International Rugby

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s International Rugby news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

Steve Borthwick: We need to build a fortress

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Steve Borthwick has urged his England to pick up the winning habit and turn Twickenham into a fortress once again. Virtually all […]

Rivals driving me on – Tommy Reffell

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Tommy Reffell says he is being driven on by the competition for the Wales No.7 jersey with Jac Morgan back on the […]

Gareth Davies calls time on Test career

20 October 2024 0 comments

Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies, 34, has announced his retirement from international rugby. The Scarlets half-back won 77 Wales caps and toured twice with the Lions. […]

All Blacks will have to be at their best against England

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscott – Outspoken and unmissable, every week… In some ways the New Zealand system means that they are not at full strength between […]

Time for England to walk the walk

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Nick Cain Right here, right now, English rugby union craves forward momentum. It needs something to knock the negatives surrounding our sport into the […]

Steve Borthwick’s work in progress

20 October 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees takes a look at England’s options, and talks to the Newcastle chief about turning things around… Steve Borthwick’s squad for the autumn internationals […]

Should Nicky Smith be an automatic selection for Wales in the Autumn Internationals?

17 October 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Prop is one of the most crucial positions on the field, and many great players occupy the role. When thinking […]

A tribute to Jonathan Davies – One of Wales’ best ever

17 October 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Wales said goodbye to another legend recently Jonathan Davies’ professional rugby career is over. It has been a storied rugby […]

Steve Borthwick confident in his England approach despite exit of key coaches

16 October 2024 0 comments

Steve Borthwick has defended his England coaching regime by insisting the sudden departure of Felix Jones and Aled Walters is not a reflection of the […]

England omit Alex Mitchell from Autumn Internationals squad due to neck injury

16 October 2024 0 comments

Alex Mitchell has been left out of England’s squad for the autumn with a neck problem that places his involvement in the series in doubt. […]

Dafydd Jenkins to miss Wales’ Autumn Internationals as lock targets mid-December return

15 October 2024 0 comments

Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins will miss Wales’ autumn internationals as he recovers from knee and shoulder operations. The 21-year-old, Wales captain throughout the Six Nations […]

Richard Wigglesworth named Steve Borthwick’s number two ahead of Autumn Internationals

15 October 2024 0 comments

Richard Wigglesworth has been installed as Steve Borthwick’s number two in England’s finalised coaching team for the upcoming autumn series. Wigglesworth’s duties overseeing the attack […]

Tommy Freeman can take charge of England’s defence

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscott – Outspoken and unmissable every week Tommy Freeman is one of those players who, when he gets the ball and sees an […]

Joe El-Abd sees Ferguson-era Man Utd as example for England after staff upheaval

10 October 2024 0 comments

New defence coach Joe El-Abd believes the success of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United shows why England could benefit from the recent upheaval in Steve […]

Kevin Sinfield to continue with England coaching role after agreeing new terms

7 October 2024 0 comments

Kevin Sinfield is to remain part of Steve Borthwick’s England coaching team after agreeing revised terms for his role. In a lift for the national […]

Luke Cowan-Dickie tipped for an England return

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson has backed hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie to play a prominent part in England’s autumn, and stay in the […]

Alex Lozowski back in England squad

6 October 2024 0 comments

Saracens centre Alex Lozowski is back in 36-strong England squad for this week’s training camp. Lozowski, who has five caps, has not played for England […]

Fit-again Curtis Langdon chasing international honours

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Curtis Langdon is desperate for another crack with England having missed the summer tour after injuring his shoulder in the Premiership final […]

England is still my target – Ben Spencer

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Ben Spencer will continue to put his best foot forward – either his left or his right, it makes no odds – […]

Phil Dowson: Fin Smith will cement place in Steve Borthwick’s Autumn Internationals squad

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Northampton playmaker Fin Smith is firmly on the radar of England head coach Steve Borthwick, so says Saints’ director of rugby Phil […]

I’d be happy to step up at 12 – Seb Atkinson

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson aims to show he can be the solution to England’s problem at No.12. Atkinson was a shining light in […]

Steve Borthwick should call up these young props

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Nick Cain – Read his expert opinion every week It was surprising that neither of England’s U20 world champion props, Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale) or […]

Alex Lozowski named in England training squad six years on from last cap

4 October 2024 0 comments

Saracens back Alex Lozowski has been named in an England autumn training camp almost six years after his last international appearance. Lozowski, who can cover […]

Dan Edwards – Wales’ next fly-half?

