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

Maro has crucial skill of leading by example

28 November 2021 1 comment

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK MARO Itoje did not need the help of acting classes when he captained the England U20s to […]

For Total Rugby, you first build a bedrock

28 November 2021 0 comments

NICK CAIN TOTAL Rugby is the holy grail of the game. The seamless link and flow between forwards and backs that creates irresistible waves of […]

URC must be transparent on what happens next

28 November 2021 0 comments

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND In limbo: Cardiff and Scarlets players do not know when they can return to Wales FOR the Scarlets and […]

Best thing about England’s autumn was their tries

28 November 2021 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK THE last round of the autumn series made everyone’s weekend – it was pretty spectacular. France’s victory over […]

Skivington has been a breath of fresh air says Varney

9 December 2020 0 comments

From Italy U20s to the Azzurri, Varney credits his sharp development through 2020 with the arrival of ‘Skivs’ at Kingsholm

Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond

Steve Diamond leaves Sale Sharks in shock exit

8 December 2020 0 comments

A huge shock in the Premiership at the club that challenged for a play-off spot last season

Inverdale: February date for League Cup

8 December 2020 0 comments

NCA chair John Inverdale tells TRP when National League clubs can expect to return to action in a new cup competition

Earle: I’d like to think my mental strength got me through injury rehab

7 December 2020 0 comments

Harlequins winger Nathan Earle had been in Eddie Jones’ plans prior to suffering a knee injury in 2019

Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen sets sights on Lions tour

4 December 2020 0 comments

8-cap Springbok Esterhuizen talks Quins, Paul Gustard, and being on the receiving end of an Owen Farrell tackle

Ben Loader aims to emulate Jonny May’s dazzling ability to reach England call-up

4 December 2020 0 comments

The London Irish wing/full-back tells Neale Harvey about his England ambitions and the solid base being built at the Exiles

Anthony Watson the only change made by England for Autumn Nations Cup final

4 December 2020 0 comments

England head coach Eddie Jones has named his team to face France at Twickenham this Sunday

Q&A – Allan Robson: We are home again and want to build our Irish fanbase

4 December 2020 0 comments

London Irish chairman Allan Robson puts into words the significance of the Exiles’ return to the capital

Jackson column: Christophe Dominici, so strong on the pitch, so fragile off it

3 December 2020 0 comments

Peter Jackson writes on the troubled childhood of the late France wing, who was freed from dark days by bringing light to the rugby pitch

Pablo Matera reinstated as Argentina captain, as UAR lift suspensions on trio

3 December 2020 0 comments

Trio at the centre of racism storm have their suspensions lifted by UAR, who claim the disciplinary process is ongoing

South Africans provide great bang for your buck, says Schalk Brits

2 December 2020 0 comments

There are only two Premiership clubs who have no South Africans amongst their squad

Bristol lead race for out-of-favour Leicester No.10 Tom Hardwick

2 December 2020 0 comments

Hardwick is one of five fly-halves at Welford Road after Tigers recruited heavily at the position this year

Johnny Sexton says there is ‘no reason’ why he can’t play at RWC2023

2 December 2020 0 comments

Johnny Sexton is on 94 caps for Ireland and insists there is still plenty of aspirations he would like to realise before considering retirement

Shane Williams: It still wasn’t enough but Wales took a step forward

1 December 2020 0 comments

Read Shane Williams’ verdict on Wales’ loss to England at Parc y Scarlets, and how it relates to the pressure on Wayne Pivac

Championship consider a return to play-off system

1 December 2020 0 comments

Neale Harvey has the latest on the RFU finalising plans for the new Championship season to kick off in January

Simon Shaw interview – Jamie George has the right temperament to lead Lions

27 November 2020 0 comments

As a two-time tourist with the Lions to South Africa, Shaw explains his thoughts on the players who are captaincy material

Wounded Welsh Lions face battle for survival

27 November 2020 0 comments

The plight of Wales this autumn could hinder the number of Lions tourists selected by Warren Gatland, should their faults not be fixed

Room 101: Sale Sharks forwards coach Dorian West

27 November 2020 0 comments

The former Leicester Tigers and England former offers up three pet peeves from the rugby world and beyond

Rugby Matters: Dan Leo’s powerful plea for Pacific Island justice is a must watch for all

25 November 2020 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher says it is time for rugby’s cartel of powerbrokers to change their attitudes towards the Pacific Island nations

Firma Stella – the ultimate gift for the legend in your life this Christmas

24 November 2020 0 comments

Firma Stella has established itself as one of the leading retailers of authentic signed sports memorabilia in the UK. They sell the latest, most exclusive […]

