish back-row Steffon Armitage, the brother of Test full-back Delon, was called up Monday into England's squad for the Six Nations after Lewis Moody was ruled out with a broken ankle.

England manager Mike Tindall and Mark Cueto were recalled to England's 32 man squad ahead of the Six Nations by team manager Martin Johnson on Wednesday.

Gloucester centre Tind...

Sale star Cueto hands England Six Nations reminder

2010-04-16T15:24:14Z

Sale winger Mark Cueto reinforced his Six Nations credentials in front of England coach Martin Johnson when he scored his team's only try in a 14-8 win over Premiership leaders London Iris...

RugbyU: Sale star Cueto hands England Six Nations reminder

2010-04-16T15:24:16Z

Sale winger Mark Cueto reinforced his Six Nations credentials in front of England coach Martin Johnson when he scored his team's only try in a 14-8 win over Premiership leaders London Iris...

Bath show their class to go top of rugby Premiership

2010-04-16T13:41:32Z

A couple of tries by South African scrum-half Michael Claassens saw Bath to a 25-14 victory over Northampton on Saturday and go top of the Premiership.

They benefited from previous leaders London Irish slipping up as they lost 16-13 to

Toby's jolly green giants

2010-10-21T10:29:49Z

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New deals for Exiles trio

2010-10-21T10:29:27Z

...

Sarries leave it late to feel safe in France

2010-10-21T10:28:54Z

...

A breath of fresh air on Red Rose backs with the label 'made in France'

2010-04-16T14:23:57Z

Wednesday night on the C&amp;ocirc;te d'Azur and two rugby coaches are prodding seven-year-old newspaper cuttings. "That's my son, fourth from the right in the front row. He played with Delon when he was down here," says Marc Balestriere. "Delon is at the back and that's his brother, Bevon, in the second row."

Balestriere and Stephane Nicouleau...

Armitage tackles his daunting debut and Delasau despite running on an empty stomach

2010-04-16T14:32:34Z

The first 52 minutes of Delon Armitage's England debut had been most assured: safe under every high ball despite the buffeting wind and rain, strong enough to stand up in the tackle and give England respite when they had their hands full of Polynesian muscle in the tentative, scruffy and accident-prone ...

Armitage takes his place on the biggest stage with the lead role in a gripping family saga

2010-04-16T14:34:37Z

Twickenham is not sold out for today's international but Delon Armitage's family have been doing their best. England's new cap at full-back is one of six siblings and his fan club ranges from his seven-year-old sister, Juanita, his baby son, Cameron, and his stepfather, John, to a host of delighted relatives an...

Smith launches England's charm offensive with emphasis on speed and mobility

2010-04-16T14:37:33Z

As Martin Johnson sat in a wood-panelled lounge in Bagshot this week, explaining his first selection as England's manager, there was a minor distraction outside. It turned out to be someone cleaning the windows with a squeegee - an appropriate metaphor if ever there was one. This new-look England coachi...

Johnson hands out four England rugby debuts

2010-04-16T14:59:30Z

England team manager Martin Johnson on Tuesday named four debutants - Delon Armitage, Ugo Monye, Riki Flutey and Nick Kennedy - in his starting side to face the Pacific Islands at Mathew Tait and Luke Narraway have both been ruled out of England's season-opening Test against the Pacific Islands at Twickenham this Saturday because of hamstring injuries.

Sale back Tait and

Exiles inflict another defeat on Quins

2010-10-21T10:25:55Z

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Monye replaces Simpson-Daniel in England rugby squad

2010-04-16T12:44:57Z

Harlequins wing Ugo Monye was called up Friday in place of injured Gloucester flyer James Simpson-Daniel into England's squad for their November Tests at Twickenham.

Simpson-Daniel, a leading contender for a wing berth in Danny Cipriani was drafted in to replace injured Jonny Wilkinson in the England squad for the autumn Tests, coach Martin Johnson announced on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old golden boy of English rugby was left out of Johnson's original 32-man squad b...

