Room 101: Will Addison – Sale wing

1. Red top milk I come from Cumbrian farming stock so I like nothing less than full fat milk. I first...

Peter Jackson column: The Cardiff flier forced to abandon his dream

Billy Boston now has a life-sized statue of his very own in Wigan, a bronze creation for which the town clubbed...

Heem commits future to Worcester

Worcester wing Bryce Heem has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract to remain at Sixways. Heem,...

Power of six can inspire Exeter Chiefs says new boy Ollie Devoto

Exeter are banking on the Power of Six to bring them trophy success after centre Ollie Devoto revealed why being reunited...

20 Questions: Rory Bartle – London Scottish captain

Chomping at the bit for some proper rugby? Very much so! We’re happy to see the back of pre-season. We’ve done...

Shane Williams column: Inspiring Alun Wyn Jones my man to lead Lions

Alun Wyn Jones embodies everything that the British & Irish Lions will need to succeed in New Zealand next summer and...

Nick Cain column: Time for old Lions heroes to fade way

The 1971 and 1974 Lions were the greatest touring teams that have departed these shores, but the monopoly they appear to...

Jeremy Guscott column: Warren Gatland can turn this crazy schedule to his advantage

The 2017 Lions head coach job in New Zealand was Warren Gatland‘s to turn down, and I’m pleased that he has...

Tree-week ban for Mat Luamanu

Mat Luamanu has been banned for three weeks for the dangerous tackle he made on Sale captain Josh Beaumont on Saturday....

Waldouck pens Newcastle permanent deal

Newcastle Falcons have agreed a permanent contract to sign Dominic Waldouck after impressing during his trial spell with the club. The...

Jason Woodward agrees Bristol switch

Bristol have confirmed the signing of Jason Woodward from the Super Rugby champions the Hurricanes. Woodward represented the Wellington franchise in...

Leroy Houston returns to Bath

As revealed in The Rugby Paper on August 14, Bath have brought in Leroy Houston on a short-term deal. The back-rower...

Lions set for biggest pay-day in their history

The Lions stand to make as much as £80,000-a-man in New Zealand next year if they beat the All Blacks for...

My Life in Rugby: Paul Hull – former England and Bristol full-back

Throughout any playing career you have ups and downs and when I played for Bristol that was most definitely the case....

Dream Team: Jake Sharp – Bedford Blues fly-half

1. Mako Vunipola – He is my old housemate and one of the best ball carrying props around. It was great...

Young Gun: Sam Thomson – Glasgow lock

Sam Thomson is back in Glasgow and he is desperate to prove he has what it takes to follow in the...

Jeff Probyn column: Gracie Matthews deserves support from Injured Players fund

The second National Rugby Awards took place on Thursday and what a day it was, as professional clubs, grassroots clubs, schools...

Premiership round 2 teams

Bath v Newcastle Bath: Homer; Rokoduguni, Joseph, Clark, Banahan; Ford (c), Fotuali’i; Auterac, Batty, Palma-Newport, Charteris, Attwood, Ewels, Sisi, Mercer Replacements: Dunn, Obano,...

Ben Youngs relishing Aaron Mauger learning curve at Leicester

Ben Youngs hopes trophy success and renewed confidence at Leicester will underpin his claims to the England No.9 jersey while enhancing...

I’ve been beating my demons says Kurtley Beale

Watching Kurtley Beale, ball in hand, whizzing past defences at full speed is one of the most beautiful sights in the...

Premiership statement on salary cap

Premiership Rugby have confirmed that the base level of its Salary Cap Framework for the 2019 and 2020 seasons will remain...

Room 101: Freddie Burns – Leicester fly-half

1. Car decoration I don’t mind car drivers supporting their sports team by putting up a sticker in the rear window,...

Peter Jackson column: Solution is needed to get Ospreys flying again

According to people who know about these things, the last confirmed flight of an Osprey over Wales took place some 12...

Nick Cain: Yes, I believe England can rain on New Zealand’s parade

The All Black procession is in full marching order again, with the usual array of tub-thumpers and cheerleaders proclaiming them as...

Gregor Townsend: Pro12 is better than Premiership

Gregor Townsend has blasted critics of the Guinness Pro12 and insists the league is of superior quality to both the Premiership...

