The Rugby Paper Team
The Rugby Paper TeamNews By The Rugby Paper Team
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoAnthony Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
By Paul Rees As Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester’s match at Sale in December, he...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoChrist Tshiunza: There’s no panic at Exeter Chiefs
By Paul Rees As Christ Tshiunza reflected on what has been a frustrating season for the Wales forward, he recalled a...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoUncapped Fergus Burke gets nod from Gregor Townsend in Scotland Six Nations squad
Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke has been named in Scotland’s squad for the Six Nations as they look to improve on last...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoAlex Mitchell back to his best and ready for Six Nations battle
By Jon Newcombe Alex Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoAntoine Dupont returns to Six Nations stage
Scrum-half Antoine Dupont will take part in his first Six Nations since 2023 after missing last year’s competition to prepare for...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoProp Jack Boyle called up to Ireland Six Nations squad after Tom O’Toole ban
Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has called up Leinster’s uncapped prop Jack Boyle, 22, for the Six Nations to replace...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoTeddy Williams is poised to shift up a gear for Wales
By Simon Thomas Teddy Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoStephen Varney & Tommy Allan back in the mix for Italy
Italy have recalled Stephen Varney and included Tommaso Allan in their squad for the Six Nations but are without Louis Lynagh...
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Letters
/ 2 years agoUnfair to remove Kirill Gotovtsev’s Russian flag
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk I have to respectfully...
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Latest News
/ 2 years ago‘Life at Sale Sharks without my brother is weird’ – Luke James
By Jon Newcombe Sale stalwart Luke James admits his first season apart from older brother Sam has been “very weird”. Before...
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Letters
/ 2 years agoWe are all paying for the financial errors of the RFU
Who, other than for self-aggrandisement, is going to invest in rugby? The Premiership has never ever returned a profit. Several leading...
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Letters
/ 2 years agoAnthony Watson was so special
It's such a shame to see that Anthony Watson has retired. He’s the most talented attacker this country has produced since...
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Dream Team
/ 2 years agoCurtis Langdon’s Dream Team
CURTIS LANGDON, THE ENGLAND, NORTHAMPTON AND FORMER SALE, DONCASTER, WORCESTER, & MONTPELLIER HOOKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoBeno Obano red ends Bath hope of an upset win against Leinster
By Brendan Gallagher Leinster ............................. 47pts Tries: Henshaw 9, 15; Conan 37, Snyman 51, 76; Ringrose 60, Gibson-Park 67 Conversions: Prendergast...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years ago‘It’s tough on Beno Obano, we stand by him’ – Johann Van Graan
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said he has never seen a scrum penalty given near halfway result in a...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoCharging Bulls dominate Stade Francais to book their Challenge Cup spot
By Ben Jaycock Bulls..................... 48pts Tries: Penalty 3, Williams 13, Papier 18, Vermaak 27, Louw 39, Chamberlain 47, Hanekom 51 Conversions:...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoTom Seabrook hat-trick as Northampton Saints edge a thriller over Munster
By Rob Wildman Northampton ................... 34pts Tries: Seabrook 13, 48, 67; Langdon 40, Ramm 54 Conversions: Smith 40, 54, 67 Penalty:...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoAlex Mitchell should be fit for England – Phil Dowson
Saints boss Phil Dowson hopes England scrum-half Alex Mitchell should be fit for the Six Nations campaign ahead. Mitchell needed treatment...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoPlucky Benetton down La Rochelle to secure Champions Cup qualification
By Sam Jackson Benetton............. 32pts Tries: Cannone 15, Bernasconi 67 Conversions: Albornoz 15, Smith 68 Penalties: Albornoz 23, 42; Smith 40,...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoRob Baxter: We can’t become victims
Exeter DoR Rob Baxter has told his side ‘not to be victims’ after they were sent crashing out of the Champions...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoIzuchukwu treble as Chiefs sent crashing
By MARK STEVENS Ulster ................................. 52pts Tries: Izuchukwu 21, 66, 78; McCann 27, 73; Timoney 38, Herring 49, Carson 69 Conversions:...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoPat Lam puts focus on push for Premiership play-offs
Pat Lam tried to look on the bright side of his Bears’ failure to progress to the knockout stages on a...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoOwen Farrell brings spark to Racing 92
By Sam Jackson Racing 92 ........ 31 Stormers ..........22 Match Action Racing 92 booked their place in the round of 16...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoChandler Cunningham-South and Harlequins cook up a tasty performance
By Bryn Palmer Harlequins ...........24pts Tries: Cunningham-South 14, Chisholm 20, Murley 67 Conversions: Smith 15, 21, 68 Penalty: Smith 25 Glasgow...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoMatch Preview – Injury-hit Sharks need one point against Bordeaux to progress
By Ben Jaycock Today. Kick-off 1pm, Stade Chaban-Delmas High-flying Bordeaux host a Sharks side seeking just a point to join them...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoMatch Preview – Leicester Tigers gunning to take down Antoine Dupont and Toulouse
By Adam Hathaway Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, Stade Ernest Wallon Michael Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoAlex Sanderson packs his Sale Sharks side with his seven England stars
By Paul Rees Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, AJ Bell Stadium Alex Sanderson is set on Sale making the last 16 of the...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoMatch Preview – Brad Barritt backing the new boys as Saracens welcome Castres
By Paul Rees Today. Kick-off 3.15pm, StoneX Brad Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club...
