Should Rugby Union Use NFL-Style Goalposts?

This article is in response to some comments on Aaron Smith's try versus the Stormers yesterday (below). You will see it is an incredibly intelligent try and Aaron Smith, arguably the world's best scrum-half, uses his knowledge of the rules to his advantage and scores a fantastic try.

England's Most Exciting XV - Would Lancaster Ever Dare?

Bare in mind this is just a bit of fun, although these players lack the complete game, there is no doubt that they are very interesting to watch, and are all worth considering for the England XV. This is not the team we want to see Lancaster field, it is purely for a laugh,

3 Things England Have Learned From The 6 Nations

1) England's pack is world class - even with injuries

The strength in depth in the English pack can rival anyone. England’s pack has had a lot of injury troubles over the last few years, and although this is never good to see, it has given a lot of players the chance to lay down a marker and gain some vital experience. With a lot of players having come back from injury (Parling, Wood), and some hoping to make a return before the World Cup (Launchbury, Morgan), it is clear that England have a world class pack, and crucially, a world class set piece heading into this years World Cup. The injury to Morgan allowed Billy Vunipola to lay down a marker, and put in his best performances in an England shirt. Whilst players such as Attwood and Haskell didn't impress as much as many had hoped, failing to bring their club form to the international stage, players like Cole (who would not have been rushed in to the side without injuries), Kruis, Parling and Billy V showed the strength in depth in this pack. It would be a crime not to mention that the strength of this pack is largely down to the exceptional coaching by Graham Rowntree, who has been consistently seen to demand more from his players.

Team of the Tournament (2) - 6 Nations

What an exciting final day to the RBS Six Nations, possibly the best yet.  Each game was better than the previous and after England failed to win by the necessary points, Ireland took home the trophy. Here we have a look at the second opinion on our team of the tournament.

Team of the Tournament (1) - 6 Nations 2015

With Four Balls comes 2 opinions, so we have put together two teams of players that we believe have earned their place in the team of the tournament with some scintillating performance in this year's 6 Nations.

England vs France - Preview

England have the advantage of the highest points difference, and they play last, knowing exactly what is required of them to win the 6 Nations Championship, and they can adapt their game plan to the situation. France of course have the slimmest of chances of winning the Championship as well, if Ireland and Wales lose and they beat the English, but that seems sensationally unlikely. 

England actually started quite strongly last week, which makes a change, as the French played the most dire half of rugby I've ever had the misfortune to watch. We actively decided not to review it, because it was too painful to relive those memories. Last week we predicted Jack Nowell would have a good game against the Scots, and of course he did, marred slightly by handling errors but he looked very dangerous on the ball. He will look to carry that in to this game, and will be seeking the buzz of a Twickenham try once more. Geoff Parling returns to the England side, which will delight the fans as Attwood has looked slightly out of form of late, and the British & Irish Lion is just the man to come back and give the English pack a lift.

Scotland vs Ireland - Preview

The second game on Saturday sees a Scottish side desperate to avoid the wooden spoon host an Ireland side that last week lost for the first time in 11 games. Scotland will give it their all, they gave England a slight scare going in to the break 13-10 up last week, although they were comfortably the worse side throughout the match. They will be riled up, desperate to perform and to cause an upset against an Irish side that don't travel well under Schmidt. If the Irish push for a large points difference, they could come unstuck playing a style they are unfamiliar with so I'm sure Schmidt will send them out with the sole objective of winning and that will be that.