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Tag: Champions Cup

Jack Willis: I’m loving my life with Toulouse

22 December 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens While some sides would consider the tag of defending champions as a target on their backs, it appears Toulouse see it more […]

Nick Tompkins hits the 200-mark for Saracens

22 December 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Match Preview – Saracens v Northampton Today. Kick-off 3pm, StoneX Stadium Mark McCall has hailed Nick Tompkins, who makes his 200th appearance […]

Show Champions Cup a little more respect

22 December 2024 0 comments

YOU could set the clocks by it. Whenever the Walcot Old Boys team bus began one of its regular 45-mile descents from the sunlit uplands […]

Gloucester vs Harlequins – Betting Preview

20 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Christmas is less than a week away, so we are treated to some great rugby matchups in the Gallagher Premiership. […]

S4, E16: Rugby Paper Podcast 2024 Awards and Champions Cup debate

19 December 2024 0 comments

In our last episode of 2024, the gang is back together in full force. Host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan […]

Start with Tom Roebuck, Ben Curry tells Steve Borthwick

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Ross Heppenstall Steve Borthwick has been urged to make in-form Sale star Tom Roebuck a starting winger in the Six Nations. Roebuck enjoyed an […]

Scotland will benefit from winning habit – Blair Kinghorn

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Blair Kinghorn has been getting into the winning habit with Antoine Dupont and co at Toulouse and reckons that could spell bad […]

My main priority is to help Bath win a trophy, says Miles Reid

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe An in-house club quiz hit home to Bath’s players just how long it has been since the club were crowned champions of […]

New-boy Jordie Barrett quick to show his worth for Leinster

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Leinster had a good inkling of what they were getting when they confirmed the signing of Jordie Barrett back in April. Now, […]

Ronan O’Gara keeps on driving La Rochelle

15 December 2024 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to the former Ireland No.10 about his plans in France – and what could happen next In the heart of La Rochelle, […]

Craig Casey blow as Munster hit by injury problems

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Jim Short Castres…………… 16pts Tries: Papali’i 12, Walcker 29 Penalties: Fernandez 48, le Brun 72 Munster…………. 14pts Tries: Hodnett 37, 68 Conversions: Crowley 38, […]

We had to work hard for that – Jordie Barrett

15 December 2024 0 comments

By John Fallon Leinster………….. 15pts Tries: Ringrose 22, Barrett 26 Conversion: Prendergast 23 Penalty: Prendergast 49 Clermont………….. 7pts Try: Raka 4 Conversion: Jauneau 5 Jordie […]

A bridge too far for us, says John Plumtree

15 December 2024 0 comments

Sharks boss John Plumtree claimed that the demands of the present schedule had created a ‘bridge too far’ for his squad. Plumtree said his Springbok […]

Powerful Leicester Tigers take Sharks apart with ease

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Rob Wildman Leicester Tigers…………. 56pts Tries: Montoya 10, 25; Hassell-Collins 28, Kata 36, Pollard 40, van Poortvliet 43, Clare 72, Ilione 80 Conversions: Pollard10, […]

Roebuck the star as Sale cruise in

15 December 2024 0 comments

By ROSS HEPPENSTALL Sale ……………………………………………………….. 29pts Tries: J-L du Preez 19, Roebuck 34, Carpenter 51, Curry 60 Conversions: R du Preez 35, 52, 61 Penalty: […]

French flair is too much for Bristol Bears

15 December 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens La Rochelle …………….. 35pts Tries: Nowell 17, Latu 28, Botia 51, Seuteni 66, Berjon 79 Conversions: West 18, 29, 52, 67, 80 […]

Rob Baxter staying positive ahead of daunting test against Toulouse

15 December 2024 0 comments

Henry Slade returns to steer Exeter from fly-half as one of five changes after being rested for their opening Pool 1 defeat by the Sharks […]

Slade: We have to be all in this together

15 December 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Exeter Chiefs v Toulouse Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, Sandy Park THE importance of playing what’s in front of you rather than on […]

Battling Bath looking to revive cup campaign

15 December 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Benetton v Bath Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stadio di Monigo Ready for action: Vilikesa Sela and, right, Tommaso Menoncello PICTURES: Getty Images […]

Leinster have got the best in Barrett

15 December 2024 0 comments

FOR reasons best known to themselves, the Irish rugby cognoscenti are still arguing the toss over the whys and wherefores of Jordie Barrett’s move to […]

Ospreys crash to earth

15 December 2024 0 comments

■ By SIMON THOMAS Montpellier ……………. 59pts Tries: Martins 11, DuGuid 15, Uelese 29, Coly 37, Akrab 43, Moustin 52, Cadot 54, Forletta 62, Tambwe […]

Murphy’s plan has some holes

15 December 2024 0 comments

ULSTER’S quartet of under-used Ireland forwards – Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole and Cameron Izuchukwu – returned from Test duty itching for the ultimate […]

