Perter Jackson column: Chris Ralston sad as ‘innocent’ man Charlie Thomas passes away 

This is the story of Anglo-Welsh rugby’s most enduring who dun it, a mystery involving an English Lion and a Welsh...

Union chief Christian Day warns players over drug abuse

Christian Day, chairman of the Rugby Players’ Association, believes Rugby Union must remain vigilant following a surge in cases of sportsmen...

James Marshall signs for London Irish

As revealed by Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper on December 20, London Irish have signed Hurricanes fly-half James Marshall for...

Andy Farrell to take over as Ireland defence coach

Andy Farrell will take over as Ireland defence coach at the end of the Six Nations. The former dual-code international, 40,...

20 Questions: Nathan Earle – Saracens wing

How are you settling at London Scottish? Very well thanks! I’ve been here more or less a month now and I’m...

Worcester confirm Johnston signature

As revealed by Jon Newcombe in The Rugby Paper on Sunday, Worcester have bolstered their front row option by signing James...

Jeremy Guscott column: Eddie Jones needs smart, abrasive forwards to lead the charge

The forwards Eddie Jones selects will give us the first indication of what style England will adopt under his coaching. At...

Nick Cain column: Good luck to Ian Peel, but don’t forget 2003 guru

Ian Peel has come from the ranks of the RFU‘s coaching pathway to being named as England’s new scrum coach this...

Attwood and Slater to miss Six Nations

Dave Attwood and Ed Slater will both miss England‘s Six Nations campaign due to injuries. Bath lock Attwood underwent surgery yesterday...

Lock duo re-sign for Harlequins

Harlequins have confirmed that locks Charlie Matthews and Sam Twomey have re-signed with the club. Matthews, 24, has made 101 appearances...

Eddie Jones must look at Saracens sextet says Alex Sanderson

Forwards coach at Saracens, Alex Sanderson, reckons Mako Vunipola and his ultra-competitive pack colleagues can be the bedrock of England‘s Six...

Rey Lee-Lo looking to make big Cardiff Blues impact like Jonah Lomu

Cardiff Blues centre Rey Lee-Lo is hoping to continue the legacy left behind by his former club-mate Jonah Lomu at the...

My Life in Rugby: Tony de Mulder – Doncaster president

It was a great honour to lead the side out against Moseley last month when I celebrated my 25th anniversary as...

Louw to stay at Bath until 2019 at least

Francois Louw will remain at Bath until at least 2019 after signing new deal with the West Country outfit. He has...

Nathan Hughes extends stay at Wasps

Nathan Hughes has extended his contract with Wasps. The Fijian No.8, who will qualify for England on residency grounds on June...

Peter Betham: Manu Tuilagi should pay me for doing his dirty work!

Peter Betham reckons Manu Tuilagi owes him a hefty slice of his wages for shoring up Leicester‘s midfield during the England...

Gloucester record profit for fifth year in a row

Gloucester have today announced that they have recorded an operating profit for the fifth straight year In the period ending on...

Itoje named Premiership Player of the Month

Maro Itoje has today been named as the Premiership Player of the Month for December. This capped a stellar year for...

James Johnston leaves Wasps

Wasps have today confirmed that Samoan prop James Johnston has left the club to pursue alternative options. Johnston, who arrived at...

Saturday presents huge opportunity for Saints

Currently sitting at fifth in the league tables after eight matches played, the Northampton Saints have appeared to be a middling...

James Haskell signs new Wasps contract

As revealed by Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper yesterday, James Haskell has penned a new deal with Wasps. The England...

Saracens sign Springbok legend Schalk Burger

As revealed by Neil Fiss let in The Rugby Paper yesterday, Saracens have signed South African flanker Schalk Burger for next...

Dream Team: James Bailey – former Saracens, Gloucester, Irish, Lyon and Wasps wing

1. Phil Vickery – Old school no nonsense, flat out commitment  – he made it clear from day one what it...

Young Gun: Rory Bartle – London Scottish forward

Rory Bartle is only 19 but he already has a mature head on his shoulders and that is why he decided...

Shane Williams column: Alex Cuthbert finding form at just the right time

Christmas derbies… there’s nothing else like them in Welsh rugby. As a player I loved this time of year. Now, as...

