“Henry Trinder can bridge that Manu Tuilagi gap,” say James Simpson-Daniel and Nigel Davies

Gloucester duo James Simpson-Daniel and Nigel Davies are convinced Henry Trinder is the man to fill Manu Tuilagi’s massive shoes this...

Young Gun: Sam Stuart – Harlequins scrum-half

After three anterior cruciate ligament injuries in as many years Sam Stuart is finally ready to start repaying the faith Harlequins...

2014 Autumn internationals announced

The RFU today confirmed that next year’s QBE Internationals will see England play four consecutive Test matches in November 2014 at...

Brendan Gallagher: Don’t let the big boys’ Euro row put an end to Treviso dream

While the ERC blazers, club representatives from England and France and TV executives squabble endlessly over the future of a European...

Nick Cain talks to Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns about his challenge for club and country

Freddie Burns is the sort of fly-half that scares the living daylights out of English coaches almost as much as he...

Ryan Lamb breaks hand in fight

On top of receiving a one-week ban yesterday, Ryan Lamb could be out for six weeks after breaking his hand in...

Rugby Championship round 6: preview

South Africa v New Zealand South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer believes his side can do the impossible and pip New Zealand...

James O’Connor released by ARU

James O’Connor has been released from his contract with the Australian Rugby Union, it was announced today. Three weeks after being...

Superman finds he’s outmuscled by Tom Croft

Aaron Penberthy knew he was in for something special when he ended his time with the Cornish Pirates to join upwardly...

20 Questions: Andy Goode – London Wasps fly-half

An ex-Leicester man at Wasps… how? I know. If you’d told me when I was playing for Leicester that I’d end...

20 Questions: Andy Goode – London Wasps fly-half

An ex-Leicester man at Wasps… how? I know. If you’d told me when I was playing for Leicester that I’d end...

Andrea Masi out for five months

London Wasps have suffered a huge blow as Andrea Masi will be sidelined for up to five months with a knee...

Lamb and Britton hit with bans after red cards

Ryan Lamb and Koree Britton have been suspended following their red cards in the Aviva ‘A’ League match between Gloucester and...

Nick Cain: These weakened teams undermine competition

There are occasions when it is hard to fathom the workings, and the culture, of the English Premiership. Why, at a...

Jeremy Guscott: Beware these danger men coming here in autumn

When South Africa beat Australia 28-8 on Saturday I was interested to see how their backlines would operate as a pointer...

Another injury blow for England?

England have suffered yet another injury concern ahead of the Autumn Series with the news that Dave Attwood could be out...

USA and Russia to meet at Allianz Park in November

The United States Eagles will play the Russian Bears at Allianz Park on Saturday, November 23 it was announced today. These...

Toulon in ‘illegal’ move for Leigh Halfpenny

European champions Toulon were at the centre of an illegal approach row last Saturday over a cheeky attempt to sign Leigh...

My Life in Rugby: Kevin Barrett – former Exeter, London Irish, Saracens and England Sevens scum-half

Making my 100th league appearance for Exeter Chiefs has to rank up there as one of the proudest achievements of my...

England Sevens name squad for Gold Coast tournament

Phil Burgess will make his HSBC World Series debut for England Sevens after being named in the squad that will travel...

Nigel Wray warns the IRB a Euro Cup veto would end in court

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray has warned that any attempt by the International Rugby Board to veto the proposed Rugby Champions Cup...

England Saxons to face Irish Wolfhounds at Kingsholm

England Saxons will face the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds at Kingsholm on Saturday, January 25 it was announced today.. The match will...

Dream Team: Simon Keogh – former Leinster, Harlequins and Ireland winger

1. Cian Healy – Absolute powerhouse. It feels like he has been around for years but is still just 25. Equally...

Mike Friday joins London Scottish as backs coach

As revealed in The Rugby Paper on Sunday by Neale Harvey, Mike Friday has joined London Scottish as backs coach for an...

London Wasps beef up backline options

London Wasps have beefed up their backline options with the arrival of USA international Andrew Suniula this week. Suniula’s arrival coincides...

