Rugby Matters: I remember the magic of those midweek matches

Brendan Gallagher recalls the derby nights under the lights of Pontypool's record-breaking 1983-84

Harrington column: Stade Francais looking less and less likely to be ready for Top 14 season

The Paris-based club has reported COVID-19 positive players have developed lesions on their lungs

The benefits of playing rugby

You come home drenched from a workout on a gloomy Thursday night; beaten, bruised, tired … So why is rugby good...

We took our foot off pedal says Lam

DESPITE the bonus point win Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam wants his side to tidy up their act. “It was...

Radradra shows his class but work to do for Bristol

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Unstoppable: Ben Earl goes over for Bristol’s fifth try PICTURES: Getty Images BRISTOL, and in particular Semi Radradra,...

Baxter: Mighty Luke out on own

LUKE Cowan-Dickie’s individual wreckingball try which put the seal on Exeter’s victory earned a special salute from Exeter DoR Rob Baxter....

Exeter’s power leaves the Sharks floundering

By NICK CAIN Powerhouse: Luke Cowan-Dickie celebrates after he beats three defenders from a tap-and-go to score PICTURES: Getty Images EXETER...

This breakdown re-think is just what game needs

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK Effective: Exeter’s pick-and-go worked well against Leicester PICTURE: Getty Images Idon’t believe the breakdown...

DREAMTEAM

ROBIN HISLOP, DONCASTER AND FORMER ROTHERHAM, EDINBURGH, HAWICK AND SCOTLAND U20S PROP, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR...

Bristol underdogs…? that’s just barking mad

COLIN BOAG The new interpretation of the existing breakdown laws is working fairly well, although it looked as though the players...

Nurture English lads or it may be trouble

This law is an ass! THE ruck law needs to change now. This picture shows it’s currently just a joke. Dick...

Grassroots need more matches to kick-start interest

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk SURELY the lower leagues,...

Exiles coach Fisher tipped for Test call

By NEALE HARVEY STAND-IN London Irish forwards coach Jon Fisher is destined for top jobs with England, according to clubmate and...

Mrs Vellacott helps spark Wasps back line

By NEALE HARVEY Ambitious: Ben Vellacott WASPS’ all-court attacking game will count for little unless they can align it with improved...

WillGriff: I must get fitter for Welsh dream

By ALEX BYWATER Sympathy: Thomas Young Powerhouse: WillGriff John goes on a battering run for Sale WALES’ four regions have been...

Luke thanks Brits for his trying time

By NEALE HARVEY Over again: Luke Cowan-Dickie scores for Exeter against London Irish PICTURES: Getty Images ENGLAND and Exeter hooker Luke...

Omar magic sees Bears’ put on the big squeeze

By JON NEWCOMBE Delight: Pat Lam BRILLIANT in attack and now brutal in defence, Pat Lam says Bristol are benefiting massively...

Stade unlikely to be on Top 14 starting grid

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Coronavirus continues to threaten the start of the 2020/21 Top 14 season, as clubs entered the preseason...

I was a handful alright but I wasn’t the Ripper!

MY LIFE IN RUGBY MICKEY SKINNER THE FORMER ENGLAND, HARLEQUINS, BLACKHEATH AND BLAYDON FLANKER That tackle: Micky Skinner stops Marc Cecillon...

Purdy’s career takes wing at Bristol

By JON NEWCOMBE Much-travelled: Purdy COME the end of this season, Henry Purdy hopes to have had enough practice to know...

Shingler ruled out as Drake joins Glos

By SAM JACKSON Scarlets lock Danny Drake on loan for the remainder of the season. Scarlets will also be without the...

Joe’s aiming to usurp old king Cole at Tigers

By NEALE HARVEY Coming force: Joe Heyes scores for England U20 against Wales at last summer’s Junior World Cup PICTURE: Getty...

Hartley a hard man? Not with his record

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Deliberately violent: Blood-stained Hartley playing for England PICTURE: Getty Images With the...

Newcastle now have a pack to rival the big boys

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools Talent: James Blackett kicks a penalty against Barnard Castle last season...

YOUNG GUNS

DANKELLY LEICESTER CENTRE NEALE HARVEY Ireland U20 international Dan Kelly is determined to justify the faith shown in him by Tigers...

