European Rugby Previews

Forward power can help Castres pip Exeter in one of weekend’s most intriguing ties

Lure of All Black jersey no longer enough for Lima Sopoaga

Two-year deal worth over €1.7m proved irresistible for new Wasps outhalf

Champions Cup: Gerry Thornley's club-by-club guide

A look at the 20 sides in the 2018-19 Heineken Cup who are bidding for the ultimate prize

Lima Sopoaga: European money outweighs All Blacks jersey

Sopoaga has 16 New Zealand caps but signed lucrative two-year Wasps deal in January

Tadhg Furlong says French endgame showed Ireland's spirit

Result shows that Ireland ‘are going to work hard no matter how ominous the situation’

Tadhg Furlong’s tackle on Nadolo more than just a statistic

Prop prevented the monstrous Fijian winger from scoring a potential game-changing try

Montpellier back in the game with bonus-point win in Glasgow

Yellow cards prove costly for Scottish side in Pool 3 clash

Glasgow eager to finally get off the mark

Clash with fellow-strugglers Montpellier should prove an entertaining affair

Joey Carbery ready to seize his opportunity

Young Ireland star says he feels ‘very grateful and lucky’ to be starting against Fiji

Gerry Thornley: Leinster loss of Sexton a potential game-changer

Financial and physical juggernaut of Montpellier should prove very different challenge

Gerry Thornley’s Champions Cup pool-by-pool guide

Remorseless Saracens remain the team to beat but Leinster look equipped for long haul

Leinster brace for meeting financial monster Montpellier

Sean O’Brien and Isa Nacewa likely to be available for the Champions Cup opener

Pro14 derby days ideal preparation for Champions Cup forays

Leo Cullen says Leinster-Munster clash always a game to whet the appetite of players and fans

Lions draw series after gritty performance in final All Blacks Test

Steve Hansen’s side will walk away with more regrets after thrilling finale at Eden Park

Lions 2017: The highs and lows of the tour of New Zealand

From a miserable defeat to the Blues through to redemption in the Wellington rain

Lions carve out their own piece of history with drawn series

Warren Gatland’s side weather ferocious All Blacks storm to earn a 15-15 draw in Auckland

‘Biggest game ever’ for Lions as immortality beckons

New Zealand media’s treatment of Warren Gatland is disgraceful, says coach’s assistant

Lions have what it takes to claim immortality against All Blacks

The third test is the hardest, but Lions have tries in them if opportunities come

Letter from NZ: Hansen a voice of reason as pot is stirred down under

Panel on ‘Break Down’ can’t get over O’Brien decision and accuse Lions of spoiling tactics

New Zealand press react: SBW ban sparks rare selection debate

Kiwi media address Hansen’s midfield quandry with Gatland the weekend winner

Gordon D’Arcy: Shut down Smith, shut down the All Blacks

Lions’ ability to cut off the supply of quick ball at source laid the foundation to Wellington win

New Zealand 21 Lions 24: All Blacks player ratings

Sam Cane excelled but Beauden Barrett misfired and SBW tarnished his legacy

Lions back in the series as All Blacks see red

All Blacks reduced to 14-men in 25th minute as Sonny Bill Williams sent off

Gerry Thornley: All Blacks’ execution has to be seen to be believed

Individual brilliance from Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett sum up difference in skill

Lions frustrated with referee but were ultimately outclassed

O’Brien’s try threw the visitors a lifeline but New Zealand’s class told long before the end

No alarms and no surprises for All Blacks

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen happy for his side to get ‘down and dirty’ if required

All Blacks 30 Lions 15: New Zealand player ratings

Aaron Smith, Sam Cane and Kieren Read excel as New Zealand take a 1-0 series lead

All Blacks punish Lions in their garden of Eden

Tourists have their moments but Lions unable to live with All Blacks pace

European rugby draws: Familiar faces and foes for Irish sides

Donnacha Ryan set for quick return to Thomond Park with Racing 92; Leinster paired with English champions Exeter

All Blacks boosted as Ben Smith rebuffs overseas offers

New Zealand fullback and vice-captain re-signs until after 2019 World Cup in Japan

Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick return for All Blacks

Steve Hansen recalls fit again secondrows to beef up pack for rematch with Ireland

Rugby Stats: Expect more tactical kicking from All Blacks against Ireland

World champions likely to move away from running game employed in Soldier Field

New Zealand put Chicago behind them with 10-try thrashing of Italy

Conor O’Shea’s Azzurri side hit for 68 points in Rome

Conor O’Shea’s Azzurri face All Blacks on rebound from rare defeat

Preview: Italy v New Zealand, Olympic Stadium, Rome, kick-off 2pm

‘When it is needed, Conor Murray goes up another level’

Ireland scrumhalf shows he is outstanding all-rounder in victory over All Blacks

Ireland’s young guns come of age on Soldier Field

Next generation stand up to the All Blacks on field of dreams

Ireland 40 New Zealand 29: All Blacks player ratings

18 and out: Gaving Cummiskey rates Steve Hansen’s side after their first defeat of 2016

Southern Hemisphere ballast helps steady Ireland’s ship

Jared Payne and CJ Stander were facilitated by the disputed three-year residency rule

Dan Carter: ‘I never wanted to be part of first team to lose to Ireland’

Carter believes if All Blacks can negate Sexton, the hard work will be done

All Blacks paying Ireland plenty of respect

“You can’t be off on your game, because they’ll penalise you”

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