U20s Six Nations preview: Saracens wing Noah Caluori looks to get party started for England

England head coach Andy Titterrell believes the Prem’s top try scorer Noah Caluori can use the U20s Six Nations as another...

SQUADS

ENGLAND Forwards: Oliver Scola, Oliver Spencer, Jimmy Staples, Kealan Freeman-Price, Jerold Gorleku, Ollie Streeter, Sonny Tonga’uiha, Harry Wright, Elliot Williams, Dylan...

Recovery is all that matters for Atonio

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN SOMETIMES, this game of rugby that we follow, that we love, that exults and frustrates us in...

Forthcoming fixtures

Week beginning Sunday, February 1, 2026 It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs ... Continue reading......

Cardiff’s arm-wrestling first Dan

■ By SIMON THOMAS DAN Thomas is one busy man both on and off the field. When it comes to his...

Red Bulls are buzzing now, says Robinson

■By BEN JAYCOCK FORMER Newcastle lock Sean Robinson has been blown away by the direction his old club are heading in...

Henry heads to Newcastle

On the move: Stade Francais fly-half Zack Henry and, inset, left to right, Will Rigg, George Turner, Max Hicks and Joji...

Christmas break came at right time – Muir

■ By BEN JAYCOCK ENGLAND and Gloucester-Hartpury prop Maud Muir admits the Christmas break came at the perfect time after the...

The last five winners of the Six Nations

The 2026 Six Nations is on the horizon, and the prestigious Rugby Union tournament is already surrounded by intrigue and potential...

Six Nations: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell faces injury crisis and discipline woes

Ireland’s bid for Grand Slam glory this Six Nations will be impeded two-fold this year as Andy Farrell juggles a brace...

New Rugby Paper Roundup: Life inside one of rugby’s most prestigious families ft Carwyn Tuipulotu

In this week’s episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Pau No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu to...

Hugo Keenan out of Six Nations opener as Ireland’s injury list continues to grow

Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions series winner Hugo Keenan has fractured his thumb in training, which excludes him from...

Ireland star Bundee Aki dropped from Six Nations opener

Connacht and Ireland Centre Bundee Aki has been dropped from the Ireland Six Nations squad to face France on Thursday next...

Crunch Time: The Effect of Rotation on Depth Players in Close Games

Modern rugby is defined by the strategic impact of bench players during tight matches. Coaches manage player fatigue while preserving the...

Uini Atonio retires in a seismic blow to France ahead of Six Nations

France’s Six Nations preparations have been dealt a devastating blow after Uini Atonio was forced to retire with immediate effect following...

Why England need to prove they have class, not just form ahead of the Six Nations

When Steve Borthwick took the England head coach role from Eddie Jones, the Red Rose were not in a good position.

Launch of Fresh Online Casino Guide for South Africa 2026

SouthAfricanCasinos.co.za, the leading gambling guide for South Africans that has been operating since 2003, has published its refreshed 2026 online casino...

World Rugby Nations Cup 2026: What It Is, Who’s In, and What to Expect

International rugby is about to get a new, more structured “middle tier” storyline. The World Rugby Nations Cup launches in 2026...

Key Players to Watch in the 2026 Rugby Calendar

Rugby in 2026 won’t give anyone the luxury of a long run-up. The Six Nations begins on February 5 and finishes...

Betting.za.com Publishes its 2026 Guide to Online Betting in South Africa

Betting.za.com, South Africa’s leading source for legal online betting information, has released its 2026 update aimed at helping local punters find...

Six Nations preview: France v Ireland – Why this opener could determine who takes the crown

Rugby clubs, pubs and sitting rooms across six countries will find themselves far busier than usual next Thursday when France hosts...

Jeremy Guscott: A fit Fin Smith gets my vote for the No.10 role with England

England’s 9-10 combination of Alex Mitchell and George Ford were at the heart of a strong Autumn series in which they...

Steve Borthwick urges his England superstars to be a team ahead of Six Nations

Steve Borthwick has told his young guns that putting a first Six Nations title for six years ahead of personal fame...

Ospreys players angered after being ‘left in the dark’ over WRU Cardiff talks

The Ospreys were informed last week that the region’s owners, Y11 Sport & Media, are in talks over a potential purchase...

Scarlets 27-22 Ulster: Ellis Mee grabs his chance to steal it for the Welsh side

Ellis Mee celebrated his selection in Wales’ Six Nations squad with a superb match-winning try for the Scarlets against Ulster in...