Darge: We’re all set for Toulon challenge

15 December 2024 0 comments

■By BRYN PALMER Hopeful: Rory Darge in action for Glasgow PICTURES: Getty Images SCOTLAND flanker Rory Darge believes Glasgow’s 2023 Challenge Cup final defeat by […]

Castres vs Munster – Champions Cup Preview

13 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Munster, fresh from a resounding victory last week, will travel to France to take on Castres in the second round […]

Sale Sharks vs Racing 92 – Match Betting Preview

12 December 2024 0 comments

The second week of the Champions Cup begins with an exhilarating Friday night clash at the Salford Community Stadium, where Sale Sharks face Racing 92. […]

S4, E15: Jack Kenningham talks Champions Cup, Ilona Maher, England prospects and Harlequins Big Game 16

11 December 2024 0 comments

Join us for this week’s episode of the Rugby Paper Podcast as Harlequins flanker Jack Kenningham joins host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett and […]

Jack Nowell: I’m loving life on and off the pitch at La Rochelle

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Brendan McGilligan As Jack Nowell stepped off the plane to start his La Rochelle career, he was stepping into the unknown challenges that would […]

I’d rather have the old Champions Cup format – Stuart McCloskey

8 December 2024 0 comments

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey admits he preferred the Champions Cup’s previous format, with the current structure leaving some teams with an “absolutely terrible draw”. Teams […]

Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell get back in the old routine

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Northampton Saints…… 38pt Tries: Dingwall 3, Mayanavanua 8, Augustus 43 62; Langdon 49, Pollock 74 Conversions: Smith 4, 9, 50, 75 Castres……………………………. […]

Henry Pollock wins Phil Dowson’s backing

8 December 2024 0 comments

Northampton boss Phil Dowson has tipped Henry Pollock to thrive in Pretoria against the Bulls in next week’s Champions Cup clash. The 19-year-old was the […]

Harlequins leave it too late in Paris

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald Racing 92 ……………….. 23pts Tries: le Garrec 15, Naituvi 39, Spring 61 Conversion: le Garrec 16 Penalties: le Garrec 59, 66 Harlequins […]

Bath fail to make most of chances

8 December 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bath ……………………………………………………….. 20pts Tries: Dunn 47, Roux 56 Conversions: Russell 47, 56 Penalties: Russell 4, 30 La Rochelle …………………………………………… 24pts Tries: Jegou […]

George Horne hat-trick seals it for Glasgow Warriors

8 December 2024 0 comments

By Bryn Palmer Glasgow Warriors …. 38pts Tries: Horne 2, 12, 39; Rowe 16, Jones 23, Cummings 64 Conversions: Horne 3, 13, 17; Jordan 24 […]

Morgan returns to boost Ospreys

8 December 2024 0 comments

Preview Ospreys v Lions By BEN JAYCOCK Today. 3.15pm WINGER Keelan Giles brings up a century of Ospreys appearances today as his side welcome South […]

Falcons are finally flying both on and off the pitch

8 December 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Flyer: Falcons Adam Radwan’s try against Saracens NEWCASTLE’S search for new owners has been boosted by an upsurge in form after going […]

Williams makes a timely return to boost Saracens

8 December 2024 0 comments

■By PAUL REES In demand: Liam Williams playing for Wales PICTURES: Getty Images LIAM Williams has made a timely return to Saracens with Alex Goode […]

Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs – Champions Cup Preview

7 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports We have an action-packed rugby weekend to look forward to over the coming days as the Champions Cup gets underway. […]

Champions Cup potential breakout stars

6 December 2024 0 comments

Every year, an unexpected player rises to perform on the European stage, with it being a great place for both young and fringe talent to get a bit […]

Bath vs La Rochelle – Champions Cup Preview

6 December 2024 0 comments

By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports Under the lights this Friday, we will see two European giants, Bath and La Rochelle, clash in a sensational contest. […]

Joe Hawkins linked with Wales move

1 December 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Exeter have yet to open talks with Joe Hawkins over a new contract as speculation mounts that the centre will be returning […]

Saints are looking to kick-start campaign

1 December 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Raring to go: Fraser Dingwall in action for Northampton PICTURES: Getty Images Ulster have signed Northampton No.8 Juarno Augustus on a three-year […]

Munster end their losing run

1 December 2024 0 comments

By Kevin Fallon Munster……….. 17 Lions…………….. 10 Munster captain Jack O’Donoghue hopes they can build on this win heading into the Champions Cup. They managed […]

Leinster make it seven wins in a row

1 December 2024 0 comments

By Jim Short Ulster…………….20 Leinster…………27 Leinster’s second string proved far too strong for Ulster to make it seven wins on the spin. “Squad depth is […]

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 […]

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. […]

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

24 November 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after […]

‘I decided to work hard and Eddie Jones backed me’ – George Kruis

17 November 2024 0 comments

My Life in Rugby – George Kruis the former England, Saracens and Panasonic Wild Knights second row Man-mountain: George Kruis on the charge for England […]

Lawrence Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Springboks

10 November 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Lawrence Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend. […]