Supporters should get a say in new calendar

IN the debate about achieving a global season for the game I have missed any reference to consultation with the supporters,...

Kick cost-cutting off with Sevens

WITH the RFU in a financial mess due to poor management, including overpaying their management and international players, why can they...

Come on, it’s not Joe’s fault

IN response to Barrie Darby’s letter on Joe Marler and his ten-week ban. We are in very uncharted waters and it...

Elite clubs are not the only guilty parties

JEFF Probyn’s column last week is rightly scathing about the Premiership and EPCR, citing their lack of concern about the game...

Clubs must grasp this big chance to reset their goals

THE Covid-19 pandemic has been unfortunate for so many people that when Rugby Union starts again it will not top the...

DREAMTEAM

DAVID DOHERTY, HARROGATE DoR AND FORMER LEEDS, WASPS, SALE, JERSEY, CORNISH PIRATES AND ENGLAND U20s UTILITY BACK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV...

My new dawn: increase squad size, cut salaries

COLIN BOAG Fringe man: Ben Mercer playing for Cornish Pirates What I’m about to suggest will be seen by some as...

RUGBY QUIZ

FORMER LEADING WELSH REFEREE ALUN WYN BEVAN TESTS YOUR KNOWLEDGE Memorable: Andy Hancock scores for England 1. When left wing Andy...

Hodges skeptical about US foreign policy

By ROB COLE MAJOR League Rugby has been warned that signing world renowned rugby names such as Ma’a Nonu will do...

Sorry Saracens

A GROUP of Saracens players have apologised after breaking lockdown regulations. England’s Billy Vunipola, Alex Goode and Nick Isiekwe, Scotland back...

PRO14 season decision needed by end of May

A DECISION on completing the PRO14 season is needed in the next month, WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips says. The league...

Biggar follows Tom

Challenge: Mike Biggar FORMER Scotland captain, Mike Biggar, who suffered life changing injuries in a car crash in 1992, is taking...

Ace coach Vesty helped me so much says Adams

Wales star Josh Adams tells NEALE HARVEY why he will always be grateful to Worcester Warriors From regional rugby rejection by...

Matavesi asks: Where does all the money go in Fiji?

By NEALE HARVEY Demanding answers: Fiji star Josh Matavesi BATH centre Josh Matavesi has slammed World Rugby over their handling of...

Wasps veteran Gopperth has offers from around the globe

By NEALE HARVEY EVERGREEN playmaker Jimmy Gopperth says re-signing for Wasps this summer is not a done deal as he ponders...

Kennedy bankrolls Booster for north west

By JON NEWCOMBE Winners: Brian Kennedy and captain Jason Robinson after Sale’s victory over Leicester in the 2006 Premiership final PICTURE:...

Beating Australia is cherished memory

MY LIFE IN RUGBY GREIG TONKS FORMER SCOTLAND, LEICESTER, NOTTINGHAM, EDINBURGH AND LONDON IRISH UTILITY BACK Sweet victory: Greig Tonks playing...

YOUNG GUNS

HARRYBREEZE SCARLETS BACK ROW Born in London and educated at the renowned Whitgift School, Harry Breeze was on the books of...

World Cup misery big motivator for Watson

By NEALE HARVEY ANTHONY Watson insists he will never get over England’s World Cup final defeat to South Africa as he...

Party-loving Lions suffer whitewash in New Zealand

Captain: The great Jackie Kyle THE 1950 Lions to New Zealand were packed with big names and were among the most...

Golden era with Ireland and Wales centre stage

Brendan Gallagher continues his expert and authorative look at the history of Rugby Union WHEN World War 2 finished – May...

RFU need grasroots rescue package

Life-line: The RFU get Sport England money based on participation levels in grassroots games So, as expected, Bill Beaumont has achieved...

Marti’s mission makes the Begles top dogs

PETER JACKSON reveals how many, or how few, watched Europe’s top leagues The Magical Couldron: Bordeaux Begles fans show their support...

Park have point to prove after losing title verdict

By WARREN MUGGLETON Doubling up: Rosslyn Park beat Richmond twice ROSSLYN Park are determined to finish top next season after losing...

