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

“I’m ready to answer call,” Nick Easter tells England

27 October 2012 1 comment

Nick Easter believes the absence of a clear philosophy in previous England set-ups held him back but is confident he can prove why he is […]

“Let’s see if we can break the top 4” – Gloucester Sione Kalamafoni

26 October 2012 0 comments

Sione Kalamafoni is relishing the chance to get stuck-in when Gloucester face the Tigers at Kingsholm this weekend in what this promises to be Gloucester’s […]

“We’ll have to dominate up front if we want to beat Exeter,” – Neal Hatley

26 October 2012 0 comments

Bath return to Premiership duties with a mouth-watering West Country derby against Exeter at The Rec tomorrow. For forwards coach Neal Hatley, the battle up […]

Why slim-line Billy Vunipola is now worth the weight

26 October 2012 1 comment

The Wasps No.8 has been one of the standout performers in the Premiership this season, with his powerful running and soft hands making him a potential candidate to fill the troublesome spot at the back of the England scrum.

Premiership round 7: preview and predictions

26 October 2012 0 comments

Premiership round 7: preview and predictions Bath v Exeter Bath will be looking to push on from their last-gasp win over Agen last week when […]

RaboDirect Pro12 round 7: preview and predictions

26 October 2012 3 comments

Dragons v Ulster The Dragons have only made two changes from the side that lost to Bayonne last week. Adam Jones replaces Ian Nimmo at […]

Saracens Mako Vunipola gets England call

25 October 2012 0 comments

Mako Vunipola and Tom Youngs are set to earn their first Test cap after the duo was named in the 32-man England Squad for the […]

Jet-setter Francois Louw enjoys a happy landing at Bath

25 October 2012 0 comments

Francois Louw admits he’s feeling the strain of racking up as many air miles as dadedevil skydiver Felix Baumgartner going between club and country – […]

‘Brilliant’ Bedford Blues have Newcastle Falcons in their sights

24 October 2012 3 comments

James Pritchard believes Bedford can do the Championship a favour and knock leaders Newcastle off their perch, when the Falcons visit Goldington Road in a […]

Redruth move fast in race abuse row

24 October 2012 2 comments

The RFU have praised Redruth‘s handling of an incident of suspected racial abuse which involved a visiting black player being jeered by a minority of […]

Stephen Jones set for golden thankyou from Wales

23 October 2012 1 comment

Stephen Jones is to be granted a testimonial by the Welsh Rugby Union in recognition of his status as their most-capped international. The 34-year-old Welsh […]

Bedford Blues’ attacking style pays off for Ben Ransom

22 October 2012 0 comments

Ben Ransom says there is no better place to be than Bedford Blues as he awaits his Saracens first-team chance. Full-back Ranson, 20, who has […]

Tigers roar again with superb win over Ospreys

21 October 2012 0 comments

Three tries in a frantic last ten minutes helped Leicester to a crucial 39-22 bonus-point win over the Ospreys at Welford Road. The game was […]

Jonny’s boots hand Toulon vital away win in Cardiff

21 October 2012 0 comments

A second half try from Steffon Armitage and a kicking lesson from Jonny Wilkinson helped Toulon to their second win in as many games to […]

Patient Ulster get the goods in rainy Glasgow

19 October 2012 0 comments

A second half try from flanker Chris Henry helped Ulster to a 19-8 win over Glasgow to put the Irish in control of their pool […]

“It will be hard but we’re a different team now,” – Chris Robshaw

19 October 2012 1 comment

Tomorrow, Harlequins are travelling back to Galway to face Connacht, the exact same place their dream of reaching the Heineken Cup quarter-finals got away last […]

Heineken Cup round 2: preview and predictions

19 October 2012 0 comments

Pool 1 Munster v Edinburgh Munster will be disappointed they did not close the game out last Racing Metro last week, conceding two late penalties. […]

Amlin Challenge Cup round 2: preview and predictions

19 October 2012 0 comments

Dragons v Bayonne Tonderai Chavhanga returns for the Dragons as they face Bayonne following their defeat at Wasps last week. The former Springbok returns on […]

“We can’t afford to go backwards now, “ – Sailosi Tagicakibau

19 October 2012 0 comments

London Irish will look to build on their bonus point win over Bordeaux-Begles last week when they take on Mont de Marsan tomorrow at the […]

Geordan Murphy is still the role model for Leicester’s Niall Morris

19 October 2012 2 comments

Niall Morris has no doubt about his place in the full-back pecking order at Leicester: ‘Geordan Murphy is still Number One.’ Like last season, when […]

Gloucester get the five points but worry over injuries

18 October 2012 0 comments

Four first half tries handed Gloucester a 25-13 bonus-point win over Bordeaux-Begles at Kingsholm tonight. However, the game may be costly for the Cherry and […]

“Let’s keep the momentum before the Premiership resumes,” – Jim Hamilton

18 October 2012 0 comments

Gloucester host Bordeaux-Begles tonight in a bid to keep the pressure on London Irish at the top of their Amlin Cup group. For captain Jim […]

Missile Joe Launchbury is for lift-off, says Wasps head coach Dai Young

18 October 2012 0 comments

Joe Launchbury is not one for the future, according to Wasps chief Dai Young, because the flanker-cum-lock has arrived already! Young, looking back to Launchbury’s […]

