At last the World Cup warm-up matches are getting underway after a long summer of build-up, and you can find reports from all the weekend’s action in this Sunday’s Rugby Paper.
Though next week will see most of the Six Nations sides get their prep for the main event going, for which Paul Rees will be providing a preview, there are still three big matches to look forward to.
Although both sides have made 11 changes as they look to experiment with their squads, Scotland and Italy’s game at Murrayfield should be a fascinating indicator of where both sides are at as they begin their preparation fixtures.
Though perhaps not as fascinating as the final round of The Rugby Championship. Eddie Jones will be desperate to avoid a third-straight defeat in his second spell in charge of Australia, while the other sides in the competition look to build momentum ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
They are much unfancied for that tournament, but Topsy Ojo believes England have a great opportunity in the to go deep in the competition and provide a launchpad to rebuild English rugby.
Jack van Poortvliet has all-but secured his place in the squad for the tournament, and he’ll be sitting down with one of our reporters displaying confidence he will be part of another great run for England.
In the continuing spirit of English optimism, RPA Chairman Christian Day outlines why making Premiership players the best looked after in the world will stop the English player drain to France and more affluent leagues.
One of the teams in that slimmed-down league will be Newcastle Falcons, and new boss Alex Codling speaks to The Rugby Paper ahead of a season that – despite their snub by new broadcasters TNT Sports – they will approach with renewed vigour.
Nick Cain and Jeremy Guscott return to head up their columns this week, and alongside his Blindside column, Neil Fissler has another Moment in Time as he reflects on Northampton Saints winning promotion to First Division in 1989-90.
And continuing the theme of looking back, former Scotland, Newcastle, Northampton and Alnwick backrow Peter Walton looks back on his life in the game in our My Life in Rugby feature.
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