Lockdown has got me ready for another year of captaincy

Q & A KEN OWENS ON THE RECORD Standout moments: Wales clinch the 2019 Grand Slam. Scarlets beat La Rochelle at...

Scrum time shambles

HARLEQUINS-Sale lasted for 97 minutes 32 seconds, including drink breaks. It also included depressing evidence of how long it takes to...

The Gnoll takes gold for heroes

WHITCHURCHHigh School has been duly lauded for setting three old boys on the road to the top of their chosen sport...

Champion Bill showed Jacklin how it was done

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Tony Jacklin wins US Open. Bill Shankland Of all the international rugby players...

Ulster go through as Glasgow tumble

Preview Connacht v Ulster Today, Kick-off 4.30pm FLY-HALF Billy Burns will captain Ulster on their return to PRO14 action with regular...

Second-half shutout puts Edinburgh in semi-finals

By BRYN PALMER Glasgow …………………………………15pts Tries: P Horne 20, Hastings 37 Conversions: Hastings 20 Penalties: Hastings 16 Edinburgh ……………………………30pts Tries: Groom...

Tipuric determined to get Booth’s reign off to a flyer

By ROB COLE Return: Rhys Webb PREVIEW… Ospreys v Dragons Today. Kick-off 2.15pm, Liberty Stadium RHYS Webb will return to Ospreys...

Williams stars for Scarlets on debut

By ROB COLE Scarlets…………………………………32pts Tries: Kennedy 4, Evans 22, 43, Lousi 49, McNicholl 56 Conversions: Halfpenny 23, 50 Penalties: Halfpenny 32...

Hanrahan misses kick to grab draw in 50pt thriller

By JOHN FALLON Leinster…………………………27pts Tries: Healy 20, Ringrose 40, Lowe 51 Conversions: Sexton 22, 40, 52 Penalties: Sexton 32, Byrne 70...

Zebre spoil the send-off for Zanni

Benetton……………13 Zebre ………………………17 ZEBRE secured the bragging rights in Italy by claiming a shock 17-13 win on Benetton’s patch. It was...

Jamie should be back in time to tweak the Bears’ tail

WHAT a shame the first weekend of rugby in Wales since lockdown didn’t feature the return to action of Jamie Roberts....

‘Tips’ is key to getting Ospreys back on top

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND Fearless: Ospreys skipper Justin Tipuric PICTURE: Getty Images I’ll be at the Liberty Stadium today...

Day the towering red army tasted epic defeat

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful Iconic Rugby...

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Clarey calls for return of students’ stepping stone

By NEALE HARVEY Progress: Alec Clarey SARACENS prop Alec Clarey believes the RFU must find a way of resuscitating the England...

Brilliant Logie was the forerunner of modern Sevens

Top talent: Laughland FIJI might be the Sevens kings but it’s worth remembering that Scotland invented the game and, it is...

I remember the magic of those midweek matches

BRENDAN GALLAGHER RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points Floodlit fun: Midweek Pooler and Cardiff clashes were...

O’Connor sparks Reds as Brumbies go top

SUPERRUGBY By SAM JACKSON THE Brumbies regained top spot in Super Rugby AU with a convincing 38-11 victory over the Waratahs...

Sevens star Miotti eyes move to Prem

Interest: Miotti FORMER Argentina Sevens fly-half Domingo Miotti is looking at a move to the Premiership after he was told to...

Willis says No to Ulster as he waits for Eddie

England ambitions: Jack Willis JACK WILLIS rejected a move to Ulster this summer because he wants to force his way into...

It’s not all over yet for Bath and Pollard

SPRINGBOK fly-half Hendre Pollard is still weighing up his future with Top 14 outfit Montpellier and is refusing to rule out...

Quins in search to replace Clifford

Retired: Jack Clifford HARLEQUINS have started the search to replace Jack Clifford following the announcement that the England international back row...

ROOM 101

CHRIS WEARMOUTH THE TYNEDALE LOCK TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Inappropriate fog light...

It’s time for changes,Eddie

NICK CAIN STICKS HIS NECK OUT AND PICKS HIS ENGLAND TEAM FOR THE 2023 WORLD CUP Ben Spencer, , Joe Simmonds...

Playing the system

THE rewriting of rugby language continues apace, with Bristol’s bench-warmers now cast as “system players”. Will Pat Lam’s seat in the...