In Simon Hammersley’s latest column for TRU, the Newcastle Falcon discusses their beginning to the campaign, his fellow Premiership full-backs, rotation in a squad and the special East Midlands derby this weekend.
With European rugby set to return in a couple of weeks, Scottish correspondent Gary Heatly attended the Heineken Champions Cup launch in Dublin and he chatted to both Glasgow and Edinburgh ahead of the new campaign.
RC Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal said he will neither appeal nor pay the fine of €75,000 handed by the European Professional Club Rugby following his comments during the last season.
Fiji international Leone Nakarawa has been named EPCR European Player of the Year 2018 for leading his side Racing 92 into the final of the Champions Cup where they were edged out by Leinster at San Mames Stadium.
Leinster came from behind and managed to edge out Racing 92 15-12 in a thrilling final at San Mames Stadium on Saturday to clinch the European Champions Cup title.
Ireland international Fergus McFadden will miss the European Champions Cup final for Leinster against Racing 92 at San Mames Stadium on Saturday following an injury.
Teddy Thomas scored a double while Maxime Machenaud contributed with 20 points as Racing Metro progressed to the final of the European Champions Cup after beating Munster 27-22 in the semi-final in Bordeaux.
A clinical performance from Leinster saw them progress to the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup with a 38-16 triumph over Scarlets at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
Leigh Halfpenny contributed with 19 points as Scarlets completed a 29-17 win over La Rochelle at Parc y Scarlets to book a berth in the semi-final of the European Champions Cup.
Saracens have stated that they will give England international Owen Farrell time until Friday to prove his fitness ahead of the all-important European Champions Cup quarter-final clash against Leinster to be played at Aviva Stadium.