Latest News

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

Let’s hope Newcastle Falcons can keep flying flag

1 December 2024 0 comments

As last season’s final Premiership table confirmed, Northampton and Newcastle could not possibly have been further apart: the Saints sweeping all before them, the Falcons […]

Questions for the All Blacks

1 December 2024 0 comments

Despite following up their World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland last year with another in Dublin a fortnight ago, the All Blacks face some tough […]

Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash

1 December 2024 0 comments

■By GARY FITZGERALD FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe. The second row enjoyed a […]

Several clubs are battered by Storm Bert

1 December 2024 0 comments

By Luke Jarmyn A number of rugby clubs across England and Wales have been left “devastated”, decimated and at risk of disappearing altogether after Storm […]

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 […]

It’s hard to recall when the RFU was so ineptly run

1 December 2024 0 comments

YOU know something really bad is afoot when an annual report reads like an expensive defence document being presented at the High Court. I’m almost […]

It’s Bristol or nothing for me – Hollie Cunningham

1 December 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Proud Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else. […]

MacDonald eager to get going

1 December 2024 0 comments

■ By MARK STEVENS ENGLAND international Claudia MacDonald hopes to put her latest injury nightmare firmly behind her as she sets her sights on a […]

O’Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings

1 December 2024 0 comments

■ By DAN ROBERTSHAW Fighting hard: Exeter Uni score against Hornets EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and […]

Clinical Moseley too good for blunt Darlington

1 December 2024 0 comments

National League 1 ■ By DAVID ROBINSON Darlington MP…. 7 Birm Moseley. 24 AFTER a cagey start that suggested a close game, a clinical Birmingham […]

Our fans prop us up, says grateful Birchall

1 December 2024 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA ■ By CHRIS COLLYER SALE FC prop Danny Birchall says that despite bad weather or result, the faithful support always shines through for […]

GB face Spain in Dubai quarters

1 December 2024 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA GREAT Britain men will face Spain in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Sevens, the first leg of the 2024-25 World Series. GB opened […]

Williams ruled out

1 December 2024 0 comments

GLOUCESTER will be without Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams for the next few weeks after he injured his shoulder during the Autumn Nations Series. Williams, who […]

Rowland is gearing up for world cup challenge

1 December 2024 0 comments

■ By MARK STEVENS Triumph: England celebrate with the WXV1 trophy PICTURES: Getty Images HELENA Rowland believes England Women have been given advance warning that […]

Gemma staying positive on the long road to recovery

1 December 2024 0 comments

■ By JON NEWCOMBE MADE of the strongest stuff, Gemma Hill is every bit as tough as the ‘Steelmen’ she looks after on matchdays. The […]

BUCS RUGBY

1 December 2024 0 comments

L’borough teach Exeter a lesson ■ By TOM JEFFREYS LOUGHBOROUGH underlined their favourites status by thumping Exeter. The Loughborough-Exeter rivalry has been at the epicentre […]

Norman’s happy with his life as a Tiger

1 December 2024 0 comments

■ By CHRIS COLLYER WITH last week’s home game postponed due to Storm Bert, energetic Sheffield Tigers winger James Norman put the spare time to […]

Our club ethos is to build from within

1 December 2024 0 comments

Coach to coach Steve Hill talks to Tim Robinson, below, head coach at Scunthorpe in Regional North East 1 Why did you get into coaching […]

40-player training squad selected

1 December 2024 0 comments

ENGLAND UNDER-18 ENGLAND U18s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury named a 40-player training squad for this week’s development camp at Bisham Abbey. Following on from October’s […]

Borthwick needs to sort out defence

1 December 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Promising: It would be good for Asher Opoku-Fordjour to gain more experience before the next World […]

Greening and Byrne join head injury lawsuit

1 December 2024 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA BRITISH and Irish Lions Lee Byrne and Phil Greening are among 390 rugby union players taking part in the concussion lawsuit against the […]

Barrett prepares to make debut for Leinster

1 December 2024 0 comments

ALL Black centre Jordie Barrett has arrived in Dublin and could feature in Leinster’s Champions Cup clash against Bristol on Sunday. The 27-year-old, who is […]

RFU give support for Maher visa application

1 December 2024 0 comments

OLYMPIC bronze medallist Ilona Maher could appear in this season’s Premiership Women’s Rugby after the RFU said it had supported her visa application. USA sevens […]