Rob Cook makes up for lost time with Mike Tindall help at Gloucester

17 October 2012 1 comment

Gloucester full-back Rob Cook has waited a lifetime to get his chance at the top level of elite sport and now he is enlisting Mike […]

Baa-Baas welcome Dean Richards back as coach

16 October 2012 0 comments

Dean Richards has been short-listed for a return to the big stage as coach of the Barbarians. The renowned touring club approached him last week […]

Ulster leave it late but Ruan Pienaar secures the five points

12 October 2012 0 comments

Ulster had to wait until the third minute of stoppage time and a try from Springbok Ruan Pienaar to secure a 41-17 bonus-point win over […]

“Warren Gatland must hold his nerve over Lions team,” says Ian McGeechan

12 October 2012 0 comments

In an era when even the finest rugby coaches have a drastically short shelf-life, Sir Ian McGeechan’s longevity of service with the Lions – the […]

Heineken Cup round 1: preview and predictions

12 October 2012 0 comments

Pool 1 Edinburgh v Saracens Edinburgh make six changes to their starting line-up to take on Saracens at Murrayfield. Internationals Tom Brown and Richie Rees […]

Amlin Challenge Cup round 1: preview and predictions

12 October 2012 1 comment

Bordeaux-Begles v London Irish Guy Armitage and Chris Hala’ufia will both start their first matches’ of the season as London Irish begin their Amlin Challenge […]

“Last week was a major boost but let’s be consistent now,” says Topsy Ojo

12 October 2012 2 comments

On paper, London Irish are one of the most threatening team in the Premiership. On the pitch however, the Exiles have struggled after seeing a […]

Gloucester do the job in France but Andy Hazell faces lengthy ban

11 October 2012 1 comment

Fourteen-men Gloucester earned an ugly 11-6 win at Mont-de-Marsan in the opening game of the Amlin Challenge Cup. Ian Clark’s first half try was enough […]

Brilliant Brian O’Driscoll is early charger for Lions place

11 October 2012 0 comments

Selecting a Lions team from the ranks of the Aviva Premiership and the RaboDirect Pro12 is a fraught business at this stage of the season. […]

“It’s a privilege to play with Owen Farrell,” says Saracens Steve Borthwick

11 October 2012 0 comments

Saracens captain Steve Borthwick has backed Owen Farrell to hit top form ahead of England‘s autumn international campaign. The 21-year-old fly-half endured a tough start […]

“We need Olympic formula” – Jonny Wilkinson

10 October 2012 3 comments

Jonny Wilkinson says it is time for England to put wins on the board during their forthcoming autumn internationals against Australia, South Africa and New […]

Wales and Cardiff in bid to keep Lion king Jamie Roberts out of France

9 October 2012 0 comments

British Lion Jamie Roberts is at the centre of a groundbreaking deal being hatched to prevent him falling into French hands. Cardiff Blues and the […]

Premiership round 6 review

8 October 2012 0 comments

Bath (Lost 10-16 to Gloucester) With Olly Barkley gone, you’d think Bath struggle and, despite his status, Stephen Donald hadn’t made the impact you would […]

George Ford’s boots earn Leicester Tigers a win over sorry Sale Sharks

5 October 2012 0 comments

George Ford kicked 15 points from the tee to help Leicester claim a convincing 20-8 win over Sale in Salford. It is the sixth consecutive […]

“We’re not used to it but we deserve it,” says Worcester Richard Hill

5 October 2012 0 comments

After the first five rounds, a clear transformation can be seen in how the Worcester Warriors play the game and for the first time ever, […]

Premiership round 6: preview and predictions

5 October 2012 1 comment

Exeter v Harlequins Wallaby lock Dean Mumm will make his Chiefs debut tomorrow as Exeter seek to return to winning ways after their 30-8 defeat […]

RaboDirect Pro12 round 6: preview and predictions

5 October 2012 1 comment

Cardiff v Glasgow Leigh Halfpenny makes his return from injury for Cardiff as the Blues seek to make amends from the 48-19 thumping they received […]

Top14 round 8: preview and predictions

5 October 2012 2 comments

Jonny Wilkinson return at fly-half for Toulon as the French giants try to get back to winning ways when they travel to Biarritz a week […]

Stuart Lancaster’s likely to turn to youngsters to fill Ben Foden’s gap

5 October 2012 0 comments

England head coach Stuart Lancaster is likely to put youth ahead of experience as he sifts through wing replacement options for the injured Ben Foden. […]

“Leicester Tigers exit paying off for me,” says Billy Twelvetrees

4 October 2012 0 comments

Leaving Leicester can be considered to be either brave or stupid but, after starting Gloucester‘s first four games this season, Billy Twelvetrees believes his decision […]

Rugby Championship round 6: preview and predictions

4 October 2012 1 comment

Argentina v Australia Santiago Phelan has once again named the same starting XV as the Pumas seek their first ever win in the Rugby Championship. […]

Watch out, Saints Courtney Lawes is back and bigger than ever

3 October 2012 1 comment

It was Andy Goode’s misfortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time last Saturday afternoon. With 60 minutes of Worcester‘s match against […]

George Ford may be forced to quit Leicester Tigers says Austin Healey

2 October 2012 1 comment

Austin Healey says Welford Road is not big enough to accommodate both Toby Flood and George Ford. Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has opted […]