February 2003 ..........continued from the main Rugby World page............ SOS Romania – Jonny joins in as the England fly half backs the SOS Romania appeal, women’s rugby – Scottish women create history as they became the first women’s side from the home nations to play a game at their national stadium, the directory – a guide to the fixtures for the month ahead, Lewis Moody – Nigel Botherway scrums down with England’s new back row sensation, Jenny Sutton – Nicky Goodwin sizes up the indispensable England women’s lock, Mark Andrews – Dan Retief hears why the Springbok legend chose Newcastle, Leonard’s “sorted” – Frank Keating writes affectionately about Jason Leonard who is one England cap away from 100, train dispute shows Brits are off the rails – only in Blight could we make such a pig’s ear of a great sporting occasion says Mick Cleary, my drug hell – Aussie wing sensation Ben Tune talks to Pip Cook about the day he stood accused of drug abuse and his fight to clear his name, Laney unchained – he’s a kilted Kiwi who’s swiftly becoming a folk hero in Scotland thanks to his goal-kicking prowess – Richard Bath has a chat, on top of the world – with the three Southern Hemisphere giants downed in the autumn, are England now sitting pretty as world No 1? – Stuart Barnes reports, the future Wales – the Welsh domestic game is in a shambles, everyone knows it but what can be done to improve matters? – Graham Clutton looks at the changes needed to knock it into shape, the year in review – as another hectic year passes into history, Katie Field looks back over 12 months that had thrills, spills and mad South Africans, Ronan’s empire – has the great Ireland fly half debate finally been decided? Tom English talks with Munster’s Ronan O’Gara about claiming the shirt, falling to earth – Stephen Jones says it’s time to stop the Premiership elite from denying other clubs the chance to join their ranks, great inspirations – Jarrod Cunningham isn’t a man who knows the meaning of defeat – Ian Stafford hears how he’s fighting back against a deadly illness, Harlequins hat-trick – Alison Kervin talks with Mark Evans, the Stoop’s main man, focus on Dubai Sevens – Kiwis unearth new superstar – Toby Gregory sees New Zealand dazzle again in Dubai, focus on Bulgaria – selling the dream – Thomas McCarthy finds rugby in Bulgaria thriving thanks to some sterling volunteers, club round-up – Canterbury of New Zealand Team of the Month – Bradford & Bingley, nationwide news in England with spotlights on Preston Grassshoppers, Ormskirk Minis, Vale of Lune, Longton, Belgrave, Launceston Juniors, Witney, Eastbourne and Norwich, all the latest action from the schools circuit with Huw S Thomas, School of the Month – Harrow School, Mizuno Player of the Month – Oge Ofuasia (John Fisher School in Purley), fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, performance conditioning – fitness editor Darren Grewcock focuses on maintaining and improving our strength, the backs – books, videos, internet, products, Frank Keating writes – it’s time to kick up a fuss – the man who’s seen more rugby than most has spotted a World Cup certainty.

July 2003 ..........continued from the main Rugby World page............ Ian Borthwick reveals the identity of France’s European elite, subs-4-clubs – German holiday – our competition winners Bishop’s Stortford had a ball, hotshots – Rhodri Wells (Swansea & Wales Under 19) and Brian O’Neill (Belvedere College), Paul Volley – Paul Morgan talks trips Down Under with the Wasps back rower, Toutai Kefu – the Wallaby No 8 is firing broadsides at England says Greg Campbell, Ann O’Flynn – Nicky Goodwin falls in with the England team’s Army captain, meet Tins – Mike TIndall – from outcast to the in-thing, Mike Tindall is aiming to silence his critics for good – Ian Stafford meets the powerful England centre, players’ threat must be taken seriously – brushing concerns aside now could have major consequences in the autumn says Mick Cleary, Wales’ big brother – Bridgend’s Gareth Thomas has two World record in his sights as he hurtles towards this year’s World Cup as Katie Field reports, pulling no punches – after a tough year with Bath but a good one with Ireland, Kevin Maggs tells Tom English how he’s handled the pressure, bushtucker trial – Lawrence Dallaglio – England are heading Down Under with a terrible record to overturn – Ian Stafford asks the back row star how the team can succeed, Gregor Townsend’s open verdict – with the World Cup warm-ups beginning, the Scotland star gives a rallying cry to Scotland the Brave as Richard Bath reports, does the Super 12 provide real preparation for the World Cup? asks Stephen Jones, the hit man – what is the secret behind England’s excellent defence? – specialist coach Phil Larder gives Nigel Botherway a few clues, Rotherham – ain’t no stopping us now – after all the heartache, Rotherham are finally on their way back to the Zurich Premiership – Alan Pearey assesses the shape they’re in, pride and prejudice – Gavin Mortimer investigates the reasons why so few Asian rugby players are prospering in British rugby, minis to majors – Lewsey & Worsley – they used to be rivals but now they’re London Wasps and England team mates – Dean Wilson meets Joe Worsley and Josh Lewsey, World Cup countdown – USA grab last ticket to finals – World Cup qualification didn’t come easy says Alex Goff, Bob Ross – the Canada fly half holds a surprising world record says Ian Kennedy, ladies in waiting – women’s rugby is making rapid progress in South Africa as Joanne Lillie reports, rugby in my soul – leading British athlete Jamie Baulch is a lifelong rugby fan, champions! – we pay tribute to all this season’s league champions – Nationals, North, Midlands, South West and London & South East, Canterbury of New Zealand Team of the Year – Caldy, league champions in Ireland and Wales, all the latest action from the schools circuit with Huw S Thomas, School of the Year – Colston’s Collegiate in Bristol, Mizuno Player of the Month – James Rothwell (Hall Cross Comprehensive School in Doncaster), fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, performance conditioning – Darren Grewcock looks at two complex exercises that can bring terrific results for your power base, the backs – books, videos, internet, products, looking back in anger – unhappy memories outweigh the good ones after the madness of May says Frank Keating.

August 2003 ..........continued from the main Rugby World page............ pick the personality of the century, Paul Morgan in conversation with Jason Robinson, the record breaker – Katie Field catches up with Neil Jenkins, why the Baa-baas will never die says Ian Stafford, stairway to heaven – Tom English on how Ireland can improve, step up to the Mike – Rupert Bates meets rising star - prop Mike Worsley (Harlequins & England), firing both barrels – Richard Bath with Budge Pountney (Northampton & Scotland), the growth of touch rugby in England, the pain in Spain – Spanish rugby, a rugby lesson for the world – the Australian Rugby Union is creating a blueprint on how to stage a successful World Cup writes Stephen Jones, the big debate – is the IRB doing a good job asks Nick Cain, the Tri-Nations Championship 2003 – fixtures, who is being heralded as the new Tim Horan, who changed after “starring” on television, what is Rudolf Straeuli’s new tactical plan, World Cup countdown, 2003 Rugby World Cup schedule, spotlight on Roberto Canessa (Uruguay), Japan’s culture clash, first love never dies - rugby-mad cricketer Robert Croft can’t wait for the World Cup, chasing the aces – Namibia’s struggle to secure the release of key players, fitness with Darren Grewcock (Fitness Editor), Frank Keating on the demise of the one-club man.

September 2003 ..........continued from the main Rugby World page............ Kiwis in charge – New Zealand’s future looks bright says Katie Field, French rugby – changing gear – Paul Morgan looks at a busy summer for the French, hotshots – profiles of Benjamin Atiga (Blues & New Zealand Under 21) and Andrew Trimble (Ulster & Ireland Schools), spotlight on…Lewis Moody (England) – the England flanker is itching to impress all over again writes Dean Wilson, spotlight on…Gethin Jenkins (Wales) – Graham Clutton sees shades of Dai Young in the young Welsh tight head, spotlight on…Gary Ella (Leinster Lions) – Nigel Botherway talks with Matt Williams’s heir in the Donnybrook hotseat, take me to your leader – having steered England to a series of victories Martin Johnson tells Ian Stafford why it’s the here and now that really counts, a man of substance – it takes s special person to lead his country to World Cup glory and Martin Johnson fits the bill says Mick Cleary, no prisoners in Marseilles – after a disappointing summer tour, the French are turning their attention to their World Cup warm-up games and especially to their clash with England in Marseilles as Ian Borhwick reports, coming home for good – at the age of 16 Gareth Cooper reached a sporting crossroads, rugby or golf? – fortunately for Welsh rugby fans the young scrum half chose the former as his own fairway to sporting heaven as Nigel Botherway reports, he’s back! – Keith Wood has fought back from injury to pull on the Irish shirt in the World Cup – Ciaran Cronin finds out how he’s battled through, clever Trevor Woodman – it has been a rocky road for Trevor Woodman but now he is ready to take on the world and England’s number 1 jersey says Ian Stafford, look out, Dell’s about – after switching codes Wendell Sailor took time adjusting to rugby union but now he’s finally cracked it and looks set to be a global superstar says Pip Cook, Best man’s new role – from England