Summer Tours

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

Handre Pollard: Argentina will test Steve Borthwick’s England

12 January 2025 0 comments

England have been warned to expect “tough battles” when they enter the backyard of the Pumas later this year.

This has been the best year of my life

25 August 2024 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso about his rise to the top for Exeter and England Even by his own admission, it’s been somewhat of […]

Scotland see off battling Chile for third win on tour

21 July 2024 0 comments

BY JOE SANTAMARIA Chile…………………………………………………11 Tries: Escobar 50 Penalties: Videla 11, Salas 27 Scotland……………………………………………52 Tries: Bayliss 22, Rowe 29, 65; Dobie 34, 45; Currie 58, Richardson 73, Steyn 79 Conversions: Healy 23, 30, 36; Hastings 59, […]

2027 World Cup is closer than you think, says Borthwick

21 July 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Steve Borthwick admits he faces a race against time to get England up to speed as he turns his sights to the […]

Freeman: We left with NZ respect

21 July 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Tommy Freeman flew out of New Zealand on Monday morning beaten but not bowed claiming England had won the respect of the […]

England going in the right direction

21 July 2024 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK If we measure England from the time Steve Borthwick took over as head coach to where we are […]

All Blacks spreading the word in San Diego

21 July 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK New Zealand……………………………………47 Tries: Clarke 8, Ratima 12, Proctor 26, Savea 34, Reece 44, de Groot 59, Bell 77 Conversions: McKenzie 9, 14, 35, 45, […]

Hardy on hand to grab last-gasp win

21 July 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Reds……………………………..35 Tries: Asiata 14, 28, 51; Grealy 59, 69 Conversions: O’Connor 14, 28, 51, 59, 69 Wales……………………………..36 Tries: Griffin 4, Grace 19, Dyer 21, Tshinunza […]

England need to beat the big boys

21 July 2024 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK It is intriguing to see England being touted already as serious 2027 World Cup contenders on the […]

A drop of magic is just what we need

21 July 2024 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED STRANGE as it may sound to generations of rugby lovers raised on a fizzy-drink, dopamine-heavy diet of high-scoring matches, there was […]

Building for a brighter future

21 July 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES LOOKS AT WHAT WENT RIGHTAND WHAT WENT WRONGFOR THE TOURING HOME NATIONS After Wales had lost the second Test, and the rubber, to […]

Cory Hill apologises for past ‘mistake’ as he prepares to captain Wales

18 July 2024 0 comments

Wales end their Australia tour by tackling Queensland Reds. Wales lock Cory Hill says he regrets an incident that happened three years ago and has […]

Rugby union rookie Regan Grace handed Wales start against Queensland

17 July 2024 0 comments

The former rugby league star played twice for Bath last season. Regan Grace will start for Wales in only his third game of rugby union […]

George: I just can’t wait for rematch

14 July 2024 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY at Eden Park England captain Jamie George is desperate for a rematch with the All Blacks after another gut-wrenching reverse down under. […]

Ireland stun world champions

14 July 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Super-sub Ciaran Frawley landed a last second drop-goal to write his name into Ireland legend as Andy Farrell’s side clinched a dramatic […]

Underhill so impressed by England’s improvement

14 July 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Sam Underhill is a decent barometer of England’s progress in the last 12 months having watched them from in and outside the […]

Agony for England as they fail to breach the All Black fortress

14 July 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway in Eden Park New Zealand………………. 24pts Tries: Tele’a 11, 61 Conversions: McKenzie 12 Penalties: McKenzie 21, 38, 69, 75 England ………………………… 17pts […]

A thunderous match that had no losers

14 July 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES The first thing that needs to be said is that this was an absorbing Test match between two teams which on their current […]

High-risk blitz puts England in charge

14 July 2024 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK There’s nothing not to like about England’s blitz defence. It’s bold, gutsy, and good to see because it […]

Hat-trick for Ashman as Scots down the Eagles

14 July 2024 0 comments

By Sam Jackson USA …………………… 7pts Tries: Boni 32 Conversions: MacGinty 33 Scotland ………. 42pts Tries: van der Merwe 6, Ashman 19, 26, 40+3; Horne […]

Aussies made to fight all the way

14 July 2024 0 comments

By Roger Panting Australia……………………… 36pts Tries: Daugunu 7, 67; Gordon 25, Alaalatoa 54 Conversions: Lolesio 8, 26 Penalties: Lolesio 15, 31, 39; Donaldson 77 Wales…………………………… […]

We have makings of a good team – Gatland

14 July 2024 0 comments

Wales produced their best performance of the year but still fell to their ninth successive defeat – and a 15th loss in 21 Tests since […]

Wales show defiance but the wait goes on

14 July 2024 0 comments

PETER JACKSON All week long the Red Dragon legions had planned their regimental mobilisation with just enough military precision to let them catch the action […]

Ireland’s ecstasy as cool Frawley steals it

14 July 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER South Africa………………… 24pts Penalties: Pollard 19, 35, 45, 48, 53, 57, 61, 65 Ireland…………………………. 25pts Tries: Murray 14 Conversions: Crowley 15 Penalties: […]

On-target Garbisi shows the way for Italy

14 July 2024 0 comments

International round-up Italy beat Tonga 36-14 in Nuku’alofa as the Azzurri bounced back from a shock defeat to Samoa on their Pacific tour. Fly-half Paolo […]

Why is captain replaced so early?

