Club rugby took centre stage with the Top 14 moving into round 3, and the Gallagher PREM launch edging closer with another round of the PREM Cup before it all gets underway on 25 September.
Club rugby took centre stage with the Top 14 moving into round 3, and the Gallagher PREM launch edging closer with another round of the PREM Cup before it all gets underway on 25 September.
There was also plenty of celebrations in the USA after the Eagles booked their place at the Australia 2027 Rugby World Cup, and there was plenty of chat from the southern hemisphere as Australia, Argentinian, South African and New Zealand minds began to focus on the final two rounds of a compelling Rugby Championship.
Here’s our favourites…
“To see some of the performances the team has put together has been pleasing. It’s bittersweet, you watch, and you’d love to be a part of it, but it’s been great to watch them build and play some really good performances.”
Australia scrum-half Jake Gordon knows what he’s missed while recovering from injury:
“They have a powerful pack and classy playmakers in their backline, so we need to be sharp at training and ensure that we are ready mentally and physically when we approach game day next week.”
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus knows what’s coming from Argentina:
“The team that appealed to me the most was the Sharks because of the number of Springboks they have, and my ambition is to play for the Springboks. To be surrounded by that many Boks will elevate my game.”
Springboks speedster Edwill van der Merwe hopes heading to Durban will take his game to the next level:
“It's incredible. We knew we were going to get it done, it was just a matter of time. We just kept putting in the work, kept believing. To do it here at home in front of a home crowd, it's just incredible.”
USA captain Jason Damm is a happy man after qualifying for RWC2027:
“It’ll take some time; I also want to say that. He has played 30 minutes in a training game, so it is not the case that he will be back to 80 minutes for six weekends in a row.”
Bath head coach Johann van Graan wants fans to be patient with Ollie Lawrence’s return:
“I'm not French, I'm not from Castres, but I feel like a local. In Castres, I know everyone. The baker, the stadium gardener, everyone. This victory is for them. We wanted to put a smile on people's faces, and I think we succeeded. The whole city is smiling.”
Castres scrumhalf Santiago Arata can’t stop grinning after beating Bayonne:
“We're only on the third matchday and if we collapse now, it's going to be a long season. We have to adjust our defence, work on our pressure game, and our high balls. Be more effective at the basics so we perform well.”
Montauban flyhalf Baptiste Mouchous knows what needs fixing for the Top 14 new boys:
“I’ve grown and matured a lot since my last stint as captain in 2017. My time in Bristol, playing and learning alongside experienced internationals, really helped me develop as both a man and a player. I know I’m in the right place, at the right time, to lead this team and help drive us forward.”
Edinburgh’s new captain Marcus Bradbury won’t be repeating his past mistakes:
“This is not goodbye… it’s see you soon… hopefully… Bledisloe”
James O’Connor hasn’t shut the door on the Wallabies after linking up with Leicester Tigers:
“F*** I’m gonna miss it”
Nic White speaks for all retiring players, as he calls it a day (again):