Billy Vunipola knows it’s not only Nathan Hughes gunning for his jersey

Rapidly-maturing Billy Vunipola says he will relish the competition from Wasps‘ counterpart Nathan Hughes as he bids to take his game...

20 Questions: Sam Katz – Jersey fly-half

One week before the start of the Championship, all ready to go? Our last pre-season game was last weekend. We’re off...

Warren Gatland confirmed as Lions coach

Warren Gatland has been confirmed as British and Irish Lions head coach for the 2017 tour of New Zealand. The Kiwi...

Bristol bring in Rob Hawkins

Rob Hawkins has joined Bristol on a short-term deal as injury cover for Marc Jones. The hooker, who has had spells...

Shane Williams column: Get Stephen Jones on board when Lions confirm Warren Gatland call

When it comes to leading the British & Irish Lions, it’s all about experience and that’s why Warren Gatland is the...

Jeremy Guscott column: Scene now set for Danny Cipriani to realise his full potential

Today’s clash at the Ricoh Arena thrusts Danny Cipriani into the spotlight once again and there will be huge pressure on...

Lions tour schedule crazy says hero Fran Cotton

The Lions schedule in New Zealand next year has been condemned as ‘crazy’ by the only Englishman to win a Test...

My Life in Rugby: Steve Smith – former Sale and England scrum-half

I came from a council house family in Stockport and my dad was football mad. In fact, I’d never seen a...

Aled Brew joins Bath on trial

Aled Brew has joined Bath on trial until the end of the year after being released by the Dragons. The former...

Leinster coaching staff bolstered with Stuart Lancaster

Leinster have this morning confirmed the appointment of Stuart Lancaster to the senior coaching team. Since leaving his position with the...

Dream Team: Alex Waller – Northampton loosehead

1. Soane Tonga’uhia – Very good set-piece but he’s exceptional in the open which comes with being a 140kg (22st) Tongan....

With high risk of a charge-down, the drop-goal is now a dying art

Drop goals feature heavily on the showreel of rugby‘s greatest moments: Joel Stransky and Jonny Wilkinson won World Cups with them...

Young Gun: Will Attfield – England Sevens

When one door shuts another opens and that is what happened to Will Attfield who, in the space of a few...

Jeff Probyn column: Shadow of court cases hangs over new season

Usually when we get this close to the kick-off of a new season there is an air of anticipation of all...

Wasps will feed off last year’s hurt

Now one of the richest clubs in Europe, Wasps have assembled a star-studded squad and go into the new campaign as...

Luke Wallace’s out to prove he can play the Mr Nasty role

Harlequins flanker Luke Wallace is eager to bring more explosive aggression to his work around the breakdown in a bid to...

Room 101: Danny Matthews – Harrogate scrum-half

1. Jealous diners It grinds my gears when you order a restaurant or takeaway meal and whoever you are eating with...

Quins bring in Gloucester loosehead

Dan Murphy has joined Harlequins with immediate effect. The loosehead joins after five years at Gloucester where he made 98 appearances....

Sailosi Tagicakibau released by Wasps

Samoan international Sailosi Tagicakibau has left Wasps after requesting a release from his contract for family reasons. Tagicakibau made 34 appearances...

Peter Jackson column: Connacht haven’t lost hunger to retain title

Even when the whole of Galway let its collective hair down for days and nights on end, John Muldoon never lost...

Shane Williams column: Regions must take lead from Connacht

The Welsh regions have a massive point to prove in the Guinness Pro12 this season and I’m expecting there to be...

Will king Louis Picamoles reign for Saints?

Time will soon tell but don’t be surprised if France No.8 Louis Picamoles proves the best signing for the forthcoming season....

Manu Tuilagi aims to roar for Leicester and catch the eye of Eddie Jones

Manu Tuilagi is convinced he is both physically and mentally ready to prove to Eddie Jones he deserves a place in...

Joshua Chasinga chasing his dream at Newcastle Falcons

Music producer turned professional rugby player Joshua Chisanga is on track to become the first full Kenyan international to play in...

Premiership round 1 teams

Gloucester v Leicester Gloucester: Marshall; Sharples, Scott, Twelvetrees, Purdy; Burns, Laidlaw (c); Thomas, Hibbard, Afoa, Savage, Galarza; Moriarty, Kvesic, Morgan Replacements:...