International Rugby

Brooke shock as Edwards agrees France deal

20 November 2022 1 comment

By NEIL FISSLER Legend: Zinzan Brooke Zinzan Brooke cannot believe the RFU have let Shaun Edwards slip through their grasp again after Edwards announced yesterday […]

Why the South Seas need to feel the love

20 November 2022 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST When Western Samoa surprised Wales by beating them in Cardiff during the pool stage of the 1991 World Cup – correction: […]

Johnson’s inspiring battle cry

30 October 2022 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Martin Johnson won one World Cup with England and could have a hand in another triumph after a pep-talk he gave to […]

Rugby World Cup 2023: Which Northern hemisphere team will go all the way?

29 October 2022 0 comments

A year from now we’ll know the identity of the two teams that will do battle in the Rugby World Cup final. Since the inaugural […]

Six changes for Scots as Hooper returns

27 October 2022 1 comment

Scotland have made six changes as to face an Australian team that welcomes the return of captain Michael Hooper. Hooper elected to miss this year’s […]

It’s a big year for Fiji, says Matavesi

23 October 2022 0 comments

By PAUL REES Sam Matavesi used to drive dumper trucks for a living – now he dumps defenders and last weekend the hooker celebrated making […]

Joe Marler to return for The Barbarians

20 October 2022 0 comments

One of the most popular Barbarians of recent years is set to make a stunning return in the Black and White as Harlequins’ Joe Marler […]

Tuipulotu skippers strong All Blacks XV

10 October 2022 0 comments

Auckland and Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu will captain the inaugural All Blacks XV squad selected for two matches against Ireland A and the Barbarians next […]

Samoa’s All Blacks

9 October 2022 0 comments

Former All Blacks Steven Luatua and Jeff Toomaga-Allen are eligible to play for Samoa in their upcoming tour of Europe to play Italy, Georgia and […]

Williams injury doubt for Wales

9 October 2022 1 comment

Scarlets centre Johnny Williams is a doubt for Wales’ autumn internationals after suffering another calf injury against Benetton. The 25-year-old suffered the problem in the late stages […]

Remember these rugby moments from Six Nations

2 October 2022 1 comment

The Guinness Six Nations, or Six Nations, is the most well-known competition in men’s rugby worldwide. This monumental annual event gathers millions of rugby fans […]

Back: Ireland are there to be shot at

2 October 2022 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Andy Farrell and his Ireland stars head into a vital autumn campaign on top of the world – but with a stern […]

Jones will be looking for instant impact

2 October 2022 0 comments

Quite how the US Navy SEALS’ mission to obliterate Osama Bin Laden can be related to the green fields of France next autumn is beyond […]

Bundee’s on a ban for Ireland

2 October 2022 0 comments

Bundee Aki looks set to miss Ireland’s autumn internationals after being banned for eight weeks. The centre was sent off in the 60th minute of […]

Wales set to take on SA again

25 September 2022 1 comment

By PETER JACKSON The Rugby Paper can reveal that the Springboks will be back in Cardiff on August 19 for what will be the 11th […]

Porter out to keep playing for England

25 September 2022 1 comment

By PAUL REES Guy Porter was celebrating Leicester’s Premiership final victory over Saracens at Twickenham in June when he received a text that made sure […]

Polledri looks to fast-track way back with Italy

25 September 2022 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Fit-again Jake Polledri met with Italy boss Kieran Crowley this week as the Gloucester loose forward seeks a fast track back into […]

Owens in line for Baa-Baas challenge

18 September 2022 0 comments

By PETER JACKSON Ken Owens is to be offered the chance of breaking new ground on his long-overdue return to the big-time this autumn. The […]

Adams: Wales are going the right way

18 September 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Match winner: Liam Williams, right, congratulates Josh Adams after his try in the second Test against South Africa in the summer Josh […]

Japan………………….29 Ireland ………………..10

28 August 2022 1 comment

■By MARK DOCHERTY JAPAN stepped up their World Cup preparations with a win over Ireland to tie the series in Tokyo. The visitors made the […]

Australia …………….14 New Zealand ……..22

28 August 2022 0 comments

■By MICK WILSON WALLAROOS coach Jay Tregonning has set his team the goal of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals after a much improved performance […]

Scotland …………….17 USA ……………………..21

28 August 2022 0 comments

■By DANNY WARD DESPITE an encouraging display against the fifth ranked side in the world, Chloe Rollie’s last minute try-saving tackle on Lottie Clapp stopped […]

UK rugby teams rise as All Blacks plummet

31 July 2022 0 comments

Although there is always a bit of ebb and flow to the world rugby rankings, the one constant throughout history has been the dominance of […]

‘England must opt for Smith or Farrell’ – Winterbottom

24 July 2022 22 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Peter Winterbottom says England must select either Owen Farrell or Marcus Smith at fly-half as selecting both “limits England’s attack”. Eddie Jones’ […]

RFU chief Sweeney challenges Jones to build on Aussie tour

24 July 2022 0 comments

Bill Sweeney has challenged Eddie Jones and his England players to build on their success Down Under and exorcise some Six Nations demons. The RFU […]

France finish with a flourish against flat Georgia

14 July 2022 0 comments

Georgia U20s 17 (10) Tries: Kuntelia 8, Tsikhistavi 54Conversions: Khutsishvili 9, 55Penalties: Khutsishvili 23 France U20s 44 (17) Tries: Masse 27, 34, Boudou 43, Bielle-Biarrey […]

England & Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care

Care and Chessum come in for England in decider at SCG

14 July 2022 0 comments

Danny Care returns to the England starting line-up and Ollie Chessum makes his first start as England head to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for […]

Sam’s the man with late winner for Ireland

10 July 2022 2 comments

By NICK POWELL Ireland …………..37pts Tries: Gibbons 10, McCormick 17, Penalty 23, McLoughlin 36 Conversions: Prendergast 11, 18, 37 Penalties: Prendergast 47, 64, 79 England […]

Welsh resurgence all about mindset

10 July 2022 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER My experience over many decades is that Welsh rugby is rarely in as bad a state as the doomsayers insist or, […]

Eales urges England to stick with Jones

3 July 2022 1 comment

■By STEFFAN THOMAS Eddie Jones’ position as England head coach may be under scrutiny but Australian legend John Eales insists the Rugby Football Union would […]

Courageous Wales go so close to beating world champs in a thriller

3 July 2022 0 comments

■By PETER JACKSON South Africa ….32pts Tries: Mbonambi 46, Marx 51, Kolbe 65, Penalty 74 Conversions: Willemse 48, 67 Penalties: Jantjies 18, Willemse 80 Wales […]

Richards keeps England on course

3 July 2022 26 comments

■By BEN JAYCOCK France …………….20pts Tries: Montgaillard 33, Penalty 63 Conversions: Auriac 34 Penalties: Auriac 29, 50 England …………29pts Tries: Richards 19, 24, Oresanya 44, […]

Crosbie handed maiden start as Watson misses out on first test for Argentina

1 July 2022 0 comments

Edinburgh’s Luke Crosbie will make his first start for Scotland in the first test against Argentina on Saturday evening. Crosbie, 25, captained Scotland A to […]

‘Proven’ Reffell makes first Wales start in tour opener

1 July 2022 0 comments

Wayne Pivac praised the form of debut starter Tommy Reffell as he named his squad for the first test of their tour in South Africa. […]

Folau makes return to international rugby with Tonga debut

30 June 2022 0 comments

Israel Folau will make his first start in international rugby since 2019 as he seals his switch to Tonga with a debut against Fiji this […]

Jones admits Owen Farrell ‘very unhappy’ about losing captaincy

30 June 2022 0 comments

Eddie Jones has admitted that Owen Farrell was “very unhappy” when the coach informed him he would lose the England captaincy to Courtney Lawes. Lawes […]

Lawes captains England for Australia opener

30 June 2022 0 comments

Courtney Lawes has been named England captain ahead of Owen Farrell, with the latter starting for the first time since November. Danny Care returns starting […]

Maori All Blacks hammer Ireland in opener

29 June 2022 1 comment

Maori All Blacks 32-17 Ireland XV Ireland’s tour of New Zealand got off to a poor start as they were convincingly beaten against the Maori […]

England vulnerable off back of winning run – Proudfoot

28 June 2022 0 comments

England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has drawn inspiration from the recent State of Origin Rugby League series to explain why he thinks his side are […]

Spain lose appeal and will not play in World Cup

27 June 2022 0 comments

Spain’s hopes of playing in their first Rugby World Cup since 1999 came to an end after they lost their appeal against disqualification for fielding […]

Schmidt to assist All Blacks in Foster’s absence

27 June 2022 0 comments

Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has been called in to assist New Zealand for their first test against Ireland, with head coach Ian Foster absent […]

Coach Foster among positive New Zealand Covid-19 tests

26 June 2022 0 comments

Head Coach Ian Foster was one of four key New Zealand individuals who tested positive for Covid-19, just five days before the first test begins […]

George calls on England to repeat the triumph of 2016

26 June 2022 1 comment

From ADAM HATHAWAY in Perth Jamie George has urged England to turn back time and repeat the heroics of 2016 when the Test series against […]

Pivac: I can’t wait to take on Boks

26 June 2022 1 comment

By STEFFAN THOMAS Most of Wales will be hiding behind the sofa on Saturday but Wayne Pivac can’t wait to take on the Springboks. Pivac’s […]

England need to rewrite the script quickly

26 June 2022 1 comment

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK The roll call for England’s three-Test tour of Australia reads as follows: two old guard rejects, eight […]

Dazzling French too strong for battling Irish

26 June 2022 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK France …………..42pts Tries: Labarthe 16, Gailleton 18, Depoortere 47, Montgaillard 70, 78 Conversions: Auriac 18, 18, 46, 48 Penalties: Auriac 9, 42, […]

Concern for England as Baby Boks take charge

26 June 2022 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK England …………22pts Tries: Stewart 9, Ilione 58, Oresanya 79 Conversions: Smith 10, 59 Penalties: Smith 50 South Africa ….30pts Tries: Hartzenberg 2, […]

Question is: Where are Wales mentally?

26 June 2022 0 comments

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND The first moment of truth of the summer for Welsh rugby comes at Loftus Versfeld this weekend when Wayne […]

Crowley set to enjoy Italy’s ‘Blue summer’

26 June 2022 0 comments

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points After that brilliant last-minute win over Wales in Cardiff and a fine […]

England suffer setback as Jonny May tests positive for Covid-19

24 June 2022 1 comment

England have suffered a setback upon arriving in Australia for their three-Test tour after winger Jonny May tested positive for Covid-19. The Gloucester flyer will spend […]

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