International Rugby

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

Pichardie determined to get Spain back on track

11 December 2022 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Mario Pichardie enjoyed a dream international debut as he was awarded player of the match in Spain’s recent 34-15 victory over Namibia, […]

Eddie Jones sacked as England coach

6 December 2022 0 comments

Eddie Jones has been sacked after seven years at the helm of England. It comes after a year where England have won just five out […]

Pride in the jersey the key – Gatland

6 December 2022 0 comments

Warren Gatland feels that his transition into the Welsh set-up will be smooth, but is determined to make sure his players put pride back in […]

Gatland replaces Pivac as Wales boss

5 December 2022 0 comments

Wayne Pivac has left his job as head coach of Wales and been replaced by his predecessor Warren Gatland, who is set to lead the […]

WRU set to decide on Pivac

4 December 2022 1 comment

By PETER JACKSON Wales will decide this week whether to sack Wayne Pivac and re-appoint Warren Gatland through to the World Cup. The fate of […]

RFU to decide on Jones’ future by Tuesday

2 December 2022 1 comment

The RFU will decide whether to continue with Eddie Jones as the England coach by Tuesday 6 December, according to PA media. Jones has come […]

Brooke shock as Edwards agrees France deal

20 November 2022 2 comments

By NEIL FISSLER Legend: Zinzan Brooke Zinzan Brooke cannot believe the RFU have let Shaun Edwards slip through their grasp again after Edwards announced yesterday […]

Why the South Seas need to feel the love

20 November 2022 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST When Western Samoa surprised Wales by beating them in Cardiff during the pool stage of the 1991 World Cup – correction: […]

Johnson’s inspiring battle cry

30 October 2022 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Martin Johnson won one World Cup with England and could have a hand in another triumph after a pep-talk he gave to […]

Rugby World Cup 2023: Which Northern hemisphere team will go all the way?

29 October 2022 1 comment

A year from now we’ll know the identity of the two teams that will do battle in the Rugby World Cup final. Since the inaugural […]

Six changes for Scots as Hooper returns

27 October 2022 1 comment

Scotland have made six changes as to face an Australian team that welcomes the return of captain Michael Hooper. Hooper elected to miss this year’s […]

It’s a big year for Fiji, says Matavesi

23 October 2022 0 comments

By PAUL REES Sam Matavesi used to drive dumper trucks for a living – now he dumps defenders and last weekend the hooker celebrated making […]

Joe Marler to return for The Barbarians

20 October 2022 0 comments

One of the most popular Barbarians of recent years is set to make a stunning return in the Black and White as Harlequins‘ Joe Marler […]

Tuipulotu skippers strong All Blacks XV

10 October 2022 2 comments

Auckland and Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the inaugural All Blacks XV squad selected for two matches against Ireland A and the Barbarians next […]

Samoa’s All Blacks

9 October 2022 0 comments

Former All Blacks Steven Luatua and Jeff Toomaga-Allen are eligible to play for Samoa in their upcoming tour of Europe to play Italy, Georgia and […]

Williams injury doubt for Wales

9 October 2022 1 comment

Scarlets centre Johnny Williams is a doubt for Wales’ autumn internationals after suffering another calf injury against Benetton. The 25-year-old suffered the problem in the late stages […]

Remember these rugby moments from Six Nations

2 October 2022 1 comment

The Guinness Six Nations, or Six Nations, is the most well-known competition in men’s rugby worldwide. This monumental annual event gathers millions of rugby fans […]

Back: Ireland are there to be shot at

2 October 2022 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Andy Farrell and his Ireland stars head into a vital autumn campaign on top of the world – but with a stern […]

Jones will be looking for instant impact

2 October 2022 0 comments

Quite how the US Navy SEALS’ mission to obliterate Osama Bin Laden can be related to the green fields of France next autumn is beyond […]

Bundee’s on a ban for Ireland

2 October 2022 0 comments

Bundee Aki looks set to miss Ireland‘s autumn internationals after being banned for eight weeks. The centre was sent off in the 60th minute of […]

Wales set to take on SA again

25 September 2022 1 comment

By PETER JACKSON The Rugby Paper can reveal that the Springboks will be back in Cardiff on August 19 for what will be the 11th […]

Porter out to keep playing for England

25 September 2022 1 comment

By PAUL REES Guy Porter was celebrating Leicester’s Premiership final victory over Saracens at Twickenham in June when he received a text that made sure […]

Polledri looks to fast-track way back with Italy

25 September 2022 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Fit-again Jake Polledri met with Italy boss Kieran Crowley this week as the Gloucester loose forward seeks a fast track back into […]

Owens in line for Baa-Baas challenge

18 September 2022 1 comment

By PETER JACKSON Ken Owens is to be offered the chance of breaking new ground on his long-overdue return to the big-time this autumn. The […]

Adams: Wales are going the right way

18 September 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Match winner: Liam Williams, right, congratulates Josh Adams after his try in the second Test against South Africa in the summer Josh […]

