Features

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

For England, it’s a mind game

24 November 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES SAYS THE POTENTIAL IS THERE IN BORTHWICK’S TEAM-BUT BOTH PLAYERS AND COACHES NEED TO RELEASE IT BEFORE the start of the autumn series, […]

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

24 November 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY BOB HILLER THE FORMER BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, ENGLAND, SURREY AND HARLEQUINS FULL-BACK IPLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the […]

YOUNG GUNS

24 November 2024 0 comments

FRANKLINMcMILLAN HARLEQUINS CENTRE Franklin McMillan only started taking rugby seriously at 14 but feels his fast development is down to spending his weekend mornings tuning […]

Benson enjoys some extra expert tuition

24 November 2024 0 comments

TRP By PAUL REES Probyn: England should get the win we have all wanted >> Page 39 JAMIE Benson has returned to Harlequins after three […]

S4, E12: Nemani Nadolo on England’s struggles, Fiji’s backline and the best wingers in the world

20 November 2024 0 comments

Three weeks into the Autumn internationals and England and Wales both remain winless. Question marks hang over Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland’s futures going into […]

Dream Team – Jimmy Gopperth

17 November 2024 0 comments

JIMMY GOPPERTH, THE FORMER WELLINGTON, HURRICANES, BLUES, NEWCASTLE, LEINSTER, WASPS AND LEICESTER PLAYMAKER, WHO IS STILL GOING STRONG AT AIX-EN-PROVENCE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE […]

I am calm and loving my life, says Danny Cipriani

17 November 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to the former England No.10 as he agrees to put his boots on one final time to help raise money for MND […]

Chalking off White’s try was a mistake

17 November 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER No try: Ben White’s touchdown was ruled out PICTURE: Getty Images IT […]

Coach who gave Hastings brothers their debuts

17 November 2024 0 comments

THERE was a time when the strength of rugby in the Borders was a weathervane for Scottish rugby generally. That period has passed with professionalism […]

Beziers begin to get act together

17 November 2024 0 comments

THESE are hectic and tumultuous times at once-great Beziers. We recently reported that two charges of domestic abuse by Beziers players against their respective partners […]

Gatland’s second coming struggles to lift Welsh spirits

17 November 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES HEARS CRITICISM OF THE WALES COACH MOUNT AS HE PREPARES FOR TODAY’S VISIT OF AUSTRALIA TO CARDIFF Under pressure: Wales coach Warren Gatland […]

‘I decided to work hard and Eddie Jones backed me’ – George Kruis

17 November 2024 0 comments

My Life in Rugby – George Kruis the former England, Saracens and Panasonic Wild Knights second row Man-mountain: George Kruis on the charge for England […]

YOUNG GUNS

17 November 2024 0 comments

LOUIEGULLEY EXETER CHIEFS HOOKER Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summer and now has a burning desire […]

S4, E11: Joe Tomane celebrates Southern Hemisphere sweep as England fall short again

13 November 2024 0 comments

It was a great weekend to be south of the equator as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and Argentina handed out defeats to Ireland, […]

Dream Team – Donovan O’Grady

10 November 2024 0 comments

DONOVAN O’GRADY, THE SWITZERLAND AND BLACKHEATH SCRUM-HALF WHO WORKS FOR THE RPA, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. Simon […]

‘My school tour to SA changed me’ – Christ Tshiunza

10 November 2024 0 comments

Simon Thomas talks to Christ Tshiunza about his personal journey from Africa to Wales From Kinshasa to Cardiff, from Exeter to the international stage, it’s […]

Duty of Danny Care: How Eddie Jones rates

10 November 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees examines the record and reputation of the ex-England coach who divides opinion wherever he goes A man apart: Eddie Jones took charge of […]

YOUNG GUNS

10 November 2024 0 comments

JOE DAVIS NEWCASTLE SCRUM-HALF Despite being only 18, Joe Davis has broken into Newcastle’s Premiership matchday squad and is now chasing international honours. The scrum-half […]

Biarritz was truly a baptism of fire

10 November 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY DAVID McILWAINE THE FORMER ULSTER, BRISTOL, DONCASTER & LEEDS FULL-BACK On the run: David McIlwaine playing for Bristol against Rotherham PICTURE: Media […]

England need to be more consistent

10 November 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Man in the middle: Referee Angus Gardner seemed to be doing his best to ensure England […]

S4, E10: Alex Cuthbert joins as England drop ball against NZ + Wales set for crucial Autumn Nations Series

6 November 2024 0 comments

With an eight-point lead, England seemed in control at Twickenham, only for a New Zealand fightback and some questionable substitutions to once again deny the […]

Aussies facing reality check

3 November 2024 0 comments

ANALYSIS PAUL REES LOOKS AT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR THE HOME NATIONS AS THE AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS GET UNDER WAY AUSTRALIA start only their third grand […]

I love it when I’m out in front of The Shed

3 November 2024 0 comments

Jon Newcombe hears from George Barton about his switch from No.10 to 15 and the propects for the Cherry & Whites this season IT’S still […]

I’ll stick with La Rochelle -O’Gara

3 November 2024 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA RONAN O’Gara has ruled himself out of the running to replace Graham Rowntree as Munster head coach. Munster announced Rowntree’s departure this week […]

