January 2001 – watch this face – David Flatman (Saracens & England), Huw Harries (Bridgend), Adrian Thompson (England’s first full-time sevens manager), Dean Ryan (Newcastle & England), the league invasion by Ian Stafford, the Lord of the manor – Shaun Rusk chats with Francis Baron (chief executive of the RFU), Ian Stafford talks with Andy Blyth of Sale who was paralysed in March 2000 and is firmly on the mend, Katie Coker in conversation with Welsh hooker Garin Jenkins, Gary Baker meets former Bath & England A hooker Gary French, Scotland & Lions prop Tom Smith reveals that he suffers with epilepsy, meet Kiwi Glenn Ross – coach of Sale, Gary Baker chats with David Corkery (Cork Constitution, Munster, Bristol and Ireland), focus on New Zealand, world news, focus on Arabian Gulf, fitness with Darren Grewcock (Fitness Editor), Tetley’s Team of the Month – Longton, club round-up including spotlights on Blackheath, Middlesbrough, Workington, Wells, Castle Cary, Banbury Bulls, Luton, Great Western Railway (Ealing) & Hertford, schools rugby with Huw S Thomas, Schools Team of the Month – Whitgift, Mizuno Schools Player of the Month – Rhodri Gomer Davies (Llandovery College), fixtures for December and January, quiz time – 50 questions, treasure our precious cup – the Tetley’s Bitter Cup should be given pride of place agues Frank Keating.

February 2001 – - town and gown – Alan Pearey reports on a unique partnership in Manchester, Chris Sumner – triumph over adversity – Katherine MacAlister meets Chris Sumner a young man coming to terms with serious injury, NSPCC Andes Challenge – go on a star trek – Fancy trekking with Victor Ubogu? – Gavin Mortimer reports, Trinidad Sevens – Scot’s heatwave as Rugby World reports from the hot side of the planet, hotshots – Simon Webster (Northampton & Scotland Under 19), Graeme Morrison (Dollar Academy) and Paul Sackey (London Irish), Iain Balshaw – the England full back talks with Shaun Rusk about then, now and the future, Dan Baugh – Gary Baker talks with Cardiff’s hard Canadian openside flanker, Jim Thorp – the Rotherham prop tells Katie Coker why he loves being a high flier, speed demon – a year ago Dan Luger was down and out injured and unhappy but now back as a winning winger with England he tells Ian Stafford the highs and lows, the great divide closed for England – there is a new realism and maturity about Martin Johnson’s side that bodes well says Mick Cleary, leading the Tiger charge in Europe – Ian Stafford meets the ABC club – Leicester’s front row, crunch time – with a Heineken Cup quarter final at state when they face Llanelli this month, it’s “do or Dai” for Gloucester as Katie Coker assesses the mood at Kingsholm, doubting Thomas – Wales’ Arwel Thomas is a talented fly half but after his display against the Boks does he still have the stomach for test rugby – Ian Stafford found out, the dirty dozen – we’ve had it all in the past 12 months: strikes, shocks, stitch-ups and dodgy Grandads – Rugby World reports on a rugby year that has taken the fans on a roller-coaster ride, new kids on the block – Jim Connell meet Simon Taylor, Alan Bulloch and Jonathan Steel – three new names will be out to impress for Scotland in the Six Nations, staying power – Mike Aylwin talks with Saracens’ owner Nigel Wray who, after five years of becoming Saracens’ owner, is still throwing his heart and soul (and his money) into making a success of professional rugby in Watford and beyond, the easy jet-set life suits Tony – Jon Newcombe takes a flight of fancy with former England wing-turned-pilot Tony Underwood, just when you thought it was safe…Jeff Wilson has returned after a six-month break to strike fear into the hearts of opposition backs – Keith Quinn reports, focus on Bermuda – Alan Peary reports on the 2000 Bermuda Classis which was intense and physical which is just how the South Africans like it, world news, Dubai Sevens – Kiwis cruise home as Katie Coker reports from the World Sevens Series in Dubai, performance therapist – fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, club round-up – Tetley’s Bitter Team of the Month – Old Colfeians, nationwide news from Wales and England including spotlights on London Exiles, Barnstaple, Rochford Hundred, Exmouth, Thornton Cleveleys and Penrith, all the latest action from the schools circuit with Huw S Thomas, School Team of the Month – Bryanston School in Blandford, Mizuno Player of the Month – Simon Francis (Loughborough Grammar School), the backs – a look at the fixtures for the month ahead plus book and video reviews, herald the year of the Lion – the new year promises to match the heady drama of 2000 says Frank Keating.

