Rugby Union Today: Hot and Not and Team of the Week
Another busy day in the rugby union game as we publish Who’s hot and who’s not, five takeaways from the Champions Cup weekend and tournament so far plus our features writer, James While, is here to pick out his Team of Round Two.
What’s on the site
Hot and Not praises Wasps star Alfie Barbeary and the away day winners in Europe, but also is disappointed by the fixture disruption and much more.
There’s the five things about the Champions Cup round plus While names his team from the recent week’s action which sees a good spread picked out.
Elsewhere, we have a feature focussing on Scotland legend Chris Paterson as on this day nine years ago he called time on his international rugby career.
What’s in the news
Saracens’ season in the Championship will not begin until March 6 next year and the revamped competition features two conferences of six teams, producing 10 rounds of matches, before a play-off final over two legs between each conference winner will decide the champions and promoted Premiership club.
What’s on social media
We post another teaser on our Twitter page as it’s name that kicker time. This one shouldn’t be too difficult… Make sure you comment with your guess.
🤔 Name that kicker… pic.twitter.com/j2MiVufKrI
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) December 21, 2020
What’s on TV
After two weeks of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, it’s back to the Premiership and PRO14 this weekend as teams battle it out on Boxing Day and December 27. BT Sport will televise Harlequins v Bristol Bears and Northampton v Worcester Warriors on Saturday before showing Sale Sharks v Wasps on Sunday.
There’s festive derbies to enjoy in the PRO14 and those kick off on Saturday in Italy with Zebre taking on Benetton in one of four games over the course of the day, with one taking place on Sunday. All the weekend matches will be televised on Premier Sports.