Latest News

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

Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry

27 October 2024 0 comments

■ By CHRIS COLLYER COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights […]

Schools to reduce contact

27 October 2024 0 comments

A NON-CONTACT version of rugby union will be implemented in schools to help the RFU manage a “decline in participation over injury fears”. A review […]

In The Rugby Paper this week

26 October 2024 0 comments

Elliot Daly has issued a rallying call to his England teammates to replicate the famous 2019 World Cup semi-final win next weekend against the All […]

Swansea RFC vs Pontypool – Super Rygbi Cymru Match Preview

24 October 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports On Thursday, Pontypool will make the hour-plus journey to St Helens to take on Swansea RFC under floodlights. The Super […]

Antoine Dupont headlines our five key talking points from the weekend

22 October 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott From Antoine Dupont’s ridiculous try-assist to newcomers announcing themselves and familiar faces returning in South Africa, this weekend has been one with plenty […]

Steve Borthwick: We need to build a fortress

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Steve Borthwick has urged his England to pick up the winning habit and turn Twickenham into a fortress once again. Virtually all […]

Newcastle Falcons end losing run

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Newcastle Falcons finally brought their 25-match losing run to an end with a victory in their battle of the basement against Exeter […]

Rivals driving me on – Tommy Reffell

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Tommy Reffell says he is being driven on by the competition for the Wales No.7 jersey with Jac Morgan back on the […]

Nick Isiekwe finds sense of direction

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Nick Isiekwe insists the new spirit of co-operation between club and country can help him take the next step to being an […]

20-minute red gets go-ahead

20 October 2024 0 comments

Referees will have the option to show a 20-minute red card during the autumn internationals. Teams will lose a player for the rest of the […]

Gabriel Ibitoye can go to the next level, says Pat Lam

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam believes in-form winger Gabriel Ibitoye is capable of playing at the next level. Lam watched on […]

Gareth Davies calls time on Test career

20 October 2024 0 comments

Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies, 34, has announced his retirement from international rugby. The Scarlets half-back won 77 Wales caps and toured twice with the Lions. […]

Alex Sanderson: George Ford wants to be a player, not a coach

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe George Ford returns to training next week but it has come too late for him to be included in England’s Autumn Nations […]

Ollie Lawrence happy to move in at No.12

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees A play called The Fear of 13 opened in London to five-star reviews last week, but it is a number that holds […]

Red Roses march on

20 October 2024 0 comments

England will face Australia, USA, and Samoa in the pool stages of next year’s World Cup. The Red Roses, who are top of the world […]

Northampton Saints won’t rush Alex Mitchell

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Northampton will not rush Alex Mitchell back into action despite missing the injured England No.9 in the opening rounds of the Premiership. […]

All Blacks will have to be at their best against England

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscott – Outspoken and unmissable, every week… In some ways the New Zealand system means that they are not at full strength between […]

Saracens go top in last-minute drama

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Bristol Bears ………………. 35pts Tries: Harding 2, 35, 41; Randall 18, Fricker 43 Conversions: MacGinty 36, 42 Penalties: MacGinty 10, 60 Saracens […]

Johann van Graan: That was a match of quality

20 October 2024 0 comments

Bath head coach Johann van Graan was impressed with what he saw. “What a rugby game,” he said. “A very high-quality rugby game – two […]

I’m calmer than I’ve ever been – Beno Obano

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Beno Obano has credited the calming influence of Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan for one of his most consistent runs […]

Robbie Smith determined to be in contention for Scotland

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Robbie Smith’s patience paid off in the summer when he made his debut for Scotland and the Northampton hooker hopes that making […]

It would be grand for Wasps to return

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Chris Hewett – Thinking Allowed Prize assets: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and, inset from top, Tom Willis, Gabriel Oghre, Alfie Barbeary, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Greg Fisilau and […]

Trouble in store for the All Blacks at No.7

20 October 2024 0 comments

It’s an old joke, with a touch of truth about it. When an England supporter on tour in New Zealand pops into a one-horse-town corner […]

Titi Lamositele’s happy to do his talking on the pitch

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Titi Lamositele is happy at being the quiet achiever at Harlequins having moved to a club full of big characters from Montpellier […]

Jacques Vermeulen keen to join the fight

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens When push comes to shove, Exeter Chiefs forward Jacques Vermeulen is not one to shy away from the heat of battle. Sidelined […]

French quick to dismiss ‘soft red’

20 October 2024 0 comments

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW ONLY France could ban one of their most notorious agents provocateurs for life, then clear the way […]

The day Glasgow had the last word down in Cardiff

20 October 2024 0 comments

A MEMORIAL service is to be held at Dollar Parish Church on Friday week in honour of a Scot who carried the name of arguably […]

