McNicholl double downs Ospreys

By ROGER PANTING Scarlets ............22pts Tries: Davies 9, S Evans 52, McNicholl 65, 77 Conversions: Jones 10 Ospreys ..............19pts Tries: Webb...

Connacht come out on top in feisty Irish derby

By JOHN FALLON Connacht ..........10pts Tries: Aki 58 Conversions: Fitzgerald 59   Penalties: Carty 15 Munster ..............8pts Tries: Conway 23 Penalties:...

Worcester young guns prove they can step up

By BEN JAYCOCK Worcester ........27pts Tries: Clegg 28, Owen 40, Johnson 49, Holsey 68 Conversions: Searle 50, 69 Penalties: Searle 80...

‘Bath players have to be accountable’

By PAUL REES Eager for a long run: Ruaridh McConnochie has missed most of the season with injury PICTURE: Getty Images...

Hatley yet to discuss what new role will be

NEAL Hatley is focused on ending Bath’s poor start to the season rather than his own future after the appointment of...

Improving Irish aim to stay the course

By GARY FITZGERALD Looking up: London Irish scrum-half Nick Phipps is hungry for trophies PICTURES: Getty Images Boxing Day blip: Ali...

Irish are my favourites but it’s so tough to call

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND Impressive: Ireland dominated the All Blacks in November PICTURE: Getty Images In 34 days’ time...

Vesty: We can’t afford to give away more cheap tries

By PAUL REES Exciting: Alex Mitchell IT is eight years since Northampton defeated Saracens in a Premiership match at Franklin’s Gardens...

Isiekwe aims to upset his Saints fans

By GARY FITZGERALD PREVIEW... Northampton Saints v Saracens Today. Kick-off 3pm, Franklin’s Gardens NICK Isiekwe relishes his return to Franklin’s Gardens...

Eddie finds the C-word is big help for England

NICK CAIN THE biggest improvement in Eddie Jones‘ management of the England squad has been his recognition that competition for places,...

Sorry, this sleeping dog needs to be wide awake

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK IT is tempting to support Alex Sanderson’s view that another salary cap scandal...

Now we must put run together

ALEX Sanderson outlined the three vital ingredients he wants from his Sharks if they are to swim their way into the...

Sale’s mean machine cranks into top gear

By GARY FITZGERALD Sale ....................26pts Tries: J-L du Preez 12, Yarde 17, Van Rensburg 29, Curry 42 Conversions: McGinty 13, 30,...

Taylor warns of booze danger

By PETER JACKSON WALES icon John Taylor has warned the WRU about the dangers of a ‘serious accident’ at the Principality...

More may follow Watson out in big Bath shake-up

By NEIL FISSLER ANTHONY Watson might not be the only big name leaving Premiership basement dwellers Bath when their contract runs...

Anthony Watson set to leave Bath

England star Anthony Watson will leave struggling Bath when his contract finishes at the end of the 2021/22 season, according to...

Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears preview: Record crowd for South West derby

A sold-out record-breaking crowd at Sandy Park will play host to Exeter Chiefs‘ encounter with Bristol Bears on New Year’s Day...

Sale Sharks v Wasps Preview: Sharks captain Ross returns

Captain Jono Ross returns to the side as Sale Sharks host Wasps at the AJ Bell Stadium in Saturday’s New Year’s...

New Years Day Championship Preview

Ampthill v London Scottish is the lone game to survive this New Years Day. Covid-19 infection rates continue to wreak havoc...

Why Do Online Gambling Sponsoring Rugby Teams

Gaming and sports have always worked together closely, for multiple reasons. In fact, some of the most played video games are...

Leicester Tigers investigated over historical image rights allegations

Premiership Rugby are investigating allegations against Leicester Tigers regarding historical image rights payments. On Sunday,The Rugby Paper’s Neil Fissler broke news...

Champions Harlequins edge Northampton at Twickenham

Harlequins (26) 41 Tries: Dombrandt 3, Murley 2, Lynagh Cons: Edwards 3, Esterhuizen Pens: Edwards Northampton (24) 27 Tries: Augustus 2, Waller Cons: Biggar 3 Pens: Biggar 2 Defending...

Wasps 38-30 London Irish: Wasps beat Exiles in Boxing Day high scoring thriller

A clinical Wasps attack helped them beat London Irish 38-30 in an entertaining Premiership match. Two early tries helped Wasps build...

