Features

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

Henry Arundell lines up England return

22 December 2024 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Henry Arundell, one of rugby’s most exciting talents, is poised to join Bath next season from Stuart Lancaster’s Racing 92, opening the […]

Dream Team – Josh Davies

22 December 2024 0 comments

JOSH DAVIES, THE FORMER WALES U20s, EALING, LONDON WELSH & BARNES SCRUM-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. Rhodri […]

Elite show struggling to fit in

22 December 2024 0 comments

AFTER A GRIM WEEKEND FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SIDES, PAUL REES ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT THE CHAMPIONS CUP LEICESTER attracted the second […]

Alfie Petch on the move

22 December 2024 0 comments

Gloucester prop Alfie Petch has signed a short-term loan deal at Cornish Pirates. The 24-year-old played for the Pirates during 2022-23 before signing for Northampton. […]

I always wanted to play an exciting form of rugby

22 December 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY THE FORMER GLOUCESTER, LONDON IRISH, LEICESTER, NORTHAMPTON, WORCESTER AND LA ROCHELLE FLY-HALF, NOW HEAD COACH AT PLYMOUTH ALBION RYAN LAMB THERE were […]

England must find a way to deliver

22 December 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME WITH Christmas fast approaching, it’s time for us all to look forward to better things and […]

ISRAEL AKINROWO

22 December 2024 0 comments

YOUNG GUNS EXETER CHIEFS CENTRE Proud West Countryman Israel Akinrowo fell in love with rugby at Devonport Services where he blossomed alongside his best friend […]

S4, E16: Rugby Paper Podcast 2024 Awards and Champions Cup debate

19 December 2024 0 comments

In our last episode of 2024, the gang is back together in full force. Host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan […]

Ronan O’Gara keeps on driving La Rochelle

15 December 2024 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to the former Ireland No.10 about his plans in France – and what could happen next In the heart of La Rochelle, […]

Dream Team – Peter Altham

15 December 2024 0 comments

PETER ALTHAM, THE FYLDE, LANCASHIRE AND FORMER WHARFEDALE AND PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS PROP, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. Soane […]

Beating Dean and the ABC club was a high

15 December 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY THE FORMER SARACENS & LONDON WELSH FLY-HALF ANDY LEE IT was more through luck than judgement that I ended up playing for […]

YOUNG GUNS

15 December 2024 0 comments

KEALAN FREEMAN-PRICE GLOUCESTER HOOKER Kealan Freeman-Price recently made a bold switch from back row to hooker but the Gloucester forward is revelling in his positional […]

I’m getting there, says Jack Kenningham

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Cameron Stephens – From the Rugby Paper Podcast Harlequins flanker Jack Kenningham is grateful to be fit and firing this season after coming back […]

S4, E15: Jack Kenningham talks Champions Cup, Ilona Maher, England prospects and Harlequins Big Game 16

11 December 2024 0 comments

Join us for this week’s episode of the Rugby Paper Podcast as Harlequins flanker Jack Kenningham joins host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett and […]

Winners? It’s hard to look beyond Toulouse – Chris Robshaw

8 December 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to Chris Robshaw about the Champions Cup – and why he rates England’s chances in the Six Nations Chris Robshaw felt lost […]

Dream Team – Charles Rylands

8 December 2024 0 comments

CHARLES RYLANDS, THE AMPTHILL AND FORMER BEDFORD BLUES AND CARDIFF MET FLANKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Front Row 1. […]

All eyes now set on 2025

8 December 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees looks forward to what happens next in the international arena after a demanding Autumn Series Coming man: Sam Prendergast on the attack for […]

Sailing around the Med for a year is next for me – Tyler Ardron

8 December 2024 0 comments

My Life in Rugby TYLER ARDRON THE CANADA FORWARD, CURRENTLY AT CASTRES, WHO PREVIOUSLY PLAYED FOR OSPREYS AND THE CHIEFS In 18 months’ time, when […]

RFU Council must make a stand for whole game

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Jeff Probyn – A front row view of the game Now the Autumn Nation Series is over – with all four games at the […]

JACKKINDER

8 December 2024 0 comments

YOUNG GUNS LEICESTER TIGERS WINGER Having transitioned from football, Jack Kinder immediately fell in love with the physical nature of rugby, as well as its […]

S4, E14: Autumn Series ends and British & Irish Lions tour taking shape with Sean Maloney

3 December 2024 0 comments

A jam-packed Autumn Series has come to an end, with Australia pushing hosts Ireland right to the limit in Dublin on Saturday, with the Irish […]

Springboks going to need a bigger trophy cabinet …

1 December 2024 0 comments

Peter Jackson looks back on a season where, once again, South Africa proved to be the best team on the planet Now that they have […]

Time for big guns to deliver in the Six Nations

1 December 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES ASSESSES THE FORM OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, FRANCE, WALES AND ITALY IN THE BUILDUP TO THE SIX NATIONS ENGLAND Result: Henry Slade celebrates a […]

Dream Team – Grant Hughes

1 December 2024 0 comments

GRANT HUGHES, THE FORMER SCOTLAND SEVENS INTERNATIONAL AND STIRLING COUNTY WING, NOW WITH CHINNOR, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards […]

Good to see the Eagles soaring again

1 December 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points – By Brendan Gallagher That’s a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would […]