Rising rugby star Cipriani planning one step at a time

2010-04-16T16:58:53Z

Danny Cipriani has insisted he is not taking a return to the England squad for granted after coming through his first test since recovering from a serious ankle injury.

The flyhalf played for 51 minutes for his club Wasps in their 27-23 defeat by Bath on Wednesday evening, his first match since breaking and dislocating his right ankle in May.

Cipriani's quic...

Fired-up Staunton has Wasps in a spin

2010-10-21T10:24:15Z

...

Bath prove experimental laws no barrier to attack

2010-04-16T13:12:03Z

Bath boss Steve Meehan has vowed that his side will continue to put the emphasis on attacking rugby after a five-try demolition of Worcester lifted his squad into second place in the English Premiership table.

Experimental law variations (ELVs) introduced by the International Rugby Board have been...

Edwards tests his young stars' mettle

2010-10-21T10:23:12Z

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Wasps not panicking, insists Lol

2010-10-21T10:23:00Z

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Exiles sign up Elvis

2010-10-21T10:20:15Z

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Johnson wields the axe as Tindall, Kay and Strettle head England absentees

2010-04-16T16:59:10Z

Mike Tindall and Ben Kay have been dropped from the senior England squad announced by new team manager Martin Johnson. However, the former New Zealand Maori Riki Flut...

New England manager Johnson to tackle bad boys with new code

2010-10-21T10:17:14Z

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Johnson axes World Cup winners Tindall and Kay - but Lewsey and Wilkinson are back in the England fold

2010-10-21T10:17:07Z

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Hodgson handed keys to No 10 again as exile finally over

2010-10-19T17:15:55Z

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Easter to captain England against the Barbarians at Twickenham

2010-10-19T17:16:00Z

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Barkley's horror at tackle that did for Wasps fly half Cipriani

2010-10-19T17:15:07Z

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Borthwick will skipper Johnson's new England team in New Zealand

2010-10-19T17:14:32Z

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Catt's cunning needed to beat Catalan giants

2010-10-19T12:54:05Z

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Geraghty suffers injury

2010-10-19T10:10:35Z

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Tiger Crane to captain England Saxons

2010-10-19T10:09:14Z

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Sarries set for home clash

2010-10-16T19:42:13Z

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Clubs sign long-term deal

2010-10-16T19:41:37Z

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Freshwater cited following clash with Roche

2010-10-16T19:40:02Z

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Perpignan prop Freshwater cited

2010-10-16T19:40:02Z

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Samoa star signs new Exiles deal

2010-10-16T19:39:23Z

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Catt signs Irish deal

2010-10-13T21:58:23Z

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Warriors swoop for Collins

2010-10-15T10:22:45Z

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Sarries move to third

2010-10-12T20:30:03Z

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Richards to rejoin Exiles

2010-10-15T10:22:35Z

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Exiles put boot in to Bristol

2010-10-15T10:21:37Z

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Injuries spoil Exiles win

2010-10-13T15:43:01Z

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Rugby Union - Worcester Warriors v London Irish Guinness Premiership

2010-04-09T15:53:27Z

Rugby Union - Worcester Warriors v London Irish Guinness Premiership - Sixways - 25/4/09..London Irish's Chris Hala'Ufia (R) feeds Bob Casey (C) as he is tackled by Worcester Warriors'

Rugby Union - Sale Sharks v London Irish Guinness Premiership

2010-04-10T03:00:16Z

Rugby Union - Sale Sharks v London Irish Guinness Premiership - Edgeley Park - 9/1/09..London Irish's Steffon Armitage (C) tackles Sale Sharks Mark C...

Rugby Union - Saracens v London Irish Guinness Premiership

2010-04-11T02:40:37Z

Rugby Union - Saracens v London Irish Guinness Premiership - Vicarage Road - 27/12/08..Saracens' Steve Borthwick

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Rugby Union - London Irish v Neath

2010-04-11T05:13:06Z

Rugby Union - London Irish v Neath-Swansea Ospreys EDF Energy Cup Pool Stage Matchday Three Group C - Madejski Stadium - 2/11/08..Paul Hodgson (C) of London Irish in action

Copyrig...