May 2001 – family affair – out of Africa…into Penzance – Zimbabwe’s Victor Olonga had lived in the shadow of a famous brother and now he is making a name for himself writes Bill Day, Leicester – training the Tiger cubs – Katie Field finds out why the Leicester Academy is proving such a breeding ground for England Under 19 players, England women – England are to embark on their most ambitious tour yet, hotshots – profiles of Paul Bailey (Saracens & England Under 19) and Laura Broderick (Lichfield & England Under 18), Plymouth Albion – pride of the West Country – Gavin Mortimer reports on Plymouth Albion are having a season to remember under player-coach Graham Dawe, Phil Keith-Roach – Shaun Rusk scrums down with one of England’s specialist coaches, Scott Murray – Richard Bath talks with Scotland’s gravity-defying second row, Rob Henderson – Gavin Mortimer goes in search of the Ireland centre’s sensitive side, Lawrence of Suburbia – Lawrence Dallaglio tells Alison Kervin about England, the Lions and why his worries are behind him, politics won’t tamper with Lions’ election – If it takes 15 Englishmen to win the Lions series in Australia then so be it says Mick Cleary, Young, gifted and Welsh – Gary Baker asks veteran Cardiff, Wales & Lions prop Dai Young what keeps him going, who will have the Lions’ share? – on the evidence of this season’s Six Nations Championship, England will supply almost the entire Lions test team for their summer tour – that, argues former England & Lions fly half Stuart Barnes, would be bad news for the future of the side, lie back and think of England – Ian Stafford catches up with England full back Iain Balshaw who is far from the finished product, the man with two names – ever ask yourself what became of Saints’ Steve Walter? – well he is still around but there’s been a slight change…to Steve Thompson – Ian Stafford investigates, our man at the Beeb – when he’s not empire-building at Newcastle falcons, Rob Andrew wears another hat as radio analyst for BBC radio and we join the ex-England and Lions fly half at Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup match, European Special – Heineken Cup – Leicester v Gloucester and Martin Johnson v Ian Jones, Munster v Stade Francais and O’Gara v Dominguez – European Shield – Newcastle v Harlequins and Paul Burke v Jonny Wilkinson, the final countdown – Katie Field gets the views of some of the Premiership’s leading figures on the new Zurich Championship play-offs, focus on Canada – young Canucks play with pride – Iain Morrison sees how Canadian talent is fast-tracked, Brad Thorn – Anthony Clearwater on an Aussie rugby league icon starting afresh in Super 12, focus on America – Boston team party – the Irish Wolfhounds are starting to bite on America’s East coast says Dermot Bolger, performance therapist – fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, club round-up – Tetley’s Bitter team of the Month – Cinderford, the club guide – nationwide news across Wales and England including spotlights on Wiveliscombe, Morganians, Syston, Towcestrians, Carlisle, Chorley and Kingston, all the latest action from the schools circuit with Huw S Thomas, School of the Month – Campion School in Hornchurch, Mizuno Player of the Month – Marcus Leach (Bedford School), the backs – a look at the fixtures for the month ahead plus book and video reviews, wishing for a dream final – traditionalist Frank Keating crosses his fingers for a Munster v Gloucester epic.

