International Rugby

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

Grassroots revolt triggers vote over futures of RFU chief executive and chairman

19 December 2024 0 comments

Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney and chairman Tom Ilube are facing motions calling for their removal after a grassroots revolt gathered enough support […]

Bundee Aki and James Ryan commit to Ireland by signing new deals

17 December 2024 0 comments

Bundee Aki and James Ryan have signed contract extensions with Ireland. Aki has agreed a new one-year deal that will keep him at Connacht until […]

Start with Tom Roebuck, Ben Curry tells Steve Borthwick

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Ross Heppenstall Steve Borthwick has been urged to make in-form Sale star Tom Roebuck a starting winger in the Six Nations. Roebuck enjoyed an […]

Scotland will benefit from winning habit – Blair Kinghorn

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Blair Kinghorn has been getting into the winning habit with Antoine Dupont and co at Toulouse and reckons that could spell bad […]

Georgia just want a fair chance – Richard Cockerill

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Jackson – The man truly in the know One day soon, Josef Tkemaladze will renew his presidential invitation to Wales requesting the pleasure […]

Jack Crowley or Sam Prendergast – Who is Ireland’s true number one fly-half?

13 December 2024 0 comments

Much has been made of Sam Prendergast’s recent arrival on the international scene, with fans and pundits alike quick to point out comparisons with Ireland’s […]

Ronan O’Gara would ‘bite hands off’ for top Test coach role – but not Wales job

10 December 2024 0 comments

Ronan O’Gara says there are international jobs he would “bite people’s hands off for” as he underlined a burning desire to coach at Test level. […]

England were not too far off – Henry Slade

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Henry Slade believes England deserved more credit for their performances this autumn, insisting it was ‘small margins’ that prevented them from truly […]

Tommy Freeman is happy to have a crack at centre

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Tommy Freeman has started all of England’s internationals this year on the wing but fancies having a crack in the centre. Freeman […]

Fit-again Alex Mann is planning to come back with a bang

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Simon Thomas After a year of ups and downs, Alex Mann is back bigger and better than ever and determined to return to the […]

France won’t play All Blacks in USA

8 December 2024 0 comments

French Column – By James Harrington The FFR has rejected a proposal from New Zealand to relocate the third Test of next July’s tour to […]

Autumn Nations Series grades for each team

2 December 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott No one could have expected some of the results that happened over the Autumn Nations Series, with Australia overperforming and Wales furthering […]

The best XV of the Autumn Nations Series

2 December 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott After an Autumn filled with drama, where underperformances from home nations were compounded by Southern Hemisphere brilliance, here is the best XV […]

150th party nearly ends in tears for sloppy Irish

1 December 2024 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Ireland…………………………. 22pts Tries: van der Flier 23, Doris 49, G McCarthy 73 Conversions: Prendergast 50, Crowley 74 Penalty: Prendergast 43 Australia……………………….. 19pts […]

Andy Farrell: It can’t be all singing, all dancing all of the time

1 December 2024 0 comments

Head coach Andy Farrell signed off from Ireland duty with another win as he turns his attention to the British and Irish Lions tour in […]

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 […]

My body is telling me to quit, says Rob Evans

1 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Jackson – The man truly in the know Wales are about to be hit by another loss despite spending the final weekend of […]

Ireland vs Australia – Autumn Nations Series Match Preview

29 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports As Ireland prepares to host Australia this Saturday, both teams are coming off contrasting results. Under Andy Farrell’s leadership, Ireland […]

Could Toby Booth be Wales’ next head coach?

28 November 2024 0 comments

It’s safe to say the sun isn’t shining on Welsh rugby right now. Warren Gatland’s team suffered a record 12th consecutive defeat to South Africa […]

The most surprising results of the Autumn Nations Series

25 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott A combination of strong teams underperforming and perceived ‘weaker’ teams overperforming has resulted in a lot of shocks over this Autumn Nations […]

Autumn Nations Series: Biggest Stock Risers and Fallers

25 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott This Autumn Nations Series there have been plenty of moments and performances which are enough to define a career, and here are […]

Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week: England trio impress in final game of disappointing campaign

25 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott England managed to salvage some dignity in their final game against Japan, while Australia failed to continue their form over the home nations. In the […]

Eddie Jones fires back at Danny Care as Steve Borthwick vows to persist with blitz

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Tom Jeffreys In typical Eddie Jones fashion the Japan head coach, following his side’s 59-14 defeat to England on his Twickenham homecoming, teased at […]

England solidify flat-track bully status to spoil Eddie Jones’ comeback

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Tom Jeffreys England……………… 59 (35)Tries: Earl 10, Underhill 14, George 24, 31, Sleightholme 37, Furbank 53, Cowan-Dickie 60, 65, Roebuck 68Conversions: M. Smith 11, […]

