Featured

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

Aussies offer acid test of England’s back row mobility

16 November 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain analyses the challenge of the Wallabies who have a ‘score to settle’

Jackson column: Beal lit up Arms Park long before Twickenham

16 November 2017 0 comments

From Bridgend and Welsh schools to Northampton and the Lions, Peter Jackson speaks with the former full-back

Cain column: Eddie’s tunnel vision over Dylan Hartley is harmful

16 November 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain writes his opinion on how the England head coach has set a precedent that risks locking him in

Michael Cheika picks power over playmaker in Wallabies midfield

16 November 2017 0 comments

Samu Kerevi gets the nod to start at inside centre alongside Tevita Kuridrani

Lydiate to captain Wales as Gatland makes 14 changes

16 November 2017 0 comments

All the team news for the Test against Georgia at the Principality Stadium

Verdict: Pumas need a re-boot starting with their selection policy

15 November 2017 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher analyses a team performing below expectations

Guscott column: Watson closes in on Brown for vote at full-back

15 November 2017 0 comments

Mike Brown’s early replacement gave us a glimpse of what a new back three may look like with Anthony Watson switching to full-back and looking […]

Hansen recalls Kieran Read to All Blacks squad for Paris visit

9 November 2017 0 comments

New Zealand coach makes 12 changes to matchday squad to take on France

England rest Farrell and Itoje for Test against Los Pumas

9 November 2017 0 comments

Henry Slade beats Alex Lozowski to start in place of kicking ace, with George Ford at 10

Williams column: Give Liam the key to drive Wales’ attack from full back

8 November 2017 0 comments

Shane Williams is teeming with curiosity how Warren Gatland will experiment with the Wales back three

Cain column: World Cup vote would save Springboks from disaster

8 November 2017 0 comments

(Photo: Getty Images) By Nick Cain With South African rugby on the road to the cliff-edge, the Rugby World Cup board have offered it an […]

Jackson column: Can Wales rise from the Ashes of defeats to Wallabies?

8 November 2017 0 comments

Wales have lost their last 16 matches against Australia

Guscott column: Still time for Yarde to turn his image around at Sale

8 November 2017 0 comments

Jeremy Guscott on the shootout between Yarde and team-mate Denny Solomona to win Jones’ favour

England’s back row looks exposed, but it’s time for Eddie to go for broke

2 November 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain writes why it’s time to gamble on the promise of rookies Sam Underhill, Tom Curry and Zach Mercer

Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann considers playing for England

2 November 2017 0 comments

The Gloucester back row could be eligible for England in 2020 and says it’s a possibility if the Springboks don’t come calling

Williams column: Give Owen Williams the reins to drive brave new dawn for Wales

2 November 2017 0 comments

Wales and Lions legend Shane Williams looks at the Wales squad for the autumn internationals and suggests who should start

Cain column: NFL ‘partnership’ will be far from friendly

1 November 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain examines the NFL’s growing access to the European market which has seen two matches played at Twickenham this autumn

Rob Howley talks O’Brien, Byrne and his future after the 2019 World Cup

1 November 2017 0 comments

The Wales and Lions coach made peace with Sean O’Brien in 20 minute phone call

Set an example with more cash for struggling Samoa

1 November 2017 0 comments

With no mandatory obligation to cough up more money, Colin Boag writes why the RFU should offer cash-strapped Samoa a higher share

Guscott column: Solomona must prove he is not a defensive liability

1 November 2017 0 comments

Jeremy Guscott looks at the competition for places in Eddie Jones’ starting XV and who has a point to prove

Harlequins wing Marland Yarde completes switch to Sale Sharks

1 November 2017 0 comments

John Kingston says he is trying to create a ‘positive environment’ at Quins

Jackson column: Shameful that Newport’s big day is in cold storage

31 October 2017 0 comments

Peter Jackson recalls the forgotten by the masses moment Newport beat the All Blacks

World Rugby report recommends South Africa as 2023 host in a blow to Ireland and France

31 October 2017 0 comments

Tight vote sees South Africa the preferred bidder in close race – official decision made 15 November

Blaine Scully signs new long-term deal with Cardiff Blues

31 October 2017 0 comments

The USA captain says it is ‘a true honour’ to be associated with the Cardiff Blues after penning new contract

Danny Hearn – 50 years on: No regrets for the man of steel who beat the odds to walk again

28 October 2017 0 comments

50 years on from breaking his neck against New Zealand, The Rugby Paper meets the England centre to see how that day changed the course of his life

Joe Marler available for England selection after ban for striking changed

27 October 2017 0 comments

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston gives evidence to EPCR which overturns ban period

It’s time the RFU honoured first black international

27 October 2017 0 comments

Brendan Gallagher takes a look at the distinguished moment in history set by Plymouth player Jamie Peters

See the stars of the future in action as Harlequins take on Worcester!