June 2001 - green machine – Hawick are on the rise - after a barren spell the Borders side are back in the big time, women’s rugby – England stay on top spot – Nicky Goodwin sses England claim the first Six Nations Championship title in a record-breaking season, BUSA – late, late show as Exeter take Northumbria’s crown in a dramatic finish, hotshots – profiles of Philip Christophers (Brive & England Under 21) and Chris Thomas (Newport & Wales Under 21), Heineken Cup – plan ahead for next season – the final is upon us but who will be the winners next time? Steve Black – Shaun Rusk meets the man in charge of the Lions’ bodies and minds, Gill Burns – Nicky Goodwin meets the England No 8 aiming for a fourth World Cup, Bruce Starr – Gavin Mortimer locks horns with Harlequins’ lonesome cowboy, a cut above the rest – Alison Kervin meets Jonny Wilkinson who is a unique rugby talent as well as an extraordinary man, England hit new heights in landmark year – the unfinished Six Nations left the also-rans with some catching up to do says Mick Cleary, back from oblivion – Ian Stafford meets up with Robert Howley whose career was in decline a year ago but the Welsh scrum half has reinvented himself and returned to his best and he reveals how the prospect of the upcoming Lions tour helped haul him back to the top, simply the best – the foot-and-mouth outbreak meant only 12 of the 15 scheduled Lloyds TSB Six Nations matches were played but England still managed to steal the show with some truly world-class performances says Stuart Barnes, Tigers eye number four – Ian Stafford talks with Neil Back who tells of Leicester’s intentions to emulate Bath and make it four Premiership titles in a row, the adventures of Tom Thumb – Scotland prop Tom Smith was too small for test rugby – at least that’s what the sceptics said back in 1997 when he made his international debut against England – Gavin Mortimer reports on how he proved them wrong, waiting for the Lions – if Australia are to defeat the British & Irish Lions this summer they will lay the foundations for their success in the Super 12 says Dan Retief, life after rugby – as he hangs up his boots and prepares to begin life after rugby, ex-England lock Tim Rodber tells Ian Stafford why he’s worried about today’s young players, the future’s bright the future’s rugby – thirty years ago some giants of the game were asked to predict what rugby would be like by the year 2001 so moving with the times five leading lights of today were invited to do some crystal ball gazing says Alan Pearey, all in a day’s work for…England & Lions wing John Bentley who goes back to his roots and is now player-coach at his first club Cleckheaton RFC, focus on Hong Kong – Te Nana runs show for Kiwis – Alan Pearey sees New Zealand wing the Hong Kong Sevens, Christian Sahid – Gavin Mortimer chats with the cosmopolitan star of Chilean rugby, focus on Luxembourg – third time lucky? – Huw Richards steps out on the 2003 World Cup trail with Luxembourg, performance therapist – fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, club round-up – Tetley’s Bitter Team of the Month – De La Salle Old Boys, the club guide – nationwide news from Wales and England including spotlights on Fleetwood, Avonvale, Lutterworth, Cockermouth, St Ives, Ilkeston and Worthing, all the latest action from the schools circuit with Huw S Thomas, School of the Month – Merchiston Castle in Edinburgh, Mizuno Player of the Month – David McAllister (Terenure), the backs – a look at the fixtures for the month ahead plus book and video reviews, all whites and the seven Ps – Frank Keating harks back to the 1993 World Sevens and an England surprise.

