Virtual Field: How Computer Games Are Popularizing Rugby Among New Generations

Rugby, a sport with deep traditions and roots in certain regions, has faced challenges in becoming a global phenomenon. Unlike mainstream...

Antoine Dupont headlines our five key talking points from the weekend

By Charlie Elliott From Antoine Dupont’s ridiculous try-assist to newcomers announcing themselves and familiar faces returning in South Africa, this weekend has...

Chasing Big Wins: Online Casinos Revolutionise Jackpot Opportunities

In the thrilling world of online casinos, the allure of chasing big wins is more captivating than ever. As technology advances,...

Why 80% of Players Use Casino Bonuses

In the competitive world of online gambling, the latest no deposit casino bonuses UK offers stand out as a major attraction...

Gallagher Premiership Team of the Week: Alex Lozowski, Fitz Harding and Elliot Daly shine

By Charlie Elliott Fantastic finishing from Fitz Harding, Alex Lozowski’s impeccable kicking and a vintage Elliot Daly performance were the standouts in the Gallagher Premiership. ...

Six Nations Sides To Trial New Rules Before Grand Slam 

The 2024 Autumn Internationals will kick off in November, with the Southern Hemisphere sides visiting the North.  As fans look out...

Steve Borthwick: We need to build a fortress

By Adam Hathaway Steve Borthwick has urged his England to pick up the winning habit and turn Twickenham into a fortress...

Newcastle Falcons end losing run

By Paul Rees Newcastle Falcons finally brought their 25-match losing run to an end with a victory in their battle of...

Rivals driving me on – Tommy Reffell

By Simon Thomas Tommy Reffell says he is being driven on by the competition for the Wales No.7 jersey with Jac...

Nick Isiekwe finds sense of direction

By Adam Hathaway Nick Isiekwe insists the new spirit of co-operation between club and country can help him take the next...

20-minute red gets go-ahead

Referees will have the option to show a 20-minute red card during the autumn internationals. Teams will lose a player for...

Gabriel Ibitoye can go to the next level, says Pat Lam

By Mark Stevens Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam believes in-form winger Gabriel Ibitoye is capable of playing at the next...

Gareth Davies calls time on Test career

Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies, 34, has announced his retirement from international rugby. The Scarlets half-back won 77 Wales caps and toured...

Alex Sanderson: George Ford wants to be a player, not a coach

By Jon Newcombe George Ford returns to training next week but it has come too late for him to be included...

Ollie Lawrence happy to move in at No.12

By Paul Rees A play called The Fear of 13 opened in London to five-star reviews last week, but it is...

Red Roses march on

England will face Australia, USA, and Samoa in the pool stages of next year’s World Cup. The Red Roses, who are...

Northampton Saints won’t rush Alex Mitchell

By Paul Rees Northampton will not rush Alex Mitchell back into action despite missing the injured England No.9 in the opening...

Restoration of trio cannot be justified

IT appears to me that the authorities at the RFU have lost their moral and ethical compass in inviting these three...

Thanks, Jeff, your piece was spot on

THE main purpose of this letter is to thank you for your existence and quality. I used to play from 11...

Figures don’t add up

IN his column in a recent edition of The Rugby Paper, Peter Jackson states that the RFU are set to earn...

Return of the big clubs has my vote

I UNDERSTAND the arguments against offering an olive branch to the three ‘Phoenix clubs’, as detailed in Nick Cain’s column last...

Are we watching Quins Reserves?

Ace: Harlequins’ U20 World Championship-winning centre Sean Kerr starred for London Scottish last week PICTURE: Getty Images I’M sure the London...

I’d have included Butler in the mix

REALLY enjoyed Brendan Gallagher’s article. As a former player in the Sixties, Seventies and early Eighties, I was fortunate to play...

Laws made a difference

I VERY much enjoyed reading the article on how positions have changed over the last 50 years. It would be interesting...

Dream Team – Scott Sio

SCOTT SIO, THE EXETER CHIEFS AND FORMER AUSTRALIA AND BRUMBIES PROP, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE’S PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST... Forwards...

All Blacks will have to be at their best against England

By Jeremy Guscott - Outspoken and unmissable, every week... In some ways the New Zealand system means that they are not...

Saracens go top in last-minute drama

By Paul Rees Bristol Bears ................... 35pts Tries: Harding 2, 35, 41; Randall 18, Fricker 43 Conversions: MacGinty 36, 42 Penalties:...