Williams agrees deal at Saracens

1 December 2024 0 comments

WALES full-back Liam Williams has signed on for a second stint at Saracens following his exit from Japanese side Kubota Spears. The 33-year-old and his […]

Stade are heading in right direction Racing

1 December 2024 0 comments

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever […]

I can’t wait to prove what I can do, says fit-again Tua

1 December 2024 0 comments

■ By MARK STEVENS TAMATI Tua is looking to make up for lost time after finally getting his chance to shine in Exeter Chiefs colours. […]

Ojo: Fin wasn’t played enough

1 December 2024 0 comments

■ By CAMERON STEPHENS TOPSY Ojo believes that England’s lack of experimenting in the Autumn Nations Series meant that they didn’t learn as much about […]

Beard’s injury blow for Wales

1 December 2024 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA WALES and Ospreys second row Adam Beard will miss the start of the 2025 Six Nations because of a knee injury picked up […]

Bath vs Exeter Chiefs – Match Betting Preview

29 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Bath will look to remain at the top of the table as they enter the second stint of the Gallagher […]

Cardiff Rugby vs Dragons – Match Betting Preview

29 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports On Saturday, it’s derby day in the Welsh capital as Cardiff Rugby welcomes Dragons RFC to Arms Park. There is […]

Northampton Saints vs Gloucester – Match Betting Preview

29 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports The reigning champions, Northampton, will kick off the second phase of the Gallagher Premiership by welcoming Gloucester to Franklin’s Gardens. […]

2025 Rugby Paper calendars on sale now

28 November 2024 0 comments

As you continue to rip open the 24 tiny windows and guzzle down the chocolate hiding behind, leave some room over the next few weeks […]

A look at Liam Belcher – Wales’ future hooker?

25 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Often referred to as the heartbeat of the pack, the hooker position is vital to the workings of a rugby […]

Could Jarrod Evans be the answer for Wales at fly-half?

25 November 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports The fly-half position is most associated with the game of rugby union. Many greats, like Dan Carter, Ronan O’Gara, and […]

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 […]

Bristol Bears’ fitness not in question – Pat Lam

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Bristol boss Pat Lam has absolutely no concerns over the fitness of his players in the wake of Steve Borthwick’s comments questioning […]

Nic White: We’ll make it hard for the Lions

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens On the rise: Nic White in action for Australia PICTURES: Getty Images Nic White believes Australia have sent a timely reminder to […]

My life’s a bit like spinning plates, says Dan Lydiate

24 November 2024 0 comments

By Simon Thomas For Dan Lydiate, life is a bit like spinning plates these days. Having moved into a player-coach role at the Dragons, the […]

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 […]

George calls on Twickenham crowd to show Jones some respect

24 November 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Leading from the front: Captain Jamie George JAMIE George has urged the Twickenham crowd to give a little respect to Eddie Jones […]

Lawrence is working hard to stay in step with Smith

24 November 2024 0 comments

OLLIE Lawrence admits playing with Marcus Smith takes some getting used to but the Bath centre insists the link-up is moving in the right direction. […]

Fiji cave in as Ireland find some firepower

24 November 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Ireland…………………………. 52pts Tries: Doris 4, Van der Flier 14, 29; Hansen 40, 67; Aki 46, McCarthy 63, Kelleher 78 Conversions: Prendergast 4, […]

Farrell looking forward to taking on resurgent Wallabies

24 November 2024 0 comments

COACH Andy Farrell says there is still more to come from his Ireland side as they gear up to face the resurgent Wallabies. “The best […]

England have bullets but not the right gun

24 November 2024 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK I WAS optimistic about England’s chances at the start of the autumn series, given the closeness of the […]

Lake: We showed plenty of heart

24 November 2024 0 comments

WALES skipper Dewi Lake was proud of his side’s fighting spirit and while disappointed to fall to a 12th consecutive defeat insists he can see […]

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 […]

Dirty dozen could finish off Gatland

24 November 2024 0 comments

JACKSON PETER WHEN the Gatland Gate clanked shut behind him last night on a year of endless misery, the man himself might have wondered whether […]

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 […]

Latest News

Recent Posts

Search