Shane Williams’ column: I’m proof that bolters can earn a late RWC call

Some people may question the need for warm-up games before a World Cup but I am living proof of how they...

Dean Mumm opens up about World Cup dream

Dean Mumm is nothing if not determined. Having packed away his boots after leading Exeter Chiefs to a resounding victory over...

My Life in Rugby: Tony Yapp – Taunton head coach

A couple of years ago I learned I’d scored 2,999 points in Premiership, National League and Cup rugby. There was no...

Re-bailed Danny Cipriani given World Cup green light

Danny Cipriani will be available to play for England in the World Cup after being re-bailed until November following his arrest...

Jeremy Guscott’s column: Still time for Sam Burgess to prove his vast potential

The big word is that Sam Burgess will get a place in Stuart Lancaster final World Cup squad.  It’s big news...

Leigh Halfpenny told: Play for Toulon or face axe

European Champions threatening to sack full-bakc over the club-or-country clash looming at the end of the new season.

Dream Team: Rhys Lawrence – Ealing & former Bristol and Scarlets hooker

1. Ryan Bevington – I grew up playing alongside him in Llanelli. He’s got great pace for a prop and scored...

Jeff Probyn’s column: You’re right Steve, new maul is ‘bloody boring’

How unusual, a New Zealand coach bemoaning the opposition’s tactics despite winning the game. Steve Hansen’s complaint about the Argentinian driving...

Mike Brown fit and firing says Andy Farrell

Mike Brown is winning his fitness battle ahead of England‘s opening World Cup warm-up game after emerging unscathed from his first...

Shane Williams’ column: Wallabies are never beaten, just ask Wales!

Same old players, same old Wallabies. Not for the first time, Australia were the second-best team on the pitch and yet,...

Jeremy Guscott’s column: Bok boys can do lot more than just bash

It would be a huge surprise if these sides continue to play this type of expansive rugby in the World Cup,...

Hooper banned but free to face New Zealand

Michael Hooper will be able to face New Zealand in the Rugby Championship decider next week despite receiving a banned for...

Richard Haughton targeting World Cup… as a referee!

Former Saracens and Wasps winger Richard Haughton is aiming to follow the Glen Jackson route to refereeing stardom after taking up...

Savage and Sharples sign new Gloucester contracts

Gloucester have today announce that Tom Savage and Charlie Sharples have agreed new long term contracts to extend their stays at...

Brendan Gallagher’s column: Sometimes it’s better just to put your feet up

I don’t know if Wales‘ fitness guru Paul Stridgeon and Bristol coach Sean Holley are Jos Stone fans and I certainly...

Peter Jackson’s column: Over-load on players so wrong says Larder

George Ford played 32 matches for club and country last season, more than any of his international contemporaries anywhere in Europe....

The Rugby Paper present the National Rugby Awards

The Rugby Paper has teamed up with Zeus events to organise the world’s largest rugby awards on September 2, 2015. The...

Fury over ‘ban’ on World Cup heroines

The legacy of England women’s 2014 World Cup win is being wrecked according to England’s top clubs who have reacted furiously...

England and Wales stars being  ‘shot to bits’

England and Wales have been warned that their players will be ‘shot to pieces’ before their three-Test series in Australasia at...

Hooper cited for incident in Wallabies’ win over Argentina

Australia openside alleged to have struck opponent in the lead-up to Dean Mumm's superb try

Young Gun: Callum Watson – London Irish scrum-half

Having seen his two big brothers make big waves in rugby, it was no surprise Callum Watson decided to follow in...

Room 101: Lewis Webb – Taunton scrum-half

1. Unusable pencils I’m a primary school teacher at a school just outside Exeter so pencils are an everyday necessity. I...

Schmidt extends deal with IRFU to 2017

The IRFU have confirmed that Joe Schmidt has signed a new contract to 2017. The former Leinster coach has gone from...

20 Questions: Don Armand – Exeter flanker

How was the off-season? I went back to South Africa with the family which was good but not as relaxing as...

Springboks change eight for New Zealand clash

Heyneke Meyer has made eight changes for South Africa‘s match against the All Blacks this weekend. Of the three changes to...

