Summer Tours

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

Extra Test with Ireland on agenda for England

7 April 2015 0 comments

Old rivals to meat at HQ four times next season.

Piri Weepu: That stroke was never going to stop me

18 June 2014 1 comment

Piri Weepu’s has always been a rugby life less ordinary.

England beat Crusaders

17 June 2014 0 comments

Second-string England score six tries to secure first win in New Zealand tour.

Manu Tuilagi to wing it for England in second Test against All Blacks

12 June 2014 1 comment

Leicester star named on the wing as five others return to starting XV

England U20s through to JWC semi-finals with Argentina win

10 June 2014 0 comments

England U20s have recorded their third win of the Junior World Championship beating Argentina to set up a semi-final clash against Ireland.

England boss justifies latest Steffon Armitage snub

5 June 2014 0 comments

Percentage of EQPs in Premiership justifies the rule that prevents overseas based stars from donning a red rose jersey.

Dave Ward not prepared to settle for only being No.4 at No.2

4 June 2014 0 comments

England new boy Dave Ward has revealed how he nearly quit Harlequins last summer before staying to enjoy the best season of his rugby life.

Lewis Moody backs Luke Wallace for England No.6 role

29 May 2014 0 comments

One of the biggest gaps Stuart Lancaster has to plug for the first Test in New Zealand is at blindside flanker but former England captain Lewis Moody believes Luke Wallace is the man for the task.

South Africa send for Richie Gray to get ready for Welsh collision

28 May 2014 0 comments

Richie Gray is the not-so-secret weapon South Africa have just re-employed to help them overcome Wales this summer on the way to a powerful showing in next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Ben Foden can’t wait to link up with old pal Chris Ashton

22 May 2014 1 comment

Northampton full-back Ben Foden admits he misses his pal Chris Ashton – and is thrilled at the prospect of a reunion on England duty next month.

Ambitious Bismarck du Plessis targets Welsh scrum

15 May 2014 2 comments

Wales beware, Bismarck du Plessis says the Springboks’ front row aims to be the most formidable in the world and will use the scrum to target every team they face.

Ugo Monye backs Manu Tuilagi to wing it for England

14 May 2014 2 comments

The auditions are in full swing but Ugo Monye believes Manu Tuilagi’s X-factor means he should line up on the wing for England in New Zealand.

I’ve not won the super 8s battle yet, admits Billy Vunipola

13 May 2014 1 comment

Billy Vunipola is England’s premier ball-carrier but he knows all this could change in an instant and that any number of contenders at No.8 are ready to take his place.

Jonathan Joseph can talk his way back into EPS

9 May 2014 0 comments

Jonathan Joseph reckons his X-factor with ball in hand will boost his chances of an England recall – a claim backed by coach Toby Booth, who says the centre is now ‘mentally rebooted’ after his unhappy ending at London Irish.

New-style Danny Cipriani in frame for England

8 May 2014 42 comments

Danny Cipriani admits he is a different player to the one last capped by England in 2008.

I must play like John Afoa to keep place says Joe Marler

30 April 2014 0 comments

Joe Marler admits he still has a way to go before he can aspire to the level of consistency achieved by his prop idol, New Zealander John Afoa.

Semesa Rokoduguni is aiming to roll his tank onto England’s lawn

29 April 2014 0 comments

Former tank driver Semesa Rokoduguni has destroyed all-comers this season in the Premiership and the Bath speedster has a new target in his sights: the England No.14 jersey.

Mike Brown has his heart on sleeve, just like Roy Keane

24 April 2014 0 comments

It is Tuesday afternoon at the Surrey Sports Park and Harlequins’ training finished 45 minutes ago. While the majority of players have showered and made […]

Courtney Lawes still dishes it out but is not so hit and miss

23 April 2014 0 comments

If anyone was in doubt that Courtney Lawes can still deliver big hits with the best of them, then look no further than Owen Farrell’s ribcage.

Barbarians match bid snubbed by Wales

22 April 2014 0 comments

The Barbarians have been snubbed by Wales after offering them a home match as preparation for their Test series in South Africa in June.

EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Noon calls for leniency on England’s selection policy

21 April 2014 1 comment

Former England centre Jamie Noon believes the RFU should take a more relaxed stance when it comes to picking France-based players.

Don’t pick Steffon Armitage for England, says Nick Easter

18 April 2014 0 comments

Nick Easter is a fully paid-up member of the Steffon Armitage fan club but is not clamouring for the openside to be given an England recall.

English kids can end Gavin Henson’s Wales dream

17 April 2014 0 comments

Gavin Henson hopes a fresh contract and new found stability at Bath can pave the way for a Wales recall before the 2015 World Cup.

Memo to Stuart Lancaster: Michael Paterson’s available

11 April 2014 0 comments

Not many outside of Wales realised quite what an exceptional bit of business Sale supremo Steve Diamond had done last summer in signing second row Michael Paterson – but they certainly do now.

Anthony Watson will be star for England says Nick Abendanon

9 April 2014 0 comments

Nick Abendanon admits that Anthony Watson’s emergence proved a decisive factor in taking the plunge with European giants Clermont.