coach to rugby agent Dick Best has done it all – Alison Kervin discovers what makes him the new Jerry Maguire, the three wise men of Glasgow – cash-strapped and denuded of players, Glasgow plan to rebuild thanks to a trio who has never coached a pro club – Iain Morrison went along to meet Hugh Campbell, Sean Lineen and Shade Munro, sleeping giants – with the great promotion debate settled for the time being in favour of a one-up, one-down system, Alex Mead looks at some clubs hoping to benefit from the ruling, ready to deliver – the top clubs in Wales, Ireland and Scotland have fallen behind their English counterparts – a revamped Celtic League will give them the opportunity to catch up says new tournament director Keith Grainger, the heat is on – England’s “Dad’s Army” regulars will be holding back the years in Australia but is it time to call “come in NO 7 to the 34-year-old warrior Neil Back?” asks Stephen Jones, third time lucky – jinx or lucky charm? – Ian Stafford talks with Agustin Pichot as he prepares to join his third European club after the World Cup, the big debate – can England top their success so far by bringing home the World Cup? – see what our experts think – Yes says former Welsh captain Jonathan Humphreys but No says World Cup winner David Campese, World Cup countdown – Churchill Cup’s growing pains – Ian Kennedy says the competition needs a few tweaks, spotlight on Mauro Bergamasco (Italy) – Gianluca Barco finds the Azzurri star sweating over his World Cup selection, treasure of the Caribbean – the fast-growing Cayman Invitational Sevens is part of a development programme that is reaping rewards, pick the personality of the century – see who our panel put on the shortlist and then take your chance to vote for the millennium man, fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, Darren Grewcock on speed maintenance and improvement, the backs – books, videos, internet, products, a month for us to savour – a mini Six Nations will be played in the coming weeks as teams gear up for the World Cup says Frank Keating.

October 2003   ..........continued from the main Rugby World page............ Richard Bath meets a man who has contrasting memories of Australia, spotlight on Colin Charvis (Wales) – the back rower is putting a nightmare spell behind him says Graham Clutton, spotlight on Matt Stevens (Bath) – the prop is motoring towards senior honours – Shaun Rusk asks with who?, Brack in business – he missed out in 1999 but Kyran Bracken is fighting fit and ready for World Cup 2003 – Alison Kervin meets a happy man, now is not the time – the Rugby World Cup will soon be upon us but in an ideal world it should be all over by now says Mick Cleary, King Carlos – how Carlos Spencer and the All Blacks ruled the 2003 Tri Nations by Greg Campbell, man on a mission – the 1999 World Cup was a damp squib as far as Jonny Wilkinson was concerned – Ian Stafford finds out how he will make amends this time, the only way is up – Wales go into the World Cup on the back of a bad year but Martyn Williams tells Katie Field why they will reach the knockout stages, ITV zoom in – the broadcasters reveal their World Cup plans with Ian Stafford, bring it on! – prop Reggie Corrigan has returned from the wilderness and a World Cup nightmare to star for Ireland as Tom English reports, a stab in the heart – law changes in Scotland could make front row play a dying art says Richard Bath, soul objective – Bristol Shoguns are alive and well as Alan Pearey found out, making a point – Wales coach Steve Hansen gives Graham Clutton the lowdown on the battles he’s faced and his hopes for the future of Welsh rugby, the haves and the have-nots…hard cash not second-hand shirts is what rugby’s poorer nations really need if they are to ever truly compete on the world stage says Stephen Jones, Sharks on the move – Shaun Rusk on Sale’s new fitness regime and new home, back in boots – Mike Lynch discovers what it takes to resume a rugby career after a long break, World Cup countdown – tug-of-war for Puma’s No 10 – Contepomi or Quesada? – Frankie Deges on a taxing issue, spotlight on Chris jack (New Zealand) – Keith Quinn assesses the Colin Meads of the New Zealand pack, Russia ground Eagles – Nigel Botherway applauds the IRB for staging the inaugural Super Powers Cup, Australia gets ready to party – Adrian Page captures the mood of the Rugby World Cup host nation, club round-up – nationwide news from England including spotlights on Otley, Nottingham, Mersea Island, St Austell Under 15, West Hartlepool Vikings and Peterborough Thirds, fitness guide – let the Rugby World fitness panel answer your queries, Darren Grewcock on strength development, the backs – books, videos, internet, products, beware the dump trucks – today’s bigger, stronger players are doling out some fearful, but legal punishment says Frank Keating.