July 2001 - Willie Phillips – veteran Phillips seen off in style – David Parsons sees the stars turn out to honour Henley’s hero, sea challenge – row, row the boat – an oarsome challenge awaits two West Country players, Gloucester – the future?-It’s academic – Katie Field discovers how the stars of tomorrow are being groomed in the Gloucestershire countryside, hotshots – profiles of Chris Goodman (Bath & England Under 16) and Luke Charteris (Tregib Comprehensive School in Llandeilo & Llandovery College), women’s rugby – Coffin nails the Cup – Paul Morgan sees Richmond take the RFUW Rugby World National Cup at Twickenham, high of the Tigers – Leicester complete the treble with a sensational last minute win in Paris – Leicester 34 Stade Francais 30, Quins walk on air – Harlequins stay the distance in a classic extra time victory at the Madejski Stadium – Harlequins 42 Narbonne 33, make mine a double – Leicester confirm their status as English champions with a stroll in the sun in the Zurich Play-off Final at Twickenham – Leicester 22 Bath 10, Dave Alred – Mike Aylwin meets the Lions guru who gets a kick out of coaching, Gareth Reynolds – Gavin Mortimer turns green with envy as he talks to a cheerleader, Alun Carter – Gavin Mortimer has a stat attack with the Lions’ technical assistant, the mane man – Alison Kervin chats with Lions skipper Martin Johnson as his leadership skills will be needed if the Lions are to prevail over the World Champions, an unknown quantity with one chance – nothing is certain on a Lions tour except its glorious unpredictability says Mick Cleary, Henry’s battle front – Alan Pearey meets Lions coach Graham Henry who talks of awe and Aussies ahead of his greatest assignment, new kid on the block – former rugby league star Jason Robinson talks with Ian Stafford and looks forward to his first Lions tour, the Lion cub – from Heriot’s FP to the Lions tour party in 12 months – Richard Bath traces the swift rise of Scotland’s young No 8 Simon Taylor, the mighty Quin – Scott Quijnnell says he is fitter than ever so Gavin Mortimer discovers how the big man from Llanelli has turned his game around, big game hunter – the bigger the match, the better Australian skipper John Eales plays and they don’t come much bigger than the Lions – Rupert Bates reports, Lions ready to pen glorious new chapter – Frank Keating asks can the 2001 Lions emulate or even surpass the deeds of the greatest of their predecessors when they take on Australia this summer?, Wallaby spies in the Lions’ camp – Australians Tim Horan and Jason Little have learned a lot about the men who will now take on their country as Lions – so who’s their money on? – asks Ian Stafford, tours special – skipper Kyran Bracken & Paul Grayson chew over England’s chances, how England’s opponents Canada and United States are shaping up, Andy Moore and Lyn Howells on Welsh hopes plus a report from Japan, performance therapist – fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, focus on Australia – Burke’s future in the balance – Greg Campbell on a dilemma for the Wallaby selectors, focus on China – George Simpkin – Alan Pearey gets a dressing down from the esteemed China coach, focus on Malaysia – magical Malaysia – Shaun Rusk samples the international jet-set life of the World Sevens Series, parade of champions – photos of some winners, schools rugby with Huw S Thomas, School of the Year – Wellington College in Berkshire, Mizuno Player of the Month – Richard Wigglesworth (captain of England Schools Under 18), the backs – a look at the fixtures for the month ahead plus book and video reviews, Johnson breaks the mould – the two-time Lions captain stands on the cusp of greatness says Frank Keating. 

August 2001 - Paul Morgan meets the Clown Prince – Austin Healey (Leicester, England & Lions) and Scott Murray (Saracens, Scotland & Lions), at the Lions’ heart by Steve Black (Lions Fitness Adviser), my year of hell – Ian Stafford speaks with Ben Cohen, best by half – Rupert Bates meets Australia’s half backs Stephen Larkham and George Gregan, champagne rugby – Gavin Mortimer reports on the Middlesex Sevens celebrating its 75th birthday, focus on Pan American, focus on West Indies, fitness by Darren Grewcock (Fitness Editor), Team of the Year – Dunstablians, national and divisional champions in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, fixtures in July, August and September, Lions safe from extinction – traditionalist Frank Keating toasts the modern version of a rugby institution.

