Rugby World Cup

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

Folau call was TV turn-off for Gareth

11 June 2023 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Gareth Thomas “refused” to watch the Barbarians vs World XV match last month due to the “contradiction” of having symbols to celebrate […]

‘England are dark horses for big prize’

4 June 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD England can be World Cup dark horses who “sneak up” on the rail and gallop off with rugby’s biggest prize. Mike Tindall […]

Jones can fire up Aussies, says Cooper

4 June 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Quade Cooper is bubbling about Australia’s World Cup chances, now they have Eddie Jones back holding the reins. The 35-year-old also believes […]

We will have to front up, says Laidlaw

4 June 2023 0 comments

By BRYN PALMER Scotland’s players need to swiftly “front up” to the reality of their World Cup pool if they are to avoid a second […]

Gatland releases Carre after he fails to hit targets

4 June 2023 0 comments

Cardiff prop Rhys Carre has been released from Wales’ World Cup training squad having “failed to meet individual performance targets”. “Rhys Carre has been released […]

Stewart steps up for Ireland squad

4 June 2023 0 comments

Ulster hooker Tom Stewart, who set the record for the most tries in a URC season with 16, is one of four uncapped players in […]

McCaw tips Wales to cause carnage

4 June 2023 0 comments

THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW When it comes to talking about ‘carnage’ at the World Cup, nobody is more impeccably qualified on the subject […]

Prime to cover World Cup warm up games

28 May 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Prime Video are planning on broadcasting Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up matches involving all the Six Nations teams this summer. Scotland’s clash […]

Jones keen to keep his name in the frame for Wales

28 May 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Wyn Jones strolls out at Twickenham today determined to prove a point as he comes to terms with seeing his World Cup […]

Alun Wyn bows out ahead of RWC axe

21 May 2023 0 comments

By PETER JACKSON Alun Wyn Jones abandoned the last goal of his monumental career amid growing fears of failing to make the final cut for […]

Series 2, Episode 19: Wayne Barnes on the World Cup, social media and bilingualism

16 May 2023 0 comments

World Rugby has announced its refereeing roster for the 2023 World Cup, and it was no surprise to see the highest-capped test referee of all […]

Ashton one of the greats – Cueto

12 May 2023 0 comments

Mark Cueto has paid tribute to former international teammate and soon-to-retire winger Chris Ashton, and his unique ability to finish off opportunities. Cueto and Ashton […]

Series 2 Episode 18 – Mark Cueto on Sale Sharks, Martin Johnson, the England back three and more

11 May 2023 0 comments

In a wonderfully chaotic episode of the Rugby Paper Podcast, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by […]

Thomas defends decision to defect

7 May 2023 0 comments

By PETER JACKSON Henry Thomas will start work on his unprecedented transfer from England to Wales this month – 16 years after an abortive attempt […]

Lawes in the mood to finish on a high

7 May 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Courtney Lawes has set his sights on finishing what has been a frustrating season for last year’s England captain on a high […]

Kolisi a major World Cup doubt

30 April 2023 0 comments

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi may miss this year’s World Cup with a knee injury sustained playing for the Sharks against Munster. Kolisi suffered a partial […]

Evans is plotting another Fiji shock

23 April 2023 0 comments

By PETER JACKSON A globe-trotting Welshman has become a major part of Fiji‘s grand plan to make World Cup history repeat itself against Wales come […]

England can’t win World Cup with Farrell – Barkley

21 April 2023 0 comments

Olly Barkley has called for Marcus Smith‘s immediate inclusion into the England team, saying he does not believe they can win a World Cup with […]

I’d love to play for Fiji, says Hughes

16 April 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Nathan Hughes has closed the chapter on his time in England but says he is awaiting the call from the Fijian selectors […]

All Blacks have what it takes to go all way

16 April 2023 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK The decision by New Zealand to announce a new coach of the All Blacks before a four-year cycle […]

Three other lopsided pool draws in Rugby World Cup history

14 April 2023 0 comments

One of the leading debates ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup is the extent to which the two halves of the draw are unbalanced […]

We’ll be better by World Cup – Slade

9 April 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES England may have endured another underwhelming Six Nations, losing more matches than they won for the third successive year, but Henry Slade […]

Farrell can play the Jonny role, says May

2 April 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Owen Farrell can be the “Jonny Wilkinson figure” England will need to capture a second Webb Ellis Cup in France. Former Test […]

Hogg, 30, announces shock retirement

27 March 2023 0 comments

Stuart Hogg has stunned the rugby world by announcing his intention to retire after this year’s Rugby World Cup. Hogg made his Scotland debut against […]

Lewies: Don’t rule out England shock

26 March 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Stephan Lewies expects England to be a contender for this year’s World Cup despite a third successive Six Nations which yielded more […]

