Joe Schmidt lost his way with Ireland but Australian resurrection shows his improvement as a coach
Australia head coach has put a lifetime of learning into rebuilding the Wallabies and restoring their self-belief
Matt Williams: The Wallabies have answered insults and pettiness in the only way possible
Joe Schmidt can take a bow after Australia exploited a Springbok vulnerability in a way no other team has been able to
Springboks’ new approach is great news for the game of rugby
Encounter with Springboks at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, will be daunting task for Joe Schmidt’s squad
Matt Williams: Never mind the naysayers, the Lions tour of Australia was a big success
This Lions tour is subject to a false narrative, but the numbers don’t lie
Matt Williams: Lions’ incessant moaning has helped Australian rugby but it’s hard to see a home win in Sydney
Officiating errors have denied us the drama of a series decider in the third Test
Lions’ classless act had the hallmark of imperialists touring their convict colony
Stance on Pete Samu and unwillingness to give back to host nation makes touring party unpopular with locals
Matt Williams: Charmless Lions have put on a masterclass in how not to win friends since landing in Australia
Lions are overwhelming favourites to win test series, but a nation is willing them to fail
Matt Williams: Owen Farrell could prove a clever pick for the Lions
Australia must try something abominable against Andy Farrell’s team
Matt Williams: Lions’ insulting attitude is nicely stoking Australian pride
There’s been a whiff of rugby imperialism from the so-called home nations. Joe Schmidt may yet teach them a lesson
Matt Williams: It’s vital for Australia that the Lions play with style
It’s galling that some commentators portray the British and Irish Lions as brave underdogs
Matt Williams: Lions can’t afford to be infected by Irish rugby’s sense of entitlement against resurgent Australia
Wallabies have made significant progress since the disaster of World Cup 2023
Matt Williams: Bulls have a simple, winning game plan, and Leinster must simply smash it
Like Genghis Khan, the South African game is not very likeable, but bloody effective. Leinster need to hit hard and put the pressure back on the Bulls
Matt Williams: Unless Leinster’s defence wake up they will be left dreaming of what might have been
Deeper commitment to physical processes of defending is needed if they are to lift this year’s URC title
Matt Williams: Irish rugby should value the URC above the faltering Champions Cup
Many cling to memories of an era that has now passed, wrongly obsessed with the bisected remains of a once-great competition
Matt Williams: Decision to abandon men’s Sevens programme has shattered the dreams of generations of players
Irish rugby administrators wasted years resisting the eyecatching format and now they have dashed the hopes of another generation