By Saope Soko Zainab Alema became not only the first PWR player to play with a hijab earlier this month, the trailblazer marked her topflight […]
Latest Posts
France Rugby strongly oppose the implementation of the 20-minute red card
Following World Rugby’s announcement to propose the global trial of new laws that will be reviewed by the Council, FFR (French Rugby Union), LNR (National […]
Stephan Lewies back in familiar spot with Alex Dombrandt out
By Dan Robertshaw Stephan Lewies has enjoyed his time away from the Harlequins captaincy but now finds himself donning the armband once more. England No.8 […]
Rams aiming to join elite
By Jon Newcombe Rams are confident they would add significant value to the Championship if they became part of a revamped Tier 2 league. The […]
French lessons inspire Joe El-Abd
By Adam Hathaway Joe El-Abd, England’s new defence coach, revealed his time with Toulon’s Galacticos helped him realise you need more than talent and money […]
Premiership Rugby chief defends Phil Morrow approach
By Adam Hathaway Premiership chiefs have rushed to defend their handling of the Phil Morrow situation which caused a split among clubs. And Premiership Rugby […]
Rob Baxter’s praise for ‘fantastic’ Olly Woodburn
By Mark Stevens Olly Woodburn is excited to be ‘centre of attention’ at Exeter Chiefs this season. With Rob Baxter’s options for personnel in the […]
Gus Warr determined to make his case to Gregor Townsend
By Brendan McGilligan Sale scrum-half Gus Warr is determined to catch the eye of Gregor Townsend, below, ahead of the Scotland head coach’s squad announcement. […]
Steven Luatua: I’d be happy to move up to lock
By Jon Newcombe Given the way that Bristol love to run the ball from deep and play at high tempo, their game plan is more […]
Japan will be latest destination for Richie Gray
By Bryn Palmer Scotland lock Richie Gray will link up with World Cup winners Pieter-Steph du Toit and Aaron Smith when his move to Japanese […]
I’m enjoying the buzz of Bath, says Ross Molony
By Gary Fitzgerald European glory days came thick and fast for Ross Molony during his love affair with his boyhood club Leinster. Yet, despite making […]
Williams available for Wales
WALES full-back Liam Williams will be available for the autumn internationals in November. The 33-year-old was absent for Wales’ 2024 Six Nations campaign because of […]
No-one is forced to play the game
BEING an ex-rugby player from the age of 12 to 40, I am in complete agreement with Brendan Gallagher in his recent article (Sept 29). […]
Lucky Warriors
LAST week’s Rugby Paper included the following statement: “Worcester Warriors, who went into administration in 2022, have been formally invited by the RFU to consider […]
Too much travelling
THE article about Macclesfield last week mentioned the excessive travel time in National League West. There is a problem because this ‘Region’ is from Camborne […]
Red Roses improving all the time
Star player: Emily Scarratt in action for England PICTURE: Getty Images I’VE been thoroughly impressed by England during this WXV tournament. Having dominated Europe for […]
Don’t try to keep up with richer leagues
IN response to Neil Edwards’ letter of Sept 29 and further in support of Jeff Gage’s letter of Oct 6, crowds in any second tier […]
Too much debt is a cause for concern
WITH reference to Nick Cain‘s column (Sept 29) on Premiership finances, it just goes to show that our game at the highest level is living […]
DREAM TEAM
RHYS HAYES, THE CHESTER HEAD COACH AND FORMER CHESTER, CALDY, CHESHIRE & ENGLAND COUNTIES FLY-HALF/FULL-BACK CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… […]
Ben Spencer’s class puts Bath on right path
By Paul Rees Gloucester …………………… 31pts Tries: Llewellyn 8, Williams 20, C Atkinson 23, Thorley 68 Conversions: Carreras 9, 21, 24; Barton 69 Penalty: Carreras […]
Lineout woes are top of my list to fix, says George Skivington
George Skivington admitted his side needed to become smarter after blowing the lead in another try drenched West Country derby that was won by the […]
Hat-trick for Gabriel Ibitoye seals Bristol Bears revival
By Mark Stevens Exeter Chiefs ……………… 35pts Tries: Brown-Bampoe 19, 57; Feyi-Waboso 39, 62 Conversions: Hodge 40, 58, 63 Penalties: Hodge 10, 45, 75 Bristol […]
Rob Baxter: We’ll be scarred by this
Exeter DoR Rob Baxter was at a loss to explain the way his side imploded. “It felt like we were finally finding our feet,” he […]
Ollie Chessum leads the Leicester Tigers’ power pack
By Rob Wildman Leicester Tigers ………… 24pts Tries: Steward 2, Cracknell 54, Chessum 61 Conversions: Pollard 2, 54, 62 Penalty: Pollard 23 Northampton Saints ……..8pts […]
Sam Graham injury a blow for Phil Dowson
Northampton boss Phil Dowson described Sam Graham’s first-half knee injury as “pretty nasty” on a tough night for the champions. The No.8 was injured in […]
Rob Du Preez in charge as Sale Sharks dominate
