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

Only question is, which tour will Denny be on?

5 April 2017 0 comments

Denny Solomona would be a more than useful weapon in the Lions armoury if Warren Gatland was to make him his left-field pick to go […]

Frustrated Fisher tells Gloucester to get real

4 April 2017 0 comments

Laurie Fisher says Gloucester have a long way to go before they can be considered a powerhouse of English rugby after revealing his deep disappointment […]

Farrell would make a great leader of Lions says Mako

31 March 2017 0 comments

Mako Vunipola reckons ‘world-class’ Owen Farrell would make a fantastic job of captaining the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand this summer should Warren […]

Super Rugby? I’d rather watch European game, says Mitchell

31 March 2017 0 comments

Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell has bemoaned the demise of Super Rugby and has called on organisers to take a leaf out of Europe’s […]

Pressure almost led me to suicide admits Leicester star

30 March 2017 0 comments

Leicester scrum-half Jono Kitto is spearheading a campaign aimed at persuading players to open up about mental health issues after revealing how his quest for […]

Twickenham rout ‘will cost Scots their Lions places’

29 March 2017 0 comments

Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton fears his countrymen’s 62-21 Six Nations thrashing by England has dashed any hope of significant Lions representation this summer. Improved […]

Lions ban clubs from using their branding

28 March 2017 0 comments

The Lions are not making friends among the broader rugby community as their commercial team prevent other clubs from ‘unofficial’ use of the Lions name. […]

Worcester rejuvenated after Gold makeover

24 March 2017 0 comments

Gary Gold has revealed he discovered a Worcester squad training poorly and unprepared for the physical intensity of the Premiership when he was parachuted into […]

Premiership must take control of Championship

23 March 2017 0 comments

Nottingham chairman Alistair Bow fears Championship rugby will continue its downward spiral unless Premiership Rugby are handed control of the league. Amid a backdrop of […]

Beale determined to deliver the goods at Wasps before departing

22 March 2017 0 comments

Kurtley Beale reckons the addition of Springbok superstar Willie Le Roux to an already electrifying backline has given Wasps the extra edge they need to […]

Jeff Probyn: Crooked feeds are bigger concern than lack of rucking

10 March 2017 0 comments

What a fuss about nothing. As all hell breaks loose because of what Italy did not do, and what England could not answer, the Italian […]

Biggar: No sulking, we’ve got to shape up for Irish

10 March 2017 0 comments

Dan Biggar insists Wales won’t be lacking motivation when they face Ireland on Friday, despite having only pride to play for in their final two […]

Lichfield in shock as they miss out on Super league

10 March 2017 0 comments

Lichfield Ladies director of rugby Becky Williams reckons the RFU have made a “mistake” in excluding the “best club in the country” from the newly […]

Destroyer Hamish on mission at Twickenham

9 March 2017 0 comments

Hamish Watson felt he had a point to prove to Vern Cotter when he came off the bench to star against Wales last time out […]

No need for motivation when we face Scots says Youngs

8 March 2017 0 comments

Ben Youngs happily fanned the Calcutta Cup flames that threaten to burn red hot in the build-up to the latest crunch battle between the old […]

Top clubs vie to lure Brown from Harlequins

7 March 2017 0 comments

Harlequins face the prospect of losing star full-back Mike Brown in the summer. And Brown’s fellow England international, scrum-half Danny Care, is also said to […]

Dai Young on coaching his son at Wasps

3 March 2017 0 comments

The raw emotion Olly Robinson expressed when his father Andy was sacked as Bristol director of rugby earlier this season revealed just how complicated rugby […]

Dom Waldouck weighing up the option of sabbatical

2 March 2017 0 comments

Eco-friendly centre Dominic Waldouck is unsure what role he will play for new-age Newcastle next season, if any, but appearing in the Varsity Match while […]

Tom Arscott EXCLUSIVE: I thought it was the end of my career

1 March 2017 0 comments

By JON NECOMBE Yorkshire Carnegie signing Tom Arscott feared he was “damaged” goods and might never play professionally again after his abrupt sacking by Sale. […]

Chris Cracknell battling to avoid the scrapheap

24 February 2017 0 comments

Former Fiji 7s coach Chris Cracknell fears he may have to quit rugby after failing to find work following last August’s stunning Olympics triumph. In […]

Bath reap benefits from Cheika snub with Ben Tapuai

23 February 2017 0 comments

Ben Tapuai admits leaving Australia left him “scared” but says a fresh start was necessary after being snubbed by Wallabies boss Michael Cheika. Talented Tapuai, […]

EXCLUSIVE: Why Maxime Mermoz left French rugby behind

22 February 2017 0 comments

The sea, the sun, the trophies, Maxime Mermoz appeared to have it all. But underneath all that glitter it was a different story and he […]

Farrell can lead Lions like Johnno says Telfer

21 February 2017 0 comments

Owen Farrell has emerged as a candidate to captain the Lions this summer according to one of the game’s most revered figures. Jim Telfer, a […]

Bryan Redpath: Coaches are now under soccer-style pressure

16 February 2017 0 comments

Yorkshire Carnegie head coach Bryan Redpath has revealed why a combination of declining job security and doubts over the future structure of English professional rugby […]

Let George prove he’s a starting Lion says Chuter

15 February 2017 0 comments

Jamie George is this summer’s first choice British Lions hooker-in-waiting and must be given the chance to prove it by starting for England ahead of […]