September 2001 - phoenix from the flames – Stuart Barnes investigates where the Lions went wrong in the series defeat to Australia, Australia v Lions – teams, scorers, photos, and stats from all three Tests, a review of the tour, endangered species – the shortening of Lions tours, on tour with the red army – Paul Morgan followed the Lions’ fans, Paul Morgan with Lions winger Dafydd James, stepping into the limelight – Ian Stafford chats with Lion Martin Corry, Ian Stafford meets up with Ireland and Lions centres Brian O’Driscoll and Rob Henderson, a day in the life of…Paula George (England women captain), Ian Stafford talks with Francois Pienaar about Saracens, quantum leap – Katie Field on the rise of Leeds Tykes, focus on Samoa, profile of New Zealand hooker Anton Oliver, focus on Uganda, fitness with Darren Grewcock (Fitness Editor), fixtures for August and September, fired-up Lions burned out – Frank Keating urges rugby’s powers to learn the lessons of the Lions’ defeat.

October 2001 - some people think Worcester will canter to the title but Gavin Mortimer finds no complacency, London Irish – Exiles ready to roll and there’s a new determination at the Madejski says Alan Pearey, women’s rugby – all roads lead to Barcelona – the World Cup will dominate this season says Nicky Goodwin, hotshots – profiles of Rhys Thomas (Newport & Wales Under 19) and Tom Rees (Basingstoke & England Under 16), Pacific Rim – coaches suffer in sack race – Ian Kennedy reports on a sudden glut of ousted coaches with the USA, Canada and Fiji all wielding the axe, Pat Lam – Newcastle’s new skipper plans to end on a high writes Ian Stafford, Georgia Stevens – Nicky Goodwin meets a woman who has her eyes on the biggest prize, Dave Hilton – the prop tells Richard Bath about his desire to play for Scotland again, “I’m happy. I can picture myself with Nicola, surrounded by little Festers” – Alison Kervin chats to Ireland & Lions hooker Keith Wood - the man they call Uncle Fester, England’s rivals facing crucial decision – if the Celtic countries don’t follow England’s lead, the Six Nations is under threat says Mick Cleary, World Cup 2003 special report – the future’s bright for England – Martin Baker talks with England Manager Clive Woodward who believes that the eight-year deal between the RFU and elite clubs can make England world-beaters, big brother is watching – the hottest new signing in the Zurich Premiership has to be Josh Kronfeld and Shaun Rusk asks the All Blacks star what inspired him to accept a new challenge with the champions Leicester?, one in a million – Iestyn Harris has delighted Welsh fans and rocked rugby league by switching codes. Ian Stafford asks can this star of the 13-man game be a union legend?, code breaker – Henry Paul, one of the biggest names in rugby league, sprung a summer surprise by joining Gloucester – Katie Field finds out the reasons for his move south and his hopes for the future, happy ending – after two years rebuilding his career in Ireland, former Richmond boss John Kingston is back in England with a point to prove says Katie Field, taking the plunge – after a happy stay at Saracens, England & Lions lock Danny Grewcock is dipping his toe in the water at Bath – he reveals to Ian Stafford why he made the switch, Saints back in the running – Northampton underachieved last season after winning the Heineken Cup in 2000 but the Saints are making a new start for the new term and have put the emphasis on being the fittest side in the Premiership – Gary Emmerson investigates, new faces in Wales battle – Graham Clutton looks at the challenge facing Cardiff and their new coach Rudy Joubert, happy hones and home – two years ago Kevin Yates was Public Enemy No 1 and now he’s back in England and a changed man as Ian Stafford reports, work, rest and play…but for Wasps chief Nigel Melville there are few chances to rest as Gavin Mortimer hears of a frenetic few months for the London club, focus on France – Stade Francais out for revenge – Gavin Mortimer previews the new season in France, focus on USA – Luke Gross – Alex Gough on the Llanelli lock set to become the most capped US Eagle, focus on World Cup Qualifying – a Swede success – Katie Field tracks the victors from the early qualifying rounds of the 2003 World Cup, performance therapist – fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, the club guide – nationwide news from Wales and England including spotlights on New Brighton, Ramsey, Melbourne, Thornbury and Hatfield, the backs – a look at the fixtures for the month ahead plus book and video reviews, the season of goodwill – has peace broken out? Is burn-out to be banished? Frank Keating dares dream.

