Ireland name World Cup training squad

Ireland have named their World Cup training squad with fly-half Ian Keatley being a surprise omission. The Munster fly-half has found...

Nick Cain casts an expert eye over last week’s European Champions Cup draw

The recruitment rosters of the Premiership and Pro12 teams make them look like a pop-gun parade compared to the heavy artillery...

Shane Williams’ column: Will even champs Toulon escape the Pool of Death?

What a draw we saw for the European tournaments this week – and what a vindication of the decision to move...

Stephen Myler will be my guru but I want his place, says JJ Hanrahan

JJ Hanrahan has fired the first warning that he will be snapping at the heels of Stephen Myler next season. Hanrahan...

Wasps sign Alex Rieder

As revealed by Jon Newcombe in The Rugby Paper on Sunday, Wasps have signed Alex Rieder from Rotherham ahead of next...

Liam Williams blow for Wales?

Liam Williams faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after undergoing foot surgery. The Scarlets flyer...

Jeremy Guscott: You can bet Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will be ready

One of the big stories so far in the Super 15 is the Crusaders failing to make the play-offs for the...

Nick Cain’s column: Megabucks Toulouse give Manu Tuilagi a dilemma

Manu Tuilagi has one year left on his Leicester Tigers contract and Toulouse have sounded out the 24-year-old England centre about...

Brendan Gallagher’s feature: The day South Africa was cleared for take-off

It’s 20 years ago today that President Nelson Mandela presented Francois Pienaar with the World Cup at Ellis Park to bring down...

Anthony Allen announces retirement from playing

Leicester Tigers centre Anthony Allen has announced his retirement from professional rugby due to a knee injury at the age of...

Sam Burgess is pure gold to have in the camp says Dave Attwood

Cross-code star is a “live contender” to make England’s final World Cup squad according to Bath teammate.

Harlequins’ Jordan Burns joins Bedford Blues

Harlequins today confirmed that Academy scrum-half Jordan Burns will join Greene King IPA Championship side Bedford Blues. The former sprinter, 21,...

Wales MUST hold onto Alun Wyn Jones warn Ospreys

Wales urged to secure the longer-term future of their ‘most valuable asset’

Leicester snap Dom Barrow from Newcastle

As revealed by Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper on June 7, Leicester Tigers have secured the services of second-row forward...

Semesa Rokoduguni in as David Strettle withdraws from England World Cup training squad

David Strettle has withdrawn from England‘s World Cup training squad and will be replaced by Bath‘s Semesa Rokoduguni. The 31-year-old wing,...

Inside this week’s edition of TRP

Another busy week in the world of rugby, another brilliant issue of The Rugby Paper! TRP will have all the action and...

England and Australia announce first ever three-Test series

England will play Australia in a first ever three-Test series between the teams Down Under in June 2016. The opening Test...

England unchanged for World Rugby U20s Championships final

England have named an unchanged squad for tomorrow’s World Rugby U20s Championships final against New Zealand in Italy. Following Monday’s 28-20...

Peter Jackson’s column: Signing up Kiwis and Boks mocks the rules

Exactly five years ago this coming Wednesday, in a football stadium where a local boy called Messi used to play, New...

Brendan Gallagher’s feature: Bionic Jacques Burger is on his last crusade

After the best part of ten months at the coal face on behalf of Premiership champions Saracens, Jacques Burger is taking...

Jeff Probyn’s column: Union right to ride roughshod over Leicester Tigers’ American dream

The question of who is running rugby in America came under the spotlight this week as Leicester Tigers were forced to...

Iain Grieve: RPA must do far more for us in tier two

Former Plymouth Albion captain believes it is imperative Championship players are properly represented by the RPA.

Do Team GB have the athletes to win gold?

Mike Friday warns Team GB that they need “to get their house in order” if they are to win a medal...

Room 101: Jason Forster – former Wales flanker

1. The Severn Bridge Toll I live in Newport but work for South Gloucestershire Council and it pains me to have...

Nick Cain’s column: Memo to Stuart Lancaster: Avoid the dwarves

The inexorable trend towards spin over substance in the running of the professional game reached new peaks this week. As part...

