By Brendan McGilligan There are some people that have people who look so alike you could be forgiven for thinking that they may have been […]
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Ilona Maher: Rugby union needs culture shift to create stars and grow the game
Ilona Maher says that rugby union has to shift culture and mindset if it is going to evolve as a sport. With more than eight […]
Simon Easterby welcomes return of Leinster quartet for Ireland’s Six Nations title defence
Interim head coach Simon Easterby believes the availability of Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Jack Conan and Jimmy O’Brien “massively increases” Ireland’s competitiveness ahead of their […]
Uncapped prop Jack Boyle named in first Ireland squad under Simon Easterby
Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has named uncapped Leinster prop Jack Boyle in a 36-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations. The 22-year-old Boyle […]
Gregor Townsend hoping Kyle Steyn can still feature for Scotland in Six Nations
Gregor Townsend is hopeful that Glasgow captain Kyle Steyn can still play a big part in the Six Nations despite being omitted from Scotland’s initial […]
Lock Jonny Gray and hooker Dave Cherry recalled by Scotland for Six Nations
Bordeaux lock Jonny Gray and Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry have been recalled to the Scotland squad for the Guinness Six Nations. Uncapped duo Jack Mann […]
Steve Borthwick backs new skipper Maro Itoje to lead England at 2027 World Cup
Steve Borthwick insists Maro Itoje can lead England into the next World Cup after appointing him captain for the upcoming Six Nations at the expense […]
George Skivington surprised by Gloucester duo’s absence from Wales’ Six Nations squad
Gloucester rugby director George Skivington has admitted his surprise at the omission of Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn from Wales’ Six Nations squad. Both Gloucester […]
S4, E18: Maro Itoje England captaincy reaction and Niko Matawalu madness
Join Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett for this week’s Rugby Paper Podcast edition, recorded just half an hour after it was announced that […]
Maro Itoje replaces Jamie George as England captain for Six Nations
Maro Itoje will lead England into the upcoming Guinness Six Nations after replacing Jamie George as captain. George has been in charge since the 2023 […]
Teddy Thomas reflects on career success, fatherhood
Lifting the most prestigious European competitions within rugby is only achieved by a small percentage despite the countless number of children who dream of this when they first step out on the pitch.
Philippe Saint-Andre challenges Sale Sharks to win something
Philippe Saint-Andre has assessed Sale’s title prospects and declared: “It’s about time they won something again.”
Handre Pollard: Argentina will test Steve Borthwick’s England
England have been warned to expect “tough battles” when they enter the backyard of the Pumas later this year.
Newcastle Falcons to open player contract talks despite relegation worry
Steve Diamond is set to start contract talks this week with players he wants to retain, although the threat of relegation remains.
Bill Sweeney facing SGM following Six Nations
The RFU will hold a special general meeting after the men’s Six Nations with chief executive Bill Sweeney facing demands for his removal.
‘Je ne regrette rien’: Lewis Ludlam loving life at Toulon
Lewis Ludlam insists he will return to Northampton one day but has no regrets about leaving the town or England behind for now.
Sam Underhill to undergo surgery and miss Six Nations
England flanker Sam Underhill is an injury doubt for the Six Nations after Bath announced that he requires ankle surgery.
New signing Regan Grace out to seize his chance at Cardiff
Cardiff have revealed how the signing of Regan Grace was made possible by an injury to one of their Wales stars.
Jack Singleton on breaking into the England set-up, again
Much time has passed since Jack Singleton’s leg break sustained against Northampton two years ago and the hooker is looking to move on.
James Ramm: Player rivalry is pushing Northampton to success
James Ramm believes the rivalry among Northampton’s backs off the field can help inspire the club to more silverware on it.
Sorry, Nick, but it’s different in France
NICK Cain has spent several issues arguing the case for promotion from the Championship and made an unfavourable comparison with French rugby. Unfortunately, it is […]
No room for Gerald
PETER Jackson’s excellent tribute to rugby’s latest knight in last week’s paper gave rise to the thought: Would Gerald Davies get a game in today’s […]
Flag of inconvenience
I AM glad to see the authorities have finally caught up with Kirill Gotovtsev and the Russian flag that has been on show on the […]
Is Bill Beaumont the right man for the job?
Rugby Union’s dire inability to handle the crisis threatening a great sport’s future is reflected in Sir Bill Beaumont’s hasty appointment as interim Rugby Football Union chairman.
Dream Team – Matt Corker
MATT CORKER, THE CANTERBURY HEAD COACH AND FORMER WASPS, LONDON WELSH & RICHMOND PLAYER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards […]
Jeremy Guscott: Four changes to fire up England
Whoever makes the England Six Nations squad, to be announced on Tuesday by Steve Borthwick, I cannot imagine much in the way of change.
Stade Francais 45-35 Northampton Saints: Henry Pollock power show can’t rescue Saints
By Adam Hathaway at Stade Jean Bouin Stade Francais- 45 Tries: Dakuwaqa 22, Van der Mescht 29, Tanga 40+2, 57, Penalty 46, Ezeala 51, Gabrillagues […]
Phil Dowson: Henry Pollock is ready for England
Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson insists Henry Pollock is ready for an England call-up if it comes on Tuesday when their Six Nations squad is announced.
