In 1997, club were in administration — nearly 30 years on, the Super League team have won a Treble and are one game away from being crowned best in the world

Anything other than a Six Nations grand slam would be failure for nation that has underdelivered in recent years despite talent available to Fabien Galthié

Rugby may ignore the Spanish national team but Joel Merkler cannot be dismissed, having been key cog in Top 14 club’s domestic domination and European success

The Springboks were out for revenge when they took on France in Colombes in 1961 but two sides at their peak failed to trouble scoreboard

From a near-fatal aftershave incident to captaining a boat bought from a Russian spy, ex-England lock Maurice Colclough had enough adventures to fill several memoirs

Sam Davies, who experienced fleeting fame as a Wales fly half, on shaking off career stagnation and why Saturday’s Pro D2 final is ‘like an international’

Former flanker Joe Worsley, who spent years coaching in France, commentates for FR-UK, a YouTube channel bringing second-division action to British audience

Former flanker Joe Worsley, who spent years coaching in France, commentates for FR-UK, a YouTube channel bringing second-division action to British audience

Bordeaux, once a home to French footballing superstars, can win their first major trophy if they beat Northampton Saints in Saturday’s Champions Cup final

With the Red Roses and Australia dominating in union and league respectively, this may be the perfect time to bring them together in ‘Clash of the Codes’ reanimation

With the Red Roses and Australia dominating in union and league respectively, this may be the perfect time to bring them together in ‘Clash of the Codes’ reanimation

Culture clashes, financial woes and struggles of overseas stars including Owen Farrell have put the French capital’s clubs Stade Francais and Racing 92 in danger

Culture clashes, financial woes and struggles of overseas stars including Owen Farrell have put the French capital’s clubs Stade Francais and Racing 92 in danger

Wales have a history of summoning fire to ruin English title bids, but building long-term success takes pragmatism and foresight

Wales’ 15 defeats in a row is the kind of run that can stick with a team, just ask coach Greg Johnson, whose Prairie View college American football team went winless for almost nine years

Wales’ 15 defeats in a row is the kind of run that can stick with a team, just ask coach Greg Johnson, whose Prairie View college American football team went winless for almost nine years

In India film stars like Shah Rukh Khan own cricket teams and Virat Kohli is married to an actress, but Bollywood is yet to make the cutthrough in to the western market

In India film stars like Shah Rukh Khan own cricket teams and Virat Kohli is married to an actress, but Bollywood is yet to make the cutthrough in to the western market

A once-common migration of French rugby stars to England has dwindled. With 30 professional clubs in France, and a perceived golden age for the sport, is the allure of the Premiership fading?

There is a rich history of Britons playing across the Channel but not all arrived as a world champion like Jonny Wilkinson, many existed without fanfare

Although the former England captain’s time at Racing 92 has not got off to a flyer due to injuries, other exports may be playing themselves into Lions contention

17-year-old fan favourite in sight of the ultimate prize after making light work of Stephen Bunting in dominant 6-1 win at PDC World Championship

Last year’s World Darts Championship finalist has excelled when it comes to hitting trebles at Alexandra Palace – but his ability to land doubles may cost him

The 17-year-old makes wayward start to second-round match at World Darts Championship but improves markedly to win 3-1 against Ryan Meikle

Ambitious Championship club have applied to rejoin English rugby’s top tier and are considering challenging the RFU if their pathway is blocked

Ambitious Championship club have applied to rejoin English rugby’s top tier and are considering challenging the RFU if their pathway is blocked

Harsh times have been abundant for Association Sportive Béziers Hérault over the past 40 years but under new ownership there are now hopes of a return to France’s top division

Harsh times have been abundant for Association Sportive Béziers Hérault over the past 40 years but under new ownership there are now hopes of a return to France’s top division

Welsh side’s violent but magical win over the French giants — weeks after a 100-point drubbing — is a reminder of the lost magic of home-and-away European rugby

Welsh side’s violent but magical win over the French giants — weeks after a 100-point drubbing — is a reminder of the lost magic of home-and-away European rugby

Years before the Heineken Cup, teams would travel across Europe for diplomatic affairs, bonhomie and everything in between – with bruising and chaotic results

Years before the Heineken Cup, teams would travel across Europe for diplomatic affairs, bonhomie and everything in between – with bruising and chaotic results

Years before the Heineken Cup, teams would travel across Europe for diplomatic affairs, bonhomie and everything in between – with bruising and chaotic results