Contract chaos puts Carl in French limbo

By NEALE HARVEY FRENCH exile Carl Fearns has shone a disturbing light on the battle hundreds of out-of-contract players are facing...

Game’s changed so much and largely for the worse

As most of us are confined in our homes and are wondering what to do with the time we have on...

Time for these go-slowers to get a move on

Peter Jackson puts the stopwatch on rugby’s slowest kickers and asks: Why do refs allow it? Saturday night in Oita on...

Big Sam’s showing Taine the way to go

Alex Bywater talks to Wales’ latest back row star, 20-year old Taine Basham of Dragons TAINE Basham is already making waves...

Diamond doubles up

SALE DoR Steve Diamond has taken on the role of interim chief executive. Diamond is doubling up after Sharks CEO Jon...

Challenge for Carty

IRELAND fly-half Jack Carty welcomes Ian Madigan’s return to Irish rugby, but knows it could make his job of adding to...

Lawson: I never had a day off ill

RUGBY SHORTS FORMER Scotland captain Rory Lawson says he has “been through the mill” dealing with coronavirus symptoms over the past eight...

Stirling on sabbatical

Cornish Pirates director of rugby Chris Stirling has taken a sabbatical and returned to New Zealand following the RFU’s decision to...

Moon extends stay at Chiefs

THE LIST of Exeter’s Championship originals is slowly dwindling, but at least one name will continue for a few years yet,...

New job for Townson

GLEN Townson has been appointed head coach of Ealing Trailfinders Academy. Former club captain Townson has been forwards and defence coach...

Warrior Weir glad to be in from the cold

By NEALE HARVEY   Recall: Duncan Weir playing for Scotland against France PICTURES: Getty Images FRESH from winning his first Test...

MORGANMONKS WORCESTER BACK ROWER

YOUNG GUNS Morgan Monks says he is drawing inspiration from teammate Ted Hill as he continues his progress towards Worcester’s first...

Death of Lions captain saw ‘Drewy’ take role in history

Brendan Gallagher recalls the remarkable sporting career of Lions captain Andrew Stoddart ONE of the most flamboyant figures in Victorian sporting...

Rugby tours the world but at home there is North v South open revolt

Brendan Gallagher contiues his expert and authorative look at the history of Rugby Union FOLLOWING the first international between England and...

George must stop being twit

GEORGE North has been living the dream for the last ten years, not that it seemed readily apparent from recent interviews...

Social trolls strike fear into even super Hogg

Worries: Stuart Hogg STUART Hogg made a startling confession the other day that some players opt out of chancing their arm...

Muscleman Chris rates power of prayer now

Back in the day when the hatchet men ruled the roost in both football codes, Chris Jones ran a reign of...

Shock and awe as 747 swoops on Ellis Park

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

My Scarlets are poised for a thrilling era of attacking rugby

Q&A GLENN DELANEY ON THE RECORD Glenn Delaney, defence coach and soon-to-be head coach of the Scarlets, has unique experience from...

NEXT WEEK …Don’t miss

Top 20 Wasted Talents, including Christian Wade Lions contenders to face Springboks next summer Big interview with Exeter Chief Gareth Steenson...

Evans: Use this crisis to make rugby healthy again

By NEALE HARVEY ENGLISH rugby’s broken model needs fixing and now is the perfect time to instigate change, says industry expert...

Pay-cuts will hit the academy graduates hardest

TWENTY-FIVE per cent of an awful lot of money is a considerable sum, but the remaining 75 per cent should be...

Domestic leagues can make rugby healthyagain

The new age of the nation state is finally dawning – headmaster Nigel Farage and his senior prefect, the Prime Minister,...

I wanted to make French proud. I hope I’ve done that

NEALE HARVEY talks to France defence coach Shaun Edwards about his role across the Channel and life under lockdown Calling the...

We must go down,reprieve would cause bitterness

NICK CAIN TALKS TO SARACENS COACH ALEX SAN DERSON ABOUT THE WAY AHEAD FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS ALEX Sanderson says Saracens are...

Kenny’s challenge taught me when to fold ‘em!

THE death of Kenny Rogers earlier this week may have gone somewhat unnoticed in rugby circles but your columnist fondly recalls...

Tragic end to the dashing prince

Royal occasion: Prince Obolensky scores his wonder try for England against the All Blacks in 1936 ALEXANDER Obolensky has popped up...

Challinor relishing new start under Boden

NEWS EXTRA By GUY WILLIAMS DONCASTER skipper Matt Challinor, who’s just signed a new deal extending his period at Castle Park to...

VarndelI: I love rugby, I just hated France!

Jon Newcombe talks to Tom Varndell about his amazing try-scoring career and future hopes DURING 15 years as a professional Tom...

Underhill’s judo-style flip rates best of the big hits

Brendan Gallagher rates the magic moments when superb defence topped mighty attacks Unbelievable: Sam Underhilll launches himself at Scott Williams to...

Basham leads charge for Wales’ next generation

In Wales we never seem to have a problem in bringing through young players and right now it appears to be...

Carre set to leave Saracens for Wales

Back home: Rhys Carre RHYS CARRE is set to become the next player to leave Premiership champions Saracens this summer and...

ROOM 101

GEORGE EDGSON THE DONCASTER KNIGHTS HOOKER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Halitosis People...

Phil’s coaching team spread around world

By ROB COLE Challenge: Phil Davies LESS than six months ago Phil Davies and his Namibian coaching team were preparing to...

They all want to sign Dragons star Moriarty

LIONS back rower Ross Moriarty is at the centre of a threenation tug of war after winning the appeal against his...

Quins eye Wigan star Hastings

HARLEQUINS are weighing up a move for Super League's man of steel Jackson Hastings, left, who is keen to make a...

End these crooked feeds says ref Nigel

By PETER JACKSON NIGEL OWENS is urging World Rugby to make a stand against the crooked feed. Owens, the game’s mostcapped...

Rehab in Austria, texts from Eddie, and an Exeter double – we talk to Jack Nowell

The Pumas try cost me dear but it was a beauty! Jack Nowell is chomping at the bit to be back...

Bath become 11th Premiership club to announce wage cuts

Bath chief executive Tarquin McDonald has penned an open letter

What is in Sunday’s edition of The Rugby Paper?

A sneak peek at what awaits you inside this week's TRP...

Young Guns: Gloucester fly-half George Barton

England U20s sharpshooter Barton explains how Danny Cipriani has been offering him pointers

Dream Team: Worcester and ex-Saints prop Ethan Waller

Ethan Waller shows brotherly love and includes older sibling Alex in his Dream Team

7 players who never made their debuts after signing for Premiership clubs

For one reason or another, some moves just don't work out or don't feel right

George Kruis supports 25 per cent pay cut administered by Saracens

Kruis speaks out as the row intensifies between players and Premiership clubs over wage cuts

Room 101: Hinckley head coach Chris Campbell

1. £1 Shopping Trollies Doing the food shop with two young kids is hard work at the best of times, so...

Kurtley Beale set to switch hemispheres and move north

The former Wasps full-back has agreed a deal with Racing 92, according to reports

Leicester Tigers back row star Sione Kalamafoni to leave for PRO14

A player who made a huge impact in his first season at Welford Road

Newcastle Falcons place all players and staff on unpaid leave

Championship leaders Newcastle take steps to limit financial impact

15 Kings of the North – Nick Cain’s team of the Six Nations 2020

Some nailed-on selections and some choice which may create debate

Marland Yarde and Jonny May to wing it for Sale Sharks next season?

England winger Jonny May has been asked to take a pay cut at Leicester Tigers