England vs Japan – Match Betting Preview

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports England, currently on a five-game losing streak, is in a crucial position as they prepare to face Japan at Twickenham. […]

Scotland vs Wallabies – Match Betting Preview

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports As Australia head to Murrayfield in pursuit of a clean sweep in the autumn series, both teams are riding high […]

We’ll reject changes to promotion, vow Championship clubs

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Nick Cain Championship clubs are refusing to accept late changes to promotion-relegation regulations. They assert it contravenes the RFU Council’s decision in June to […]

Future is out of my control – Warren Gatland

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Roger Panting Wales head coach Warren Gatland indicated that he was still in the dark as to his future but despite a 12th successive […]

Shadow of Eddie Jones still hangs over Steve Borthwick – England vs Japan Preview

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway PREVIEW… England v Japan Today. Kick-off 4.10pm, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Steve Borthwick is in the ultimate no-win situation today against Japan at […]

Wales are battered by force of Storm Sprinbok

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Wales ……………………………. 12pts Tries: Dyer 40, Botham 80 Conversion: B Thomas 80 South Africa ……………….. 45pts Tries: Mostert 6, Etzebeth 9, Arendse […]

Sione Tuipulotu: This is where I’m supposed to be – Scotland vs Australia Preview

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Bryn Palmer PREVIEW… Scotland v Australia Today. Kick-off 1.40pm, Murrayfield Sione Tuipulotu’s journey from the suburbs of Melbourne to the Scotland captaincy will come […]

Steve Borthwick can’t afford another run of failure

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Nick Cain – Read his expert opinion every week When it comes to “jam tomorrow” England teams have produced more jars of it than […]

Five times head coaches have faced their former side

22 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott Whenever a player or coach goes back to a former club, there is always a sense of intrigue both with how the head coach or […]

Top Ten Matchups to look out for in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend

22 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The last weekend of the Autumn Nations Series means that players and teams have a chance to salvage some dignity or continue […]

Italy vs All Blacks – Match Preview

22 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports The All Blacks, led by Scott Robertson, are set to take on Italy in Turin under the Saturday night lights. […]

Wales vs Springboks – Match Preview

22 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports What is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Wales? Daffodils, Dylan Thomas, Dame Shirley Bassey? All […]

Ireland vs Fiji – Match Preview

22 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Ireland are set to host Fiji at the Aviva Stadium for their third game of the Autumn Nations Series. Andy […]

England A set up is ‘critical’ for development – Mark Mapletoft

22 November 2024 0 comments

By Ollie Aust Mark Mapletoft was at the helm for the first England A fixture of the season, as they ran out 38-17 winners over […]

Ireland hand Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu debuts against Fiji

21 November 2024 0 comments

Uncapped duo Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu have been named in Ireland’s starting XV for Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series match against Fiji in Dublin. Leinster […]

Huw Jones says Scotland must beat likes of Australia ‘to be taken seriously’

21 November 2024 0 comments

Huw Jones admitted Scotland’s Autumn Nations campaign will effectively be defined by whether or not they defeat resurgent Australia at Murrayfield on Sunday. The Scots […]

France vs Argentina – Match Preview

21 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports France will continue its impressive autumn campaign by welcoming Argentina under the lights on Friday night. With both teams in […]

England working with Tom Curry to reduce concussion risk

21 November 2024 0 comments

England are making adjustments to Tom Curry’s technique around contact in an effort to reduce his concussion risk. Curry was knocked out while tackling Australia’s […]

Is James Botham the answer for Wales’ blindside flanker issues?

21 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Even though Welsh rugby has endured some very dark days, many players are currently showing promising signs for the future. […]

Warren Gatland keen to carry on as Wales head coach despite 11-match losing run

21 November 2024 0 comments

A defiant Warren Gatland says he “absolutely” has the desire to continue in his role as Wales head coach. Speculation continues to rage about Gatland’s […]

I’ll always be grateful – Ollie Lawrence appreciated Eddie Jones’ coaching style

20 November 2024 0 comments

Ollie Lawrence insists Eddie Jones’ tough love shaped him into the player he has become as England’s former head coach prepares for his Allianz Stadium […]

Who could be Wales’ next head coach if Warren Gatland goes?

19 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Welsh rugby has experienced two particularly bleak periods of late. On Saturday, Joe Schmidt’s Australia handed Wales a record-breaking 11th […]

World Rugby Awards: Men’s Player of the Year and Breakthrough Player of the Year assessment

18 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The Men’s 15s World Player and Breakthrough Player of the Year nominees have been announced, with the best of the best in […]

Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week: Cheslin Kolbe headlines Springbok-dominant XV

18 November 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The past weekend of Autumn Nations Series action can be best summarised as back and forth. Most of the games were decided by the […]