Gloucester win with ease at Bath

Gloucester moved into the top three with a six-try victory over West Country rivals Bath. A penalty try gave Gloucester the...

Nine try Saracens thrash Worcester

Saracens maintained the pressure on leaders Leicester with a nine-try rout of Worcester. Alex Lewington (2), Billy Vunipola, Alex Goode, Nick...

Unstoppable Leicester score last gasp try at Bristol

Leicester scored an 84th-minute try with 14 men to win at Bristol and make it 10 wins from 10 Premiership matches....

Spencer: One win can change everything for us

By PAUL REES Committed: Ben Spencer BRENT Janse van Rensburg has started getting to grips with Bath’s defensive problems as the...

Derby win so vital for fans says Meehan

By GARY FITZGERALD Bath v Gloucester Boxing Day. Kick-off 4.30, The Rec BATH may be winless and floundering on the bottom...

Jeffries: Title still the target for Bears

BRISTOL may be languishing one place off the foot of the Premiership, but Sam Jeffries says they have not abandoned their...

Freddie’s happy to make grandad proud

By PAUL REES Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers Boxing Day. Kick-off 2pm, Ashton Gate FREDDIE Steward admits he gave himself a...

Concussion problems cry out for a cut in subs

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK AS 2021 draws to an end a strong potential remedy to address one of...

DREAM TEAM

BILLY TWELVETREES, THE GLOUCESTER AND FORMER LEICESTER, ENGLAND & LIONS CENTRE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST......

A fortnight of yellows would end the backchat

COLIN BOAG Praise: Luke Pearce marches Billy Vunipola back ten metres for dissent As we struggle with an uncertain immediate future...

More main stream exposure needed

COVERAGE of the Premier 15s is getting better, but I don’t think that it goes far enough to increase the popularity...

Look after British and Irish rugby in this Covid chaos

COVID has exposed the ridiculous situation European rugby is in. The revised Champions and Challenge Cups were doomed from the moment...

Feel for Cinderford, clubs are struggling

CINDERFORD DoR Paul Morris (TRP Dec 13) described another part of rugby being let down by the RFU. We all know...

Van Rensburg in as Craig steps down

BATH owner Bruce Craig is to step down as chairman at the end of the year. Craig, who bought Bath in...

Jason’s charity helps kids worldwide

JASON Leonard’s charity – The Atlas Foundation – have launched a Christmas fundraising campaign, the XV Days of Christmas. The campaign...

Hill and Skinner call time on Chiefs

SALE have confirmed the signing of England and British and Irish Lions lock Jonny Hill from Exeter Chiefs from the 2022-23...

Leonard: ‘Old man’ Joe good for Eddie

By BEN JAYCOCK ENGLAND’S recorbreaking prop Jason Leonard believes Eddie Jones’ team are heading in the right direction after a successful...

Shaunagh honoured to play at Twickers

SHAUNAGH Brown intends to “enjoy the occasion” as Harlequins Women prepare for a second visit to Twickenham for “Big Game 13”....

Biljon confident rugby can stay on track

By LUKE JARMYN HARVEY Biljon has called on rugby clubs, officials and supporters to “not get complacent” so the sport is...

Van Zyl demands Irish show ruthless streak

By GARY FITZGERALD CORNIEL van Zyl has warned the London Irish players of the pitfalls of complacency as the Exiles reach...

Longest running schools rivalry of all

NOT the least of Merchiston’s claims to rugby is their participation in the world’s longest running fixture against great local rivals...

Merchiston Castle have led from start

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools FEW schools in Scotland have a prouder rugby record than Merchiston...

New deals depend on Six Nations silverware

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Two years, or 20 matches if you prefer, is how long it has taken Fabien Galthie and...

Billy close to return for Sarries as knee improves

By GARY FITZGERALD BILLY Vunipola is back on track to return to the Saracens front line and has remained upbeat and...

Hooper believes beleaguered Bath will get on a roll

STUART Hooper has been put through the wringer this season with Bath having lost all their 11 matches, but he says...

Tough-nut Marcus can look after himself OK

By ADAM HATHAWAY SOUTH African centre Andre Esterhuizen might have a reputation as a midfield hard man but he reckons the...

We shall recall them with pride

Brendan Gallagher remembers the great rugby players who passed away in 2021 RAYMOND JOHN McLAUGHLIN UCC Dublin, Gosforth, London Irish, Connacht,...