International Rugby

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

George calls on England to repeat the triumph of 2016

26 June 2022 1 comment

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Perth Jamie George has urged England to turn back time and repeat the heroics of 2016 when the Test series against […]

Pivac: I can’t wait to take on Boks

26 June 2022 1 comment

By STEFFAN THOMAS Most of Wales will be hiding behind the sofa on Saturday but Wayne Pivac can’t wait to take on the Springboks. Pivac’s […]

England need to rewrite the script quickly

26 June 2022 1 comment

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK The roll call for England’s three-Test tour of Australia reads as follows: two old guard rejects, eight […]

Dazzling French too strong for battling Irish

26 June 2022 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK France …………..42pts Tries: Labarthe 16, Gailleton 18, Depoortere 47, Montgaillard 70, 78 Conversions: Auriac 18, 18, 46, 48 Penalties: Auriac 9, 42, […]

Concern for England as Baby Boks take charge

26 June 2022 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK England …………22pts Tries: Stewart 9, Ilione 58, Oresanya 79 Conversions: Smith 10, 59 Penalties: Smith 50 South Africa ….30pts Tries: Hartzenberg 2, […]

Question is: Where are Wales mentally?

26 June 2022 0 comments

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND The first moment of truth of the summer for Welsh rugby comes at Loftus Versfeld this weekend when Wayne […]

Crowley set to enjoy Italy’s ‘Blue summer’

26 June 2022 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points After that brilliant last-minute win over Wales in Cardiff and a fine […]

England suffer setback as Jonny May tests positive for Covid-19

24 June 2022 1 comment

England have suffered a setback upon arriving in Australia for their three-Test tour after winger Jonny May tested positive for Covid-19. The Gloucester flyer will spend […]

Wales prepared for anything on tour in South Africa – Kieran Hardy

23 June 2022 1 comment

Kieran Hardy has said that Wales preparation has left them “ready for everything” as they face the world champions this Summer. Coming off the back […]

Adam Beard: Veteran Jones ‘leading the enthusiasm’

23 June 2022 1 comment

Alun Wyn Jones’ second row colleague Adam Beard has said the 150-capped legend is providing plenty of motivation in training ahead of their South African […]

Thompson hoping Scottish summer can re-ignite form after Warriors woes

22 June 2022 0 comments

Glasgow Warriors fly-half Ross Thompson is hoping that Scotland’s tour to South America can re-ignite his early season form, after a disappointing end to his […]

Care will not overthink chance to make history

22 June 2022 0 comments

Danny Care is looking to make the most of his return to the England set up after nearly four years away, as he looks to […]

‘Write anyone off at your peril’ – Pivac quietly confident of Wales success

21 June 2022 0 comments

Wales boss Wayne Pivac was in optimistic mood ahead of his side’s tour of South Africa, whilst recognising the huge task playing the world champions […]

Pivac hands uncapped O’Connor place on South Africa Tour

21 June 2022 2 comments

Wales boss Wayne Pivac has handed uncapped prop Harri O’Connor a call up for the July Tour to South Africa. O’Connor was born in North […]

Jones urges England to ‘go after’ Aussies on tour

21 June 2022 0 comments

Eddie Jones has called for England to match the ‘aggressive’ environment the Australians will provide for his players as they prepare for their three match […]

Eddie Jones: Billy Vunipola’s final display clinched spot in squad

20 June 2022 0 comments

Eddie Jones credited Billy Vunipola’s performance in the Premiership Final as earning his place in England’s squad for their tour of Australia. Vunipola, 29, moves […]

Eddie Jones sees positives despite thumping defeat

20 June 2022 24 comments

Eddie Jones praised England‘s ‘intent’ despite their 52-21 hammering at the hands of the Barbarians on Sunday. Though England were well beaten it was hard […]

Care and Vunipola set to return for Australia tour

20 June 2022 0 comments

Danny Care and Billy Vunipola moved in line for first capped appearances since November 2018 and March 2021 respectively, after they were named in the […]

Danny Care told he has World Cup chance if he proves himself against Barbarians

16 June 2022 1 comment

Danny Care has been told by England that he could figure in their plans for next year’s World Cup if he makes the most of […]

Ulster and Ireland flyer misses New Zealand tour

14 June 2022 0 comments

Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune has been ruled out of Ireland‘s tour of New Zealand through injury as Andy Farrell reveals his squad for their summer […]

England spring surprise with Danny Care recalled for non-cap international

12 June 2022 0 comments

England have sprung a surprise by naming Danny Care in their training squad for Sunday’s non-cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham. Over three years […]

Henry Arundell: Nerves over entering England’s big dog zone eased in pub session

9 June 2022 24 comments

Henry Arundell has revealed that his nerves over entering England’s “big dog zone” were eased during a pub session with Ellis Genge and Marcus Smith. […]

Harry Randall enjoying ‘massive challenge’ as England target Australia whitewash

9 June 2022 0 comments

Harry Randall has urged England to deliver another series whitewash of Australia during next month’s tour. Eddie Jones has overseen eight successive victories over the […]

Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell and Kyle Steyn rested for Argentina and Chile tour

8 June 2022 2 comments

Gregor Townsend has left Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, and Kyle Steyn out of his 40-player squad for the summer tour of Argentina and Chile. “Stuart […]

