I TAKE issue with Coventry MD, Phil Maynard’s contention that salary cap proposals are splitting the game. As he says, wealthy clubs can simply ignore […]

COLIN Boag’s article on the June 4 was in my opinion a little hasty in summing up London Irish’s potential in next season’s Premiership. While […]

YOUR article regarding Bath coach Todd Blackadder taking a dim view of his players running naked across the pitch following a few late night drinks […]

HOOKERS failing to hook is a long-standing problem in the game but my gripe is that hookers are now not just standing on the touchline […]

WHAT is the point of trying to win titles when a team that finishes below you in your respective league can be crowned champions by […]

SATURDAY June 3 is the first game in NZ for the Lions, just one week after the Premiership final. This is probably the most gruelling […]

WE are told that Newcastle season ticket holders will be compensated for taking a match to the USA and fans can follow the match on […]

NEWCASTLE are to play a Premiership ‘home’ game in Philadelphia next September which again shows how Premiership clubs care little about, and do not represent, […]

THE article last week regarding Mick Hogan’s concerns about rugby in the North is no doubt founded on genuine concern, but is inaccurate in a […]

I SAW a piece in your paper about John Dawes and the Lions, but to a lot of people he was just Sir, as he […]

I UNDERSTAND that even with three officials on the pitch, rugby is a difficult game to referee. However, I often feel cheated by the ref […]

I WAS delighted to see so many youngsters included in the England squad to tour Argentina but it might be worth drawing your attention to […]

WARREN Gatland could not have asked or a better motivational speech for the Lions from Eddie Jones. To tell his England players: “Ok you’ve been […]

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: [email protected] CHRISTIAN Wade…if you are reading this, please feel […]

It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs SUNDAY, APRIL 23 CHAMPIONS CUP Semi-Final Clermont v Leinster (15:00) CHALLENGE CUP Semi-Final […]

OLD Albanian have appointed Gavin Hogg, 35, as a successor to James Shanahan as head coach. With Shanahan moving to Blackheath, OAs have moved to […]

WHAT does a Newcastle player have to do to get selected by England? Mark Wilson has been up there with the best back rowers in […]

WHILE it is only fair that England have the majority share on the Lions tour after dominating the Northern Hemisphere for two seasons, but seriously, […]

IN recent editions of The Rugby Paper much of Blindside contained information about nonEnglish players: Morne Steyn, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk and Jono Ross […]

BISHOP’S Stortford’s steady progress over the last 15 to 20 years within the whole club could see them further rewarded on Saturday. If they beat […]

IN ALL the discussion about whether Sale Sharks winger Denny Solomona should be selected for the Lions or England, there is one factor which nobody […]

ARE the financial models being used by Wasps, Saracens, Bath etc. Sustainable in the long term? The Saracens accounts were formally posted to Companies House […]

THE papers tell us that George Ford quit Bath because of his father’s sacking. Who comes first, your Dad or your club and colleagues? And […]

AS a supporter of Guildford I’d like to point out that their recent efforts deserve more praise than has been given. When they beat Colchester […]

RE Martin Brooks’ letter (March 19) on lack of sustainability of funding within rugby clubs. He mentions our club Chinnor RFC as an example. Mr […]

DEBATE rages as to who will lead the Lions tour with no one candidate so far clearly ahead of the field. In years gone by […]

Head gone: George Ford has been forgettable this season for Bath PICTURE: Getty Images THE concept of ‘The Clash’ appeals to me, with an expected […]

WHILE I’m all for the paramount importance of players safety, I do think that the refereeing of the high tackle law has gone too far. […]

RE Stephen Rodgers letter titled Gap between top tiers getting wider. He states that since Exeter in 2010 no other Championship side have been able […]

■ HOW much longer are referees going to allow tries when sides have 19 or 20 players on the field of play? On numerous occasions, […]

AS AN England fan you wouldn’t think I’d be worried, but seeing Wales blatantly cheated out of a match by the French worries me. French […]

ALTHOUGHI disagree with the three-year residency qualification, I believe that where you are born should not be the only qualification to play for a country. […]

I READwith dismay that the RFU are seriously considering cutting the England Counties side and the County Championship deeming them ‘an unnecessary financial burden’. Only […]

SO this year’s Premiership relegation battle is between Bristol and Worcester – its two most recent recruits. Barring a play-off disaster, their place will be […]

Week beginning Sunday, March 19, 2017 It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs SUNDAY, MARCH 19 NATIONAL LEAGUES Anglo-Welsh Cup […]

THE Six Nations could be adapted every four years into a proper European Championship to find a way forward for the aspiring nations. Once every […]

IN response to last week’s letter from Stu Vigus regarding ‘Wonderous England’ failing to cope with Italy’s tactic – the team did eventually cope after […]

I RECENTLY attended the National League 2 South clash between Old Elthamians and Chinnor, a clash between two clubs who have risen rapidly up the […]

It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs SUNDAY, MARCH 5 NATIONAL LEAGUES Aviva Premiership Newcastle v Saracens (14:00) Worcester v […]