All my energy is the going into Beziers

1 December 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY JOHNNY HOWARD THE FORMER NORTHAMPTON, BEZIER AND ENGLAND SEVENS SCRUM-HALF IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, […]

OSCAR WILSON

1 December 2024 0 comments

YOUNG GUNS SARACENS CENTRE Oscar Wilson hopes to make it onto Mark Mapletoft’s radar this season and then make the transition from U20s to England […]

S4, E13: England Autumn Series review with Topsy Ojo

26 November 2024 0 comments

England got back to winning ways with a routing of Japan at Twickenham on Sunday. However, after five consecutive defeats prior, questions burn even stronger […]

If someone thinks I’m an a***, they can switch off

24 November 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to James Haskell, the former England flanker, about being part of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby JAMES Haskell took the […]

For England, it’s a mind game

24 November 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES SAYS THE POTENTIAL IS THERE IN BORTHWICK’S TEAM-BUT BOTH PLAYERS AND COACHES NEED TO RELEASE IT BEFORE the start of the autumn series, […]

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

24 November 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY BOB HILLER THE FORMER BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, ENGLAND, SURREY AND HARLEQUINS FULL-BACK IPLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the […]

YOUNG GUNS

24 November 2024 0 comments

FRANKLINMcMILLAN HARLEQUINS CENTRE Franklin McMillan only started taking rugby seriously at 14 but feels his fast development is down to spending his weekend mornings tuning […]

Benson enjoys some extra expert tuition

24 November 2024 0 comments

TRP By PAUL REES Probyn: England should get the win we have all wanted >> Page 39 JAMIE Benson has returned to Harlequins after three […]

S4, E12: Nemani Nadolo on England’s struggles, Fiji’s backline and the best wingers in the world

20 November 2024 0 comments

Three weeks into the Autumn internationals and England and Wales both remain winless. Question marks hang over Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland’s futures going into […]

Dream Team – Jimmy Gopperth

17 November 2024 0 comments

JIMMY GOPPERTH, THE FORMER WELLINGTON, HURRICANES, BLUES, NEWCASTLE, LEINSTER, WASPS AND LEICESTER PLAYMAKER, WHO IS STILL GOING STRONG AT AIX-EN-PROVENCE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE […]

I am calm and loving my life, says Danny Cipriani

17 November 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to the former England No.10 as he agrees to put his boots on one final time to help raise money for MND […]

Chalking off White’s try was a mistake

17 November 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER No try: Ben White’s touchdown was ruled out PICTURE: Getty Images IT […]

Coach who gave Hastings brothers their debuts

17 November 2024 0 comments

THERE was a time when the strength of rugby in the Borders was a weathervane for Scottish rugby generally. That period has passed with professionalism […]

Beziers begin to get act together

17 November 2024 0 comments

THESE are hectic and tumultuous times at once-great Beziers. We recently reported that two charges of domestic abuse by Beziers players against their respective partners […]

Gatland’s second coming struggles to lift Welsh spirits

17 November 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES HEARS CRITICISM OF THE WALES COACH MOUNT AS HE PREPARES FOR TODAY’S VISIT OF AUSTRALIA TO CARDIFF Under pressure: Wales coach Warren Gatland […]

‘I decided to work hard and Eddie Jones backed me’ – George Kruis

17 November 2024 0 comments

My Life in Rugby – George Kruis the former England, Saracens and Panasonic Wild Knights second row Man-mountain: George Kruis on the charge for England […]

YOUNG GUNS

17 November 2024 0 comments

LOUIEGULLEY EXETER CHIEFS HOOKER Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summer and now has a burning desire […]

S4, E11: Joe Tomane celebrates Southern Hemisphere sweep as England fall short again

13 November 2024 0 comments

It was a great weekend to be south of the equator as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and Argentina handed out defeats to Ireland, […]

Dream Team – Donovan O’Grady

10 November 2024 0 comments

DONOVAN O’GRADY, THE SWITZERLAND AND BLACKHEATH SCRUM-HALF WHO WORKS FOR THE RPA, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. Simon […]

‘My school tour to SA changed me’ – Christ Tshiunza

10 November 2024 0 comments

Simon Thomas talks to Christ Tshiunza about his personal journey from Africa to Wales From Kinshasa to Cardiff, from Exeter to the international stage, it’s […]

Duty of Danny Care: How Eddie Jones rates

10 November 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees examines the record and reputation of the ex-England coach who divides opinion wherever he goes A man apart: Eddie Jones took charge of […]

YOUNG GUNS

10 November 2024 0 comments

JOE DAVIS NEWCASTLE SCRUM-HALF Despite being only 18, Joe Davis has broken into Newcastle’s Premiership matchday squad and is now chasing international honours. The scrum-half […]

Biarritz was truly a baptism of fire

10 November 2024 0 comments

MY LIFEIN RUGBY DAVID McILWAINE THE FORMER ULSTER, BRISTOL, DONCASTER & LEEDS FULL-BACK On the run: David McIlwaine playing for Bristol against Rotherham PICTURE: Media […]

England need to be more consistent

10 November 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Man in the middle: Referee Angus Gardner seemed to be doing his best to ensure England […]

S4, E10: Alex Cuthbert joins as England drop ball against NZ + Wales set for crucial Autumn Nations Series

6 November 2024 0 comments

With an eight-point lead, England seemed in control at Twickenham, only for a New Zealand fightback and some questionable substitutions to once again deny the […]

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