Rampant Stormers too good for Sharks
By LUKE JARMYN Stormers ……………………… 40pts Sale ………………………………… 0pts Tries: Schickerling 21, Libbok 25, Sithole 45, Gelant 54, De Wet 63, Venter 70 Conversions: Libbok […]
Alex Sanderson – We were taught a lesson
Alex Sanderson said his Sale side will “own it” after suffering their biggest defeat in 15 months. It’s the first time Sharks have been whitewashed […]
Munster 17-12 Saracens: Saracens miss out but still in contention
Saracens – high in effort, determination and ticker but low in poise, finesse and attacking nous – missed a golden opportunity to claim a rare win at Thomond and take control of their pool going into Round 4.
“We’re in good shape to take on Northampton” , says Tadhg Beirne
Star man Tadhg Beirne wants Munster to take this form into the clash at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday to secure a home spot in the round of 16.
11-try blitz as Chiefs suffer record defeat
By MARK STEVENS Exeter Chiefs ………………. 17pts Tries: Brown-Bampoe 8, 48, Hammersley 70 Conversion: Slade 49 Bordeaux Begles ……….. 69pts Tries: Lucu 10, 31, Penaud […]
Baxter: It looks like a bit of a stuffing
EXETER director of rugby Rob Baxter could not hide his disappointment after watching his side slip to a record Champions Cup defeat. He said: “The […]
Glasgow Warriors 29-19 Racing 92: Sione Tuipulotu helps set up Harlequins showdown
Glasgow will head to Harlequins on Saturday on a mission to avenge last year’s round-of-16 loss and seal their first home knockout tie in the Champions Cup.
Leicester Tigers 38-10 Ulster: Josh Bassett shines to make sure for Leicester
Josh Bassett warmed the hands and hearts of the Welford Road faithful with a fine hat-trick as Tigers cruised into the Champions Cup knockout stages.
Sharks 8-20 Toulouse: Toulouse on easy street as the sun beats down
This match proved more of a damp squib rather than a tournament classic as reigning champions Toulouse showcased their class by navigating difficult conditions to get past a toothless Sharks.
Stade Rochelais v Leinster: Leinster aiming to cash in on Will Skelton’s absence
Leinster and La Rochelle, the 2022 and 2023 finalists, continue their epic rivalry today with both sides unbeaten in this year’s competition.
Castres in good shape but Bulls fade away
■ By TOM WALKER Castres ………… 49 Bulls ……………… 10 A SECOND-STRING Bulls were all but eliminated from the Champions Cup as Jake White’s side […]
Bristol Bears v Benetton: James Williams out to prove his worth again
James Williams saw off the challenge of Virimi Vakatawa last season and having recovered from a shoulder injury now has the task of again making himself a fixture in Bristol’s midfield where Ben-hard van Rensburg and Kalaveti Ravouvou have been creating havoc.
This match will be tough – it’s do-or-die for us, says Lam
■ By PAUL REES PAT Lam has billed Bristol’s clash with Treviso at Ashton Gate today as do or die. Defeat would leave the Bears […]
Ollie Lawrence’s play-acting was shameful to watch
Ollie Lawrence’s sham injury in the closing minutes of a knife-edge finish between Northampton and Bath at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend has seen some commentators get themselves in an almighty tangle.
We don’t need platitudes, we need to see change
The RFU’s U-turn on Friday in agreeing to an SGM, just 24-hour’s after rejecting the Thursday’s submission representing 152 clubs across the length and breadth […]
Bath v Clermont: Joe Cokanasiga- “It is all down to chatting to the boss”
Joe Cokanasiga has credited a frank conversation with head of rugby Johann van Graan for his purple patch of form for Bath.
We know this is a must-win match, admits van Graan
Return: Bath’s Ted Hill BATH make five changes as they look to kickstart their Champions Cup campaign against Clermont Auvergne. England openside Sam Underhill will […]
Toulon v Harlequins: We’re expecting a brutal clash, admits Chisholm
James Chisholm admits he is not one of the flashier players who wear the Harlequins’ multi-coloured jersey, but the back rower proved his worth at a bitterly cold Newcastle in the last round of the Premiership.
Wilson: We have a good record and won’t be overawed
■ By PAUL REES DANNY Wilson says Harlequins will not be overawed when they face Toulon at Stade Mayol today having won in France twice […]
Cardiff still in running after taking bonus point
■ By SIMON THOMAS Perpignan ………23pts Tries: Allan 40, Veredamu 50, Velarte 61 Conversion: Allan 40 Penalties: Allan 4, 48 Cardiff …………… 20pts Tries: Lee-Lo […]
Fit-again Harri in line for debut
■ By BEN JAYCOCK Preview Dragons v Pau Today. 3.15pm PROMISING youngster Harri Ackerman will make his first Dragons start today against Pau after recovering […]
Double for Walsh puts Ospreys in charge
■ By ROGER PANTING Ospreys ……………35pts Tries: Walsh 15, 64; Parry 26, Kasende 30, Hardy 68 Conversions: Edwards 15, 26, 30, 64, 68 Newcastle ………. […]
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Recent Posts
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17 January 2025Donnacha Ryan reflects on career and life coaching La Rochelle
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16 January 2025Ilona Maher: Rugby union needs culture shift to create stars and grow the game
15 January 2025Simon Easterby welcomes return of Leinster quartet for Ireland’s Six Nations title defence
15 January 2025
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