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Champions Cup
/ 2 years agoMark McCall – Saracens’ most meaningful game of the season so far
By Paul Rees Mark McCall is expecting a highly motivated Castres when they take on Saracens at the StoneX Stadium this...
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International Rugby
/ 2 years agoGood news on Maro Itoje, but England’s problems persist
By Nick Cain - Read his expert opinion every week Having been a long-time advocate of Maro Itoje as England captain,...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoThe RFU Board has failed to do its job properly
The employment of the crisis management company, Teneo, by the incumbent RFU administration to help it weather the SGM storm is...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoReferees are not free from criticism
In a country in which we are lucky to have freedom of opinion and speech as a birthright, Wayne Barnes is...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoMatt Banahan tribute to ‘superb’ Anthony Watson
By Jon Newcombe Former England international Matt Banahan has hailed Anthony Watson as the ‘ultimate team man’ and a ‘true professional’...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoI want the Red Roses to be unstoppable, says Zoe Aldcroft
By Dan Robertshaw Newly appointed England captain Zoe Aldcroft insists there is work to be done before her side can set...
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Chris Hewett
/ 2 years agoCaptains don’t have to play the full 80
By Chris Hewett - Thinking Allowed It seems your columnist’s hotline to the England head coach Steve Borthwick has turned positively...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoBeefing up club rugby may start a trend
HERE’S a novel idea: a fresh European tournament specifically aimed at clubs based on the continent of Europe, as opposed to...
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Challenge Cup
/ 2 years agoBundee Aki potency provides the edge for Connacht
By Roger Panting Cardiff ............... 19pts Tries: Lloyd 16, Young 42, 58 Conversions: Thomas 16, 42 Connacht ..........28pts Tries: J Murphy...
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Challenge Cup
/ 2 years agoFirst-half blitz sets Scarlets on their way to Challenge Cup knockouts
By Roger Panting Scarlets ...........38pts Tries: Macleod 7, 22; Murray 26, Davies 32, Rogers 37, Van der Merwe 51 Conversions: Lloyd...
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Challenge Cup
/ 2 years agoMontpellier turn power on to finish in top spot
By LUKE JARMYN Newcastle ........................... 7pts Tries: Hearle 32 Conversions: Wilkinson 33 Montpellier...................... 26pts Tries: Bernadet 1, Serfontein 46, Akrab 59,...
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Challenge Cup
/ 2 years agoOspreys snatch it in stunning finale against Pau
By Simon Thomas Pau ....................28 Ospreys ........... 31 Ospreys booked a home tie in the last 16 with a superb five-try...
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Challenge Cup
/ 2 years agoLyon thump Cheetahs to secure home Challenge cup knockout tie
Lyon secured a home knockout tie with a 10-try, 68-21 victory including two apiece from Josiah Maraku and Léo Berdeu. A...
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Challenge Cup
/ 2 years agoDragons suffer record defeat against Lions
By Simon Thomas Lions.................. 60 Dragons............. 10 Dragons crashed out in ignominious fashion as they suffered their heaviest-ever defeat in European...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoGreg Fisilau is following in father’s footsteps
By Mark Stevens In what has been a challenging campaign for the Exeter Chiefs, Greg Fisilau has emerged as a rare...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoSouth America aiming for four teams at Rugby World Cup 2027
By Joe Santamaria After a historic 2024 for rugby in South America, former Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade is turning his...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoWhat a team London Irish could have been…
By Peter Jackson - The man truly in the know Those disciples of London Irish pining for their lost Premiership team...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoBlack mark for the Joe Biden
And so Joe Biden leaves the White House for the last time. Whatever judgement history passes on his single term in...
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Latest News
/ 2 years agoA hat-trick to beat them all
PETER Brown, born into one of Scotland’s most decorated footballing families during the Second World War, responded to the privilege by...
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English Championship
/ 2 years agoCoventry cling on as Bennett fires wide
By PAUL SMITH Coventry .......... 24pts Tries: Nkwocha 16, Hutler 24, Opoku-Fordjour 35 Conversions: Mathews 17, 25, 36 Penalties: Mathews 42...
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English Championship
/ 2 years agoOnce again, Trailfinders prove they’re class above
By RORY MORROW Chinnor ............... 8pts Tries: Watson 73 Penalties: Smith 3 Ealing ................28pts Tries: Willemse 12, Wilson 24, 64; Harris...
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English Championship
/ 2 years agoHartpury pack sets platform for victory
By MARK STEVENS Hartpury ........... 34pts Tries: Hunt 3, 35; Denty 22, Short 27, Hayler 77 Conversions: Bazalgette 4, 28, 77...
