Premiership weekly previews: Round 5

With World Cup stars returning and almost a quarter of the season now completed, the Premiership is already entering a crucial...

Series 3, Episode 16: Mark Evans on RWC format shake-up and World League introduction

In the Rugby Paper Podcast‘s final Rugby World Cup episode, it’s time to zoom out a bit and look ahead to...

England ‘A’ to get first run out since 2016 against Portugal

England ‘A’, formerly known as the Saxons, will play their first match in over seven years when they take on Portugal...

Ruck, Maul, Score: The Heart-Pounding Symphony of Rugby Glory

Entertainment comes in an array of forms to suit everyone, whether you’re a fan of gaming and online bingo, the latest...

Chiefs go top with Bears bonus point win

By MATTHEW LUDDINGTON Exeter Chiefs……………29 Tries: Tuima (4), Painter (26), Wyatt (42), Iosefa-Scott (68) Conversions: Slade (4, 27, 43) Penalties: Slade...

Packer on a high as Red Roses grab glory

By PAUL EDDISON Marlie Packer paid tribute to her teammates after being crowned the world’s best female player in the aftermath...

Halfpenny enjoys standing ovation

Leigh Halfpenny bowed out of international rugby to a standing ovation from the Cardiff crowd after kicking five from five in...

Redpath: We could support top two tiers

By NICK POWELL London Scottish director of rugby Bryan Redpath believes that with a fairer funding model across the top two...

Fijian bailed on sexual offences

Fijian international, Api Ratuniyarawa, 37, has been has charged with three serious separate sexual offences, which forced him to withdraw from...

Evans: It was good for Smith to play 15

By JON NEWCOMBE Harlequins attack coach Nick Evans believes Marcus Smith will be all the better for his full-back experience at...

Exeter’s ‘Scrum Doctor’ coming up with right treatment

By MARK STEVENS It was an ongoing issue that has blighted the Exeter Chiefs for the past two seasons, but now...

Marler: I’m gutted we blew our final chance

By GARY FITZGERALD Joe Marler has labelled England’s campaign in France “a decent journey” but concedes he is “gutted” they “blew”...

Ospreys swoop to sign Kenny on loan

Ospreys have signed loosehead James Kenny on loan from Exeter Chiefs. Kenny, 24, below, has made 33 appearances for Exeter and...

Gloucester put faith in Young

Experienced Premiership scrum-half Micky Young has joined Gloucester on a short-term deal. The 34-year-old former Newcastle, Bath and Leicester back adds...

Humphreys to take charge at IRFU

David Humphreys has been appointed as the Irish Rugby Football Union’s new performance director. The 52-year-old succeeds Australian David Nucifora, who...

Bradbury resolved to prove his worth

By JON NEWCOMBE Magnus Bradbury describes missing out on the Rugby World Cup as “a kick in the guts” but recognises...

White working hard to put Doncaster on the map

By JON NEWCOMBE Doncaster Knights took an encouraging first step towards new MD Emma White’s goal of making them the talk...

Make every head contact a red card

OCCASIONALLY the TMO makes the right decision. In the England v Argentina game (third place play-off), he very nearly cost England...

Let’s learn from Boks

WHEN are we going to learn from the incredible success of South Africa winning the last two World Cups? How many...

We’d rate fourth, at best

ARE England really the third best in the world? Are they even the third best in the Six Nations? Well, the...

As Cloughie told us, do what I say or you’re out

ENGLAND supporters should not get too carried away by their much improved performance against South Africa in the World Cup semi-final....

Time for a clearout of the England shambles

AS a rugby supporter for more than 70 years I feel I have a right to a few comments. To clarify...

Dream Team with Kyle Moyle

Kyle Moyle, The Cornish Pirates and former Gloucester winger/full-back, chooses the best XV he has played with or against... 1. Alan...

Why refs must still have the final word

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE... EVERY WEEK THE World Cup final was always going to be tense, and produce significant talking...

England’s big names power up Saracens

By ADAM HATHAWAY Saracens .......................... 32pts Tries: Itoje 15, Christie 26, B Vunipola 43, George 53 Conversions: Farrell 16, 27, 44...

