World

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

New-look Danny Care can tick all the boxes now

7 February 2014 1 comment

Attacking flair has always been Danny Care’s calling card, that airborne reverse flick pass against Clermont just the tip of an iceberg of inventive highlights.

You must stick with Luther Burrell now says Alex King

5 February 2014 0 comments

Northampton backs coach Alex King insists his protégé deserves long-term backing in the international set-up

Callum Wilson to make England Sevens debut in Wellington

4 February 2014 2 comments

Callum Wilson has been handed his HSBC Seven World Series debut and Mat Turner returns to the side as England prepare to defend their Wellington […]

Billy Twelvetrees and Joe Marler head the Haywards Heath talent factory

4 February 2014 0 comments

Haywards Heath may be languishing in the sixth tier of English rugby but it hasn’t stopped the London 1 South side from producing home-grown rugby talent destined for the very top.

Dai Young fears that weary Welsh Lions will suffer in Six Nations

31 January 2014 1 comment

Dai Young feels the after-effects of a gruelling Lions tour could hinder Wales’s chances of becoming the first side to claim three Six Nations titles in a row.

Chris Ashton dropped by England

28 January 2014 0 comments

As expected, Chris Ashton has been dropped by England ahead of their Six Nations opener against France on Saturday.

Priestland at 10, Warburton on bench for Wales

28 January 2014 0 comments

Rhys Priestland will lead Wales attack on Saturday as they kick off their Six Nations campaign against Italy at the Millennium Stadium.

England win Plate in Las Vegas Sevens

27 January 2014 1 comment

England survived a late scare but beat Australia 26-24 to win the Plate at the Las Vegas Sevens yesterday. Captain Tom Mitchell and Jeff Williams […]

England Sevens must keep in touch warns Tom Mitchell

23 January 2014 0 comments

Tom Mitchell, the newly-appointed captain of England Sevens, believes they have to lift a trophy in either Las Vegas or Wellington if they don’t want to fall off the frantic pace set by New Zealand, South Africa and Fiji.

Luther Burrell gets defensive about his big chance

21 January 2014 0 comments

Manu Tuilagi may be the irresistible force but Luther Burrell believes he can be the immovable object if Stuart Lancaster hands him England’s No.13 shirt.

Boy George Ford will man-up for England says Peter Stringer

16 January 2014 0 comments

Stuart Lancaster has challenged George Ford to show he can handle the international stage – but the Bath prodigy has already proved he’s tailor-made for the England shirt, according to the man with the best seat in the house.

Delon Armitage: Toulon will release us for England

10 January 2014 1 comment

Delon Armitage has described England’s refusal to pick France-based players as a “big opportunity missed”, insisting he and brother Steffon are available for all international training camps.

George Ford called up by England as Toby Flood is dropped

9 January 2014 1 comment

George Ford has been called up by England ahead of the Six Nations as Stuart Lancaster named his new EPS and Six Nations training squad today.

Dead-eye Stephen Myler has England in his sights

1 January 2014 0 comments

Northampton’s marksman Stephen Myler has revealed his burning to desire to represent England during the forthcoming RBS Six Nations.

Graham Kitchener can be England lineout king says Louis Deacon

20 December 2013 0 comments

Louis Deacon has backed Leicester second row partner Graham Kitchener to break into the England team.

Alex Goode: Well played Mike Brown, but I still want your place

19 December 2013 2 comments

While Alex Goode admits Mike Brown’s current form makes him deservedly England’s No.15, that does not mean the Sarries man is letting up in his pursuit.

Dominant Courtney Lawes takes game to another level

13 December 2013 0 comments

Courtney Lawes has established himself as one of world rugby’s foremost locks, insists his Northampton second row partner Christian Day.

Billy Twelvetrees: It’s my fault if England drop me

11 December 2013 1 comment

The longer that Gloucester’s struggles continue, the more Billy Twelvetrees knows his England place is under threat.

England lift Bowl trophy at Port Elizabeth Sevens

9 December 2013 0 comments

England lifted the Bowl title at the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens after reeling off wins over Scotland, the USA and Australia on day two in […]

Nick Easter: My pal Mike Brown’s always been this good

6 December 2013 1 comment

While Mike Brown’s autumn form has solved one of England’s selection headaches, Nick Easter claims the answer has been staring Stuart Lancaster in the face for far too long.

Don’t just look at my power, says Luther Burrell

5 December 2013 1 comment

Luther Burrell is determined to keep knocking on the England door – rather than smash it down – after being overlooked for the Autumn Internationals.

England finish fourth at Dubai 7s

30 November 2013 0 comments

England finished fourth at the Dubai Sevens after Tim Mikkelson’s late try clinched a 17-14 play-off win for New Zealand. Head coach Simon Amor’s team […]

Tom Mitchell: Sevens deep in the desert

29 November 2013 0 comments

Of all the nine tournaments on the IRB series, the Dubai 7s is perhaps the one that best brings home the bizarre nature of our […]

Anthony Watson gets in good Nick for World Cup

29 November 2013 0 comments

Anthony Watson admits he dreams of playing for England in the 2015 World Cup – but if he does so he knows who to thank.