Kay: Fitness guru is key for England

26 March 2023 1 comment

Steve Borthwick still has “an ace” up his sleeve in his determined bid to transform England into realistic World Cup contenders. England fans may be […]

“Nothing in it” between Ireland and France – McBride

24 March 2023 0 comments

Irish rugby legend Willie John McBride says there’s nothing to separate France and his nation despite Ireland‘s Six Nations Grand Slam this year. Speaking on The […]

Hansen: Weight of expectation could be Ireland’s toughest Rugby World Cup opponent

20 March 2023 1 comment

With unbeaten Six Nations and Autumn Nations campaigns and a series victory in New Zealand under their belts inside the last 12 months, there’s no […]

England can still win World Cup – Robinson

17 March 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell Andy Robinson believes that England can still win the World Cup, but must solve the question of who will be playing in […]

Cueto: Farrell’s the man for World Cup

12 March 2023 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Mark Cueto believes England have mistimed their transition from Owen Farrell to Marcus Smith at fly-half, backing the former as the best […]

Rugby World Cup 2023: Six Matches to Get Excited About

2 February 2023 1 comment

Rugby is unquestionably one of the finest sports in the world. It may not draw as many spectators as football or American football yet rugby […]

A history of the Springboks and Nike: is it a bad omen for the 2023 World Cup?

20 January 2023 0 comments

The start of 2023 marks a significant and enthralling milestone for rugby fans given that we have officially entered a World Cup year. Yes, in […]

Jones in sensational Australia appointment

16 January 2023 0 comments

Eddie Jones has been appointed as Australia’s head coach with immediate effect, with Dave Rennie sacked to make way for the former England boss. Jones, […]

Fail at the World Cup and that’s it, Gatland

15 January 2023 0 comments

By PETER JACKSON Warren Gatland’s second coming will be in danger of an early going should Wales flop at the World Cup. Failure to reach […]

Six Nations 2023: England with a point to prove under Borthwick

10 January 2023 0 comments

England head into the 2023 Six Nations tournament with a major point to prove ahead of their bid to win the World Cup later this […]

Are the Springboks on course to defend their World Cup crown in 2023?

7 January 2023 0 comments

As 2022 draws to an end, we’ve seen significant changes take place in international rugby, and with a World Cup on the horizon in 2023, […]

All the Details You Need to Know About the 2023 Rugby World Cup

2 January 2023 0 comments

2023 will see a host of major rugby tournaments take place around the world, and chief among them is the tenth edition of the quadrennial […]

2023 Rugby World Cup Pool Stages Preview

27 December 2022 0 comments

With the final pool stages being confirmed for the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup, betting sites around the globe have started updating their odds for […]

Moody: We can rescue our World Cup dream

18 December 2022 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD England’s World Cup dreams can still be salvaged if the new head coach keeps an “open mind” over playing style and “learns […]

Dallaglio: Ditch this World Cup obsession

11 December 2022 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Lawrence Dallaglio insists England are now “unlikely” to win a second World Cup because they have fallen too far behind their rivals […]

Crowley still hoping Odogwu will play for Italy

11 December 2022 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE Wanted: Paolo Odogwu and Kieran Crowley, below Italy head coach Kieran Crowley hasn’t yet conceded defeat in his bid to try and […]

MacGinty close to tears as Portugal stun USA

20 November 2022 0 comments

USA captain AJ Mac-Ginty was almost in tears after the Eagles missed out on the final qualification place to Portugal on points difference. Portugal secured […]

Brothers line up World Cup shot

20 November 2022 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Sale Sharks twins Jean-Luc and Dan Du Preez, below, could appear at the World Cup next year after being […]

Underdogs tag suits South Africa – van der Merwe

28 October 2022 3 comments

Flip van der Merwe believes that South Africa’s underdogs tag is “the best place to be” for the team, speaking on The Rugby Paper Podcast. […]

South Africa and New Zealand to meet at Twickenham in World cup warm-up

24 October 2022 1 comment

World champions South Africa and 2022 Rugby Championship winners New Zealand will meet in a World cup warm-up at Twickenham ahead of the 2023 Rugby […]

Write All Blacks off at your peril, warns Pollard

2 October 2022 2 comments

By PAUL REES Handre Pollard says that anyone writing off New Zealand for next year’s World Cup after their struggles this year should think again. […]

One year to go until the Rugby World Cup 2023 kicks off in France

8 September 2022 1 comment

The countdown to the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, which kicks off on 8 September next year, is well and truly underway. The tenth […]

Brian Ashton – ‘I could be really bitter and twisted if I wanted to be but I’m not’

26 August 2022 0 comments

Brian Ashton was not bitter when reflecting on his disappointing removal as England coach, although he did describe the sacking as a “bizarre episode”. Ashton, […]

Chile put pressure on US to up their game

24 July 2022 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST When the Australian batsman Mark Waugh, brother of the masterly Test captain Steve, questioned the credentials of Jimmy Ormond during an […]