WHOOP wants sleep. Sport demands sacrifice. A witty look at recovery scores, late-night fixtures and the beautifully irrational life of a fan.

June asked a lot of rugby union, and on the whole, the sport delivered; though not without its now-familiar blemishes creeping back into view at the worst possible moments.

For Talking Rugby Union, grassroots rugby has always been about more than just what happens on the pitch. It’s about friendships, memories, shared stories, and clubs that become part of the fabric of a community.

Chris Heal speaks to several people involved in community rugby as the situation around the lower levels of the game continues to be discussed.

Gallagher ambassador Ugo Monye chatted exclusively to TRU about the importance of grassroots rugby.