How rivalry with Tom Youngs gets the best from Dylan Hartley

28 November 2013 0 comments

When Dylan Hartley bruised his lung the life was squeezed out of England’s revival against the All Blacks, such has been the form of the Kiwi-born hooker this autumn.

Axe Chris Ashton now says World Cup wing Dan Luger

26 November 2013 2 comments

World Cup winner Dan Luger believes Chris Ashton has used up all of his nine lives for England, claiming his presence in the side is damaging Stuart Lancaster’s credibility.

‘Smoking’ Joe Launchbury is the new silent assassin

21 November 2013 0 comments

Ten years after lifting the World Cup alongside Richard Hill, Lawrence Dallaglio is convinced England have found their new silent assassin in Joe Launchbury.

Alex Gray in line for England Sevens debut in Dubai

20 November 2013 0 comments

Alex Gray is set to make his first appearance in the HSBC Sevens World Series after being named in the England squad for the Dubai […]

Ton-up Warren Gatland chases a landmark success

20 November 2013 0 comments

He may have been denied a cap as a player, but on Friday Warren Gatland will become only the second coach in rugby history to take charge of 100 Tests.

Buck up, Matt Kvesic or lose No.7 fight – Lewis Moody

15 November 2013 2 comments

Former England captain Lewis Moody fears Matt Kvesic’s drop in form means he is losing the race to be the Red Rose openside for the 2015 World Cup campaign.

Tom Youngs’ strengths outweigh his weaknesses, says George Chuter

13 November 2013 0 comments

Former England hooker George Chuter has launched a staunch defence of Tom Youngs in the wake of the criticism directed towards his Leicester team-mate.

Mike Ford: Anthony Watson in line to get England call for Six Nations

12 November 2013 5 comments

One has worked with him for four years, the other for four months – but both Neal Hatley and Mike Ford have no doubts Anthony Watson’s England call-up last week is the first of many.

Battering ram Billy Vunipola is Richard Hill’s top man

7 November 2013 2 comments

The modern loose forward can be a man of many hats: specialist, scavenger or even a six-and-a-half. But Richard Hill believes there’s no substitute for a back row battering ram, and for Billy Vunipola, the cap certainly fits.

‘Mental block’ is stopping Wales

5 November 2013 1 comment

Wales will have to smash a ‘mental blockage’ when they go big-game hunting against the Springboks in Cardiff on Saturday.

Headless chicken days over – Courtney Lawes

1 November 2013 0 comments

Courtney Lawes knows he is in the form of his life as he looks forward to playing in his first Autumn International series for three years.

Don’t question my Scottish heritage says new man Blair Cowan

31 October 2013 4 comments

London Irish back rower Blair Cowan insists he is no ‘kilted Kiwi’ and that his shock call-up by Scotland is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.

Tom Mitchell: Gold Coast behind us, Dubai next

30 October 2013 0 comments

We are back in the gym and working hard. Sessions on the running track and training park are back to their pre-season intensity. Once again […]

You’re out, no you’re not, Wales tell James Hook!

30 October 2013 0 comments

Wales told James Hook he had been dropped from their squad only to reinstate him barely 24 hours later.

Owen Farrell earns Paul Grayson vote in line-up of the No.10s

18 October 2013 0 comments

Paul Grayson cannot recall such intense competition for the England No.10 shirt but the second highest points scorer in Red Rose history believes Owen Farrell’s big-game mentality gives him the edge.

Henry Trinder, Luther Burrell and Joel Tomkins in line for England Test debut

16 October 2013 0 comments

Henry Trinder is in line to make his England Test debut after being named in Stuart Lancaster’s England squad ahead of the QBE Autumn internationals.

Mike Brown: Quins form won’t ruin my England Test dream

16 October 2013 0 comments

Mike Brown has scotched suggestions that Harlequins are in terminal decline, claiming a misfiring backline will not harm his hopes of nailing down England’s No.15 jersey.

England finish third at Gold Coast Sevens

13 October 2013 0 comments

James Rodwell, Dan Bibby and new boy Phil Burgess scored two tries each as England finished the opening round of the HSBC World Series on the Gold Coast in third position after beating South Africa 47-0 in the play-off.

VIDEO: Simon Amor and Chris Cracknell preview the Gold Coast Sevens

10 October 2013 1 comment

Just before they took off for the Gold Coast and the opening round of the HSBC World Series, our online editor Nick Verdier caught up […]

Behind the England Sevens’ scenes with Tom Mitchell: Countdown to round One…

10 October 2013 0 comments

Sitting on a sun drenched balcony in Australia looking out over Surfers Paradise the idea six gruelling games of 7s might not be the first […]

Where do you want me to play? Elliot Daly asks England

10 October 2013 0 comments

With England spoilt for choice at full-back but injury-ravaged in the centres, Elliot Daly admits he would love some clarification from the international set-up as to where his best position lies.