14 July 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME So the All Blacks keep their home record of wins at Dunedin by just one point […]

The key talking points ahead of the second Test between Australia and Wales

12 July 2024 0 comments

Wales have not won a Test match since the 2023 World Cup. Wales will have another chance to try and end their long losing run […]

5 key talking points ahead of England’s clash with New Zealand in Auckland

12 July 2024 0 comments

Steve Borthwick has sought to unnerve New Zealand by highlighting the pressure that comes with their remarkable record at Eden Park. England are aiming to […]

George Furbank ruled out of England’s second Test against New Zealand

12 July 2024 0 comments

Freddie Steward replaces Furbank at full-back in his first appearance for England since February 10 when he started against Wales in the Six Nations. England […]

Andy Farrell impressed by captain Peter O’Mahony’s response to being dropped

11 July 2024 0 comments

Caelan Doris will skipper the Six Nations champions against South Africa on Saturday. Ireland boss Andy Farrell feels captain Peter O’Mahony has shown “proper leadership” […]

Steve Borthwick looking forward to testing New Zealand at Eden Park

11 July 2024 0 comments

England narrowly lost the first Test last weekend England boss Steve Borthwick has stepped up his efforts to unsettle New Zealand ahead of Saturday’s second […]

George: Keep the faith

7 July 2024 0 comments

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Dunedin England skipper Jamie George told his side to keep the faith after their agonising 16-15 defeat to New Zealand continued […]

Smith is enjoying the life of a tourist

7 July 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY in Dunedin Marcus Smith has been throwing himself into touring life down under as he makes the most of the current trip […]

England go close but All Blacks have enough to take honours

7 July 2024 0 comments

By NICK CAIN New Zealand……………….. 16pts Tries: Reece 16, Savea 25 Penalties: McKenzie 55, 66 England ………………………… 15pts Tries: Itoje 21, Feyi-Waboso 48 Conversion: Smith […]

England know this was a chance missed

7 July 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES After Marcus Smith missed a penalty two minutes into the second half from 30 metres out and just to the left of the […]

NZ chief is backing All Blacks to get back to top

7 July 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY New Zealand CEO Mark Robinson is confident the All Blacks can rise to the top of the world game despite the recent […]

Aussies prove too powerful for Wales

7 July 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Australia……………………… 25pts Tries: Tupou 21, Daugunu 53, Wright 69 Conversions: Lolesio 21, Lynagh 69 Penalties: Lolesio 6, 14 Wales……………………………. 16pts Tries: Penalty […]

Gatland: We need to learn from this

7 July 2024 0 comments

Warren Gatland feels frustrated that Wales did not get the 50-50 calls in crucial moments but was encouraged by his inexperienced side’s performance despite defeat. […]

High life proves step too far for Ireland

7 July 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER South Africa ……………….. 27pts Tries: Arendse 3, Kolbe 65, Penalty 78 Conversions: Pollard 4, 67 Penalties: Pollard 18, 29 pts Ireland…………………………..20pts Tries: […]

We will fix things for next week, promises O’Mahony

7 July 2024 0 comments

Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony was proud of his side for remaining resilient in South Africa’s lions den and staying in the fight until the […]

Borthwick happy to go back for future

7 July 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME So it looks like Steve Borthwick has learned a lesson and decided what many thought was […]

Fresh faced Les Blues wrestle past Los Pumas

6 July 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Argentina……………………… 13 Tries: Montoya 60, Orlando 76 Penalties: Carreras 25 France…………………………. 28 Tries: Serin 35, Frisch 46, Attisogbe 66 Conversions: Hastoy 36, […]

Marcus Smith urges England to ‘show the best of themselves’ against New Zealand

5 July 2024 0 comments

The All Blacks will provide a gauge of just how far England’s attack has come. Marcus Smith is ready for England’s growing confidence in attack […]

Stafford McDowall shocked to be leading Scotland against Canada

5 July 2024 0 comments

It will be only a third Scotland appearance for the Glasgow centre. Stafford McDowall revealed his shock at being told he would be Scotland co-captain […]

Dewi Lake says Wales spurred on by chance to end miserable record in Australia

5 July 2024 0 comments

Wales last beat Australia Down Under in 1969. Dewi Lake insists that records are “meant to be broken” as Wales target a first victory against […]

Ellis Bevan ready for Australia challenge after facing Faf de Klerk on debut

1 July 2024 0 comments

The Cardiff scrum-half relished the challenge posed by the Springboks star. Ellis Bevan is ready to push for a Wales starting place in Australia after […]

George Furbank says ‘very exciting’ England backline ready to attack All Blacks

1 July 2024 0 comments

The first of two Tests against New Zealand takes place in Dunedin on Saturday. George Furbank insists England will hunt for opportunities against New Zealand […]

Freeman ready to roast the All Blacks

30 June 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY in Auckland Tommy Freeman has one more box to tick before he packs his golf clubs for a well-earned break in Majorca […]

Youngs backing his old mates to deliver

30 June 2024 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Ben Youngs is backing his old England pals to upset the odds and “do something special” in the All Blacks backyard. The […]

England looking good for first Test

30 June 2024 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK It was imperative that England won their opening game against Japan before taking on New Zealand in a […]

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