Jonny May returns to 35-player England training squad

6 June 2022 1 comment

Jonny May returns to the England set-up as Eddie Jones names a 35-player training squad for a three-day camp in Teddington. May returns after recovering […]

Tuilagi misses tour of Australia due to knee surgery

2 June 2022 0 comments

England and Sale Sharks centre Manu Tuilagi will miss this summer’s tour of Australia to have surgery on a knee problem. The 31-year-old has played […]

Israel Folau set for international return after Tonga switch

27 May 2022 0 comments

Israel Folau is set to return to international rugby with Tonga – three years after having his contract with Australia terminated. The 33-year-old back had […]

Exeter’s Sam Simmonds unlikely to be fit for England’s summer tour of Australia

17 May 2022 0 comments

England look set to be without Exeter number eight Sam Simmonds for the summer tour of Australia. Exeter boss Rob Baxter says it is “unlikely” […]

Eddie Jones: The RFU’s potential contenders to replace England head coach

29 April 2022 1 comment

Eddie Jones is expected to step down after the 2023 Rugby World Cup as England coach. However, there are questions whether the Australian will last […]

Spain removed from the World Cup

28 April 2022 0 comments

Spain have been kicked out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to an ineligible player playing in two qualification games. This is the second […]

Young English players who could break into the national team before the 2023 World Cup

22 April 2022 0 comments

The 2023 World Cup is now less than 18 months away, and after a lacklustre Six Nations performance, England head coach Eddie Jones will be […]

Sexton announces retirement plans

8 March 2022 0 comments

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has announced today he will retire at the end of the 2023 World Cup. Earlier today, the 36-year-old signed a new […]

England to host Barbarians at Twickenham

10 February 2022 1 comment

England will play Barbarian F.C. at Twickenham Stadium this summer. Ahead of their summer tour to Australia, Eddie Jones‘ side will host the Barbarians on […]

Wales to travel to South Africa for three match summer series

8 February 2022 0 comments

Wales will travel to South Africa to play a three-Test series this summer. The world champions will host Wales in Pretoria on July 2, a […]

Eight-try Ireland make up for that shock Italy defeat

6 February 2022 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Ireland ..53pts Tries: Mullins 13, 51, Devine 22, Morrissey 33, Crothers 41, McNabney 44, McCormick 60, Brownlee 79 Conversions: Tector 23, 34, […]

Arundell’s pace puts frighteners on Scots

6 February 2022 1 comment

By BEN JAYCOCK Scotland…………24pts Tries: Leatherbarrow 13, 31; Melville 45, Hiddleston 80+3 Conversions: Townsend 33, 85 England…………..41pts Tries: Arundell 23, Knight 38, 64; Carr-Smith 55, […]

Marksman Auriac gets France on the target

6 February 2022 0 comments

France ….41pts Tries: Reybier 14, Dayral 24, Bevla 29, Auriac 72 Conversions: Auriac 15, 26, 73 Penalties: Auriac 21, 48, 53, 60, 78 Italy ……..15pts […]

England are favourites for a rare repeat

30 January 2022 2 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Team to beat: England win the title last summer THE U20 Six Nations kicks off on Friday with a triple header, as […]

Aleki Lutui: Tonga must welcome in Folau

7 January 2022 1 comment

Former Tonga captain Aleki Lutui believes Israel Folau should be welcomed into the Tongan rugby union set up. Folau has not played international rugby since […]

England U20s announce 2022 squad

3 January 2022 1 comment

Ahead of the U20 Six Nations, England have selected their 32-man Elite Player Squad (EPS) for 2022. Head coach Alan Dickens has selected ten players […]

England’s fledglings still have a point to prove

14 December 2021 0 comments

Eddie Jones was rewarded for placing his faith in the next generation of English talent as his side enjoyed a series of strong performances in […]

Virtuoso Slade may have done for Farrell

5 December 2021 1 comment

CHRIS HEWETT THERE’S a question out there that dare not speak its name, but we’ll ask it anyway: is Owen Farrell flirting with the past […]

Roberts likely to bid Ulster farewell for Wales future

28 November 2021 0 comments

By ALEX BYWATER Big impact: Bradley Roberts tackles Vincent Koch NEW Wales hooker Bradley Roberts admits his shock Test bow this autumn has complicated his […]

USA rout wraps up dominant autumn

28 November 2021 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Flyer: Lydia Thompson scores England’s third try ENGLAND Women completed their autumn clean sweep with an 89-0, 15-try win over USA at […]

No problem in Cardiff? Read these tweets, WRU

28 November 2021 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW The Welsh Rugby Union maintained a stony silence all week in the face of further damning evidence […]

Injury-hit Thorley is tweaking for Eddie!

28 November 2021 0 comments

By PAUL REES OLLIE Thorley has been working on his attacking technique after a series of injuries have prevented him from adding to the one […]

Marcus Smith Could Be Set To Be A Star For England

11 November 2021 0 comments

Marcus Smith has made an excellent start to his international career for England and the Harlequins fly-half could be set to become a huge star […]

Arms Park debut for Saracens prop Evans

7 November 2021 0 comments

Preview… Wales v Japan Today, Kick-off 5pm SARACENS hooker Kat Evans makes her international debut at Cardiff Arms Park as the only new face in […]

England hungry for Black Ferns double

7 November 2021 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON PREVIEW… England v New Zealand Today. Kick-off 2.30pm, Franklin’s Gardens POPPY Cleall captains England for the first time in today’s rematch against […]