Claim of racism against Chiefs step too far

T G Turner FOLLOWING last week’s letter regarding Exeter Chiefs and their branding using the North American Indian - there will...

Easter is perfect pick to plug gaps at Falcons

Tim Fleming Proven: Falcons defence coach Nick Easter PICTURE: Getty Images DEAN Richards has done well to lure Nick Easter back...

Ban American imports

I AGREE with Chris Hewett’s plea (TRP, July 19) to do away with the inane and superfluous ‘entertainment’ surrounding matches (although...

Modern day referees owe big debt to pioneer Roger

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk ANOTHER enthralling article from...

Mistake to rope off top-flight from rugby ‘Heartland’

A NUMBER of items from last week’s Rugby Paper show the mess English rugby is in. It’s becoming a regular feature....

These young coaches can make Gloucester special

Strong inside centre: Dom Waldouck was a hit with Wasps and England Saxons PICTURE: Getty Images Gloucester showed they were willing...

DREAMTEAM

MICHAEL VAN VUUREN, EALING AND FORMER NORTHAMPTON, BATH, LEICESTER, KINGS, STADE FRANCAIS, CHEETAHS AND SOUTH AFRICA HOOKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV...

At last a plan which may save the Championship

COLIN BOAG Broken dreams: Rotherham fell from Premiership into National League One There were signs during the week that one of...

All Black Bryn leaves ‘grind’ behind for life on vineyard

By JON NEWCOMBE Bowing out: Bryn Evans is leaving for New Zealand BRYN Evans has high hopes he will be toasting...

Turner-Hall back at Quins as an academy coach

JORDAN Turner-Hall is returning to Harlequins as an academy coach. The Premiership-winning centre retired from playing in 2015 and re-joins the...

Easter’s delight to be back with his old teammate Deano

By SAM JACKSON Experience: Nick Easter NICK EASTERwill be Newcastle Falcons’ defence coach following the club’s promotion back into the Premiership....

PRO14 returns with two derby weekends

THE PRO14 will return with two weeks of derbies on the last two weekends in August in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and...

Puma Socino signs for year in Championship

SARACENS have signed Argentina back Juan Pablo Socino for next season in the Championship. Socino, 32, who played in the Premiership...

Flannery will fire Gustard’s will to win

By JON NEWCOMBE Staying: Adam Jones HAVING completed the final piece of the jigsaw in his coaching team with the addition...

Stalemate on pay cuts ‘may kill off Welsh rugby’

By ALEX BYWATER First central contract: Sam Warburton WALES’ rugby players have been told the ongoing delay in reaching an agreement...

Sadnessover death of Clermont president

The death of Clermont president Eric de Cromières, aged 66, hascast a sombre shadow over French rugby.The former sales director of...

Burnt by Jason, run over by Jonah -I’m not alone!

THE FORMER AUSTRALIA,QUEEN SLAND REDS ANDWORCESTER FULL-BACK ANDCURRENT HEAD COACH OFUTAH WARRIORS -as told to Jon Newcombe MYLIFEINRUGBY CHRIS LATHAM I...

Bale’s vegan ‘monsters’ set to be unleashed

By JEREMY BLACKMORE Diet: Brendon Bale BRENDON BALE is a man on a mission. Keen to break the stigma associated with...

I aim to be unique insists flyer Gabe

By NEALE HARVEY Help: Tom Homer Young talent: Gabe Hamer-Webb scores for Bath against Quins PICTURE: Getty Images AMBITIOUS Bath flyer...

Saracens pay the price for flying too close to the sun

THE Premiership and the European Cup, was all about Saracens during this era. For good and bad, it was a turbulentand...

LIONS DODGE A BULLET TO DRAW EPIC SERIES IN NEW ZEALAND

THE British and Irish Lions, being written off by many at the dawn of professionalism, continued to defy the odds and...

Fiji provide fireworks as rugby thrills on its return to Olympics

Brendan Gallagher continues his expert and authoritative look at the history of Rugby Union THE return of rugby to the Olympics...

Is Griffiths getting his own back on the Prem?

Finally, the Champi-onship has a championin Edward Griffiths,who is going to shine alight at the end of thelong tunnel that hasbeen...

Slick Toomua is matchwinner for the Rebels

SUPERRUGBY THE Rebels claimed their first victory of Super Rugby AU with a 29-10 win away at the Waratahs. Former Leicester...

Cowan’s leadershipcrucial says Loader

By ADAMELLIS Spring-heeled: Exiles flyer BenLoader scoresagainst Wasps PICTURES: Getty Images TYRO London Irishfull-back Ben Loaderbelieves the Exiles arewell stocked with...