Griffin’s not stopped by heart issue

3 November 2024 0 comments

WALES and Bath prop Archie Griffin is set to be fit for the autumn internationals despite being diagnosed with a heart condition. Griffin, 23, has […]

I’d just signed for the dirtiest team in France

3 November 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY THE FORMER BATH, ROUEN, EL SALVADOR, GRASSE, HARTPURY COLLEGE AND ENGLAND U20 FLY-HALF NOW HEAD COACH AT CLIFTON LUKE COZENS Happy: Luke […]

YOUNG GUNS

3 November 2024 0 comments

JIMMY STAPLES HARLEQUINS HOOKER Harlequins academy hooker Jimmy Staples has adapted to men’s rugby but recognises there is much work to do before he reaches […]

Results

3 November 2024 0 comments

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Series 4, Episode 9: Luke Pearce on 20-minute Red Card and Autumn Internationals Preview

31 October 2024 0 comments

We loved this one! Following last week’s 20-minute red card debate amongst the guys, we thought it best to call upon someone entrusted with enacting […]

We need to kick on after winning at last

27 October 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run Delight: Ethan Grayson celebrates […]

Tuipulotu taking the long road to Scotland

27 October 2024 0 comments

THE All Blacks will perish the thought that their pioneering exploits extend beyond strictly come war dancing, amateur lineout theatricals (Andy Haden & Frank Oliver, […]

Murray’s on a wing – and a prayer …

27 October 2024 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one […]

England must show that this is their time

27 October 2024 0 comments

>> PAUL REES SAYS BORTHWICK’S MEN ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THE NEW ZEALAND CHALLENGE AND COME OUT ON TOP WHAT must Steve Borthwick […]

To play in two World Cups was a dream

27 October 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY DAVID SISI THE FORMER ITALY, ZEBRE, BATH, LONDON SCOTTISH, LEEDS, LONDON IRISH & ENGLAND U20 LOOSE FORWARD RUGBY started quite late for […]

YOUNG GUNS

27 October 2024 0 comments

JONNYWEIMANN NORTHAMPTON SCRUM-HALF Even though he was released from Saracens’ academy aged 16, scrum-half Jonny Weimann’s resilience helped him achieve his dream and get to […]

Series 4, Episode 8: 20-Minute Red Card Debate and Newcastle Falcons Finally End Drought

24 October 2024 0 comments

With the rugby world divided over the trial of the 20-minute red card during the November internationals, it’s only right that the Rugby Paper Podcast […]

Dream Team – Scott Sio

20 October 2024 0 comments

SCOTT SIO, THE EXETER CHIEFS AND FORMER AUSTRALIA AND BRUMBIES PROP, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE’S PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. James Slipper – […]

Life with Welsh was such a roller coaster

20 October 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY MATT CORKER THE CANTERBURY HEAD COACH AND FORMER WASPS, LONDON WELSH & RICHMOND FORWARD TO play professional rugby was such a privilege […]

Don’t sub captain just after half-time

20 October 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME In charge: Jamie George in action for England PICTURE: Getty Images WE have only a few […]

Young Guns – Max Clein

20 October 2024 0 comments

Young Guns Max Clein is enjoying learning from his childhood hero Sean Cronin at Munster and hopes to emulate the Ireland legend’s career. Cronin won […]

Murray out to make good in the land of his mother

20 October 2024 0 comments

TRP By SIMON THOMAS Probyn: Please don’t take captain George off too early >> Page 37 BLAIR Murray may have been born and raised in […]

Series 4, Episode 7: Nick Auterac’s Journey from Rugby to Music Composition + England Squad Reaction

17 October 2024 0 comments

We love a prop episode! The self-professed ‘oddball’ Nick Auterac joins host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett and Nick Cain for this one. The […]

Japan will be latest destination for Richie Gray

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Bryn Palmer Scotland lock Richie Gray will link up with World Cup winners Pieter-Steph du Toit and Aaron Smith when his move to Japanese […]

Mark Ella & Co were the true pass masters

13 October 2024 0 comments

Rugby Matters by Brendan Gallagher – A weekly look at the game’s other talking points Nineteen eighty four might have been one of the most […]

From 1 to 15: It’s all change

13 October 2024 0 comments

THEN AND NOW: BRENDAN GALLAGHER LOOKS AT HOW THE GAME HAS EVOLVED OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS, POSITION BY POSITION FIFTY years ago, British rugby […]

Playing out in France was brutal -it really was

13 October 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY BRIAN MULLEN THE FORMER LONDON IRISH & CLERMONT FLY-HALF NOWADAYS it is a trend: players moving across the English Channel to play […]

JONNOBALDING

13 October 2024 0 comments

YOUNG GUNS GLOUCESTER & ENGLAND U18 LOCK England U18s second row Jonno Balding is hoping performances for Radley College can impress his club Gloucester enough […]

Series 4, Episode 6: Gallagher Premiership, Exeter records and the need for speed with Olly Woodburn

10 October 2024 0 comments

After a few weeks debating the dramatic final rounds of the Rugby Championship, time to revisit the Gallagher Premiership! Three rounds in and despite question […]

Dream Team – Kyle Dench

6 October 2024 0 comments

Kyle Dench, the Otley head coach and former player, who also played centre for Harrogate, Yorkshire & England Counties, chooses the best XV he has […]