We've teamed up with experts in the field to re-launch our popular Rugbydump clothing range. The store has just gone live and we've brought back the best of the old, as well as some new offerings, with plenty more on the way.

For years you've been showing your support for the site by buying our RD shirts. The store needed updating though, so we've moved to a new improved system and have a superior setup for every aspect of supplying you with some great shirts - better quality, delivery, and customer service.

As well as T-Shirts, we also have some awesome hoodies, mugs, and even iPhone cases.

All sizes are catered for, including women and kids of course, and we're happy to hear your feedback or ideas at any stage, so just drop us a mail with any thoughts or questions.

You'll notice the site banners to get to the shop, but remember that you can also visit it at any time via the menu link up top. For now, please have a look at the all new Rugbydump Shop

Posted at 8:39 am | 5 comments

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France avoided not winning a championship game for the first time since 1969 as they beat Scotland 23-16 thanks to two tries in the second half. Their disappointing campaign sees them ending bottom of the table however, for the first time since 1999.

France needed to win by 16 points to relegate Ireland to the wooden spoon, but a late Tim Visser try sealed their fate as they ended the competition with just one win and a draw.

Pre-tournament favourites for many, France showed glimpses of their potency in the second half as stars Wesley Fofana and Maxime Medard helped them end their seven-match winless streak.

Scotland on the other hand achieved their best championship result since 2006, finishing third on the overall table with many positives to take away from the campaign.

A Freddie Michalak scuffle with Lions hopeful Stuart Hogg soured affairs a little, before the enigmatic flyhalf left the field with a bad shoulder dislocation, to a standing ovation.

"We're last in the Six Nations and we have to accept that and face up to it. The game was like our tournament: complicated," said France coach Philippe Saint-Andre.

"The second half was better and we started to get back into the game and scored two very good tries. But we missed two other good chances.

"This team is young, it has a soul and fights. But it lacks control, collectively and individually, and you need control and patience when you play rugby at the highest level. The objective is to be ready for the 2015 World Cup. I think we will learn enormously from this Six Nations.

View all Six Nations Highlights

Time: 5:05
Credit: rbs6nations

Posted at 2:34 pm | 48 comments

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Wales produced a thrilling attacking display as they achieved their biggest ever Six Nations victory over England, scoring two great tries in the second half. Man of the Match Justin Tipuric played a large part in all things good on the night.

The first half was a frantic and tense affair that added weight to the theory that the Millennium Stadium roof should always be closed when the weather is poor outside.

The two sides went into the halftime break fairly evenly poised at 9-3 to Wales, but a second half demolition job inflated the score and put pay to England's determinded Grand Slam ambitions.

Alex Cuthbert scored the two tries for the home side, one with a great wingers finish and the other after flanker Tipuric put him away after a big sprint down field.

"It is a bit unreal really, it is a dream to be honest," Tipuric told the BBC post match.

"We played so well in front of a great crowd and our boys were outstanding and worked so hard for each other. We know what we can do and we have been ready since Monday, and to turn up Saturday and with such a great performance... we are chuffed to bits."

Wales started the competition poorly, going into it with a string of defeats then losing to Ireland in their opening fixture, but bounced back well despite plenty of criticism from all corners.

"We had a lot of bad media but I think it gave us a bit of a kick up the backside," Tipuric added.

England's hopes of a first Grand Slam in a decade were crushed, while Wales achieved their second consecutive tournament win, with some players clearly sticking their hands up for Lions selection.

- Congratulations to Wales. Let us know your thoughts on the game as a comment below!

Italy vs Ireland Highlights

Time: 5:43
Credit: rbs6nations

Posted at 8:20 pm | 109 comments

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Italy achieved their first ever Six Nations victory over Ireland with a famous 22-15 win at the Stadio Olimpico on the final weekend of the 2013 Championship. They ended the tournament with two historic victories for only the second time ever.

Italy went into halftime with a 9-6 lead before Giovanbattista Venditti scored in the 49th minute. Luciano Orquera kicked 14 points while Gonzalo Garcia slotted a penalty.

