Having conquered Europe with Toulouse, Spain prop Joel Merkler has even bigger fish to fry – at the 2027 Rugby World Cup

When Sir Alex Ferguson signed Nani for Manchester United in 2007, the first thing he wanted to know was whether the young Portuguese winger had the mentality required to succeed in the Premier League.

With Antoine Dupont restored, les Bleus are justified favourites to defend their crown

Laden with talent, the ever-improving Azzurri are closing the gap on the major powers

Benetton wing Louis Lynagh wants to spur Italy to further success after downing his father’s nation Australia in the autumn

Centre Fraser Dingwall has fought his way to the top of the England pecking order and the Northampton Saint now has his eye on a Six Nations Grand Slam