Room 101: Aaron Liffchak – Rosslyn Park prop

1. Rubbish barber chat From childhood I have used the same barbers, but two years ago I moved to East London...

Aviva Premiership round 4: teams

Bath v London Irish Bath: Anthony Watson; Semesa Rokoduguni, Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond, Matt Banahan; George Ford, Peter Stringer; Paul James,...

VIDEO: Rob Buchanan and Schalk Brits preview Harlequins v Saracens

Harlequins hooker Rob Buchanan reckons it is going to be a massive occasion at The Stoop against the in-form team in...

Jeff Probyn: Money is not the root of all success in Europe

There’s an old saying which seems to be more and more fashionable in our game and that is, ‘money talks’. As...

Peter Jackson: Ignore all that ghostly talk, Phillips is a fixture

At the end of the Lions tour, Mike Phillips used his newspaper column to suggest that he might soon be calling...

RaboDirect Pro12 round 4: teams

Connacht v Ospreys Connacht: Gavin Duffy; Danie Poolman, Robbie Henshaw, Eoin Griffin, Matt Healy; Craig Ronaldson, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Sean...

Greene King IPA Championship round 3: teams

Bedford v Leeds Carnegie Bedford: Mark Atkinson; Corey Hircock, Brendan Burke, Ollie Dodgem Neville Edwards; Mike Le Bourgeois, Luke Baldwin; Nico...

Faith of Saints puts Luther Burrell on fast-track to Twickenham

Saints centre Luther Burrell believes the faith being shown in him by Northampton’s coaching staff is benefitting his game massively.

Young Gun: George Catchpole – Leicester back

North Walsham is a famed breeding ground for Leicester Tigers but it was two of their Lions that inspired centre George...

Tom Mitchell: Welcome behind the scenes of England Sevens

For a lucky few of us an endless summer is about to start. The HSBC World Sevens Series commences in three...

Brendan Gallagher: At last, John Dawes gets his rightful recognition

Why is ‘legendary’ status conferred on some outstanding rugby personalities but denied others? Who decides these things and how? Does the...

Nick Cain talks to Bath’s Dave Attwood about his second coming for England

Dave Attwood has that combination of brains as well as brawn that is a treasured commodity in most sports, but in...

Manu Tuilagi avoids surgery on torn pectoral muscle

Manu Tuilagi will miss England‘s Autumn Tests in November after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. The Leicester and England centre, who sustained...

Alain Rolland to hang up the whistle

Irish international referee Alain Rolland will retire from refereeing at the end of the 2013/2014 season. Rolland, 47, who also played...

Rugby Championship round 5: preview

Argentina v New Zealand Argentina have made six changes for their clash against  New Zealand in La Plata on Saturday. After...

Worcester sign Argentine lock Mariano Galarza

Worcester have bolstered their pack with the signing of Argentina international Mariano Galarza. The lock, who has been capped 18 times...

“I’d say No to England if they called,” says James Simpson-Daniel

James Simpson-Daniel believes he would turn England down if Stuart Lancaster came calling, even if the national side was ravaged by...

Nick Cain: Heineken war could harm World Cup 2015

The battle lines have been drawn around the Heineken Cup – or the territory it once occupied – and there is...

Jeremy Guscott: Billy’s the boy for England No.12 spot inside Tuilagi

With Brad Barritt picking up an injury early in the season it looks as though the England No.12 shirt will be...

New coffee-shop owner Chris Robshaw determined not to become a has-bean

For Chris Robshaw, the coffee entrepreneur, it’s a case of better latte than never.

Free Season Guide to the Greene King IPA Championship

The Rugby Paper, the UK’s leading Rugby publication have produced a FREE guide for the current season covering the Green King IPA...

20 Questions: Jebb Sinclair – London Irish flanker

Had an interesting summer? It’s been busy. I played six games for Canada, helping us qualify for the World Cup against...

My Life in Rugby: Andy Long – former Bath, Munster, Northampton & England hooker

I am very, very proud of my England debut in 1997 and what it meant to me and my family, but...

Welsh clubs in talks over Heineken breakaway

Two Welsh regions have declared their interest in joining the new Europe under Anglo-French direction from next season. PRL chief executive...

England and Canterbury unveil new alternate kit

Canterbury and the RFU have revealed the brand new red and white striped ‘1871’ collection, featured alongside the alternate kit for...