YOUNGGUNS

NEALEHARVEY ARCHIEVANES LEICESTER HOOKER After being awardeda senior academycontract in May,ambitious Leicesterhooker Archie Vanes received a further boostearlier this month whenrenowned...

Sam’s triple winners rivalSherri’s mean machine

Brendan Gallaghercontinues his series looking at rugby’sgreat schools WINNING trophiesand reaching finalsisn’t everything inschools’ rugby butit’s nice when it hap-pens and...

Witcher wants Valkyries to ride on Roses success

By ADAM ELLIS Big plans: Mark Witcher PORTSMOUTH Valkyries head coach Mark Witcher believes the club is perfectly situated to heighten...

Rugby world now smelling the coffee

Alex Bywater talks to WRU board member Julie Paterson about changing landscapes Chief exec: Martyn Phillips Passionate: Julie Paterson JULIE Paterson...

Baldwin staying at Dragons

DRAGONS have extended the loan of Worcester Warriors scrum-half Luke Baldwin until the end of the 2020-21 season. The 29-year-old moved...

Ruddock takes on new role at Ospreys

MIKE Ruddock has been appointed Ospreys development director on a three-year contract. The former Wales coach became the Welsh region’s performance...

Saracens set to face Stormers at Spurs’ stadium

SARACENS and Super Rugby side Stormers hope to play a ‘high-profile’ fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021. Sarries signed a...

Albion blast ‘culturally and spiritually illiterate RFU’

NEALE HARVEY PLYMOUTH Albion owner Dave Venables has accused the RFU of displaying “Dickensian authoritarian arrogance” after seeing his club docked...

Jack plans to kick on under Steeno’s watch

By NEALE HARVEY Running man: Jack Walsh playing for NSW Country against Melbourne Rebels in the Australian U19s Championship PICTURES: Getty...

Woodward’s Holy Trinity were just untouchable

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

Everybody has to earn their place – even Cipriani

Q&A GEORGE SKIVINGTON ON THE RECORD Challenge: George Skivington After a distinguished playing and coaching career with Wasps, Leicester, London Irish...

Griffiths’ plan gets the nod to carry on talking

By JON NEWCOMBE Blueprint: Edward Griffiths ED GRIFFITHS hopes his plan to restructure Championship rugby will help end “the Punch &...

Ruthless Haden is fighting his final battle

ANDY HADENwould be faintly amused to learn that he has now headed the list of rugby outlaws wanted in Wales for...

Webbe had an answer for racism: Laugh at it

Ground-breaker: Glenn Webbe playing for Wales against Scotland Glenn Webbe has never been one to blow his own trumpet. Had he...

Steele switches to Harlequins Wiese signs for Tigers

HARLEQUINS have confirmed the signing of scrum-half Scott Steele following his departure from London Irish, as revealed in last week’s Blindside....

Afoa: Pacific franchise will be a game changer

By NEALE HARVEY Investing in the future: John Afoa in action for Bristol PICTURES: Getty Images KANALOA Hawaii’s prospective entry into...

Parks: I’d have taken pay cut to save Celtic Warriors

By ROB COLE RUGBY has to face up to the reality of pay cuts or the game at professional level could...

Jordan banks on Bear cubs

Star attraction: Charles Piutau Eye for the future: Jordan Crane PICTURES: Getty Images It is said a champion should be able...

Boks lose two of their finest media stars

SOUTH African rugby is reeling from a double blow with two much loved - and very different - media men passing...

THAT try will always remind us of Slem

High quality: Mike Slemen in action for the 1980 Lions AS a yeoman Englishman and very fine player indeed Mike Slemen,...

Former Tiger Bateman wanted at Rodney Parade

By ALEX BYWATER Free agent: Bateman DRAGONS are considering a move for Leicester contract rebel Greg Bateman to add to the...

Sam’s style suits Hill in quest to be top captain

By NEALE HARVEY Role models: Sam Warburton and Lawrence Dallaglio Leader: Worcester’s new captain Ted Hill PICTURES: Getty Images NEWLY-appointed Worcester...

Budget cuts puts squeeze on England Sevens

By SAM JACKSON ENGLAND men’s and women’s Sevens players - some of whom are due to compete in next year’s Olympics...

From pioneers to world beaters, the women who have ruled rugby

Brendan Gallagher continues his enthralling series by looking at the most important rugby women TOP 20 …RUGBY WOMEN NEXT WEEK Rugby’s...

Warren’s getting stick but Fitzy’s got new challenge

Disrespect: Gatland Respect: Fitzpatrick LASTweek was a tale of two great All Black hookers. Warren Gatland was under the cosh in...