Brendan Gallagher: ‘Bish’ is an angel with a dirty face

Thirty years ago this month David Bishop fished a small bottle of water from his bag and found a quiet corner...

LV=Cup round 2 teams

Scarlets v Northampton Scarlets: Steff Evans; Jordan Williams, Steffan Hughes, Gareth Owen, Frazier Climo; Steven Shingler, Kieran Hardy; Phil John, Kirby...

Brendan Gallagher: Why Brian O’Driscoll won’t be taking anyone to book unlike Kevin Pietersen

Rugby‘s oldest maxim is probably “what goes on tour stays on tour” and, as an ‘old school’ player par excellence, Brian...

Semesa Rokoduguni to wing it against New Zealand

Stuart Lancaster has handed Semesa Rokoduguni his Test debut as England take on New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. The Bath...

Two shades of Gray for Scotland against Argentina

Richie and Jonny Gray will start for Scotland together for the first time against Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday. Mark Bennett,...

Cruden to lead All Blacks’ attack against England

New Zealand All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made ten changes to the side that beat the United States for Saturday’s...

20 Questions: Lachlan McCaffrey – London Welsh back row

How’s London life so far? Great. Richmond‘s a good spot and on days off I’ve been doing the tourist stuff around...

Wales put five more on national contracts

Two Scarlets, two Ospreys and one Dragon on Gatland's wishlist.

My Life in Rugby: Jon Renwick – Former Hawick, Harlequins, Scotland and Lions centre

I was fortunate to play in the Seventies when rugby was really taking off. There were empty spaces on the terraces...

Dan Cole to make return on Sunday

Dan Cole will make his return his long-awaited return to competition on Sunday as Leicester take on Sale in the LV=Cup....

Jeremy Guscott: Stats don’t lie and Semesa Rokoduguni is top in attack and defence

Want to know how and why Semesa Rokoduguni has forced his way into the contest for one of the England wing...

Chris Robshaw is the real deal says Nick Easter, lay off him!

Quins veteran has urged critics of England captain to resist comparing him to Martin Johnson and judge him on his own...

Nick Cain examines the England EPS and asks head coach Stuart Lancaster about his key decisions

Semesa Rokoduguni’s selection in the 33-man England squad announced this week for the autumn internationals could be Stuart Lancaster’s chance to...

Rampant Barbarians beat Leicester

The Barbarians ran in eight tries to beat Leicester 59-26 at Welford Road last night. Stormers centre Juan de Jongh scored...

Ross Moriarty commits future to Gloucester

Ross Moriarty has become the latest Gloucester player to sign a new contract to remain at Kingsholm. The 20 year old...

Dream Team: Topsy Ojo – London Irish wing

1.Clarke Dermody – He was a brilliant all-rounder whether it was scrummaging or with ball in hand. He was a great...

Rokoduguni in line for England Test debut

Semesa Rokoduguni will make his Test debut on Saturday after being named in England’s 23-man squad to take on New Zealand...

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR WALES V AUSTRALIA COURTESY OF T.M.LEWIN

The Rugby Paper has teamed up with T.M.Lewin – official formal wear supplier to the Welsh Rugby Union – to give...

George North to take centre stage against Wallabies

George North will start at outside centre for Wales against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. The Northampton wing moves...

Brendan Gallagher: Those magnificent seven victories

England have beaten New Zealand seven times in 39 meetings, which sounds like a modest enough record until you appreciate that...

Look after players or they could strike – Christian Day

Players’ union boss warns industrial action is possible if concerns are not adequately addressed.

Saracens sign Sharman

Saracens have signed hooker Brett Sharman until the end of the season. The 27-year-old who has previously played for Northampton Saints...

Launchbury out of autumn Tests

Joe Launchbury has been ruled out of England‘s autumn Tests due to injury. The Wasps lock, who suffers from a nerve...

Exiles appoint defence coach

London Welsh confirmed today that Rowland Phillips has joined the club as defence coach. Formally defence coach for Wales, Phillips was...

‘Fantastic’ Stephen Myler has earned his England chance, says Luther Burrell

Centre reckons fly-half's selection is not a conservative move by Stuart Lancaster.