Lion’s share goes to Richmond with mighty Rams chasing hard

The Rugby Paper’s National League One correspondents pick a Team of the Season Captain marvel: No.8 Robbie Stapley was inspirational for...

Irish joins Warriors

WORCESTER have appointed Bristol scrum coach Mark Irish to the same role at Sixways. The 38-year-old will follow forwards coach Jonathan...

Tigers cull continues

WINGER Adam Thompstone will leave Leicester in the summer. Also departing are Jonny May, Jonah Holmes, Sam Harrison, Guy Thompson, EW...

Thorpe takes the reins at Chinnor

NEWS EXTRA By JON NEWCOMBE CHINNOR have moved quickly to fill the vacancy left by Matt Williams by appointing former Premiership...

Global game? Germany are twenty years behind

Playing catch up: Germany’s Christopher Hilsenbeck kicks clear against Georgia PICTURE: Getty Images During the decidedly uncivil English war over control...

Bloodied, bandaged but ready for battle

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

Itoje should lead the 2021 Lions

Nick Easter, left, and Kyran Bracken have joined forces to produce the vibrant podcast Ruck It. With the Lions tour next...

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Prop Blackmore dies aged 58

FORMER Wales prop Steve Blackmore has died aged 58 after suffering from a brain tumour. Blackmore featured four times for Wales,...

Premiership told to stop shackling the mavericks

By NEALE HARVEY ENGLISH rugby’s failure to embrace mavericks like Danny Cipriani is one of the travesties of the modern game,...

Big Lift challenge smashes target for NHS

BARNES raised almost £150k in their Big Lift challenge to aid NHS charities. The National Two South club honoured the passing...

Piatau’s brother proves loyalty is possible

ANYBODY reading my ‘stuff ’ over the years will know there is no bigger supporter of the Pacific Island teams but...

South Sea Bubble could provide tonic for rugby

Heroic: Andrew Alolupo scores for Western Samoa in their 35-12 win over Argentina at the 1991 Rugby World Cup PICTURE: Getty...

Gatland has such riches in key area

2021 LIONS A YEAR TO GO NICK CAIN LOOKS AT THE CONTENDERS FOR EACH POSITION THIS WEEK… OPENSIDES OPENSIDE flanker is...

Talent-spotter Dusty is back to help his old club’s revival

World record kicker: Dusty Hare DUSTY Hare remains a Leicester legend despite having spent seven years bringing through a swathe of...

So just what has gone wrong with the once-mighty Tigers?

Director of rugby: Geordan Murphy New head coach: Steve Borthwick Glory days: Lewis Moody salutes a packed Welford Road after Leicester...

Billy wears the crown, others wield the power

Midway through the BBC’s ancient but still mesmerising adaptation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, there is a pivotal discussion between George...

Regan: I was so deaf, at line-outs I read lips

Mark Regan, the charismatic hooker known as ‘Ronnie’ who was part of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning squad, today reveals a remarkable...

Quins recruit Turnbull to coach forwards

NEWS EXTRA By ROB COLE JOSH Turnbull will combine his playing duties at Cardiff Blues with coaching the forwards at Welsh...

No surprise Ireland thrived after they quit the Berkeley!

Brendan Gallagher continues his enthralling series by looking at rugby’s best drinking venues 1. The Berkeley Court (Dublin) The manic Berkeley...

New kicking law will increase excitement

New role: Taulupe Faletau should get more opportunity to carry the ball from deep PICTURE: Getty Images I was really looking...

Street in for Mapletoft

HARLEQUINS Women’s co-head coach Gary Street is taking on a new role to lead the Quins Academy. Current Academy coach Mark...

ON THE BLINDSIDE

BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler Goode will go east for Saracens ‘gap year’ Off: Alex Goode SARACENS full-back Alex...

ROOM 101

RYAN BURROWS COVENTRY’S TRP DREAM XV NO.8 TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES 1. Lorry drivers overtaking on major roads Sometimes...

Kennedy calls for a two-year season

By JON NEWCOMBE FORMER Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy believes that completing the current Premiership campaign would be “nigh on impossible”...

Goode off to Japan

PICTURE: Getty Images Alex Goode will quit relegated Saracens for a year in Japan. The fullback is being signed by Top...