Wales

The draw for the 2015 Rugby World Cup has been made

Rugby in the northern hemisphere is power based. Fear of defeat outweighs ambition. This has been starkly proved in the Autumn Series.

Here is my Autumn International Test Rugby Review following the weekend, from a New Zealand perspective.

"Rugby may have many problems but the gravest is undoubtedly that of the persistence of summer..."

The rugby world has witnessed the dramatic progression of the Welsh Dragons from underdogs to world beaters in the making in the last 12 months.

Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland has been viewed by many as the future number 10 for his region and for Wales after he forced his way into the national side's starting XV ahead of Wales' record cap holder Stephen Jones last year.

Michael Owen: Monthly Blog on the Summer Tests and Scotland's ambitions

The June International Matches leaves me wondering if there should be a Northern vs Southern Hemisphere rugby series at the end of the year, so some players who are injured now would still be available.

After initially rising to 4th place, Wales have now slipped behind England and France to 6th place in the latest IRB World Rankings as a result of their 3-0 series defeat to Australia in June.

When Gareth Delve received the call from Rob Howley last week to replace the injured Toby Faletau in the Wales squad for the remainder of their tour of Australia, the Cardiff-born back-rower must have been thinking 'here we go again'.

Despite the recent retirement of Wales' all-time leading try-scorer, former IRB International Player of the Year and one of the greatest players in the history of Welsh rugby, Warren Gatland's Wales have coped remarkably well on the wings without Japan bound Shane Williams.

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa each recorded their second wins of the summer against northern hemisphere tourists.

It was announced in 2010 that the 'Home Nations' would be reacquainted with the traditional summer tours to the Southern Hemisphere...

Here is my June International Rugby tests Team of Week One.

The June International test matches between Southern and Northern Hemisphere teams looks set to be closer than expected in 2012.

With the British and Irish Lions 2013 tour to Australia countdown now less than a year away, we thought at Talking Rugby Union we would publish our British and Irish Lions teams we would play.

Michael Owen: Monthly Blog on London Welsh and the Lions

After eight previous stops, in five continents, over six months; the 13th World Sevens Series reached its final destination at the home of English rugby.

'One after the other.' A short and simple statement that tells you all you need to know about Ian Evans' desperately unlucky record with injuries.

After reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in New Zealand last year, Wales went on to win the Six Nations Championship and the Grand Slam...