RFU fail in bid to get All Blacks Test switch

8 April 2014 1 comment

Concerted attempts by the RFU to change the Test schedule for England’s summer tour of New Zealand in June have failed.

James Hook can freshen up Warren Gatland’s game-plan

4 April 2014 1 comment

Sonny Parker believes Wales are going stale under head coach Warren Gatland and calls for a return of James Hook.

Ben Morgan: We can storm All Blacks stronghold

2 April 2014 0 comments

Bullish No.8 Ben Morgan has backed England to send out a pre-World Cup statement of intent by beating mighty New Zealand in June.

Dan Hipkiss warns England not to put Manu Tuilagi on the wing

1 April 2014 0 comments

One of the few headaches facing Stuart Lancaster after the Six Nations is one he has encountered before – how to solve a problem like Manu?

Fight for Dan Cole’s place won’t change Henry Thomas

20 March 2014 0 comments

Henry Thomas is the first to admit that he cannot match Dan Cole’s all-court ability in an England shirt.

Marlan Yarde has re-written wingers’ handbook

28 June 2013 1 comment

Christian Wade‘s England form earned a shock Lions call but Marland Yarde is the country’s best, according to Brian Smith, who claims the London Irish […]

Nowell & Cowan Dickie, the Newlyn kids who took on the world

25 June 2013 1 comment

Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie first clapped eyes on each other as five-year-olds playing mini rugby at Penzance & Newlyn and have been inseparable ever […]

England Under 20s crowned Junior World Champions

23 June 2013 0 comments

Jack Nowell and Sam Hill scored two late tries as England came from behind to be crowned Junior World Champions for the first time beating […]

Kyle Eastmond has proved me wrong says Martin Offiah

6 June 2013 0 comments

Cross-code legend Martin Offiah admits Kyle Eastmond has already proved him wrong after his switch to Rugby Union, claiming his former protégé could yet prove […]

Nick Walshe: Yes, England U20s have talent to win this year

5 June 2013 2 comments

England U20s head coach Nick Walshe has backed his side to create history by landing their first IRB Junior World Championship trophy. Three times England […]

Pushy England beat Consur XV before Argentina Tests

2 June 2013 1 comment

England put on a solid first-half display to beat the Consur XV 41-21 in Uruguay ahead of their two-game Test Series against Argentina. London Wasps […]

England call on Luther Burrell and Stephen Myler for Argentina tour

20 May 2013 1 comment

Luther Burrell and Stephen Myler have been added to the England squad ahead of their tour of Argentina tour. The Northampton Saints backs duo will […]

Eleven new faces for England tour of Argentina

8 May 2013 0 comments

Christian Wade, Marlan Yarde and Jonny May are three of the 11 uncapped players named by Stuart Lancaster in his England squad for this summer’s Barbarians game […]

England launch new Canterbury kit for London Sevens

12 April 2013 0 comments

Canterbury and the RFU have unveiled the new England Sevens home and alternate shirts at Twickenham Stadium with the two shirts expected to spark debate […]

England on agenda if Sale survive says Danny Cirpiani

14 February 2013 1 comment

Danny Cipriani believes his rollercoaster season could yet culminate in a call-up for England‘s tour of Argentina – if he can engineer Sale’s Premiership survival. […]

England Sevens’ triumph in pictures

4 February 2013 0 comments

Relive England Sevens‘ triumph in Wellington this weekend with our exclusive photo gallery. Pictures courtesy of Ross Setford/MB Media.

England win the HSBC Wellington Sevens

2 February 2013 0 comments

England have snatched a thrilling victory in extra time to beat Kenya 24-19 and win the New Zealand Sevens title. Sam Edgerley pounced to score […]

England beat All Blacks to reach Wellington Sevens quarter-finals

1 February 2013 0 comments

England Sevens reached the quarter finals in Wellington to set up a Calcutta Cup sevens showdown with Scotland on the other side of the world […]

Rob Baxter and Toby Booth could be called up by England

18 January 2013 3 comments

Rob Baxter and Toby Booth could be helping England in the summer if Stuart Lancaster gets his way. The England head coach will go to […]

Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard hurt by fingers of blame but points to future

20 August 2012 3 comments

Wales villain Richard Hibbard admits that he was forced into hiding after being singled out for losing the summer series to Australia. The Ospreys hooker, 28, […]

Yellow cards are not as threatening as we think

26 June 2012 3 comments

When Israel Dagg clattered into Rob Kearney in Christchurch last weekend, Ireland rubbed their hands at the imminent prospect of binning the century-old New Zealand […]

I always wanted to be a Bok admits Australia captain David Pocock

22 June 2012 2 comments

With under 12 months to go until the Lions tour Australia, it has become abundantly clear that the tourists’ success will hinge on finding a […]

Peter Jackson: Dead-eye Dan Biggar can be the man for Wales again

10 June 2012 0 comments

He finished the season in thoroughbred style sith seven straight wins, running an attack responsible for averaging almost four tries a match. During the course […]

Jeremy Guscott: Owen Farrell must play flatter and Ben Morgan needs help

3 June 2012 0 comments

Stuart Lancaster has a dilemma going into Saturday’s second Test in Johannesburg – does he take a step back in development and play Charlie Hodgson […]