Jeff Probyn

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Jeff Probyn news, views, opinion and other content.

Erasmus had every right to sound off like he did | Jeff Probyn

1 August 2021 2 comments

What a week we have had, between the First and Second Lions Tests with most of the Home Unions rugby media attacking Rassie Erasmus for […]

Fiji’s double gold shows they have so much more to give | Jeff Probyn

1 August 2021 0 comments

How can World Rugby set a structure to aid the development of Fiji and the Pacific Islands?

Incessant TMO calls become so annoying | Jeff Probyn

25 July 2021 0 comments

The tour should be ended without the third Test being played if the Lions win again next week, argues Jeff Probyn

Now the Lions know just what they are up against | Jeff Probyn

18 July 2021 0 comments

A step up from the rest of their tour matches on Wednesday night for the Lions

Small props always give Springboks big trouble | Jeff Probyn

11 July 2021 0 comments

As the Lions continue their crusade through South Africa on Warren Gatland’s quest to find a team to beat the current world champions, the next […]

Grassroots game must get fairer funding | Jeff Probyn

4 July 2021 0 comments

When I sat on the RFU council, no matter what was happening in the rugby world the CEO’s review of the year at the annual […]

South Africa are perfect fit for the Six Nations | Jeff Probyn

27 June 2021 0 comments

With more South African teams joining the PRO14 to make it a 16-team Rainbow Cup competition, it can only be a matter of time before […]

Crowds or not, I just focussed on the opposition | Jeff Probyn

27 June 2021 0 comments

I WAS a little puzzled when I read Danny Care and Rob Baxter’s reaction to fans being allowed back into the game, even in reduced […]

Ealing’s drubbing should not open ring-fence door | Jeff Probyn

20 June 2021 0 comments

Ealing Trailfinders’ dream didn’t so much fade away last week as completely collapse against the might of a fullstrength Saracens team, revealing the differences between a […]

Academy scattergun not best way to find talent | Jeff Probyn

30 May 2021 1 comment

Putting a value on EQP within the Premiership

RFU need to source other players to end this ransom | Jeff Probyn

16 May 2021 0 comments

The past few weeks have provided interesting reading re Francis Baron’s thoughts of how things have got out of hand at the RFU with an […]

Ugo Monye has a big battle to end elitist stigma of rugby | Jeff Probyn

25 April 2021 1 comment

Has the shift in development from its pyramid state two years ago to Premiership-pwned academies kept rugby’s ability to reach more ethnic groups limited?

Sarries stars will be fresh for Gatland | Jeff Probyn

28 March 2021 0 comments

THE good news that the Lions will be going ahead as planned in South Africa is no surprise and despite those who think the Six […]

Failing to plan, you plan to fail, Eddie! | Jeff Probyn

14 March 2021 0 comments

After what was a disastrous start to this Six Nations, yesterday’s and even next weekend’s result really can’t change the fact that England rugby, and particularly […]

Springboks will want their share of Lions flesh | Jeff Probyn

1 March 2021 0 comments

How should SA Rugby expect to be compensated for hosting a Lions ‘tour’ away from South Africa?

Lack of leadership on and off the field | Jeff Probyn

14 February 2021 0 comments

Jeff Probyn points the finger at England’s lack of leaders on the pitch for their loss to Scotland at Twickenham

Try-fests are no help in spotting true talent | Jeff Probyn

31 January 2021 2 comments

Spectators can enjoy the try-fests, but they will come as no comfort to Eddie Jones who will be measuring the quality of the Premiership relative to his selection

Probyn column: Cut Prem loose and redirect all funding

18 December 2020 1 comment

Jeff Probyn on the financial obstacle the Premiership presents to the RFU’s balance sheet and the radical change needed to help England

Probyn column: Bill Sweeney’s legacy will hinge on talks with Premiership

12 September 2020 0 comments

Sweeney’s skill for collective bargaining will be his biggest test, writes Jeff Probyn

Probyn column: Dylan Hartley a hard man? Not with his record

26 August 2020 0 comments

The former England captain, set to release his autobiography, is no ‘hard man’ in rugby’s traditional sense

Probyn column: Overseas players are both cheaper and always on call

21 August 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn analyses Chris Boyd’s claim that England’s senior Men’s team should have more English coaches and how its relative to players

Probyn column: Fight the good fight but beware disaster in wage cut negotiations

17 June 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn believes young players shouldn’t be impacted by the push to reduce wage bills

Probyn column: Give England stars Test fees but keep club pay down

5 June 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn looks at how central contracts would factor in today’s current circumstances if that’s the route the RFU went in 1995

