Championship winners must go up says chairman Geoff Irvine

Championship clubs’ chairman Geoff Irvine, right, says their Premiership counterparts need worry about only one thing – to avoid finishing bottom...

Bath’s Francois Louw gets South Africa call

Bath flanker Francois Louw will miss at least the first three rounds of the Premiership season after he was called up...

Nick Cain: Packer-style circus is real threat to rugby

There has been a recurrent message doing the rounds since the 2011 World Cup which the existing rugby establishment, based on...

Nick Cain talks to bath boss Gary Gold about reviving a once-champion club

Gary Gold is cagey when he considers the question of the quality he has found at Bath in terms of squad,...

Alex Gray hopes fast start can earn green light at London Irish

London Irish No.8 Alex Gray is hoping for ‘second season syndrome’ in reverse as he looks to put a disappointing first...

Haughton moves across The Channel

As revealed in The Rugby Paper, full-back Richard Haughton joined Perpignan on a six-month deal as a medical joker for Sofiane...

Premiership preview (4 days to go): Worcester, London Wasps, London Welsh

With the start of the Aviva Premiership only four days away, we take a look at what lays ahead for the...

Twickenham’s debenture holders in World Cup row

Twickenham debenture holders are furious that they will not be guaranteed seats at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Chief executive Ian...

My Life in Rugby: Thom Evans – Former Scotland, Glasgow and Wasps wing

Everything was going so well in my rugby career but all that ended when I broke my neck against Wales in...

Oakley joins Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints have signed former Wales international back row Rhys Oakley. The 31-year-old has impressed Jim Mallender while on trial with...

French duo strengthen London Welsh front row

As revealed in The Rugby Paper on Sunday, London Welsh have strengthened their front row with the signings of Bourgoin duo...

“I’m more than just a fast mover,” says Wasps winger Christian Wade

Wasps winger Christian Wade is sick of being labelled simply a speed merchant and is determined to prove he has more...

Peter Jackson: Forgotten Dwayne finds new ally in Cips

At a suburban training centre where Manchester City’s multi-millionaires cruise around in their limousines, two international misfits are preparing to take...

British and Irish Lions eye Leinster’s Joe Schmidt as Gatland back-up

The Lions are to consider a second New Zealand contender for next year’s three-Test series in Australia – Leinster head coach...

Major set back for Drew Mitchell

Australia’s Drew Mitchell faces a new lengthy spell on the sidelines after the Waratahs winger ruptured a tendon in his right...

Dream Team: Hugo Ellis – Rosslyn Park and former Dragons No.8

1. Alex Corbisiero – Has an incredible appetite for hard work and is a great scrummager. He thoroughly deserves the rise...

Rugby Championship review: Who will stop the All Blacks?

As the first two rounds of the Rugby Championship drew to an end on Saturday night, we take a look at...

Irish sign John Ryan on loan

London Irish have signed Munster prop John Ryan on a short term loan as cover for the front row. The 23-year-old...

Moment in Time: Saracens and the 1998 Tetley Bitter Cup final

Emotion is an oft-used word in rugby, but this is a day that sticks in the minds of Saracens people on...

Jeff Probyn: Ritchie review could finally grasp that contract nettle

The end of a spectacular Olympics where our athletes won 65 medals including 29 gold (and we’ve still got the Paralympics...

Six weeks for Gavin Henson

Gavin Henson will be sidelined for 6 weeks after suffering a minor fracture to his cheekbone. The injury happened in last...

Argentina draw in historic match against South Africa

Argentina had to concede an unlucky 16-16 draw against South Africa for their first ever home game of the Rugby Championship...

Suspected broken cheek bone for Henson

Gavin Henson suffered a suspected broken cheek bone in London Welsh‘s defeat to the Scarlets earlier this afternoon. He was stretched...

Pre-season friendly games results

Most of the teams were playing friendly games a week away from the start of the season. Here are some of...

New Zealand 22 Australia 0

New Zealand have retained the Bledisloe Cup with a convincing 22-0 over the Wallabies in Auckland for the second round of...