Peter Jackson column: Craig Joubert and Rupert Murdoch make it a year to remember

Half a century from now, when Georgia win the Ten Nations and two clubs from Mars replace the Italians in the...

Union novice Kevin Sinfield ‘happy to be learning’

Kevin Sinfield has won everything there is to win in Rugby League but he has set himself one last rugby challenge...

Watch out for a George North try-spree warns Ben Foden

Try-starved George North is set for a New Year scoring spree according to Saints teammate Ben Foden, who believes recent criticism...

Room 101: Luke Narraway – London Irish No.8

1. Dirty Mugs This one’s manly directed at my Mrs who leaves half-drunk cups of tea and coffee on the side...

Premiership Round 8 Teams

Gloucester V London Irish Gloucester: Rob Cook; Charlie Sharples, Bill Meakes, Billy Twelvetrees (Capt.), Henry Purdy; James Hook, Willi Heinz; Nick...

Championship round 13 teams

Bedford v London Scottish Bedford: Piers O’Conor; Pat Tapley, Michael LeBourgeois, Tom Griffiths, George Perkins; Jake Sharp, Henry Taylor; Alex Lundberg,...

Brendan Gallagher: New hope for British clubs as the old empires crumble in Europe

How the mighty have fallen. We still have two rounds of the Pool stages left – in fact some teams have...

Nick Cain: Here’s how Eddie Jones could make some big changes

Never underestimate the electric-shock speed at which things can change in our sport. It is just under three months since England...

Peter Jackson: Out for the count, Europe’s big three

There have been six multiple winners of what is now known as the Champions’ Cup and two have gone already, counted...

Tale of the tape can help win Semesa Rokoduguni recall 

Flying Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni is targeting an England recall for the Six Nations despite his club’s recent run of poor...

London Welsh dismiss Ollie Smith

London Welsh have today confirmed the dismissal by mutual consent of coach Ollie Smith. The news follows the 38-0 thumping the...

Saracens bring in Kieran Low on loan

Saracens have signed Scotland international Kieran Low from Glasgow on loan for the rest of the season from January 1. The...

20 Questions: Michael Hills – Doncaster captain

What do you make of the Knights season so far? It’s been fantastic and we just have to keep it going!...

Blues confirm Matt Sherratt’s appointment

As revealed by Jon Newcombe in The Rugby Paper on December 20, Matt Sherratt will leave Bristol at the end of...

Rhys Webb boost for Wales and Ospreys

Wales and the Ospreys have been handed a major boost with the news that Rhys Webb has penned a National Dual...

Nick Cain column: Chris Robshaw has to earn his shirt wherever he plays

Chris Robshaw’s credentials as an honest man were burnished this week when, in his first post-World Cup interview, the incumbent England...

Jeff Probyn column: Dylan Hartley’s no Johnno and, for me, he’s no captain

As we sit back trying to digest our Christmas excesses while also enjoying  the success of the England clubs in the...

Jeremy Guscott: Elliot Daly has gas, he’s got the boot, now give him a chance!

Elliot Daly is becoming a recognised force both in the Premiership and the European Cup, and over the last two seasons...

Ian Peel is England’s new scrum coach

Eddie Jones has added a new element to his England coaching staff with the appointment of Ian Peel as scrum coach....

Sam Warburton: Let Leigh Halfpenny play for Wasps if he wants

Leigh Halfpenny should be free to play where he chooses according to Wales captain Sam Warburton. Halfpenny is wanted by Wasps...

Chiefs lose lock Welch to injury

Exeter Chiefs have been dealt another untimely injury blow with the news that lock Damian Welch is set for an extended...

My Life in Rugby: Jake Abbott – former Worcester and England Sevens

I’m living the proverbial dream as the first professional overseas player in America at the country’s first professional rugby club, Griffins...

Premiership Rugby making player welfare the priority

Premiership Rugby will continue to prioritise player welfare in 2016 and head of rugby operations Corin Palmer believes a new link-up...

Bath sign Japan No.8

Bath have today announced the signing of Japan No.8 Amanaki Mafi. Mafi will arrive at Bath at the end of January,...

Dream Team: Jebb Sinclair – London Irish and Canada flanker

1. Tom Court – Great Irish international who doesn’t grab the headlines but does a lot of unseen work. At top...