November 2001 - England v France - unto the breach dear friends – Katie Field reports how one innovative film producer has used rugby to tell the story of Henry V and Agincourt, hotshots – Rob Chrystie (Melrose) and Sam Cox (Bath), Lions survey – supporters say Lions come first – the vast majority of Lions supporters want the players to be raring to go for a full-length tour in 2005, Brett Sinkinson – the Wales flanker tells Gary Baker why “Grannygate” has left a scar, Emily Feltham – Nicky Goodwin finds the England match-winner still on cloud nine, Roland Reid – Ian Morrison sizes up the man dubbed “Scotland’s Jonah Lomu”, wham bam thank you mam – Johnson eyes the Grand Slam – Ian Stafford with England captain Martin Johnson, ripened England ready to seize the moment – Clive Woodward’s squad now has the self-belief needed to secure a Grand Slam says Mick Cleary, Scarlet O’Gara – one of the abiding memories of the Lions tour was Ronan O’Gara with blood streaming down is face after a vicious assault – He talks with Ian Stafford about the attack, his ambitions for Ireland and the clash with England, write-minded – Matt Dawson got into hot water for his Lions column but the England scrum half has moved on as Alison Kervin discovers, European Special – Leicester’s defence begins, ambitious Swansea and Treviso, Munster, Montferrand and the young guns of Newcastle, European Shield – we travel to Madrid to assess the Spanish challenge, when I grow up I want to be a…the 1997 England Schoolboys side was reputedly the best ever and many became star names – Gavin Mortimer traces them all, life as a Tiger – it’s the stuff of fantasy – running out for Leicester and getting the chance to score a try but Ian Stafford’s dream became a reality in a pre-season friendly…, focus on Tri Nations – Eales delivers parting gift – Greg Campbell salutes Australia’s Tri Nations triumph, focus on South Africa – Bobby Skinstad – Dan Retief meets a man with his sights firmly trained on England, focus on Cook Islands – southern comfort – Frankie Deges finds paradise and World Cup 2003 hopes alive and well in Cook Islands, performance therapist – fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, the club guide – nationwide news from Wales and England including spotlights on Scunthorpe, Workington, Warrington, Walcot, Mounts Bay, Kempston, Oakham, Mistley and Hayward’s Heath, schools rugby with Huw S Thomas, Mizuno Player of the Month – Chris Davies (Brynteg Grammar School in Bridgend), the backs – a look at the fixtures for the month ahead plus book and video reviews, Lilywhites await their fate – can Ireland follow their Celtic cousins in denying England an elusive Grand Slam? asks Frank Keating.

December 2001 – Stuart Barnes on England’s ‘fear of heights’, born to run – Alison Kervin with Clive Woodward, roller-coaster ride – Ian Stafford meets up with England & Lions wings Dan Luger, and Jason Robinson and Wales & Lions No.8 Scott Quinnell, Ian Stafford chats with Jannie de Beer of South Africa and Geordan Murphy of Ireland, putting on the Biarritz – Gavin Mortimer talks to Joe Roff and Philippe Bernat-Salles, first out of the blocks - Katie Field asks who will make the best start to the Zurich Permiership campaign (Leicester, Saracens, Bath or Sale), once in a blue moon – Barry Newcombe on the unique record of the Cambridge University side of 1961, focus on New Zealand, watch this face – Viliami Vaki (Tonga), focus on Argentina, fitness with Darren Grewcock (Fitness Editor), Tetley’s Team of the Month – West Hartlepool, news from Wales, nationwide news from England including spotlights on Stourbridge, St Brendan’s Old Boys, Saltash, Southport, Durham University, Lincoln, Ampthill, Basingstoke and Dover Sharks, schools rugby with Huw S Thomas, Schools Team of the Month – Stonyhurst, Mizuno Schools Player of the Month – Rhodri Wells (Christ College, Brecon), fixtures for November, too much of a good thing – are the high-profile autumn Tests a sound idea asks Frank Keating.