High hopes for Henry Trinder after years of injury hell

10 February 2017 0 comments

Henry Trinder says he is physically and mentally ready to end 30 months of injury hell by delivering silverware for the Cherry & Whites. Named […]

Mapletoft defends Quins model as Test call-ups bite

9 February 2017 0 comments

Mark Mapletoft insists Harlequins remain committed to developing England-qualified players despite claiming his side’s trophy chances have been hammered by Test call-ups. The Rugby Paper […]

Elliot Daly urged to pick a number and stick at it

8 February 2017 0 comments

Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson must switch positions permanently or forget about being England‘s long-term answer at full-back, according to former Red Rose incumbent Ben […]

All Black prop stocks are looking bare warns John Afoa

3 February 2017 0 comments

Former All Blacks prop John Afoa believes New Zealand’s front row is vulnerable – and that the state of propping in England is better than […]

Top drawer Elliot Daly worth Lions call

2 February 2017 0 comments

Elliot Daly’s versatility must see the Wasps midfielder rocket into Lions contention for this summer’s tour of New Zealand, says Harlequins head coach Mark Mapletoft. […]

Bath can beat odds like I did says Robbie Fruean

2 February 2017 0 comments

Having twice defied the medics by battling back from heart surgery, inspirational centre Robbie Fruean is determined to reinforce his fighting qualities by leading Bath […]

EXCLUSIVE: RFU made Welsh survival ‘impossible’

1 February 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY London Welsh chairman Gareth Hawkins has blasted the RFU over his club’s demise, accusing English rugby‘s governing body of “moving the goalposts” […]

Six Nations bonus point can net £1m extra cash

31 January 2017 0 comments

The Six Nations kicking off this weekend will achieve another global first in world rugby – the £1m bonus point. A title won not by […]

Battle for England job will boost Lions dream – Care

27 January 2017 0 comments

Danny Care has vowed to fight tooth and claw to see off his No.9 rivals and give himself the best shot at touring with the […]

Leicester are ‘suffering from loss of home stars’

26 January 2017 0 comments

Leicester stalwart Matt Smith fears the imperatives of winning are preventing Tigers from blooding academy stars and sticking with them. Smith, 31, is nearing his […]

Beware of the Irish Lancaster tells England

25 January 2017 0 comments

Eddie Jones’ England have the squad depth, experience and sheer big-game winning nous to retain their Six Nations title, according to former Red Rose supremo […]

London Welsh are no more

24 January 2017 0 comments

The days of London Welsh as a professional club are over after the RFU refused them permission to stay in the Championship. The Exiles went […]

Star names signing up to Joe Marchant’s fan club

20 January 2017 0 comments

Jamie Roberts is backing Harlequins starlet Joe Marchant to become the latest international centre sensation produced by England, who head into the defence of their […]

Hard sanctions on high tackles will suit Louis Picamoles

20 January 2017 0 comments

Teimana Harrison believes the new hard line on high tackles will make Northampton powerhouse Louis Picamoles an even more dangerous ball carrying threat this season. […]

Former Tiger Odogwu glad he jumped ship to Sharks

19 January 2017 0 comments

When Paolo Odogwu scored for Sale against Leicester in October it was a moment of personal satisfaction for the 19-year-old speedster who once cut a […]

Injury tide turning in favour of Catt at last

19 January 2017 0 comments

Bath loosehead prop Nathan Catt is ready to end 18 months of injury hell by seizing the day to claim a first England cap. Catt, […]

Leicester urged to consider benefactor route

18 January 2017 0 comments

Leicester legend Louis Deacon claims his old club were wrong to sack Richard Cockerill and insists the Welford Road outfit must change their financial outlook […]

Ellis Genge – ‘I’m staying at Leicester’

18 January 2017 0 comments

Dynamic Ellis Genge has revealed why Leicester‘s sacking of the man who helped salvage his career is unlikely to deter him from signing a new […]

RFU under fire for failing England Saxons

17 January 2017 0 comments

England’s failure to extend their Saxons programme could have a catastrophic effect on player development, warns former RFU performance coach Jon Callard. Callard, a driving […]

‘If Thomas was English he’d be in their squad’

17 January 2017 0 comments

Wales are being urged to reinforce their Six Nations squad by picking the revelation of the English Premiership – Wasps flanker Thomas Young. The uncapped […]

Adam Jones tips Kyle Sinckler as a bolter for the Lions

13 January 2017 0 comments

British & Irish Lions legend Adam Jones reckons dynamic Harlequins tighthead Kyle Sinckler can force his way to the front of the queue to fill […]

Tim Visser questions recruitment of ‘project players’

12 January 2017 0 comments

Support for World Rugby‘s review into the three-year eligibility ruling has come from an unlikely source – Scotland‘s adopted Dutchman, Tim Visser. Driven by vice-chairman, […]

How ‘Turnover King’ Will Hurrell turned it around

11 January 2017 0 comments

Bristol talisman Will Hurrell has credited Welsh internationals Gavin Henson and Dwayne Peel for turning him into this season’s Premiership surprise package. Former Leicester academy […]

RFU face revolt over Council numbers

10 January 2017 0 comments

Rugby Football Union bosses are facing a rebellion from furious Council members over proposals to slash their representation on the management board by at least […]

Putting Carter in the shade sends Russell into the spotlight for Lions

6 January 2017 0 comments

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend reckons Finn Russell’s big-match temperament will thrust him into the spotlight when it comes to British & Irish Lions fly-half […]

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