British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland feels the fitness and depth of his squad will be decisive factors in the upcoming Test series against South Africa.Gatland named his team on Wednesday, calling the selection the hardest he has been involved in as a Lions boss.He believes competition in his squad is fiercer than in the Springboks' camp."I would…

For a few days Alun Wyn Jones thought his British and Irish Lions tour was over before it had properly begun.But he is no ordinary rugby player. Just four weeks after dislocating his shoulder, the 35-year-old has recovered in time to captain the British and Irish Lions for the start of a Test series against South Africa.Lazarus or Miracle Man?…

Premiership champions Harlequins will face Castres and Cardiff Blues in the pool stages of next season's Heineken Champions Cup.Exeter, the 2020 European Cup winners, were also drawn in tier one, and will face Montpellier and Glasgow Warriors.The pool stages will start in December, with teams facing each other home and away - and so each playing four games.The 24 competing…

Alun Wyn Jones returns to captain the British and Irish Lions in the first Test against South Africa on Saturday, in a side that includes three Scottish players for the first time since 1997.Scrum-half Ali Price is preferred to Conor Murray, while Duhan van der Merwe and Stuart Hogg are in the back three.Ireland's Jack Conan is at number eight,…