3 October 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan As a national side, Wales is still trying to find its feet after the 2023 World Cup. Many familiar faces walked away […]

Joe El-Abd steps up to replace Felix Jones as England defence coach

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Oyonnax head coach Joe El-Abd has been appointed England’s defence coach, replacing Irishman Felix Jones. Former Bristol flanker El-Abd, 44, will start […]

England should be aiming for treble top in the Autumn Internationals

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscott – Outspoken and unmissable, every week… The autumn internationals against the traditional southern hemisphere big three, and Japan, are next on England’s […]

Fiji deserve to play with best in world

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Chris Hewett – Thinking Allowed Every underdog has its day, as Daniel Dubois reminded us in knocking an entire cathedral’s worth of bells out […]

Jordie Barrett a doubt for England re-match in Autumn Internationals

29 September 2024 0 comments

New Zealand centre Jordie Barrett has injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee and is a doubt for the start of the All […]

Joe Hawkins still has Wales in his sight

29 September 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Joe Hawkins insists he still harbours dreams of representing Wales again at international level. With five Test caps already to his name, […]

Joe El-Abd named England’s new defence coach

26 September 2024 0 comments

Former Bristol and Toulon flanker Joe El-Abd will replace Felix Jones as England defence coach. The Rugby Football Union confirmed 44-year-old El-Abd’s appointment, taking over […]

England have got an ‘amazing’ new coach, says George Skivington

22 September 2024 0 comments

Skivington backing for England’s new coach By Paul Rees George Skivington says England have secured a world class conditioning coach in Dan Tobin who is […]

Fraser Dingwall: England will stay on track

22 September 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Fraser Dingwall is confident the shock loss of two coaches this summer will not derail England who have shown significant signs of […]

Conor O’Shea backing England A to bridge the gap

22 September 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock England A return to action in November and RFU director of performance Conor O’Shea feels they have a ‘generational team coming together’. […]

Wallabies push All Blacks to the limit in thriller

22 September 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Australia………………………………………………. 28pts Tries: McReight 18, Faessler 36, Paisami 65, Wright 79 Conversions: Lolesio 19, 37, 66, 79 New Zealand………………………………………… 31pts Tries: Jordan […]

Fiji make it two in a row as they see off Japan

22 September 2024 0 comments

By James Orpin Fiji ………………… 41 Japan……………17 Fiji won the Pacific Nations Cup for the seventh time – and second year on the trot – […]

Resurgent Irish hit Wallaroos for six

15 September 2024 0 comments

Ireland…………………36 Australia…………….. 10 IRELAND started their season with an impressive six-try win in Belfast with back row Aoife Wafer scoring a try in each half […]

Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin

15 September 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock England ……………………….. 24pts Tries: Packer 18, Dow 30, Kildunne 36, Hunt 42 Conversions: Aitchison 36, 42 New Zealand ………………..12pts Tries: Vaha’akolo 51, […]

Scotland surge to victory

15 September 2024 0 comments

Scotland ……………..59 Fiji ……………………….. 15 SCOTLAND put on a show by scoring nine tries in their warm-up for the defence of their WXV2 crown. Their […]

RFU considered move to Midlands, opted to stay at Twickenham

8 September 2024 0 comments

Twickenham chiefs considered moving the home of rugby to the Midlands last year before deciding to stay put and revamp the stadium.

Dan Biggar urges Warren Gatland to pick a 10 and stick with him

8 September 2024 0 comments

Dan Biggar has urged Warren Gatland to back one fly-half with an extended run in the Wales team – just as he did with him.

Dan Tobin is England’s new strength & conditioning coach

8 September 2024 0 comments

Dan Tobin has been appointed as England’s new strength and conditioning coach following the departures of Aled Walters and Tom Tombleson.

Tommy Freeman: England will be ready for All Blacks

1 September 2024 0 comments

Tommy Freeman has November 2 circled in his diary and has urged England to make home advantage count against the All Blacks on that day.

Six-try Fiji prove too strong for Samoa

25 August 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE FIJI started their bid for a sixth Pacific Nations Cup title with a 42-16, six-try win over arch rivals Samoa in Suva […]

Youngsters were quick to take their chances

25 August 2024 0 comments

Ben Jaycock caught up with England U18s assistant and backs coach Will Parkin Reaching out: Noah Caluori scores for England against Georgia PICTURE: Getty Images […]

England can’t keep South Africa at bay

25 August 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK South Africa…..39pts England………….. 17pts EXETER Chiefs scrum-half George Newman scored a first half wonder try but England U18s ended their summer international […]

England Men A to face Australia A and Ireland A

4 August 2024 0 comments

England Men A will face Australia A on November 17 at The Stoop before taking on Ireland A at Ashton Gate on February 23.

Julian Salvi relishing his role as Georgia defence coach

4 August 2024 0 comments

Julian Salvi has never been one to shy away from a good challenge. Now he is relishing his job as Georgia’s defence coach.

Jeremy Guscott: Current All Blacks lack the fear factor

4 August 2024 0 comments

New Zealand don’t carry the same fear factor that they had in the 2011-2015 era going into this season’s Rugby Championship.

Bryan Habana expects ‘box office’ Antoine Dupont to light up sevens at Olympics

23 July 2024 0 comments

The Les Bleus captain skipped the 2024 Six Nations to focus on the shortened version of the sport. Bryan Habana expects “box office” Antoine Dupont […]