Features

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

PODCAST (S4, E25): Louis Lynagh on life in Italian Rugby and Six Nations Round Four!

5 March 2025 0 comments

A slightly new dynamic for you all today – host Ollie Little has given the columnists the week off! He is joined by Italy, Benetton […]

Dream Team – Dan Pullinger

2 March 2025 0 comments

Dan Pullinger, the long-serving Plymouth Albion and former Exeter and England counties prop, who is celebrating a testimonial this year, chooses the best XV he […]

Time to put foot down and let the turbo kick in

2 March 2025 0 comments

Paul Rees looks back on England’s performances so far and says they should take the hand brake off and race ahead WIN or lose, England’s […]

Exeter Chiefs close to deal for Wallaby midfielder Len Ikitau

2 March 2025 0 comments

Exeter look set to sign Australia centre Len Ikitau. The 26-year-old, alongside fellow Wallabies Jake Gordon and Julian Heaven, have been linked with a move […]

Blackheath’s James Shanahan – After seven years, it’s time for new challenge

2 March 2025 0 comments

Jon Newcombe talks to James Shanahan about his time as Blackheath coach and his move to Bury St Edmunds When James Shanahan says his seven-year […]

When Ireland’s warriors sent French packing

2 March 2025 0 comments

Rugby Matters – A weekly look at the game’s other talking points, by Brendan Gallagher With eight wins against France since 2014, it’s sometimes difficult […]

Looking good! Ma’a Nonu could play again at 42

2 March 2025 0 comments

You learn not to make too many grandiose statistical claims in this business because there is always somebody or something you have forgotten but over […]

Now Philippines added to list of honour for the Varsity

2 March 2025 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Back in the day, the Varsity Match on the second Tuesday in December was virtually an England trial game and often went […]

Ireland vs France – When two tribes prepare for war

2 March 2025 0 comments

Paul Rees says Saturday’s heavyweight clash between Ireland and France could be the match of the Six Nations The Six Nations threatened to come down […]

Moscow blizzards did not stop my Lions tour

2 March 2025 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY THE FORMER IRELAND, LIONS, SARACENS, MUNSTER & GARRYOWEN WINGER RICHARD WALLACE I WAS in Moscow of all places when I finally got […]

Young Guns – George Pearson

2 March 2025 0 comments

Tigers back three player George Pearson made his England U20s bow by scoring a try in last week’s win over Scotland. Pearson, the younger brother […]

Japan Rugby League One

2 March 2025 0 comments

BRAVE Lupus are within a point of leaders Wild Knights – who are in action today against Kobelco Steelers – with Richie Mo’unga among the […]

PODCAST (S4, E24): England regain Calcutta Cup, Wales show signs of life & France flourish in Rome, with Nick Heath

25 February 2025 0 comments

Three fixtures told three hugely different stories in the third round of the 2025 Six Nations. Ireland held off a promising performance from Wales, England […]

Ryan Lamb’s backing pair of 10s to be England aces

23 February 2025 0 comments

Jon Newcombe talks to the Plymouth coach who says Fin and Marcus Smith will be in charge for the next two World Cups Ryan Lamb […]

Dream Team – Alun Walker

23 February 2025 0 comments

ALUN WALKER, THE CHINNOR AND FORMER EDINBURGH, NOTTINGHAM, EALING & NEWCASTLE HOOKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE’S PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Brett Wilkinson – […]

After delivering one miracle, a second proved impossible for Warren Gatland

23 February 2025 0 comments

Paul Rees says Gatland should be remembered for his remarkable achievements, not his second-term failings Timing is everything in sport, on and off the field. […]

It’s all adding up nicely for Steve Borthwick, says Chris Ashton

23 February 2025 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to the former England winger who says the team’s age profile is looking good to challenge in RWC 2027 Chris Ashton believes […]

