Young Gun: George de Cothi – Worcester scrum-half

When a team are struggling at the bottom of the table they may look to their youngsters to provide the inspiration...

Jeff Probyn: One hundred years on – and rugby hasn’t changed

There is a saying that there is nothing new in rugby and I think I may have found the proof. While...

Peter Jackson: Shameful memories for Wales in South Africa

As the top man in the world game, Bernard Lapasset paid due homage to Nelson Mandela on behalf of “the rugby...

Sonny Bill Williams to switch back to rugby union in 2015

Sonny Bill Williams has signed a two-year contract to return to the Chiefs in 2015 in time for the World Cup...

VIDEO: Heineken Rugby Show

Earlier this week, former England captain Will Carling hosted the latest Heineken Cup Rugby in the famous Cabbage Patch Pub in...

Premiership, Pro12 & Championship teams

Following two breathtaking weeks of European rugby, it is time for the domestic leagues to resume with the popular Christmas fixtures....

Graham Kitchener can be England lineout king says Louis Deacon

Louis Deacon has backed Leicester second row partner Graham Kitchener to break into the England team.

Room 101: Martin Nutt – Henley full-back

1. Winter There is no fun in playing or training in the rain, snow, freezing cold and wind in the slightest...

Aviva Premiership round 10 teams

Bath v Harlequins Bath: Anthony Watson; Horacio Agulla, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond, Matt Banahan; George Ford, Peter Stringer; Paul James, Rob Webber,...

RaboDirect Pro12 teams

Cardiff Blues v Ospreys Cardiff Blues: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Richard Smith, Dafydd Hewitt, Harry Robinson; Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams; Sam Hobbs...

Brendan Gallagher talks to Nigel Owens about the challenges – and joy – of reffing around the world

It might surprise you to learn – although possibly not – that the pre-eminent referee in world rugby in 2013 has...

Nick Cain: France’s ‘Little Napoleon’ is trying to rule in Europe

When it comes to exercising absolute power within a rugby fiefdom there is no one who comes close to Pierre Camou....

Greene King IPA Championship round 11 teams

Ealing Trailfinders v Bristol Ealing Trailfinders: Andrew Henderson; Christopher Kinloch, Ronald Mclean-Dents, Thomas Bedford, Philip Chesters; Benjamin Ward, Morgan Thompson; Steven...

Steve Meehan fears for Bath after Gary Gold’s shock exit

Former Bath head coach Steve Meehan fears the club could be in danger of being “sent off the rails” unless its...

Alex Goode: Well played Mike Brown, but I still want your place

While Alex Goode admits Mike Brown’s current form makes him deservedly England’s No.15, that does not mean the Sarries man is...

Northampton fined £60,000 over George North’s release

Northampton Saints have been fine £60,000 for releasing star winger George North outside the IRB international window. Wales faced Australia on...

20 Questions: Brett Sturgess – Exeter prop

Nearly, but not quite for Exeter so far this season? Yes, especially in the last two weeks against Saracens and Bath....

Tiger Brett Deacon forced to retire

Leicester Tigers flanker Brett Deacon has been forced to hang up the boots on medical advice it was announced today. The...

Heineken Cup round 5 & 6 dates announced

The ERC today announce the makeup of the fifth and sixth round of the Heineken Cup. Ulster, the only unbeaten side...

Nick Cain: Enough! We don’t want more League coaches

The news that Steve McNamara is staying at his post in Rugby League – part time with England and assistant coach...

Jeremy Guscott: Saracens and Leicester Tigers can still fly English flag in Europe

The chances of an English club winning the Heineken Cup have receded, but that’s no big reality check because the most...

Freddie Burns: Doubt over my future is getting to me

Freddie Burns has revealed the full extent of the emotional turmoil he is enduring as he grapples with deciding whether to...

My Life in Rugby: Steve Booth – former Leicester and Bath wing

There are two major incidents that shaped my rugby career – first it was watching the 1994 Challenge Cup final and...

Tom Wood signs Northampton contract extension

Northampton Saints today announced that Tom Wood has signed a contract extension along with four other forwards to stay at Franklin’s Gardens...

