And we’re off! The Rugby World Cup finally gets started on Friday, and you can find action from France vs New Zealand, England vs Argentina and the rest of Saturday’s matches in The Rugby Paper this Sunday.
Nick Cain will be the man reporting on both of those colossal games, while Paul Rees and Brendan Gallagher provide on the whistle analysis for England‘s match against the Pumas.
Before that game on Saturday night, France and New Zealand’s fellow Pool A sides Italy and Namibia lock horns at noon, before world number one side Ireland take on Romania and Eddie Jones‘ young Wallabies clash with improving Georgia.
Reports and analysis for all those games will be in our pages, as well as previews for an action-packed Sunday that sees Japan play tournament newbies Chile at midday, reigning champions South Africa then take on in-form Scotland, and Wales and Fiji share the field in a hotly-anticipated clash on Sunday night.
Away from the big event, we will also be accross the second round of National League One and National League Two North, East and West, as well as coverage from a busy start to the new look Premiership Cup competition, that this year will also include Championship teams.
Gloucester host Nottingham in that competition on Saturday, and Cherry and Whites head coach George Skivington has called for rugby to sell itself as much as possible after the collapse of three Premiership clubs last season.
Exeter Chiefs have more typical opposition in Bristol Bears, but changes are afoot as boss Rob Baxter shares that his side are remodeling their attack to go away from their keep-ball tactic.
Bears scrum-half Harry Randall is using the disappointment of missing out on England’s World Cup squad to fire him up for the start of the Premiership season, and Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson shares that he’s spent the summer learning Finnish philosophy so his side are better equipped to finish matches strongly.
Back to the big event, Brendan Gallagher agrees with the 20-team World Cup format but suggests brining in a second-tier tournament for the tier two nations.
While fellow columnist Chris Hewett gives his take on Danny Cipriani’s latest autobiography that criticises former England head coach Eddie Jones.
For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.