My Life in Rugby – Mike Hamlin

23 February 2025 1 comment

MIKE HAMLIN THE FORMER GLOUCESTER, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOUTH WEST AND ENGLAND B FLY-HALF I was born in Gloucester and grew up in Coney Hill, only a […]

Young Guns – Josh Mann

23 February 2025 0 comments

Beefy prop Josh Mann is using Asher Opoku-Fordjour’s rise to Test level as an inspiration for his own journey inside the England pathway having joined […]

Max Clark signs on for rest of season at Newcastle Falcons

23 February 2025 0 comments

Newcastle have extended centre Max Clark’s short-term loan to keep him at the club until the end of the season. The 29-year-old centre arrived from […]

PODCAST (S4, E23): Calcutta Cup and Six Nations R3 Preview with Scotland Great Craig Chalmers

19 February 2025 0 comments

It’s almost time for the third round of the 2025 Six Nations, and the headline fixture of the weekend takes place at Twickenham as England […]

Dream Team – Lee Dickson

16 February 2025 0 comments

LEE DICKSON, THE FORMER ENGLAND, NORTHAMPTON & NEWCASTLE SCRUM-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. Sione Tonga’uiha – An […]

Felipe Contepomi – It will be an honour for Argentina to take on the British & Irish Lions

16 February 2025 0 comments

Joe Santamaria talks to Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi about the challenges of a tour by England – and the Lions The European teams are in […]

Josh McNally – Too tall to be a pilot, I found lift-off in rugby

16 February 2025 0 comments

Jon Newcombe talks to Josh McNally who says that, without the RAF, he would not have achieved anything in the game High flier: Josh McNally, […]

Two X-Factor players, one goal

16 February 2025 0 comments

PAUL REES SAYS ENGLAND’S NO.10 JERSEY WILL BE FIN SMITH’S FOR SOME TIME BUT MARCUS STILL HAS KEY ROLE TO PLAY IT WAS hard not […]

I don’t think I could have asked for a better finale

16 February 2025 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY CHARLIE HODGSON THE FORMER BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, ENGLAND, SALE SHARKS & SARACENS FLY-HALF MY playing career wasn’t always rosy – I […]

Young Guns – Noah Caluori

16 February 2025 0 comments

YOUNG GUNS SARACENS & ENGLAND U20 WING Noah Caluori’s try for England U18s sent the teenage sensation viral last year and he hopes to continue […]

PODCAST (S4, E22): Warren Gatland goes and England sink France with Jamie Noon

11 February 2025 0 comments

A weekend full of statement wins and in the aftermath, a mid-tournament coaching departure. Join the guys to review how England got the job done […]

Dream Team – Joe Snow

9 February 2025 0 comments

JOE SNOW, THE FORMER EXETER, COVENTRY & TAUNTON SCRUM-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. Alec Hepburn – His […]

England must keep believing

9 February 2025 0 comments

>> PAUL REES LOOKS AT WHY STEVE BORTHWICK’S MEN KEEP FAILING TO GRASP THE NETTLE – AND SAYS IT IS NOTHING NEW DAVID Campese is […]

Chris Lilley – I did fulfuil my dream of playing at Twickenham

9 February 2025 0 comments

My Life In Rugby – Chris Lilley, the former Bath & Somerset prop My biggest claim to fame is I got Bath through to their […]

Scotland vs Ireland – The rivalry which is a little one-sided

9 February 2025 0 comments

Rugby Matters – A weekly look at the game’s other talking points, by Brendan Gallagher The history books tell us that Ireland currently lead Scotland 71-66 […]

Young Guns – Bath Winger Charlie Griffin

9 February 2025 0 comments

By Conor McLarnon Up-and-coming Bath winger Charlie Griffin hopes to replicate the playing style of senior international Freddie Steward in a bid to establish himself […]

Six Nations: England need best players on in last 20

9 February 2025 0 comments

By Jeff Probyn – A front row view of the game An exciting time in rugby with the start of the Six Nations last week, […]

