S4, E18: Maro Itoje England captaincy reaction and Niko Matawalu madness

Join Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett for this week’s Rugby Paper Podcast edition, recorded just half an hour after...

Legendary Sports Comebacks: Moments That Defined Resilience

Sports have an unmatched ability to showcase the triumph of the human spirit. Among the most memorable moments are incredible comebacks...

Maro Itoje replaces Jamie George as England captain for Six Nations

Maro Itoje will lead England into the upcoming Guinness Six Nations after replacing Jamie George as captain. George has been in...

When Was the Last Time Each Team Won the Six Nations?

The Six Nations Championship has long been Europe’s premier rugby tournament, and in a matter of weeks, the action gets underway...

How iGaming Operators Are Ensuring Transparency with Provably Fair Games

In the rapidly expanding world of online gaming, transparency and trust have become key factors for players when choosing a platform...

The Connection Between Online Gaming and Cryptocurrency

You’ve probably noticed how online gaming has become incredibly popular lately. With technology advancing at breakneck speed, gaming experiences are getting...

Teddy Thomas reflects on career success, fatherhood

Lifting the most prestigious European competitions within rugby is only achieved by a small percentage despite the countless number of children...

Philippe Saint-Andre challenges Sale Sharks to win something

Philippe Saint-Andre has assessed Sale’s title prospects and declared: "It’s about time they won something again."

Handre Pollard: Argentina will test Steve Borthwick’s England

England have been warned to expect “tough battles” when they enter the backyard of the Pumas later this year.

Newcastle Falcons to open player contract talks despite relegation worry

Steve Diamond is set to start contract talks this week with players he wants to retain, although the threat of relegation...

Bill Sweeney facing SGM following Six Nations

The RFU will hold a special general meeting after the men’s Six Nations with chief executive Bill Sweeney facing demands for...

‘Je ne regrette rien’: Lewis Ludlam loving life at Toulon

Lewis Ludlam insists he will return to Northampton one day but has no regrets about leaving the town or England behind...

Sam Underhill to undergo surgery and miss Six Nations

England flanker Sam Underhill is an injury doubt for the Six Nations after Bath announced that he requires ankle surgery.

New signing Regan Grace out to seize his chance at Cardiff

Cardiff have revealed how the signing of Regan Grace was made possible by an injury to one of their Wales stars.

Jack Singleton on breaking into the England set-up, again

Much time has passed since Jack Singleton's leg break sustained against Northampton two years ago and the hooker is looking to...

James Ramm: Player rivalry is pushing Northampton to success

James Ramm believes the rivalry among Northampton’s backs off the field can help inspire the club to more silverware on it.

Sorry, Nick, but it’s different in France

NICK Cain has spent several issues arguing the case for promotion from the Championship and made an unfavourable comparison with French...

No room for Gerald

PETER Jackson’s excellent tribute to rugby’s latest knight in last week’s paper gave rise to the thought: Would Gerald Davies get...

Flag of inconvenience

I AM glad to see the authorities have finally caught up with Kirill Gotovtsev and the Russian flag that has been...

Is Bill Beaumont the right man for the job?

Rugby Union’s dire inability to handle the crisis threatening a great sport’s future is reflected in Sir Bill Beaumont’s hasty appointment...

Dream Team – Matt Corker

MATT CORKER, THE CANTERBURY HEAD COACH AND FORMER WASPS, LONDON WELSH & RICHMOND PLAYER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED...

Jeremy Guscott: Four changes to fire up England

Whoever makes the England Six Nations squad, to be announced on Tuesday by Steve Borthwick, I cannot imagine much in the...

Stade Francais 45-35 Northampton Saints: Henry Pollock power show can’t rescue Saints

By Adam Hathaway at Stade Jean Bouin Stade Francais- 45 Tries: Dakuwaqa 22, Van der Mescht 29, Tanga 40+2, 57, Penalty...

Phil Dowson: Henry Pollock is ready for England

Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson insists Henry Pollock is ready for an England call-up if it comes on Tuesday when their...

Rampant Stormers too good for Sharks

By LUKE JARMYN Stormers ……………………… 40pts Sale ………………………………… 0pts Tries: Schickerling 21, Libbok 25, Sithole 45, Gelant 54, De Wet 63,...

Alex Sanderson – We were taught a lesson

Alex Sanderson said his Sale side will “own it” after suffering their biggest defeat in 15 months. It’s the first time...

Munster 17-12 Saracens: Saracens miss out but still in contention

Saracens – high in effort, determination and ticker but low in poise, finesse and attacking nous – missed a golden opportunity...

