
Village teams which gave stars their start

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British and Irish Lions
/ 7 hours agoHowden Celebrates the British & Irish Lions Squad Writing Their Names into the History Books – and Onto a 44ft Mural
Principal Partner and Official Jersey Sponsor of The British & Irish Lions, global insurance group Howden, celebrated the newly announced Lions...
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Premiership
/ 7 hours agoPremiership Round 16: Best head-to-head matchups of the weekend
After last weekend’s European fixtures, which saw Northampton Saints overcome all odds to beat Leinster and reach the Champions Cup final...
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Latest News
/ 10 hours agoSuper Rugby Americas: Round Ten Review
By Joe Santamaria Dogos 39-29 Yacare Dogos continued their recent surge up the table with a convincing 39-29 win over Yacare, though their...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 11 hours agoBritish and Irish Lions: Biggest winners and losers from Andy Farrell’s selection
Andy Farrell has selected his 40-player squad for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer. With so many...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 13 hours agoHe’s ready to compete – Henry Pollock tipped to shine for British and Irish Lions by Andy Farrell
Henry Pollock has been urged to drive up competition within the British and Irish Lions squad bound for Australia next month...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 1 day agoScotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was worried injury would wreck his British and Irish Lions dream
For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 1 day agoHenry Pollock’s rise to stardom continues with 2025 British and Irish Lions selection
Henry Pollock’s emergence as the rising star of English rugby continued when he was sensationally named in a British and Irish...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 1 day agoThe eye-grabbing inclusions and high-profile absentees from the 2025 British and Irish Lions squad
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his 38-man squad for this summer’s tour of Australia. Here, we...
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Guest Blogs
/ 1 day agoThe Explosive Growth of Esports in 2025: What’s Driving It?
A bit more than 10 years ago, many people had no idea what the word “esports” meant. Today, in 2025, it...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 1 day agoMaro Itoje named British and Irish Lions captain for tour of Australia
For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as...
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Premiership
/ 1 day agoWho Replaces Handré Pollard at Leicester? Don’t Rule Out a Freddie Burns Comeback
By Peter Ryan For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or...
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Champions Cup
/ 1 day agoChris Collyer: Leinster need to reset and restart from the ground up
By Chris Collyer For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 2 days agoNorthampton Saints fly-half Fin Smith ‘unfazed’ and ‘relaxed’ about the possibility British and Irish Lions selection
By James Logan For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 2 days ago“Don’t like it then don’t watch it” – Henry Pollock’s message to social media scrooges as he aims for British and Lions selection
By James Logan For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 2 days agoUgo Monye backs Sam Prendergast to make British & Irish Lions squad as one of five fly-halves he’d select
Ugo Monye has backed Sam Prendergast and George Ford as two of five fly-halves to be selected in the British and...
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Guest Blogs
/ 3 days agoHow professional players train: secrets of physical preparation
Professional physical training of athletes plays a key role in their success, whether on sports fields or in intellectual competitions. The...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 4 days agoCharlie Elliott: The 17 backs I would select for the British and Irish Lions
By Charlie Elliott The British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer is set to be announced on Thursday. ...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 4 days agoCharlie Elliott: The 21 forwards I would select for the British and Irish Lions squad
By Charlie Elliott The British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer is set to be announced on Thursday. ...
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Champions Cup
/ 4 days agoSocial Media Moments of the Week: Henry Pollock divides opinion with try celebration
By Charlie Elliott As the weekend of rugby draws to a close, the discourse around the sport continues to bubble away. The...
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Champions Cup
/ 4 days agoChampions Cup Team of the Week: Northampton Saints’ Lions hopefuls help deliver historic upset
By Charlie Elliott The Champions Cup played host to two of the best semi-finals we have seen in the competition, as the two favourites were...
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoNorthampton Saints stun Leinster in Champions Cup semi and sweep into final
By Adam Hathaway in Dublin Northampton captain Fraser Dingwall hailed the spirit of his side as they pulled off one of...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 6 days agoGo with your boy for the British and Irish Lions, Lawrence Dallaglio tells Andy Farrell
By Gary Fitzgerald Lawrence Dallaglio insists Andy Farrell must take a punt on his “Test match animal” son and pass him...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoBristol Bears aim to cash in on Big Day Out
By Paul Rees Bristol host their Big Day Out at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, intending it to become an annual...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoIndependent review calls for RFU Council to be axed
The RFU is facing a structural revolution as an independent review has recommended abolishing the RFU Council. The proposed changes could...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoAdam Radwan: I have got to win the Leicester Tigers fans over
By Gary Fitzgerald Adam Radwan claims there is an “infectious” title bug in the air at Welford Road which has caught...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoLee Blackett and Byron McGuigan join Steve Borthwick for England’s Summer Tour
Lee Blackett and Byron McGuigan will join Steve Borthwick’s England coaching team for the summer tour to Argentina and the United...