Scarlets sign Adriaanse

The Scarlets have finalised contracts with South African tight head prop Jacobie Adriaanse for the next three years adding more strength...

Pre-season friendlies: results

With just a week to go before the start of the season, a string of pre-season friendlies took place tonight. Here...

Saracens Andy Saull working to build same power as Jacques Burger

English rugby has been crying out for a classic openside who can link play in the loose, turn over the ball...

Leicester v Nottingham: teams

Leicester Tigers have announced their squads for tomorrow’s friendly at Welford Road (KO 3pm). New signings Rob Andrew, Richard Thorpe, Pat...

Saints terminate Sharman’s contract

Brett Sharman has been released by Northampton a day after his club announced it would be taking disciplinary action against him...

Scarlets v Welsh: teams

The Scarlets and London Welsh have announced their team for the first ever fixture between the two teams. New signings Kristian Philips...

Gloucester v Doncaster: teams

Gloucester and Doncaster have both named what looks like their strongest side for their final warm-up game before the start of...

Falcons have strength in depth to make a quick return says Glen Delaney

With the honourable exception of Bedford’s Mike Rayer, there is no coach with more experience of English rugby’s second tier than...

Howlett named Munster captain

Munster announced today that Doug Howlett will captain the Irish side for the coming season. The 33-year-old takes over from Paul...

Scotland’s Hogg out for two months

Glasgow Warrior Stuart Hogg is set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after the Scotland full-back underwent surgery on...

Lions agree to Gatland’s two-week release

British and Irish Lions coach to be Warren Gatland has revealed that he agreed to terms with the Lions and will...

Sanchez replaces the injured Hernandez

Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Nicolas Sanchez has been drafted in Argentina‘s staring line-up to gace South Africa tomorrow following the injury to Juan...

New Exeter signing Ian Whitten is out to prove he’s not just a stop-gap

Ian Whitten spent last season stepping in whenever needed at Ulster – now at Exeter he intends to make himself part...

Glasgow 6 Exeter Chiefs 15

Exeter have secured a 15-6 over Glasgow in Ayr for their last pre-season game before the start of their Premiership campaign...

ERC “dismayed” over Anglo-French threats.

As exclusively revealed by Peter Jackson in The Rugby Paper on May 6th, English and French clubs have given an ultimatum...

Watch out, London Irish Topsy Ojo warns Chris Ashton

Topsy Ojo said he had unfinished business with England as he warned wing rival Chris Ashton: “I’m after your place!” Four...

Young Gun: Tom Baldwin – Bath flanker

A double try-scoring performance in only his fourth senior rugby game set Bath‘s Tom Baldwin’s career off on the right foot...

Ulster v Newcastle: teams

After impressive performances against Leicester last Saturday, Jared Payne, Michael Allen and Chris Farell retain their starting positions in the Ulster...

Cipriani handed first Sharks start

Danny Cipriani will start the for the first time in the Sale Sharks jersey when they face Leinster in their new...

Two more years for Quins’ Dickson

Harlequins scrum-half Karl Dickson has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the Premiership champions until the end...

Gloucester announce Fiji fixture in November

Gloucester have confirmed that Fiji will face the Cherry and Whites at Kingsholm on Tuesday, November 13. The likes of Australia,...

New Zealand v Australia preview: Cooper returns, Beale out

Mercurial fly-half Quade Cooper has been named in Australia‘s starting XV for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Auckland....

Argentina v South Africa preview: Hernandez out of historic match

Juan Martin Hernandez will miss the historic fixture in Mendoza after he had to withdraw with a groin injury suffered at...

Wales’ captain Sam Warburton on starting blocks for Lions tour

Last year Sam Warburton got the needle – now he is aiming for an injury-free season to fulfil his Lions dream....

Jeremy Guscott: New slimline Banahan can be lethal but has to stay fit

Matt Banahan came onto the scene in a big way four seasons ago for a number of reasons – the first...