I’ve learnt from my mistakes -Skinner

9 February 2025 0 comments

■By MARK STEVENS Trio: Harvey Skinner and inset, Henry Slade, top, and Will Haydon-Wood EXETER fly-half Harvey Skinner aims to put a frustrating few months […]

Tweedy’s aiming high for Archers

9 February 2025 0 comments

■By CONOR MCLARNON UNDER the leadership of flanker Nathan Tweedy, Nottingham are hungry to achieve their best finish in the Championship since the 2012-13 season. […]

Tiatia to stay at Dragons

9 February 2025 0 comments

FILO Tiatia will continue as the Dragons’ head coach next season. Tiatia, a twice capped All Black, arrived at Rodney Parade on a three-year deal […]

Smith off to Nevers

9 February 2025 0 comments

SECOND row George Smith has left Northampton to join French ProD2 side Nevers. The 24-yearold joined Saints last summer, having been part of the NFL […]

PODCAST (S4, E21): Six Nations opening round reaction + blockbuster R2 preview with Brett Igoe

4 February 2025 0 comments

Three home wins marked the start of the 2025 Six Nations as France thrashed Wales, Scotland conquered Italy and Ireland saw off England. So much […]

Money or eyeballs? Once again, that’s the big question

2 February 2025 0 comments

Paul Rees looks at the pressures on the Six Nations to balance reach and revenue Is this the last year when the Six Nations is […]

Dream Team – Michael van Vuuren

2 February 2025 0 comments

Michael van Vurren, the former junior Springbok, Cheetahs, Stade Francais, Kings, Leicester, Bath, London Scottish, London Irish, Northampton, Bedford, Ampthill, Ealing, Wasps, Lions & Newcastle […]

Rugby was a passport to travel the world

2 February 2025 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY MY KENT BRAY THE FORMER HARLEQUINS, QUEENSLAND AND NSW FLY-HALF/FULL-BACK I GREW up in Queensland Country, in a small town called Rockhampton, […]

I’m surprised by £30m offer to community game

2 February 2025 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME England leaders: Maro Itoje and Jamie George and, inset, Bill Sweeney PICTURES: Getty Images THE unexpected […]

Young Guns – Ralph McEachran

2 February 2025 0 comments

By Dan Robertshaw Sale Sharks academy prop Ralph McEachran is hoping to follow in the footsteps of young loosehead Asher Opoku-Fordjour and establish himself as […]

Treadwell heading back to Quins

2 February 2025 0 comments

IRELAND lock Kieran Treadwell will rejoin Harlequins from Ulster for next season. The 29-year-old moved to Belfast in 2017 and has made 171 appearances for […]

Cheika to leave Tigers at end of the season

2 February 2025 0 comments

HEAD coach Michael Cheika will leave Leicester Tigers when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 57-year-old, below, took the job last […]

Six Nations Predictions League: Round One with Jeremy Guscott and The Rugby Analyst

31 January 2025 0 comments

Ahead of the 2025 Six Nations opener in Paris tonight the boys from the podcast, alongside this week’s guests, England legend Jeremy Guscott and YouTube’s […]

PODCAST: (S4, E20) – Six Nations Championship Preview with Jeremy Guscott and the Rugby Analyst

29 January 2025 0 comments

Here. We. Go. The Six Nations is just two sleeps away and we can’t wait! Join host Ollie Little and a special panel of Rugby […]

‘Wow,’ I thought, ‘This kid has got something’ – David Ross on Ellis Mee

26 January 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Ellis Mee’s rise to international rugby has been a remarkably rapid one, but it’s come as no great surprise to a man […]

the wonderful people What stands out are

26 January 2025 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY THE FORMER SOUTH AFRICA ASSISTANT COACH WHO WAS IN CHARGE AT STORMERS, WESTERN PROVINCE, ULSTER, NORTHAMPTON, EASTERN PROVINCE KINGS, EDINBURGH AND WORCESTER […]

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