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Owen Williams ready to fight for Toby Flood’s No.10 shirt

17 January 2014 0 comments

Freddie Burns’ expected arrival at Welford Road has Tigers fans purring but he should not expect to walk into the No.10 shirt – at least not if Owen Williams has anything to do with it.

Top14 sign new €355M TV deal

15 January 2014 2 comments

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) has announced a new exclusive five-year deal with broadcaster Canal+ for the Top 14 TV rights worth €355M. This […]

No excuses for failure at Warriors blasts Richard Hill

14 January 2014 2 comments

Worcester should be achieving far better results than they have managed under Dean Ryan, says former Sixways boss Richard Hill.

Brendan Gallagher: RFU Championship clubs face a vital strategy meeting

8 January 2014 0 comments

Later this month the chairmen and owners of the 12 RFU Championship clubs will lock themselves away in a Birmingham Hotel room with a pile […]

Championship clubs’ rage over Anglo-Welsh proposals

8 January 2014 2 comments

Championship chair- man Geoff Irvine believes it is highly unlikely the Rugby Football Union will sanction a 16-team Anglo-Welsh league, describing plans as “scandalous.”

Sorry, but I’m happy on the wing says George North

3 January 2014 0 comments

George North is not planning on making his switch to the centres permanent any time soon – even if life on the wing restricts him to a career of cameos.

Sporting all-rounder Hayden Smith back ‘home’ at Saracens

2 January 2014 0 comments

He grew up playing basketball in Australia and discovered rugby in the USA. And now Hayden Smith has returned from a stint in the NFL to his spiritual home at Saracens.

Freddie Burns will replace Toby Flood at Leicester Tigers next season

31 December 2013 2 comments

Freddie Burns will be playing for Leicester next season as the Tigers’ goal-kicking successor to Toby Flood.

Welsh will be safe from Aviva Premiership relegation

30 December 2013 2 comments

The Welsh regions have struck a deal guaranteeing three of their four teams immunity from relegation as a condition of joining the English Premiership.

‘Ryan Giggs’ tribute for record man David Jackson

27 December 2013 0 comments

David Jackson has been hailed as the “the Ryan Giggs of Nottingham Rugby” by club CEO Simon Beatham after the record-breaking wing’s playing career came to a premature halt last week.

Gamble on Leicester Tigers exit has paid off says George Ford

26 December 2013 3 comments

It is hard to avoid drawing comparisons between George Ford and Owen Farrell – two of the brightest young things in England at present.

‘Class act’ James O’Connor can inspire Irish return to top

25 December 2013 0 comments

Mick Crossan, leader of the consortium who own London Irish, wants Australian star James O’Connor to be the talisman for a return to the forefront of domestic and European rugby.

Steve Meehan fears for Bath after Gary Gold’s shock exit

19 December 2013 0 comments

Former Bath head coach Steve Meehan fears the club could be in danger of being “sent off the rails” unless its management settles on a coaching team and gives it time to deliver.

Freddie Burns: Doubt over my future is getting to me

18 December 2013 1 comment

Freddie Burns has revealed the full extent of the emotional turmoil he is enduring as he grapples with deciding whether to stay at Gloucester, his club of six years, or join a higher-placed Premiership rival in the hope of furthering his career.

I could play on for one more year, says Jonny Wilkinson

17 December 2013 1 comment

Jonny Wilkinson came off the bench on Saturday to score the bonus-point try that helped put champions Toulon firmly in control of their Heineken Cup pool and then announced he could play on for another year after all.

I can change Saracens’ luck at 13 says Marcelo Bosch

12 December 2013 1 comment

Argentina’s Marcelo Bosch aims to be the perfect replacement for Joel Tomkins at Saracens after the England centre was sidelined with a knee injury that is likely to keep him out of the Six Nations.

English clubs to boycott Heineken Cup

5 December 2013 0 comments

Premiership Rugby tonight confirmed that the English clubs will NOT take part in the 2014-2015 Heineken Cup following a meeting in London.

Cornish Pirates stay on top by reading The Rugby Paper…

5 December 2013 0 comments

Cornish Pirates are again punching above their weight in the Championship and head coach Ian Davies has revealed how The Rugby Paper is playing a part in ensuring National League rugby’s westernmost club stays ahead of the game.

Now Welsh regions can join the Aviva Premiership says Nigel Wray

4 December 2013 9 comments

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray claims that the embattled Welsh regions want to join the English Premiership as a move towards long-term salvation.

Make the Championship a closed shop says Kenny Logan

27 November 2013 2 comments

London Scottish director Kenny Logan has called for the Green King IPA Championship to be ring-fenced to allow professional second tier clubs time to develop their businesses.

Dave Attwood has done it all himself, says Danny Grewcock

22 November 2013 0 comments

As a bruising second row with a CV that features one or two misdemeanours, Dave Attwood has often been compared to former Bath lock Danny Grewcock.

Extra place will tempt the Celts to sign up for Champions Cup

8 November 2013 11 comments

The significant change to the play-off structure has been made in response to the Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Italian Unions refusing to give their teams the green light for any competition not approved by the game’s governing body, the IRB.

London Welsh will say farewell to Old Deer Park home

6 November 2013 3 comments

London Welsh are preparing to end 128 years of rugby history in England’s capital city by shifting the club lock, stock and barrel to Oxford.

Chase on to sponsor the £10m Champions Cup

29 October 2013 2 comments

Five global brands are in the market to sponsor the proposed Champions’ Cup at a minimum asking price of £10m-a-season.

Richard Thorpe: Time with Leicester Tigers was no waste

25 October 2013 0 comments

London Welsh flanker Richard Thorpe is desperate to forget nine months of injury hell by firing the Exiles back into the Premiership.