Japan………………….29 Ireland ………………..10

28 August 2022 1 comment

■By MARK DOCHERTY JAPAN stepped up their World Cup preparations with a win over Ireland to tie the series in Tokyo. The visitors made the […]

Australia …………….14 New Zealand ……..22

28 August 2022 0 comments

■By MICK WILSON WALLAROOS coach Jay Tregonning has set his team the goal of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals after a much improved performance […]

Scotland …………….17 USA ……………………..21

28 August 2022 0 comments

■By DANNY WARD DESPITE an encouraging display against the fifth ranked side in the world, Chloe Rollie’s last minute try-saving tackle on Lottie Clapp stopped […]

UK rugby teams rise as All Blacks plummet

31 July 2022 0 comments

Although there is always a bit of ebb and flow to the world rugby rankings, the one constant throughout history has been the dominance of […]

‘England must opt for Smith or Farrell’ – Winterbottom

24 July 2022 22 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Peter Winterbottom says England must select either Owen Farrell or Marcus Smith at fly-half as selecting both “limits England’s attack”. Eddie Jones’ […]

RFU chief Sweeney challenges Jones to build on Aussie tour

24 July 2022 0 comments

Bill Sweeney has challenged Eddie Jones and his England players to build on their success Down Under and exorcise some Six Nations demons. The RFU […]

France finish with a flourish against flat Georgia

14 July 2022 0 comments

Georgia U20s 17 (10) Tries: Kuntelia 8, Tsikhistavi 54Conversions: Khutsishvili 9, 55Penalties: Khutsishvili 23 France U20s 44 (17) Tries: Masse 27, 34, Boudou 43, Bielle-Biarrey […]

Care and Chessum come in for England in decider at SCG

14 July 2022 0 comments

Danny Care returns to the England starting line-up and Ollie Chessum makes his first start as England head to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for […]

Sam’s the man with late winner for Ireland

10 July 2022 2 comments

By NICK POWELL Ireland …………..37pts Tries: Gibbons 10, McCormick 17, Penalty 23, McLoughlin 36 Conversions: Prendergast 11, 18, 37 Penalties: Prendergast 47, 64, 79 England […]

Welsh resurgence all about mindset

10 July 2022 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER My experience over many decades is that Welsh rugby is rarely in as bad a state as the doomsayers insist or, […]

Eales urges England to stick with Jones

3 July 2022 1 comment

■By STEFFAN THOMAS Eddie Jones’ position as England head coach may be under scrutiny but Australian legend John Eales insists the Rugby Football Union would […]

Courageous Wales go so close to beating world champs in a thriller

3 July 2022 0 comments

■By PETER JACKSON South Africa ….32pts Tries: Mbonambi 46, Marx 51, Kolbe 65, Penalty 74 Conversions: Willemse 48, 67 Penalties: Jantjies 18, Willemse 80 Wales […]

Richards keeps England on course

3 July 2022 26 comments

■By BEN JAYCOCK France …………….20pts Tries: Montgaillard 33, Penalty 63 Conversions: Auriac 34 Penalties: Auriac 29, 50 England …………29pts Tries: Richards 19, 24, Oresanya 44, […]

Crosbie handed maiden start as Watson misses out on first test for Argentina

1 July 2022 0 comments

Edinburgh‘s Luke Crosbie will make his first start for Scotland in the first test against Argentina on Saturday evening. Crosbie, 25, captained Scotland A to […]

‘Proven’ Reffell makes first Wales start in tour opener

1 July 2022 0 comments

Wayne Pivac praised the form of debut starter Tommy Reffell as he named his squad for the first test of their tour in South Africa. […]

Folau makes return to international rugby with Tonga debut

30 June 2022 0 comments

Israel Folau will make his first start in international rugby since 2019 as he seals his switch to Tonga with a debut against Fiji this […]

Jones admits Owen Farrell ‘very unhappy’ about losing captaincy

30 June 2022 0 comments

Eddie Jones has admitted that Owen Farrell was “very unhappy” when the coach informed him he would lose the England captaincy to Courtney Lawes. Lawes […]

Lawes captains England for Australia opener

30 June 2022 0 comments

Courtney Lawes has been named England captain ahead of Owen Farrell, with the latter starting for the first time since November. Danny Care returns starting […]

Maori All Blacks hammer Ireland in opener

29 June 2022 1 comment

Maori All Blacks 32-17 Ireland XV Ireland’s tour of New Zealand got off to a poor start as they were convincingly beaten against the Maori […]

England vulnerable off back of winning run – Proudfoot

28 June 2022 0 comments

England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has drawn inspiration from the recent State of Origin Rugby League series to explain why he thinks his side are […]

Spain lose appeal and will not play in World Cup

27 June 2022 0 comments

Spain‘s hopes of playing in their first Rugby World Cup since 1999 came to an end after they lost their appeal against disqualification for fielding […]