Probyn column: Big guns will back Bill Beaumont to save them cash

24 April 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn contemplates what Bernard Laporte’s running for World Rugby vice-chairman means for Bill Beaumont’s bid to be re-elected

Probyn column: Now Eddie Jones can make up for mistakes at the World Cup

17 April 2020 0 comments

Well I guess it was no surprise that Eddie Jones got his contract extension even if he and many others thought it unlikely. For Jones […]

Probyn column: Marquee players could take bigger hit to wages

10 April 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn writes why top earners at Premiership clubs should go the extra mile in wage cuts

Probyn column: Rugby has changed so much and largely for the worse

2 April 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn has found himself watching old rugby clips on Youtube and sees a more balanced game than the modern day

Probyn column: RFU need a strategy to find successor to Eddie Jones

7 January 2020 0 comments

Jeff Probyn on the RFU’s need to no longer import expensive overseas assistant coaches and the newest turn in the Saracens saga

Probyn column: It’s time to be realistic about Lions tours

19 December 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn ponders how quickly the Lions will adapt to playing at altitude in their 2021 tour of South Africa

Probyn column: Dan Cole will carry the can just like Paul Rendall

12 December 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn sympathises with Dan Cole for being made a scapegoat for England’s capitulation at the scrum in the World Cup final

Probyn column: Stuart Lancaster predicted success at 2019 Rugby World Cup

7 November 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn charts the difference between England four years ago under Stuart Lancaster and where they are now with Eddie Jones

Probyn column: England favourites but so were All Blacks

31 October 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn tells from his own experience how teams look to exploit opponent’s weaknesses, especially in the knockout stages

Probyn column: Momentous days for Japanese rugby but place in Six Nations is a non-starter

24 October 2019 0 comments

Reaching the quarter-finals at the World Cup shouldn’t immediately open the door for Japan

Probyn column: Crooked feed call has cost Scotland

13 October 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn examines Gregor Townsend’s comments made about Japan’s win against Samoa, a result aided by a call by referee Jaco Peyper

Probyn column: The truth about why Mendez punched Paul Ackford

10 October 2019 0 comments

The first shock result of the World Cup fittingly provided by the hosts, Japan, against Ireland will certainly have focused the minds of all the Tier […]

Probyn column: Aggressive scrums are a recipe for more injuries

2 October 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn airs his view on how the scrum is functioning under the current laws

Probyn column: Eddie Jones will find Tonga give focus to his men

22 September 2019 0 comments

There is a huge gulf in resource between Tonga and England

Probyn column: World Cup is the ultimate test of mental toughness

20 September 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn shares how the 1987 Rugby World Cup still rankles with him to this day

Probyn column: Truth about that players World Cup pool in 1991

12 September 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn on the monetisation of rugby between the inaugural World Cup and 1995

Probyn column: The week that was for Eddie Jones and Leicester Tigers

4 July 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn reflects on Leicester Tigers being put up for £60m

Probyn column: Do late developers stand a chance of England selection?

13 June 2019 0 comments

As we start what will be a short summer break for those players who hope to play a part in the Eddie Jones’ World Cup […]

Probyn column: Strong words from Dean Ryan on RFU

30 May 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn examines Dean Ryan’s comments made on the RFU’s pathway structure and Eddie Jones

Probyn column: The Premiership has a long way to go to return the sort of profit CVC desires

3 May 2019 0 comments

Jeff Probyn addresses the gulf that will form between grassroots rugby and the top level with the CVC’s influence on the PGB

Probyn column: World Cup is still the best way to gain exposure for Tier 2 nations

14 March 2019 0 comments

A big meeting to come this month on World Rugby’s Nations League concept

Twickenham under attack: Button for the nuclear option may be pressed

14 August 2018 0 comments

The RFU have a sizeable debt stacking up

Probyn column: If this is how pros run our game, give me amateurs

26 April 2018 0 comments

Jeff Probyn takes at look at how the PR machines of national governing bodies and player Unions haven’t got things right in recent weeks

Jeff Probyn: Hate to say it, but Worcester are looking doomed already

20 September 2017 0 comments

There is no substitute for playing the game, try as you might and no matter what you do, nothing matches actually playing the game. At […]

Jeff Probyn: New RFU boss has a big job – save our game!

15 September 2017 0 comments

The news that the RFU have appointed Steve Brown as CEO should bring a sigh of relief from the whole game because, for the first […]

Jeff Probyn: Jones must show courage of convictions this autumn

18 August 2017 0 comments

There is that certain ‘something’ about the last remaining days before a new season that always brings a feeling of anticipation of what’s to come, […]