Jeff Probyn

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

Jeff Probyn: Italians have a lot to gain by forming their own league

24 January 2014 3 comments

The comments of Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) president Alfredo Gavazzi that they may remove their two professional teams from the Rabo Direct Pro12, could be […]

Jeff Probyn: Just 20 games to go for Stuart Lancaster to get it right

16 January 2014 1 comment

With last week’s additions to the Elite Player Squad, Stuart Lancaster gets his one and only chance to choose the players who will take the […]

Jeff Probyn: Why I’m backing the WRU in showdown with regions

9 January 2014 1 comment

As if the Greek tragedy of the European Cup was not enough we now have a Welsh suicide pact that seems destined to create mayhem […]

Jeff Probyn: Why didn’t BT deal with the other leagues as well?

3 January 2014 2 comments

As the European row still rumbles along with a myriad of possible outcomes, it’s time to reflect on what started it. The sudden announcement that […]

Jeff Probyn: One hundred years on – and rugby hasn’t changed

20 December 2013 0 comments

There is a saying that there is nothing new in rugby and I think I may have found the proof. While clearing the attic, I […]

Jeff Probyn: South African link would make Stuart Lancaster happy

13 December 2013 1 comment

Last week I said the Premiership would have to look further afield if they wanted to find a replacement for those they have left behind […]

Jeff Probyn: Fans are shortchanged twice in one bad week

6 December 2013 2 comments

What do the RFU and the Premiership have in common? First, both have hit the headlines this week with announcements that most rugby fans will […]

Jeff Probyn: Joe Marler has moved above Mako Vunipola in the prop order

27 November 2013 0 comments

As the end of this season’s Autumn Internationals are approaching, what have we learned? England set a goal of three wins out of three but […]

Jeff Probyn: The good, bad and ugly of the scrum machines

22 November 2013 1 comment

So at last we have the answer to all scrum problems – the new scrum machine being used by Bath Rugby is so advanced that […]

Jeff Probyn: What chance a real scrum when refs can’t get it right?

15 November 2013 0 comments

Question: What are the reasons for scrums? I was asked the same question by a friend who currently occupies a high position in the RFU. […]

Jeff Probyn: England still need balance between backs and forwards

7 November 2013 1 comment

It’s hard to believe that ten years have passed since that great night in Sydney when an England team finally delivered on their potential with […]

Jeff Probyn: Alcohol abuse is affecting more players than drugs

31 October 2013 0 comments

The announcement this week of just five positive results out of a total of 617 drug tests in the RFU‘s anti-doping report for last season, […]

Jeff Probyn: Anecdotally, I can’t see how salary cap can work

25 October 2013 0 comments

Last week’s letter to the paper from Tom Taylor-Woodward asking for reassurance that clubs were enforcing the salary cap appeared to be answered in full […]

Jeff Probyn: Lancaster must be able to pick on-form players

16 October 2013 2 comments

The first European break gives us time to look back at what has been a hectic start to the season. Five games in and the […]

Jeff Probyn: Euro row could be start of clubs flexing more muscle

11 October 2013 3 comments

I have a question. Does the word ‘professional’ mean running a business or getting paid, or are they one and the same? I ask this […]

Jeff Probyn: Clubs face oblivion if RFU take on PRL over Europe

4 October 2013 55 comments

Financial Oblivion are the words used by Bath‘s owner Bruce Craig when describing the possible fate facing the RaboDirect Pro12 if they don’t join the […]

Jeff Probyn: Money is not the root of all success in Europe

27 September 2013 5 comments

There’s an old saying which seems to be more and more fashionable in our game and that is, ‘money talks’. As Europe hogs the headlines, […]

Jeff Probyn: Biting, refs row, Euro battle…yes, the season’s back!

19 September 2013 0 comments

The season is off and running and once again it’s not the rugby on the field that grabs the headlines. As good and exciting as […]

Jeff Probyn: Front rows must discover the lost arts – or perish

13 September 2013 0 comments

I was at Twickenham this week and found myself at a Press conference outlining the new scrum engagement call, along with various members of the […]

Jeff Probyn: Why didn’t they consult those who know about the scrum?