Melbourne Rebels sign Irish prop Hagan

Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels have made their second signing of the week by recruiting Irish prop Jamie Hagan. The 28...

My Life in Rugby: John Devereux – Wales dual-code international

I was one of the last crop of players who was capped while still a student at what was then known...

Dream Team: Billy Meakes – Gloucester and former Australia U20s centre

1. Scott Sio – I played with Scott both for Sydney’s Northern Suburbs and Australia U20s. A very good all round...

Rees turns down Worcester to re-sign with Blues

Former Wales captain Matthew Rees will not be signing for Worcester Warriors and has instead agreed a new deal with Cardiff...

Boks made to sweat on Coetzee and Matfield as injury list mounts

The defeated Springboks are waiting on injuries to Marcell Coetzee and Victor Matfield ahead of their clash with New Zealand on...

Melbourne Rebels sign All Black

Former All Black back row Adam Thomson has signed for the Melbourne Rebels for the 2016 Super Rugby campaign. The 33...

Fight to the death will bring best out of Billy Twelvetrees

Billy Twelvetrees insists he is excited rather than daunted by the battle raging around England’s coveted No.12 jersey as the clock...

Young Gun: Will Allman – England U18s and Northampton openside

Will Allman has already enjoyed two very successful years at U18 level but he is not done yet with a tour...

Peter Jackson’s column: Vernon Pugh was right, we’re playing too many Tests

Fifty years ago, Jack Kyle held the record as the world’s most-capped player with 46 matches for Ireland.  It had taken...

Jeff Probyn’s column: Why do altitude training if it may hinder your speed?

As we approach the Rugby World Cup and hear more and more details of how the teams are preparing, I have...

Versatile Henry Slade is ready to mash the monsters

Henry Slade insists taking on world rugby‘s midfield monsters would not faze him, with the versatile England back saying he would...

Room 101: Tom Catterick – Newcastle fly-half

1. People who say ‘what?’ It gets on my nerves when people say ‘what?’ to every comment you make even though,...

Nick Cain looks at the way Michael Cheika is trying to rebuild the Australian scrum

Australian have traditionally struggled to match South Africa for size and strength, but Michael Cheika is on a mission to change...

Brendan Gallagher’s Rugby Championship preview

In a World Cup year a short sharp Rugby Championship – each of the four teams plays each other just the...

Rugby Championship round 1 teams

New Zealand v Argentina New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Waisake Naholo, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Charles Piutau; Daniel Carter, TJ Perenara;...

Flyer Josh Drauniniu on crusade to shake off Dean Ryan rejection

After a season to forget with Worcester Josh Drauniniu returns to London Welsh with one goal, to play rugby again. The...

Calum Clark takes Richie McCaw as his World Cup inspiration

Northampton flanker insists his days of worrying are over and he will let his performances do the talking

20 Questions: Jamie Stevenson – Wasps scrum-half

Started pre-season yet? Yes we did last week. I’m sure it won’t last but I’m very much enjoying it at the...

Yorkshire Carnegie set to face Romania in World Cup warm up game

  As revealed by Jon Newcombe in The Rugby Paper on July 5, Yorkshire Carnegie are set to face the Romania...

Jeremy Guscott’s column: Michael Cheika can bring best out of talented Wallabies

If we know one thing about Australia it’s that they frequently get it right for World Cups. A lot of their...

Nick Cain’s column: Stuart Lancaster’s bubbling cauldron is troubling

There are times when the England selection alchemy seems stacked against players who bring something different to the squad. We had...

Shane Williams’ column: I’m really missing all that freezing and wheezing!

World Cup training camps send a shiver down most players’ spines but I have to admit, I really miss it. It’s...

Six Nations snub made David Strettle decide to go

David Strettle admits his decision to refuse a place in England‘s World Cup training squad might have been different had boss...

My Life in Rugby: Keith Robertson – former Scotland wing

When I began playing, in U19s age group rugby, at Melrose, you had to have boiled white shorts, polished black boots...

Worcester to take on Saracens in pre-season

Worcester will take on Premiership champions Saracens in a pre-season clash on Saturday October 3. Saracens will host the fixture at...