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoPhil Dowson: Henry Pollock is buzzing for every chance he gets
By Adam Hathaway Henry Pollock has been smashing it out of the ballpark this season, and that has led to calls...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoWe can finish in the top two, says Sale’s Joe Carpenter
By Paul Rees Bath may have stood above the rest of the Premiership for most of the season, but Joe Carpenter...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoCharlie Ewels enjoying ‘the most exciting time’ as Bath power on
By Jon Newcombe Charlie Ewels admits the struggles that Bath had under Stuart Hooper a few seasons ago now feel like...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoChristian Wade will be a hit at Wigan Warriors – Andy Powell
By Ross Heppenstall Andy Powell’s time at Wigan Warriors was, by his own admission, no great success, but he has backed...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoOspreys boss Mark Jones backs Keelan Giles for spot on Wales tour
By Simon Thomas Keelan Giles has to be in the shake-up for a place on Wales’ summer tour of Japan, according...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 6 days agoJeremy Guscott: Maro Itoje the right man to bring the British and Irish Lions together
By Jeremy Guscott - Outspoken and unmissable every week... The ceremonial unveiling of the 2025 Lions squad at the O2 Arena...
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoLeinster 34-37 Northampton Saints: Tommy Freeman hat-trick ignites stunning Saints
By Adam Hathaway Leinster ...........................34pts Tries: O’Brien 17, Van der Flier 25, 58; Doris 58, Lowe 69 Conversions: Prendergast 25, 47,...
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Brendan Gallagher
/ 6 days agoBrendan Gallagher: Northampton Saints win over Leinster is the best win on the road I’ve seen
I’ve been reporting on this Heineken Cup, European Cup, Investec Champions Cup – call it what you want – since the...
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoBordeaux vs Toulouse Preview: Injury problems put Toulouse on the back foot
By Ben Jaycock Bordeaux v Toulouse Today. Kick-off 3pm, Stade Velodrome, Marseille An injury-plagued Toulouse are up against it today when...
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoBenjamin Kayser: Gap between Premiership and Top 14 is huge
By Paul Rees The top two sides in the Top 14 meet in today’s Champions Cup semi-final at the Matmut Atlantique...
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoNick Cain: At last! Welcome words reinforce value of jeopardy
One of the few signs of clear-thinking rugby union sanity this week came from Simon Gillham, the chairman of the Tier...
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British and Irish Lions
/ 6 days agoHenry Pollock’s energy could give British and Irish Lions that extra boost
By Nick Cain The likelihood of any uncapped young “bolters”, who were a feature of Lions squad announcements in the amateur...
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoNick Cain: Backing of franchise rugby is myopic, hypocritical and self-serving …
The parallel universe which some of the main movers and shakers in the RFU/ Premiership currently inhabit has revealed itself in...
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Challenge Cup
/ 6 days agoEdinburgh 24 – 39 Bath: Bath’s final push too much for Edinburgh in Challenge Cup semi-final
By Roger Panting Edinburgh .......................24 Tries: Tuipulotu 18, Penalty 42, Price 64 Conversions: Thompson 19, 65 Penalty: Thompson 37 Bath .....................................
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Champions Cup
/ 6 days agoWe are delighted to make Challenge Cup final, says Johann van Graan
Bath boss Johann van Graan was delighted to secure a place in the final at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. He said: “We...
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Challenge Cup
/ 6 days agoFarrell’s chance to impress dad
By BEN JAYCOCK PREVIEW... Lyon v Racing 92 Today. Kick-off 12.30pm, Matmut Stadium de Gerland Man in charge: Owen Farrell captains...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoRob Hunter leaves Exeter Chiefs after record defeat
Exeter head coach Rob Hunter has left the club by mutual consent. He and attack coach Ali Hepher were suspended following...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoJack Singleton: Gloucester to keep chasing Premiership play-off spot
By Mark Stevens Jack Singleton believes Gloucester are hitting form at just the right time in the race for the play-offs....
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoGlasgow’s Jack Mann excited to agree Kingsholm deal
Gloucester have signed back row Jack Mann from Glasgow Warriors from next season. The 25-year-old, who has made 13 appearances for...
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International Rugby
/ 6 days agoLes Kiss to replace Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach ahead of 2027 World Cup
Australian Les Kiss will replace Joe Schmidt as Wallabies head coach in 2026 and will lead the team in their home...
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Blindside - rugby transfers
/ 6 days agoFly-half Tinus de Beer switches from Cardiff to Dragons
Dragons have confirmed the signing of South African fly-half Tinus de Beer from Cardiff. The 29-year-old has had limited chances this...
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Latest News
/ 6 days agoDan Murphy to take over at Gloucester-Hartpury
Three-time Premiership Women’s Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury have appointed Dan Murphy as their head of rugby for the 2025-26 season. Murphy has...
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Dream Team
/ 6 days agoDream Team – Jamie Jack
JAMIE JACK, THE BEDFORD BLUES & THE FORMER NOTTINGHAM, AMPTHILL, EDINBURGH, LONDON IRISH AND COVENTRY PROP, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE...
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Peter Jackson
/ 6 days agoTrio recalled All Black triumph one final time
PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW SHORTLY before Christmas, in the hometown of the Manic Street Preachers, a trio...