Ireland picked up three yellow cards which didn’t help matters, as Brian O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, and Conor Murray were all sent to the sin-bin at various times.

Ireland were unable to breach the Italian defence in front of a passionate and vocal crowd in Rome. It was a great send off for 36-year-old prop Andrea Lo Cicero, Italian record holder for Test caps.

"He is a player of particular strength," said Italy manager Jacques Brunel. "He has been a great player over 12 years and over 100 caps, and being in his condition at his age is fantastic."

Skipper Sergio Parisse, who was also yellow carded, was delighted with the achievement. "We've won against two countries who have a much longer history of the game than us. It's a good sign."

Their second win follows on from the historic victory over France earlier in the tournament.

Time:6:40
Credit: RBS6nations

Posted at 6:21 pm | 32 comments

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Here is a very quick look at a bizarre try that was scored by Jamie Helleur of Newcastle Falcons last Friday night. Scored against Bedford Blues in the RFU Championship, the try reiterated yet again why one should always chase a penalty kick.

A penalty from Kiwi Jimmy Gopperth sailed the distance but hit the upright, the crossbar, and then the upright again before it landed back in play, as the Bedford players stood a bit shellshocked.

Helleur was on the scene in a flash and took full advantage of the situation, snapping up the bouncing ball to score a try that proved crucial in his team's 17-15 victory.

"I have never seen anything like that on a rugby field, especially the ball bouncing off all three posts," said team mate Ryan Shortland as he tried to wrap his head around what he saw.

"We are always told to chase every kick and you have to give Jamie huge credit for that, but I am sure he will admit there was a dose of luck when you consider how extraordinary a score it was.

"To be in the right spot at the right time I suppose is the one bit you can control, and he did do that, so fair play to him," Shortland added.

The win ensured the Falcons ended the season at the top of the RFU Championship.

View the related posts for some similarly amazing tries from years gone by!

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Posted at 5:23 pm | 3 comments

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In the last few weeks we've been treated to a few classic Top 5's from the crew at Rugby HQ in Australia, and here's another. This time it's their choice of the best interceptions, all having taken place in the southern hemisphere.

This category is wide open as there have been so many great, and memorable, intercepts in world rugby over the years, so it's no doubt challenging to come up with just five.

So what Sean Maloney and the guys have done is stick to the southern hemisphere, and gone with five of their favourites from the last fifteen years, all for different reasons.

At the top we've got a shocker from All Black legend Mils Muliaina, as he gifted a try to Chiefs speedster Sosene Anesi in 2005. Then we've got flyer Lwazi Mvovo with his version of an intercept, before we go all the way back to 2001 and Joe Roff against the Lions.

At number two it's the legendary, and youthful looking Stirling Mortlock against the All Blacks in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, setting them up for that classic final against England.

Number one goes to a very good sport who was good enough to have a chat about it, and will also be remembered for another classic moment that has been featured here before. Enjoy.

Which other memorable or significant intercepts would you add to the list?

Time: 3:04
Credit: foxsportsau

Posted at 5:46 pm | 19 comments

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With 99 days left until the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, Gilbert have today revealed what their new Virtuo match ball will look like. It's not a new ball as such, but will have a custom colour scheme for the series. 

Gilbert Brand Manager Jon Clarke chatted to young Wallaby Liam Gill about the new ball, and the excitement that is building for the series.

"Everyone understands the aura that the British & Irish Lions bring, not only the team.. the supporters, the atmosphere will be great. It'll light up every city they touch," said Gill. 

The ball has been used for the past two seasons in Australia, but has taken on a new look as it encorporates the colours of the two famous sides, gold for the Wallabies and red for the Lions.

"Australian's have been waiting 12 years for the Lions to return to our shores and the anticipation surrounding this tour is building every day," said Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver.

"Unveiling the new match ball that will be used for all nine of the Lion's matches on Australian soil is another exciting milestone in the countdown to the Lions arriving.

"The inclusion of the Qantas Wallabies Gold and the Lions Red on the ball will add to the spectacle and magnitude that is a Lions Tour," he added.

View more build up videos in our dedicated British and Irish Lions 2013 section

Posted at 12:24 pm | 6 comments

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