McCall happy gamble pays off

Saracens boss Mark McCall admitted he had taken a punt on picking his returning England internationals but it paid off. All...

Delight for Saints as they keep Bath at bay

By ROB WILDMAN Northampton................... 24pts Tries: Pearson 17, Coles 33, Hendy 43 Conversions: Smith 17, 33, 43 Penalties: Smith 1 Bath...

Van Graan: We had chances to win

Bath boss Johann van Graan made no excuses after his team had failed to press home their advantage in the final...

Harlequins ease home as Dombrandt calls shots

By BEN JAYCOCK Harlequins ....................... 40pts Tries: Riley 16, Lamb 26, David 37, Dombrandt 49, Lynagh 53, Green 75 Conversions: Evans...

We’re throwing jabs but can’t land a punch, says Codling

Newcastle head coach Alex Codling saw the positives in their defeat to Harlequins, but recognised that encouraging performances aren’t enough as...

Creevy fires Sharks back to winning ways

By LUKE JARMYN Sale .................................... 24pts Tries: Reed 15, 33; B Curry 51, Creevy 69 Conversions: Ford 34, 70 Gloucester ...........................

Harris: We will need to build for Bath

After back-to-back Friday night defeats the Cherry and Whites will be looking to get their season back on track in next...

Barnes showed why he’s the best

Wayne Barnes retired at the top of his game on Thursday after taking charge of a record 111 internationals, the last...

Perfect Pollard was the key difference

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK THE aftermath of South Africa’s record fourth win in the World Cup final...

We’re out to build on good start – Jenkins

By MARK STEVENS PREVIEW... Exeter v Bristol Today. Kick-off 3pm, Sandy Park Welsh giant Dafydd Jenkins is ready to add his...

Grahamslaw ready for Chiefs challenge

Sam Grahamslaw will make his Premiership debut for Bristol this afternoon as they take on Exeter. The former Jersey Reds loosehead...

Solomona returns to action in the north

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Former England and Sale Sharks star Denny Solomona is back in the North West after...

Hooper in line for Lions role

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER The Lions could appoint former Bath director of rugby and England Saxons second row Stuart...

McKellar backed for Aussie job

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler Leicester Tigers boss Dan McKellar has been backed to become...

Toulon turning their attention to Kinghorn

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Toulon's bid to sign England forwards Lewis Ludlam and Kyle Sinckler is hanging by a...

Freshwater tempted by Montpellier

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Former England loosehead Perry Freshwater, below, is in advanced talks about a switch to join...

Falcons losing Carreras to France

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Newcastle Falcons have suffered a blow for next season after Argentina winger Mateo Carreras completed...

South Africa enjoyed fair share of luck, says Venter

By NICK POWELL BRENDAN Venter feels South Africa benefited from huge amounts of good fortune on their way to winning a...

Red Roses: Marlie Packer

BACK ROW, CAPTAIN Birthplace: Yeovil DOB: 02/10/1989 Community Club: Ivel Barbarians, now known as Yeovil RFC Club: Saracens Red Roses Debut:...

Red Roses avenge World Cup final loss

By JAMES REID New Zealand ..........................12pts Tries: Simon 38, Vahaakolo 49 Conversions: Holmes 40 England ...........................33pts Tries: Matthews 4, Atkin-Davies 12,...

Wales waste chance to beat Wallaroos

By LUCY BLITZ Wales....................19 Australia............. 25 Ioan Cunningham rued a golden opportunity missed after Wales’ narrow defeat against Australia. Wales went...

France have plenty of work to do

Canada................. 29 France.................. 20 Joint France head coach Gaelle Mignot admitted there is plenty of work to do ahead of the...

Quesada gets set for his ‘magnificent new adventure’

By PAUL EDDISON Gonzalo Quesada has been coaching for a decade and a half and is confident now is the perfect...

Wales find form to send trio off in style

By ROGER PANTING Wales................................. 49pts Tries: Lake 3, Rogers 30, Costelow 36, Plumtree 56, Wainwright 65, Hardy 79, 80 Conversions: Halfpenny...

Gatland: Everyone benefited from that

WALES head coach Warren Gatland believed everyone benefited from the occasion. He said: “Bearing in mind the age of the side,...