Consensus reached in Dublin over Heineken Cup row

25 October 2013 2 comments

A consensus has been reached over the Heineken Cup row at a meeting in Dublin today.

Francois Louw: I’m happy to split Bath with Springboks

24 October 2013 1 comment

Just seven days after playing for the Springboks in a pulsating Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand, Francois Louw was not only running out for Bath in Bordeaux but wearing the captain’s armband for the full 80 minutes.

Jacques Burger gives the credit to Billy Vunipola for flying start

23 October 2013 2 comments

He has been called the best ‘signing’ of the summer after putting two years of injury hell behind him – but Jacques Burger claims he cannot compare to wrecking-ball clubmate Billy Vunipola.

Peace set to break out over Europe

22 October 2013 5 comments

The war over Europe could be settled soon with all six nations reunited under the new Anglo-French banner, the Champions’ Cup.

Guru Braam van Straaten re-boots Alex Lozowksi’s career path

17 October 2013 0 comments

Rising Leeds star Alex Lozowski has credited a goal-kicking masterclass with club legend Braam van Straaten as one of the reasons for his fantastic start to the season.

Wales want more cash to join new European Cup

15 October 2013 0 comments

The Anglo-French promoters of the Champions’ Cup will have to guarantee the Welsh regions a better deal if they join the new Europe.

Perpignan revival can help James Hook’s Wales bid

12 October 2013 0 comments

James Hook hopes Perpignan’s return to the Heineken Cup can propel him back into Wales reckoning.

Miles Mantella bounces back from pain of rejection

11 October 2013 0 comments

Being released by a Premiership club can be a devastating blow for a young player – but pace ace Miles Mantella is taking it all in his stride.

Dave Ewers follows David Pocock in beating pain of exile

9 October 2013 2 comments

At first glance, Exeter’s powerhouse No.8 Dave Ewers does not appear to have much in common with Australia’s David Pocock. But scratch beneath the surface and both have similar tales to tell.

Welsh get Euro Cup deadline of October 31

8 October 2013 0 comments

The four Welsh regions are being set a deadline of October 31 for joining the Anglo-French vision of the new Europe, the Champions’ Cup.

Phil Chesters is quick again after almost dying

5 October 2013 1 comment

Phil Chesters, Ealing’s indestructible try-machine, will not forget Saturday March 30, 2013, in a hurry – it was the day he almost died.

Superman finds he’s outmuscled by Tom Croft

3 October 2013 0 comments

Aaron Penberthy knew he was in for something special when he ended his time with the Cornish Pirates to join upwardly mobile Jersey.

Toulon in ‘illegal’ move for Leigh Halfpenny

2 October 2013 0 comments

European champions Toulon were at the centre of an illegal approach row last Saturday over a cheeky attempt to sign Leigh Halfpenny.

Nigel Wray warns the IRB a Euro Cup veto would end in court

1 October 2013 1 comment

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray has warned that any attempt by the International Rugby Board to veto the proposed Rugby Champions Cup will end up defeated in court.

New coffee-shop owner Chris Robshaw determined not to become a has-bean

25 September 2013 3 comments

For Chris Robshaw, the coffee entrepreneur, it’s a case of better latte than never.

Welsh clubs in talks over Heineken breakaway

24 September 2013 0 comments

Two Welsh regions have declared their interest in joining the new Europe under Anglo-French direction from next season. PRL chief executive Mark McCafferty confirmed the Welsh move yesterday along with others but refused to name names.

Welsh clubs urged: Join Heineken breakaway

17 September 2013 0 comments

The four Welsh regions are being invited to break Celtic ranks and join the Anglo-French plan for a new Europe.

Nick Wood to know his fate tomorrow

17 September 2013 0 comments

Nick Wood will appear in front of a RFU hearing panel tomorrow (Wednesday) following his sending off against Saracens on Sunday. The Gloucester prop was […]

“I had to quit Irish to stay in the picture with England” – Jonathan Joseph

12 September 2013 0 comments

Jonathan Joseph believes any hopes he had of cementing his England spot were on a hiding to nothing as long as he stayed at London Irish.

Referees in quit threat over RFU’s ‘Big Brother’ plan

10 September 2013 0 comments

Premiership Rugby’s desire to exert increasing influence over referees was behind Ed Morrison’s shock decision to quit his post as head of elite refereeing on the eve of the new season, The Rugby Paper can reveal.

Nick Scott backs Justin Burnell to put London Welsh back on top

6 September 2013 0 comments

Justin Burnell’s instant impact as London Welsh rugby director has impressed winger Nick Scott so much that he believes the Exiles can get back into the Premiership at the first attempt.

Henry Thomas got his shot in the dark now he’s ready to shine for Sale

5 September 2013 1 comment

Henry Thomas, as one of the few beacons of light in a dark season for Sale, has been forced to learn his trade on the job – but England’s latest prop idol would have it no other way.

“… and I’m after your club shirt,” warns Luke Wallace

4 September 2013 0 comments

Luke Wallace has promised to repay Stuart Lancaster’s faith in him – by ousting England captain Chris Robshaw from the Harlequins No.7 shirt. Despite missing […]

Ambitious Nick Kennedy has Stooped to conquer

29 August 2013 3 comments

Turning your back on the superstar lifestyle at galactico-laden Toulon might appear to be mad. But Nick Kennedy insists he is comfortable with his decision […]

Craig Mitchell: Shame of my ‘Lions’ punch-up

28 August 2013 0 comments

Craig Mitchell has spoken candidly about the horrific long-haul flight home from Australia in June when he feared his rugby career might be over. The […]

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