Rugby Union - London Irish v Gloucester Rugby Guinness Premiership

2010-04-11T09:47:16Z

Rugby Union - London Irish v Gloucester Rugby Guinness Premiership - Madejski Stadium - 20/12/08..Gloucetser's Alex Brown (L) in action with

News on London Irish

England flanker Armitage completes Toulon switch

England rugby star faces rap for alleged row

Quins stun Saints as Exiles' losing run continues

Wilkinson a 'genius', says Toulon skipper Van Niekerk

16-man Ospreys edge Tigers to reach last eight

Two-try McCusker leads stunning Scarlets comeback

Toulouse progress to last eight in rugby, Saints go marching on

Two-try McCusker leads Scarlets stunning comeback

Clermont, Cardiff keep knockout hopes alive

Venter unleashes ref rant as Tigers tame Sarries

Ulster, London Irish braced for French rugby fury

Leinster topple Scarlets as French suffer

Leinster flanker Jennings loses appeal for gouging

Ospreys edge Clermont, Stade stage fightback thriller

Saracens go top of the table despite Borthwick loss

England recall Wilkinson to rugby squad

Steffon Armitage ready to prove international worth

England unveils rugby squad for Barbarians

No place for Cipriani in England rugby squad

No place for Cipriani, as England recall Thompson

Croft eyes Lions chance in English league finale

London Irish hoping that Ryan Lamb can learn from their top Catt

Paulica Ion charged with shoring up London Irish's pack

Booth hails Catt

Ugo Monye has the heart of a Lion

Disappointed Delon Armitage's ready for 'biggest test'

Jones focused on play-offs

Saracens bring in new players

Sarries bring in new players

Exiles lose skipper Casey for six weeks

Lewis injury overshadows Gloucester win

Warwick joins London Irish

Steffon Armitage gets England rugby call

Sale star Cueto hands England Six Nations reminder

RugbyU: Sale star Cueto hands England Six Nations reminder

Bath show their class to go top of rugby Premiership

Toby's jolly green giants

New deals for Exiles trio

Sarries leave it late to feel safe in France

A breath of fresh air on Red Rose backs with the label 'made in France'

Armitage tackles his daunting debut and Delasau despite running on an empty stomach

Armitage takes his place on the biggest stage with the lead role in a gripping family saga

Smith launches England's charm offensive with emphasis on speed and mobility

Johnson hands out four England rugby debuts

Exiles inflict another defeat on Quins

Monye replaces Simpson-Daniel in England rugby squad

Rising rugby star Cipriani planning one step at a time

Fired-up Staunton has Wasps in a spin

Bath prove experimental laws no barrier to attack

Edwards tests his young stars' mettle

Wasps not panicking, insists Lol

Exiles sign up Elvis

Johnson wields the axe as Tindall, Kay and Strettle head England absentees

New England manager Johnson to tackle bad boys with new code

Johnson axes World Cup winners Tindall and Kay - but Lewsey and Wilkinson are back in the England fold

Hodgson handed keys to No 10 again as exile finally over

Easter to captain England against the Barbarians at Twickenham

Barkley's horror at tackle that did for Wasps fly half Cipriani

Borthwick will skipper Johnson's new England team in New Zealand

Catt's cunning needed to beat Catalan giants

Geraghty suffers injury

Tiger Crane to captain England Saxons

Sarries set for home clash

Clubs sign long-term deal

Freshwater cited following clash with Roche

Perpignan prop Freshwater cited

Samoa star signs new Exiles deal

Catt signs Irish deal

Warriors swoop for Collins

Sarries move to third

Richards to rejoin Exiles

Exiles put boot in to Bristol

Injuries spoil Exiles win

Rugby Union - Worcester Warriors v London Irish Guinness Premiership

Rugby Union - Sale Sharks v London Irish Guinness Premiership

Rugby Union - Saracens v London Irish Guinness Premiership

Rugby Union - London Irish v Neath

Rugby Union - London Irish v Gloucester Rugby Guinness Premiership