By Luke Jarmyn Sale Sharks ………………… 43pts Tries: Reed 4, 21; Penalty 28, Addison 35, Roebuck 44, 71 Conversions: R du Preez 5, 22, 36, […]
Newcastle Falcons beaten ‘all over the shop’
Newcastle boss Steve Diamond seemed out of answers on how Newcastle can end their Premiership losing streak and shake-off being the league’s whipping boys. Diamond […]
Danny Wilson: Harlequins determined to put on a show
By Ben Jaycock Harlequins v Saracens – Match Preview Kick-off 3pm, Twickenham Stoop Harlequins have not beaten Saracens in the Premiership for almost five years […]
Tobias Elliott has been on fire for Saracens, says Ivan van Zyl
By Adam Hathaway Saracens scrum-half Ivan van Zyl knew Tobias Elliott was the real deal when the young wing was ripping the first team to […]
Will Collier shows what England are missing
By Nick Cain – Read his expert opinion every week Will Collier’s command performance for Castres against Toulouse in the Top 14 last weekend should […]
Phoenix clubs locked in madhouse
THE RFU decision to invite expressions of interest from the three “Phoenix clubs” – Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish – to join Tier 2 next […]
Struggling Chiefs close to clicking, says Baxter
By BEN JAYCOCK DESPITE suffering the worst start to a domestic season in 15 years, Rob Baxter believes his Exeter Chiefs side are just one […]
10k run to training pays off for Temo
By JON NEWCOMBE Working hard: Temo Mayanavanua on the attack for Saints against Newcastle PICTURES: Alamy EVERY time Temo Mayanavanua sits down to watch the […]
Worldwide Springboks still get it together
By Chris Hewett – Thinking Allowed Assuming those with their ears to the ground haven’t gone deaf, Handre Pollard, the Springbok with the Midas toecap, […]
Borthwick struggling to find unifying spirit
CALL it a “Sue Gray moment” in rugby boots – yet another one, to go with all the other instances of England‘s back-room operation elbowing […]
Darcy Graham gets the ball rolling for Edinburgh
By Bryn Palmer Edinburgh ……38 Stormers ……….. 7 Edinburgh earned a much-needed bonus-point win to kick-start their season after three straight defeats. After an even […]
Bulls have too much in reserve for Ospreys
By Simon Thomas Ospreys ………… 19pts Tries: Lake 27, Conbeer 54, Morris 79 Conversions: Edwards 55, Walsh 80 Bulls ………………29pts Tries: Louw 3, Arendse 11, […]
Scarlets made to fight all the way
By Simon Thomas Cardiff …………….. 19pts Tries: Millard 23, 40; Penalty 66 Conversion: De Beer 24 Scarlets …………..25pts Tries: Davies 33, 47, Williams 60 Conversions: […]
Leinster turn on the style in front of 80,000 at Croke Park
By Kevin Fallon Leinster ………….26pts Tries: Lowe 6, Doris 11, Keenan 15, Snyman 40 Conversions: Frawley 7, 12, 15 Munster ………… 12pts Tries: O’Brien 35, […]
Glasgow Warriors warm up for trip in style
By Bryn Palmer Glasgow ………33 Zebre ……………… 3 Defending champions Glasgow warmed up for their return to South Africa next week with a third successive […]
Murphy has the last word over his son
By JOHN FALLON Ulster …………….32pts Tries: Andrew 2, Postlethwaite 11, Cooney 28, McCann 49, Timoney 76 Conversions: Cooney 3, 29 Penalty: Cooney 72 Connacht ………27pts […]
Benetton ……..38 Sharks …………. 10
BENETTON got their season up and running with a convincing bonus-point win at Stadio Monigo. First-half tries from Paolo Odogwu, Rhyno Smith and Ignacio Mendy […]
Double boost for the Dragons
Preview Dragons v Lions Today. 3.30pm THE Dragons are boosted by the return of Wales prop Leon Brown and back row Harri Keddie. Dai Flanagan […]
Ealing find the energy to subdue Nottingham
By ROB WILDMAN Nottingham …… 21pts Tries: Myall 28, Dickinson 64, Williams 79 Conversions: Arden 28, Johal 64, 79 Ealing ……………..36pts Tries: Willis 7, Holgate […]
Hartpury get back to the script and finish in style
By MO SHER Hartpury ………. 43pts Tries: Short 2, 73; Hunt 5, 27; Holliday 65, Gibson 78 Conversions: Bazalgette 3, 6, 28, 74, 79 Penalty: […]
Double joy for Robson keeps Cov flying high
By PAUL SMITH Coventry ……………………… 28pts Tries: Hitchcock 13, Robson 20, 67; Poole 49 Conversions: Richman 13, 20, 49, 67 Chinnor ………………………….14pts Tries: Carter 24, […]
Conway on hand to snatch it for Blues
By MIKE SINCLAIR C Pirates………. 24pts Tries: Relton 1, Nelson 30, Cannon 52, Young 67 Conversions: Houston 30, 52 Bedford ………….28pts Tries: Conway 15, 80; […]
Ampthill find another gear to overcome battling Caldy
By BEN WHITE Ampthill ………..33pts Tries: Barrington 11, Barton 17, Hadfield 39, Jackson 54, Ravuvu 67 Conversions: Barton 18, 40, 55, 68 Caldy …………….. 19pts […]
Doncaster left with nothing but worries
By GUY WILLIAMS Doncaster ……….. 0pts L Scottish ……… 12pts Tries: Riley 20, Kerr 41 Conversion: Lloyd-Seed 41 DONCASTER suffered another shock home defeat – […]
Matfield: Etzebeth can reach 150 caps
By GRANT SHUB Legend: Victor Matfield VICTOR Matfield, who played 127 Tests for the Springboks and recently relinquished his record to Eben Etzebeth, believes that […]