Paul Rees: All Blacks on the hunt for a redeemer like Rassie Erasmus

Paul Rees looks at the problems facing New Zealand rugby and why that led to Scott Robertson's dismissal.

Paul Williams: At last we can see signs of stability for Steve Tandy’s Wales

Have you ever had someone try to tell you something really important? But instead of taking in that information, you’re instead...

Bedford Blues 38-31 Coventry: Blues are on song to edge past their rivals

Bedford Blues maintained their impressive home record with a come-from-behind victory over their oldest rivals Coventry, in one of the standout...

Saracens 73-14 Newcastle Red Bulls: Noah Caluori on a rampage to fire up Sarries

Saracens wonder-kid Noah Caluori regained his place at the top of the try scoring charts as the north Londoners put Mark...

Chris Hewett: South Africans must go big – or go home

We cannot know for sure – when it comes to honouring rugby’s code of inner-sanctum omerta, the Bulls of Pretoria have...

Harlequins 7-34 Leicester Tigers: Jack van Poortvliet shines as Quins crash again

Geoff Parling hopes the latest injury to Jack van Poortvliet is nothing for Leicester Tigers or England to worry about after...

Nick Cain: The Grand Slam is within reach for England

Steve Borthwick’s ship is steady as she goes as England focus on winning a Six Nations Grand Slam for the first...

Gloucester 26-30 Bath: Atkinson double act gives champions a real test

It wasn’t the win that Gloucester badly need but it was, perhaps, the performance to galvanise their season as George Skivington’s...

Sale Sharks 29-43 Northampton Saints: Phil Dowson’s men in a rush to reclaim top spot

On this evidence, it will take a special team to stop Northampton Saints going all the way this season.

Exeter Chiefs 3-8 Bristol Bears: Visitors ride out the storm in a battle of survival

A turbulent West Country weekend delivered two storms in quick succession: the first named Ingrid, the second wearing Bristol Bears shirts.

Noah Caluori is hoping to follow in Henry Pollock’s footsteps for England

Noah Caluori relished his first experience with the England senior team and wants more of where that came from despite being...

After 15 years, Mark McCall decides to call it a day at Saracens

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall will step down at the end of the season after 15 years at the helm.

Bryn Bradley: I’m aiming to make a big impact for Harlequins and eventually Wales

Bryn Bradley is the big physical centre Wales need, but the 6ft 4ins, 17st midfielder will not get closer to their...

Newcastle boss Alan Dickens admits uncertainty over his future amid Red Bull rebuild

Newcastle Red Bulls’ blizzard of signings for next season means a number of players will be looking for a new club.

Four-try Caluori is flying high for Saracens

The 19-year-old winger was in scintillating form as Mark McCall’s men demolished Newcastle yesterday PICTURE: Getty Images Match action - starts...

Saints go back to Prem summit

■ By BEN JAYCOCK NORTHAMPTON Saints reclaimed top spot in the Prem with a thrilling 43–29 win over Sale in an...

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Follow us at: @therugbypaper Follow us at: therugbypaper Follow us at: @therugbypaper Keep in touch with The Rugby Paper wherever you...

Dupont returns but no Penaud

FRANCE’S all-time top try-scorer Damian Penaud is a shock omission from the defending champions’ Six Nations squad ahead of their opener...

Teenager Todaro wins his chance

NORTHAMPTON winger Edoardo Todaro, 19, has been named in Itay’s Six Nations squad, looking to earn his second cap off the...

Ulster skipper Iain Henderson is left out of Ireland squad but Andy Farrell remains confident

Ulster captain Iain Henderson has been left out of Ireland’s squad for the Six Nations. The second row, 33, made his...

Gray and Cherry to add grunt up front

GREGOR Townsend has recalled experienced pair Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry to the Scotland squad, while there are places for young...

Tandy recalls Francis in his first 6N squad

TIGHT-HEAD Tomas Francis retuns to the Wales squad having not played international rugby since the 2023 World Cup. Coach Steve Tandy...

Baxter: We were hurt by mistakes

ROB Baxter was left to rue a handful of costly mistakes as Exeter saw their long-standing unbeaten home record tumble. “It...

Play-off hopes are over – coach

ALEX Sanderson surveyed the wreckage of Sale’s home thumping and admitted: “The play-offs have gone.” Realistically the Sharks had to win...

Small margins cost us the win, says coach Skivington

GLOUCESTER director of rugby George Skivington said his players should hold their heads high but pointed to a few key moments...