“We’re in good shape to take on Northampton” , says Tadhg Beirne

Star man Tadhg Beirne wants Munster to take this form into the clash at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday to secure a...

11-try blitz as Chiefs suffer record defeat

By MARK STEVENS Exeter Chiefs ................... 17pts Tries: Brown-Bampoe 8, 48, Hammersley 70 Conversion: Slade 49 Bordeaux Begles ........... 69pts Tries:...

Baxter: It looks like a bit of a stuffing

EXETER director of rugby Rob Baxter could not hide his disappointment after watching his side slip to a record Champions Cup...

Glasgow Warriors 29-19 Racing 92: Sione Tuipulotu helps set up Harlequins showdown

Glasgow will head to Harlequins on Saturday on a mission to avenge last year’s round-of-16 loss and seal their first home...

Leicester Tigers 38-10 Ulster: Josh Bassett shines to make sure for Leicester

Josh Bassett warmed the hands and hearts of the Welford Road faithful with a fine hat-trick as Tigers cruised into the...

Sharks 8-20 Toulouse: Toulouse on easy street as the sun beats down

This match proved more of a damp squib rather than a tournament classic as reigning champions Toulouse showcased their class by...

Stade Rochelais v Leinster: Leinster aiming to cash in on Will Skelton’s absence

Leinster and La Rochelle, the 2022 and 2023 finalists, continue their epic rivalry today with both sides unbeaten in this year’s...

Castres in good shape but Bulls fade away

■ By TOM WALKER Castres ............ 49 Bulls .................. 10 A SECOND-STRING Bulls were all but eliminated from the Champions Cup...

Bristol Bears v Benetton: James Williams out to prove his worth again

James Williams saw off the challenge of Virimi Vakatawa last season and having recovered from a shoulder injury now has the...

This match will be tough – it’s do-or-die for us, says Lam

■ By PAUL REES PAT Lam has billed Bristol’s clash with Treviso at Ashton Gate today as do or die. Defeat...

Ollie Lawrence’s play-acting was shameful to watch

Ollie Lawrence’s sham injury in the closing minutes of a knife-edge finish between Northampton and Bath at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend...

We don’t need platitudes, we need to see change

The RFU’s U-turn on Friday in agreeing to an SGM, just 24-hour’s after rejecting the Thursday’s submission representing 152 clubs across...

Bath v Clermont: Joe Cokanasiga- “It is all down to chatting to the boss”

Joe Cokanasiga has credited a frank conversation with head of rugby Johann van Graan for his purple patch of form for...

We know this is a must-win match, admits van Graan

Return: Bath’s Ted Hill BATH make five changes as they look to kickstart their Champions Cup campaign against Clermont Auvergne. England...

Toulon v Harlequins: We’re expecting a brutal clash, admits Chisholm

James Chisholm admits he is not one of the flashier players who wear the Harlequins’ multi-coloured jersey, but the back rower...

Wilson: We have a good record and won’t be overawed

■ By PAUL REES DANNY Wilson says Harlequins will not be overawed when they face Toulon at Stade Mayol today having...

Cardiff still in running after taking bonus point

■ By SIMON THOMAS Perpignan .........23pts Tries: Allan 40, Veredamu 50, Velarte 61 Conversion: Allan 40 Penalties: Allan 4, 48 Cardiff...

Fit-again Harri in line for debut

■ By BEN JAYCOCK Preview Dragons v Pau Today. 3.15pm PROMISING youngster Harri Ackerman will make his first Dragons start today...

Double for Walsh puts Ospreys in charge

■ By ROGER PANTING Ospreys ...............35pts Tries: Walsh 15, 64; Parry 26, Kasende 30, Hardy 68 Conversions: Edwards 15, 26, 30,...

Gloucester take the easy route to cruise past Scarlets

■ By ROGER PANTING Gloucester ....... 31pts Tries: Englefield 4, Clement 17, Barton 31, Blake 50, Wade 73 Conversions: Carreras 4,...

Connacht find target thanks to Murphy

■By BENEDICT GOLDFINCH Connacht ..........52pts Tries: Murphy 2, 39, 46; Jansen 15, Bealham 18, Murphy 42, Aungier 54, Tierney-Martin 73, Hurley-Langton...

Montpellier ..28 Lions ……………… 5

FORMER England and Exeter Chiefs No.8 Sam Simmonds scored a late try as unbeaten Montpellier comfortably brushed off the Lions to...

Cheetahs v Zebre Today. 1pm

Preview CHEETAHS will look to keep their hopes of qualifying for the play-offs alive today against fellow winless outfit Zebre. Following...