Mark McCall: I can’t recall win like that

Mark McCall has been in charge of Saracens for 13 years but admitted he had never experienced a victory like yesterday’s....

Francois van Wyk late show steals it for Bath

By Brendan Gallagher Harlequins ....................... 24pts Tries: Dombrandt 6, Isgro 16, 37 Conversions: Smith 7, 17, 38 Penalty: Smith 61 Bath...

Johann van Graan: That was a match of quality

Bath head coach Johann van Graan was impressed with what he saw. “What a rugby game,” he said. “A very high-quality...

Versatile Tommy Freeman in control for Northampton Saints

By Adam Hathaway Northampton Saints ..... 47pts Tries: Freeman 3, Furbank 7, Sleightholme 20, 26; James 23, Hendy 36, Ramm 60...

Alex Sanderson: You can’t play loose against an angry team

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson feared his side would face a Northampton backlash after their defeat to Leicester and he...

At last! Newcastle Falcons end record losing streak

By Luke Jarmyn Newcastle ........................ 24pts Tries: van der Walt 17, Blamire 29, 54 Conversions: Grayson 18, 30, 55 Drop goal:...

Rob Baxter: We are missing a little belief

Exeter boss Rob Baxter looked perplexed after seeing his side suffer the ignominy of falling to the basement boys of the...

No rest for Leicester Tigers as Michael Cheika puts foot down

By Adam Hathaway Match Preview Leicester v Gloucester Today. Kick-off 3pm, Welford Road Leicester boss Michael Cheika has shelved thoughts of...

Caolan Englefield: We need to be more aggressive in defence

By Gary Fitzgerald Caolan Englefield remains confident Gloucester can plug sufficient holes in their leaky defence to stun the Tigers again...

Time for England to walk the walk

By Nick Cain Right here, right now, English rugby union craves forward momentum. It needs something to knock the negatives surrounding...

Brave Will Green does game huge service

Will Green is owed a significant debt by rugby union in England – and further afield – for his courage and...

I’m calmer than I’ve ever been – Beno Obano

By Jon Newcombe Beno Obano has credited the calming influence of Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan for one of...

Robbie Smith determined to be in contention for Scotland

By Paul Rees Robbie Smith’s patience paid off in the summer when he made his debut for Scotland and the Northampton...

It would be grand for Wasps to return

By Chris Hewett - Thinking Allowed Prize assets: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and, inset from top, Tom Willis, Gabriel Oghre, Alfie Barbeary, Asher...

Trouble in store for the All Blacks at No.7

It's an old joke, with a touch of truth about it. When an England supporter on tour in New Zealand pops...

Dragons fall to Benetton as they run out of puff

By Roger Panting Dragons ............. 21pts Tries: Westwood 27, Evans 50, Lewis-Hughes 73 Conversions: Evans 27, 50; O’Brien 74 Benetton ..............

Jacob Stockdale at the double as Ulster put Ospreys away

By John Fallon Ulster ................36pts Tries: McCormick 5, 52, Stockdale 10, 65, Marcus Rea 32, Penalty 24 Conversions: Cooney 33, Doak...

Scarlets on fire to send the Bulls to first defeat

By Simon Thomas Scarlets ............................ 23pts Tries: Macleod 11, Murray 41, Rogers 72 Conversion: Lloyd 12 Penalties: Lloyd 40, 52 Bulls.......................................

Scottish stars prove their worth for Edinburgh

By Bryn Palmer Edinburgh .........27pts Tries: Van der Merwe 46, Schoeman 60, Graham 64, Ashman 79 Conversions: Thompson 47, 79 Penalties:...

Glasgow’s salvage mission

Sharks .............28 Glasgow ......... 24 ■By BRYN PALMER GLASGOW salvaged two losing bonus points with two tries in the final two...

Snyman shows who’s boss

Connacht ........ 12 Leinster ...........33 ■ By JOHN FALLON RG SNYMAN again showed his class as an understrength Leinster side proved...

Munster facing tough test

Stormers ........ 34 Munster .......... 19 ■ By KEVIN FALLON MUNSTER have a huge game on their hands next week against...

Zebre ……………… 9 Lions ……………. 10

THE Lions continued their unbeaten start to the season by edging Zebre in a rain-soaked tight affair. Ivan van Rooyen’s side...