Hudson keen for home delight

20 October 2024 0 comments

Preview Leicester v Quins Today. 5.45pm SOMETHING has to give at Welford Road today as winless Leicester and Harlequins face off. Harlequins lost 8-7 at […]

Daley-McLean backs Harrison

20 October 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Battle for No. 10: Zoe Harrison and, inset, Holly Aitchison Star: Katy Daley-McLean KATY Daley-McLean is backing Zoe Harrison over Holly Aitchison […]

Steve Borthwick’s work in progress

20 October 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees takes a look at England’s options, and talks to the Newcastle chief about turning things around… Steve Borthwick’s squad for the autumn internationals […]

Diamond still has faith as Falcons battle on

20 October 2024 0 comments

THE Premiership’s bottom two sides, Newcastle and Exeter, faced each other at Kingston Park on Friday night – a match which ended in victory for […]

Call for All Blacks to pick from players based abroad

20 October 2024 0 comments

By GRANT SHUB BRUCE Reihana, who played two Tests for the All Blacks in 2000, believes it’s time for New Zealand Rugby to change its […]

Joe Batley sets sights on reaching top

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Joe Batley has two remaining targets in a career that started at Gloucester 10 years ago – help Bristol win the Premiership […]

Ireland likely to be without Kelleher

20 October 2024 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA IRELAND hooker Ronan Kelleher is expected to be sidelined for the autumn series opener against New Zealand in Dublin on November 8. His […]

Confused path to rules of combat

20 October 2024 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER Man in the middle: Former Wasps prop Will Green PICTURE: Getty Images […]

Bowring’s proud links to grand Welsh dynasty

20 October 2024 0 comments

THE rugby world was awash with tributes, praise and thanks from grateful coaches – many English as it happens from Stuart Lancaster downwards – who […]

It’s not a wing and a prayer for Esher’s bigger boys

20 October 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Prop star: Esher’s Conor Ganley HAVING previously been unbeaten for several years in Hong Kong and only tasting defeat four times last […]

Bishop bashes down the Gate

20 October 2024 0 comments

By WILL JUDD Fylde……………………. 61 Harrogate……………. 14 FYLDE were far too good for outclassed Harrogate. Cameron Smith opened the scoring for Fylde, after 12 minutes. […]

Pocklington has the Ionians power

20 October 2024 0 comments

By BRIAN NORMAN Hull Ionians…………33 Sheffield Tigers…. 20 HULL Ionians deserved their bonus-point win with their creative play creating space, while Tigers took the route […]

In-form Fylde flanker Toby has Tykes in his sights

20 October 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Aiming high: Fylde flanker Toby Harrison AFTER derailing their title pursuit last season, in-form Fylde are chomping at the bit ahead of […]

Titans pin down valuable victory

20 October 2024 0 comments

By GEOFF VICKRESS Luctonians………….. 12 Taunton Titans…..23 TAUNTON Titans used their superior nous against a miss-firing Luctonians to gain a well-earned victory. Two minutes in, […]

Comeback kings Reds seal the deal

20 October 2024 0 comments

By CRAIG OWEN Old Redcliffians….49 Loughborough S….38 OLD Redcliffians produced a stunning comeback to beat emphatic scorers Loughbourough. Loughborough came out of the blocks going […]

Taylor eyes promotion push despite testing start

20 October 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Tough test: Cinderford’s Nathan Taylor NATHAN Taylor admits Cinderford are bearing a weight of expectation to secure promotion back to National One […]

Leaders stand firm in battle of Kent

20 October 2024 0 comments

By GARETH WITHERS Tonbridge J…………40 Canterbury…………..24 AS west hosted east in the battle of Kent at the Slade it was league leaders Tonbridge Juddians who […]

McRae’s treble seals tough win

20 October 2024 0 comments

By JOHN VALLELY Westcombe P……… 31 Dorking…………………40 AGGRESSIVE Dorking defence was key as Dorking cliamed a hard-fought win at Westcombe Park. The visitors were first […]

New boys are ready to click in this league, says Creighton

20 October 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Optimistic: Colchester scrum-half Fin Creighton NATIONAL League new boys Colchester lost their opening six games but scrum-half Fin Creighton says his new […]

Stylish Sarries have model for success -Nick

20 October 2024 0 comments

On the charge: Nick Auterac in his Bath playing days nBy CHARLIE ELLIOTT FORMER Premiership prop Nick Auterac believes Saracens’ success is down to the […]

Dramatic draw as Bath fight back

20 October 2024 0 comments

BUCS RUGBY By TOM JEFFREYS BATH and Hartpury wowed an 8,000 strong crowd at The Rec as BUCS Super Rugby capitalised on a big chance […]

BUCS breeding great talent

20 October 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS UNIVERSITY of Exeter director of rugby Gareth Elliott believes BUCS Super Rugby is moving towards being one of the most relevant leagues […]