Shane Williams’ column: Jonathan Davies’ loss more disruptive than Manu Tuilagi’s

With fewer than 100 days until the World Cup, Stuart Lancaster will be far happier than Warren Gatland is right now...

Stuart Lancaster’s got a mess in midfield warns Dean Ryan    

England midfield remains the most urgent concern according to Worcester boss.

20 Questions: Marcus Watson – England Sevens

What a year for England Sevens? It’s been awesome even if it’s been up and down. The Olympic situation made it...

Bath and Wasps drawn in Champions Cup pool of death

Bath and Wasps will have to overcome Toulon and Leinster if they are to reach to the Champions Cup quarter-finals after...

Exeter sign St Helens star Josh Jones

Exeter Chiefs have switched codes to confirm their latest arrival ahead of next season in the person of St Helens star...

My Life in Rugby: Martin Hynes – former Orrell, Northampton and England prop

When I told Ed Morrison I was retiring from rugby to start my own pest control business his response was that...

England to host 2016 World Rugby U20s Championships

World Rugby and the RFU have today announced that the World Rugby U20 Championship 2016 will be held in Manchester, England....

England beat South Africa to reach World U20s final

England will defend their title against New Zealand in the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship having overcome South Africa...

Dream Team: Mark Lilley – London Scottish and former Bath and Bristol loosehead

1. Nathan Catt – Best prank caller I’ve ever worked with and a very good friend. Moved from back-row to prop...

If Manu Tuilagi needs a bodyguard on a night out he just has to ask, says Billy Vunipola

Manu Tuilagi deserves to be cut some slack, according to his England pal Billy Vunipola, who is backing the errant Leicester...

Peter Jackson: Bull-dozing Ross Moriarty may be Wales’ missing link

When Wales beat Australia in the World Cup for the first and only time, amid the geothermal geysers of Rotorua, their...

Brendan Gallagher: The 69-match journey to the World Cup

Nations Cup The tenth year of this competition and the ninth to be held in Bucharest. Only the inaugural tournament, in...

Newcastle to own Kingston Park again

Newcastle Rugby, the company that owns both Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Thunder, today confirmed the purchase for the freehold of Kingston...

Quiting never crossed my mind insists George North

George North has read some nasty stories about the effects of concussion over the past nine weeks – but not once...

VIDEO: All Blacks pay tribute to Jerry Collins with haka by side of the road

Five former All Blacks based in France paid an emotional tribute to Jerry Collins this morning. Neemia Tialata, Carl Hayman, Chris...

Jeff Probyn’s column: Stuart Lancaster’s left with more questions than answers

Well, well at last the bridesmaids have become the brides as Saracens stormed to victory last weekend in the Premiership final...

Nick Cain discusses the political dangers which are threatening Championship clubs

Chris Pennell’s superb two-try contribution to the thrilling 30-30 draw in the second-leg of the Championship final at Sixways on the...

Byron McGuigan agrees new Chiefs deal

Byron McGuigan has today agreed terms on a new one-year deal with Exeter Chiefs. The 25-year-old Namibian is the latest name...

England lose to France but progress to World U20s semis

England lost 30-18 to France in the their last pool game yesterday but they have made it through to the World...

Jon Fisher: Alex Corbisiero can prove doubters wrong, like me

Saints loosehead Corbisiero will leave no stone unturned in his bid to make the World Cup team.

Nick Cain’ column: George Ford still gets my England vote over Owen Farrell

Ford or Farrell? It was predictable that the meeting of two fly-halves who have been close friends since schooldays, and are...

Shane Williams’ column: Gentle giant Jerry Collins made Ospreys into true Galacticos

Jerry Collins was a typical south-sea islander – a monster on the pitch but a gentle giant off it. I remember...

Jeremy Guscott’s column: Get the scrum sorted or risk damaging our great product

This season as a whole has been very positive, and the attitude of teams in the Premiership will, hopefully, help to...

EXCLUSIVE: BT Sport set to showcase Championship rugby

By JON NEWCOMBE BT Sport are ready to add the Championship to their growing rugby portfolio. The broadcaster is said to...

Clown prince Joe Marler plays it seriously now

TRP sits down with the one and only Joe Marler.