Dream Team: Peter Short – former Leicester, Bath, Exeter and England Saxons lock

1. Dave Flatman – he was not afraid to put himself in the way, and was very aggressive on the pitch....

Bath beat Northampton to win A-League title

Bath United claimed a 29-20 win over the Northampton Wanderers at Franklin’s Gardens to lift the A-League trophy last night. A...

I could play on for one more year, says Jonny Wilkinson

Jonny Wilkinson came off the bench on Saturday to score the bonus-point try that helped put champions Toulon firmly in control...

Warren Gatland signs on with Wales

Warren Gatland will remain as Wales head coach until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup after signing a new...

Richard Hibbard joins Gloucester

As revealed by Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper two weeks ago, British & Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard has joined...

Akapusi Qera leaves Gloucester

Akapusi Qera has left Gloucester to join Toulouse until the end of the season. There were rumours the Flying Fijian asked...

Bath clarify Gary Gold’s exit

Bath explained Gary Gold’s shock departure claiming the club and the South African couldn’t agree on what the role of Director...

Young Gun: Harry Thacker – Leicester hooker

Making your father proud is something that every son seeks and Harry Thacker couldn’t have done much more to test his...

Irish businessmen take over London Irish

London Irish announced today a consortium of London-based Irish businessmen has taken control of the club acquiring a majority stake. Led...

Andrew Sheridan not thinking about retiring

Andrew Sheridan has put an end to rumours about a potential retirement saying he is looking for a return to competition...

Heineken Cup round 4 teams

Why not have a punt on this weekend’s rugby, http://sports.williamhill.com offer great odds on all the games. Pool 1 Leinster v Northampton Leinster: Rob...

Jeff Probyn: South African link would make Stuart Lancaster happy

Last week I said the Premiership would have to look further afield if they wanted to find a replacement for those...

Dominant Courtney Lawes takes game to another level

Courtney Lawes has established himself as one of world rugby’s foremost locks, insists his Northampton second row partner Christian Day.

Young Gun: Teddy Thomas – Biarritz and France U20 winger

Wasps have Tom Varndell and Christian Wade but another of Europe’s traditional superpowers has discovered their own lightning quick double act...

Amlin Cup wrap & teams

Worcester have suffered their second dramatic defeat in as many weeks against Biarritz in the Amlin Challenge Cup. Despite playing with...

Room 101: John Kingston – Harlequins forwards coach

1. Top team bias in National team selection Whether national team coaches like to admit it or not they are undoubtedly...

“We’ve got to up our game” – Nick Easter

Nick Easter has warned his Harlequins teammates they will need to up their game when they face Racing Metro at The...

Nick Cain talks to Nick Easter about his rebirth as a lock

Nick Easter’s nickname suggests he is a man who has plenty of credit in the bank. The soubriquet that the Harlequins...

Peter Jackson: Top dogs in Europe have bark but no bite

When they opened the roof after the Wallabies had done their level best to bring the house down, Wales were left...

I can change Saracens’ luck at 13 says Marcelo Bosch

Argentina’s Marcelo Bosch aims to be the perfect replacement for Joel Tomkins at Saracens after the England centre was sidelined with...

20 Questions: Sonny Parker – London Welsh centre

Enjoying your campaign so far? Definitely. I was injured in pre-season so it’s been a bit topsy-turvy, but I’ve been in...

Brendan Gallagher talks to John Carter, the Varsity captain who doesn’t put winning first

John Carter may look like Sebastien Chabal’s younger, wilder, brother and when his battered body can be welded together for 80...

Nick Cain: No, Kenny your call to ring-fence is so wrong

Exeter finished bottom of National 3 and were relegated to National 4 along with Clifton in 1995, the year that the...

Jeremy Guscott: England only third in ‘group of death’

The Autumn Internationals provide an obvious point from which to do a stock-take on where England, Wales and Australia are two...

RFU CEO Ian Ritchie optimistic over Heineken Cup row

Rugby Football Union CEO Ian Ritchie is confident English clubs will compete in a European tournament next season. The Premiership clubs...

Billy Twelvetrees: It’s my fault if England drop me

The longer that Gloucester’s struggles continue, the more Billy Twelvetrees knows his England place is under threat.