Young Gun: Max Northcote-Green – Bath back row

Max Northcote-Green faced a difficult choice in the summer of 2012 – push on with his rugby career or take a...

Peter Jackson: Dan Lydiate saga shows Warren Gatland has more to worry about than his squad’s fitness

The smoke signals coming out of Paris have different meaning for different people but one underlying fact cannot be disputed. Racing...

Brendan Gallagher: Why Eagles dare on this Field of dreams

The next time the New Zealand All Blacks lace their boots in earnest in a Test match will be a week...

Why Billy Twelvetrees is poised to silence his critics

Critics should prepare to be silenced according to Gloucester backs coach Nick Walshe.

Room 101: Marshall Gadd – Rotherham captain

1.Cold callers Cold callers always seem to ring at the wrong time, normally when you’re just about to sit down and...

VIDEO: Sam Burgess has landed!

Rugby league convert Sam Burgess has finally arrived at Bath Rugby. He spoke to Nick Heath about his plans and ambitions.

Dan Leo: I had to quit France to get fit for World Cup!

French clubs rolling in money but their conditioning methods are rooted firmly in the dark ages according to London Irish lock.

SBW to make All Blacks return

Sonny Bill Williams will make his long-awaited return in an All Blacks shirt on Saturday after being named in Steve Hansen’s...

Jeff Probyn: Inconsistent referees are just confusing players

Spin a coin and choose what you like, that seems to be how the game of rugby is at the moment....

Nick Cain: So wrong, this gulf in funding for London Welsh

The Premiership is a stacked deck. So stacked that the most slippery of card sharps would consider it a masterpiece of...

Eagle Manoa to take on All Blacks

Samu Manoa will take on New Zealand on Saturday with a USA side which includes five Premiership players. Captained by Todd...

20 Questions: Ryan Jones – Bristol back row

Fit again soon? Won’t be long, there’s a vicious rumour I might get some rugby in for Bristol sooner rather than...

LV= Cup Final returns to Franklin’s Gardens

The 2014/15 LV= Cup Final will take place at Franklin’s Gardens, home of Northampton Saints, on Sunday 22 March. Following a...

Jeremy Guscott: The big question – can Kyle Eastmond force his way in?

A year out from any World Cup the best sides are established and are ready to rock ‘n’ roll. Teams that...

My Life in Rugby: Kevin Moseley – former Pontypool, Newport and Wales lock

For the past nine years I have been a sports teacher at Bodmin College in Cornwall, and I’d like to think...

Dream Team: Guy Mercer – Bath flanker

1.Lorne Ward – The big man looked after me in my first second team game and did the same when I...

Dean Richards: Newcastle Falcons were never in danger

Falcons boss has never been looking over his shoulder despite third longest losing run in Premiership history.

Young Gun: Dan Thomas – Gloucester flanker

Former Wales U20 captain Dan Thomas hopes to be involved in the LV=Cup with Gloucester in three weeks and, with an...

Brendan Gallagher’s Team of the 2014 Rugby Championship

15 Joaquin Tuculet (Argentina) The exciting new Puma nudges it from Israel Folau who, although good, wasn’t quite the force of...

Peter Jackson: Rhys Thomas finds a new life pumping through him

After an operation lasting 13 hours, Rhys Thomas is adjusting to a new lease of life provided by the implant of...

Topsy Ojo left feeling frustrated by London Irish near-misses

Winger frustrated to pick up only losing bonus points against Saracens and Northampton.

Room 101: David Seymour – Sale flanker

1. Overcooked steak I like my steak medium-rare, not oozing with blood but nicely pink. Quite often you’ll get asked how...

Munster v Saracens teams

Munster: Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha;...

Challenge Cup round 2 teams

London Welsh: Seb Jewell; Rhys Crane, James Lewis, Olly Barkley, Nick Scott; Gordon Ross, Paul Rowley; Shane Cahill, Mathew Dobson, Taione...

Nick Cain talks to Joe Worsley about Bordeaux-Begles, Wasps and England

Joe Worsley had an expertise in rocking opposing teams which is unsurpassed in pro rugby. Worsley was the chop-tackler par excellence,...