NOSTALGIA
We are unashamed rugby anoraks here at the flanker and often look back misty eyed at players, tournaments and matches gone by. Join us for trips down memory lane as we look back and celebrate the players, myths and legends that made rugby great.
Do you get misty eyed over Takudzwa Ngwenya skinning Bryan Habana on the way to a famous try at the 2007 World Cup? Do you still look back fondly at that great Newcastle Falcons team that won the 1997/98 Premiership with Inga Tuigamala, Jonny Wilkinson and Doddie Weir among their ranks? If you loved those moments, you will love the flanker.
See below for our latest content and features on Rugby Nostalgia.
Stuart Hogg announced back in March he would retire at the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but we took a look at the starting XV on his debut against Wales back in 2012.
Dominant scrums can provide points-scoring opportunities, grind down your opposition physically and provide a massive mental boost to a forward pack in games of rugby. With that in mind, we picked nine of the best scrummagers of the modern era.
Northampton Saints won their first Premiership title in 2014 by defeating Saracens after extra time at Twickenham. Alex Waller smashed over for a late try to win the game but here is what the starting XV are doing nowadays.
Top drawer goalkickers are crucial and can be the difference between winning and losing matches. Here are the top 12 points scorers in Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup history.
Alastair McKee has played rugby for over 15 years but a series of concussions have forced him to stop playing. In this essay, he talks about the heartache associated with the decision and what the great game has given to him.
The Flanker remembers World Cup-winning All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu’s spell at London Welsh, which saw the famous old club relegated from the Premiership without winning a single game.
In 2001, Brian O’Driscoll announced himself on the world stage when he destroyed the Wallaby defence to score a brilliant individual try for the British and Irish Lions. The Flanker pays tribute to the dancing Ireland centre.
Finishers in rugby are worth their weight in gold and these guys certainly were assassins when it came to crossing the whitewash. Here are the top 11 try scorers in Rugby World Cup history.
From O’Driscoll to Barrett and Wilkinson to Japan, rugby has as it has evolved seen numerous moments where the torch carried by one generation has been handed down to another to bear.
Le Petit General Dimitri Yachvili was a rugby playmaker like no other in a stellar career for France and Biarritz. A passing master whose box and goal kicking were unrivalled, he was rugby’s quarterback that had the oval ball on a string. Here is an ode to the legendary scrum-half.
Good goalkickers in rugby are worth their weight in gold and can be the difference between winning and losing matches. Here are the top 13 points scorers in Premiership Rugby history.
Rugby World Cup's allow players to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage of all. Takudzwa Ngwenya did just that in 2007 when he destroyed Bryan Habana on the way to a brilliant try. The Flanker pays tribute to the flying American winger.
The England under-20s class of 2013 won the top prize of the Junior World Championship, with the players achieving varying degrees of success. Tragic tales of early retirements, lawsuits against ex-teammates and a sun cream company CFO meant we found out what they were up to now.
It was set for a historic day at Twickenham when Saracens arrived for the 2019 Gallagher Premiership final, chasing their second Double in four years. Up against them was familiar opposition in the Exeter Chiefs. What would transpire over the next 80 minutes defied all logic - and caused Alastair Eykyn to break Exeter hearts.
During his tenure from 2008 to 2011 as England Head Coach, legendary World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson handed 33 players their debut for the national team. With some more successful than others, The Flanker has ranked them below.
From Sebastian Chabal to Francois Louw, we have selected the best overseas signings in the history of each Premiership Rugby club since 1995.