27 October 2017 0 comments

You can see the stars of the future at The Stoop on Sunday 12th November when Harlequins face Worcester Warriors in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. For a […]

Cain column: Gatland scorched by heat in Lions kitchen

26 October 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain looks at whether being head coach of the British & Irish Lions is more trouble than it’s worth given the levels of scrutiny

Nathan Hughes banking on the real Wasps to front up

26 October 2017 0 comments

The England number 8 on wanting to improve club results and filling in for Billy Vunipola with England

Jackson column: What ever happened to that war on gouging?

26 October 2017 0 comments

By Peter Jackson Sven Cronk knows how it feels to be poked in the eye as the innocent victim of a gouging offence like no […]

Guscott column: Lions will find that Gatland is a hard man to replace

25 October 2017 0 comments

Jeremy Guscott looks at Warren Gatland’s Lions record and what could be on the horizon for the Kiwi

Harry Mallinder signs new deal with Northampton Saints

25 October 2017 0 comments

Mallinder junior says Northampton is his ‘only club’ in penning a new a contract extension

Denny Solomona on a soul mission to add variety

25 October 2017 0 comments

The Sale wing talks about how life could have taken a wrong turn after his upbringing in an area of Auckland known for crime

Rob Baxter weighs in to debate around fixture scheduling and player welfare

25 October 2017 0 comments

The Exeter Chiefs director of rugby blames TV broadcasters for playing two games inside five days

Gatland names Wales squad for autumn internationals

24 October 2017 0 comments

(Photo: Getty Images) By Adam Ellis Warren Gatland has named his squad for the autumn international and handed a recall to in form Bath fly-half […]

Ambitious Olly Woodburn stating his case for Test call

19 October 2017 0 comments

(Photo: Getty Images) By Neale Harvey Exeter speedster Olly Woodburn is ready to back up Philippe Saint-Andre’s fervent assertion that it is time the England […]

Cain column: ‘Teflon Rob’ could have done so much more

18 October 2017 0 comments

By Nick Cain ROB Andrew’s reputation as the Teflon man of English rugby may have taken a knock when he was sacked as the RFU‘s […]

Guscott column: Let’s play Farrell at 10 with Te’o power outside him

18 October 2017 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscott OWEN Farrell plays fly-half for Saracens – which is where he will be for the big all- English European Cup clash against […]

Yes, it’s time for Jamie George to become king

13 October 2017 0 comments

Dylan Hartley or Jamie George? Past England hookers have their say

Jackson column: Time to end Scarlets’ Euro Cup heartbreaks

11 October 2017 0 comments

By Peter Jackson No contender for Europe’s blue riband trophy can have endured more heartache in their pursuit than the Scarlets, a point acknowledged by […]

Williams column: Losing one is unfortunate, losing two may be catastrophic

11 October 2017 0 comments

Shane Williams on the situation at Ospreys with Biggar and Webb set to leave

Byron McGuigan’s out to steal march on Scotland

11 October 2017 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe BYRON McGuigan is hoping his terrific try-scoring form with Sale Sharks will catch the eye of the Scotland selectors. McGuigan qualifies for […]

Rob Baxter plans to make Exeter Chiefs one of Europe’s elite

6 October 2017 0 comments

By Nick Cain EXETER Chiefs are rolling towards Europe’s elite clubs like a dislodged boulder of Dartmoor granite. The newly- crowned English champions are determined […]

Serious injury almost forgotten history for Slade as Eddie Jones watches on

4 October 2017 0 comments

By Mike Sinclair Henry Slade astounded everyone by racing back in less than five months after breaking his leg and suffering serious ankle ligament damage. […]

Shane Williams column: There’s only one man in my mind who can replace Wilson at Cardiff

3 October 2017 0 comments

By Shane Williams WHAT a shambles it is right now at Cardiff Blues. I must admit I was very surprised to see Danny Wilson announce […]

‘I felt I needed to trim down’ – Fitness regime behind Cook’s fine form

3 October 2017 0 comments

Slimline Bath scrum-half Chris Cook credits a gruelling summer training regime for helping him see off Kahn Fotuali’i to spearhead the club’s title charge.