5 September 2013 1 comment

With less than a week until the start of the new season we are told that the whole structure of the modern game is in […]

Jeff Probyn: Proposed Heineken deal leaves Rabo with peanuts

30 August 2013 0 comments

I often wonder if Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty is living in the real world or one that is dominated solely by what is […]

Jeff Probyn: Maybe the IRB have got the scrum right at last

23 August 2013 1 comment

Crouch, Touch, Set and off we go as the latest incarnation of the scrum engagement is rolled out across the game. From the original, simple […]

Jeff Probyn: Now we must research the true risk of dementia

16 August 2013 1 comment

With all the excitement of the announcement of the new elite player squad some rather bad news almost slipped under the radar last week. Brain […]

Jeff Probyn: Merv…the O’Driscoll axe lacked respect

9 August 2013 3 comments

I had to laugh when I read the comments posted by ‘Merv’ following my article about Brian O’ Driscoll being left out of the Lions […]

Jeff Probyn: Axed Pollock pays price for Lions’ lack of Plan B

26 July 2013 1 comment

It may be over and finished but the Lions tour is still reverberating throughout the game – and not in a positive way. The criticism […]

Jeff Probyn: O’Driscoll deserved to end his career with dignity

19 July 2013 3 comments

Okay, okay I admit it, I said that I thought the Aussies would win that third Test and the series and I was wrong. Before […]

Jeff Probyn: High ticket prices will keep kids away from World Cup

12 July 2013 2 comments

Well that’s it for another four years (12 if you’re Australian), the end of another Lions tour with all the angst and controversy, heroes and […]

Jeff Probyn: Cuthbert’s knee-drop was as bad as Horwill’s ‘stamp’

4 July 2013 1 comment

The IRB’s decision to call for a re-trial of Australian captain James Horwill re the stamping charge he was cleared of last Sunday is unprecedented […]

Jeff Probyn: Now Gatland knows some players aren’t good enough

27 June 2013 1 comment

A disaster, a loss of momentum, overplaying in the conditions and a drop in standards were the words and phrases used to describe the Lions […]

Jeff Probyn: Lions must copy All Blacks hatred of complacency

21 June 2013 0 comments

As the Lions continue their winning ways Down Under putting virtual cricket scores on all they meet, there are still some who are not satisfied. […]

Jeff Probyn: No retaliation? That leaves players open to attack

14 June 2013 1 comment

I apologise if I sound like angry from Tunbridge Wells but am I the only one a little puzzled by all this fuss about the […]

Jeff Probyn: Lions must have full control and never do a Hartley

4 June 2013 3 comments

As the Lions prepare for the real start to this summer’s much awaited tour, the question is, (money aside) why bother with a run out […]

Jeff Probyn: Five golden steps which would restore the scrum

24 May 2013 0 comments

The IRB have announced their latest incarnation of the scrum engagement sequence that incorporates pre-binding and the need to put the ball in straight. I […]

Jeff Probyn: Late kick-offs can harm the legacy of RWC 2015

17 May 2013 1 comment

With news about the Lions selection dominating the sports pages, someone at RWC 2015 must have thought no-one would notice. The announcement that 22 of […]

Jeff Probyn: Sorry, but I just can’t see any Englishman starting first Test

10 May 2013 1 comment

With the horse trading over at last we can now focus on a squad that we all hope will bring home the series victory that […]

Jeff Probyn: Blame Sarries fan base not ERC for no-show, Edward

4 May 2013 0 comments

As the majority of the Aviva Premiership took a well- earned break this weekend, the expectation was that the only major game being played in […]

Jeff Probyn: Make cuts now, Exiles, or you may face ruin later

1 May 2013 2 comments

Like the scene from Titanic after the ship hit the iceberg, the relegation of London Welsh has seen many of those associated with the club jump overboard […]

Jeff Probyn: Where do English clubs go if they quit Heineken Cup?

17 April 2013 2 comments

This week saw the traditional end to the rugby season at club level with the vast majority of England‘s clubs playing the last league games […]

Jeff Probyn: Surely it’s best for Wales that North’s in England not France

11 April 2013 1 comment

Why is it that when clubs or regions have a disagreement with their Unions they always appear to threaten a new cross- border competition? Whether […]

Jeff Probyn: RFU must step in and end this financial ring-fencing

10 April 2013 1 comment

As the disappointments of the Six Nations fades into memory, club rugby comes back into focus as we approach the business end of the season […]

Jeff Probyn: Selection of Marler cost England the game

3 April 2013 3 comments

As the wheels fell off England‘s Chariot in Cardiff I couldn’t help thinking that it was probably for the best. The meteoric rise in the […]

Jeff Probyn: End this cult of ‘superstar’ refs and sort out the scrum

27 March 2013 0 comments

If there is one thing that has made this Six Nations Championship more memorable than most, it is the controversy that has surrounded the referees. In almost […]

Jeff Probyn: These ‘hospitality’ packages are just fleecing the fans

20 March 2013 1 comment

It would seem that Nick Cain‘s expose of the Lion’s tour ticket price rigging is just the tip of the ‘rip-off rugby ticket’ ice berg. […]

Jeff Probyn: President Jason can use his powers to help grassroots

13 March 2013 0 comments

The action of the RFU Council in overturning their nominations panel’s choice of president for the 2015 World Cup is probably their most significant in […]