Q&A – Sid Sutton: Why I took over as CEO at Sale Sharks at a time when rugby has been hit hard

20 November 2020 0 comments

Neale Harvey talks to new Sale chief executive Sid Sutton who stresses his defence to keep the club’s pathway system active

Squad lists and opening fixtures for all 12 Premiership clubs ahead of new 2020-21 season

19 November 2020 0 comments

An overview of each club ahead of the start of a new Premiership season on Friday night

Williams column: Wales’ set-piece is shocking but the worst thing would be to get rid of Pivac

19 November 2020 0 comments

Shane Williams shares his concern over Wales’ scrum and lineout ahead of facing Georgia this weekend

Argentina hero Santiago Cordero becomes target for Exeter’s rival

18 November 2020 0 comments

Former Exeter Chiefs fans’ favourite Cordero has become the subject of interest from multiple clubs

Sale Sharks expected to be cleared of wrongdoing for COVID-19 outbreak which cost them semi-final place

17 November 2020 0 comments

The results of a six-week RFU investigation into the outbreak which saw 27 people test positive at Sale Sharks will be released on Tuesday

Stephen Vaughan interview: All Premiership clubs are in trouble but all will survive

13 November 2020 0 comments

Wasps chief executive Vaughan talks government bailout talks, pride at the job Lee Blackett is doing, and academy plans

Rugby Matters: Romania can flourish with Robinson’s expertise and new home stadium

12 November 2020 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher finds former Bristol Bears head coach Andy Robinson buoyant about Romanian rugby

Cain column: Italy are hanging over the cliff edge in face of no coaches

11 November 2020 0 comments

Nick Cain looks at how the development of Italian coaches in the professional era is virtually non-existent

Jackson column: Band aid for Wales in 2023 Rugby World Cup draw

11 November 2020 0 comments

The draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup takes place in December

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter

10 key moments in Exeter’s double-winning season in eyes of Rob Baxter

6 November 2020 0 comments

Rob Baxter talks to Neale Harvey on the events which showcased to him Exeter’s capabilities to win the domestic-European double

Dave Dennis is off to chase new dream in Major League Rugby

4 November 2020 0 comments

The Exeter Chiefs flanker reveals to TRP he has committed his future to rugby in the USA

Q&A – Steve Boden: Exeter’s vault to dominance will inspire every Championship club

30 October 2020 0 comments

Steve Boden talks all things Castle Park after taking over first-team duties from Clive Griffiths this year

TEAMS: Alun Wyn Jones to surpass Richie McCaw as most-capped Test player

29 October 2020 0 comments

Wales captain to win 149th cap in Test rugby in clash with Scotland at Parc y Scarlets

Jonny Hill hunts for third piece of silverware in as many weeks on England debut

29 October 2020 0 comments

Exeter Chiefs lock Hill will partner Maro Itoje in Rome as England go for Six Nations glory

Champions Cup finalists Racing 92 show an interest in Gloucester forward

28 October 2020 0 comments

Loosehead prop Val Rapava-Ruskin has emerged as a target for Top 14 club Racing 92

I made the right decision for me, says ex-Harlequins wing Gabriel Ibitoye

28 October 2020 0 comments

Ex-Harlequins wing Ibitoye tells TRP how he is settling in to life in France and the Top 14

Eddie Jones needs tries to make up ground on Ireland in Six Nations finale

27 October 2020 0 comments

Nick Cain shines the spotlight on England’s midfield being the main area requiring clear thinking in selection ahead of facing Italy

The Verdict: There won’t be an asterisk next to this team

27 October 2020 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher analyses the Premiership final and how Wasps faced up to their uphill battle

England v Barbarians called off after RFU discover second ‘bubble’ breach

23 October 2020 0 comments

RFU chief executive speaks out on Sunday’s clash at Twickenham having to be cancelled

The Maunder dynasty’s arrow is pointing up in Exeter’s era of success

16 October 2020 0 comments

Nick Cain discusses the Champions Cup final and the journey of Exeter Chiefs with scrum-half Jack Maunder

EXCLUSIVE: Why was JP Doyle made redundant?

14 October 2020 0 comments

Respected referee JP Doyle discusses in length his career in Premiership and European competition

Managing your rugby club during Covid-19

1 October 2020 0 comments

Covid-19 has challenged rugby clubs in all kinds of ways from volumes of guidance to adapted gameplay. Grassroots sports technology firm Pitchero has introduced a […]