Probyn column: RFU need a strategy to find successor to Eddie Jones

Jeff Probyn on the RFU's need to no longer import expensive overseas assistant coaches and the newest turn in the Saracens...

England try to tempt Louis Rees-Zammit away from Wales

Gloucester's uncapped prodigy has verbally stated his intention to represent Wales - but that hasn't stopped Jones calling about England duty

Murphy confident May will sign on

LEICESTER head coach Geordan Murphy said that he was hopeful that two try winger Jonny May will stay at Welford Road...

England stars ease Tigers’ fears of relegation

By NICK CAIN Eye of the Tiger: Jonny May beats Luke Morahan to score the final try PICTURES: Getty Images Going...

Fatialofa suffers ‘serious’ injury

ALAN Solomons admits there was little his team could do to stop being steam-rollered into the Allianz Park artificial surface. The...

Imperfect Sarries start decade with super ten

By GARY FITZGERALD Icing on the cake: Elliot Daly evades the efforts of Tom Howe to scores Saracens’ final try PICTURES:...

Finding more centres to punch their weight is key

JEREMY GUSCOTT Options for Eddie: Gloucester’s Mark Atkinson and right Ollie Devoto, top, Nick Tompkins and Piers Francis PICTURES: Getty Images...

DREAMTEAM

PETER WHITE, COVENTRY, ENGLAND COUNTIES AND FORMER STOURBRIDGE & BEDFORD NO.9, CHOOSES HIS BEST XV PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. James...

Salary cap makes decent run in Europe a tough ask

COLIN BOAG Dead rubber: Bath take on Quins in Pool 3 next week but neither can qualify After this weekend’s round...

Supporters deserve voice to be heard

READING last week’s letters, the overriding conclusion is that World Rugby, Premiership Rugby and CVC are overlooking the one area which...

Questions remain if‘rental’ system is best way forward

IF ONL0Y things were as black and white as Colin Boag suggests, and making the unions of Tier One countries “primarily...

TMO must become louder on foul play

Letters SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk THE TMO is...

Ealing eager for Codling

EXCLUSIVE By JON NEWCOMBE ALEX Codling is in talks with Ealing Trailfinders about rejoining them as head coach for next season....

Bulked up Lawday making big strides

By NEALE HARVEY On the ball: Tom Lawday on the charge for Quins against Leicester PICTURE: Getty Images SUPER-SIZED Harlequins No.8...

Gray joins Hogg at Chiefs

EXETER have signed Scotland lock Jonny Gray from Glasgow on a two-year deal, starting next season. The 25-year-old has 55 international...

Whizz kid Rees-Zammit is speeding into Six Nations

By NEALE HARVEY WING sensation Louis Rees-Zammit has the talent and mental strength to take a Wales call-up in his stride,...

Blues keen to lure loosehead Heyes away from Leicester

CARDIFF Blues are interested in signing Leicester loosehead Joe Heyes. The England U20 prop is Welsh qualified and highly rated by...

Charteris: ‘Incredible’ Stooke now Test ready

By NEALE HARVEY Leading from front: Elliott Stooke in action against Quins PICTURES: Getty Images ELLIOTT Stooke’s durability in an improving...

Galthie plots his opening gambit from Paris hot seat

Key man for Clermont: France centre Virimi Vakatawa This weekend’s Top 14 matches – the 13th round of the season –...

Samson looks strong for Six Nations recall

By STEFFAN THOMAS Dropped: Samson Lee SAMSON Lee has been backed to return to his dynamic best for the Six Nations...

91-0! It’s a mauling as Bridge prepare for Plate

Welsh Division One round-up By CARL FIELD NEWBRIDGEwarmed up for next weekend’s Specsavers National Plate quarter-final showdown against holders and One...

Ebbw haunted by spectre of returning Jones

By ROB COLE RHYS Jones came back to haunt his former teammates with a starring performance that made it three wins...

Bridgend charge halted by O’Brien winner

By ROB COLE MATT O’Brien broke Bridgend hearts as he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a 45-metre penalty...

Nip and tuck before Drovers turn on the power

By MARTYN PERKINS THE lead changed hands four times in the second half before the power of the Llandovery pack finally...

Siggery surge to line seals it for Quins

By GUTO DAVIES CARMARTHEN Quins consolidated second place after coming from behind. In a game of contrasting halves, a stubborn defence...

Cardiff prove untouchable to stay at the summit

By STEFFAN THOMAS Premiership CARDIFF extended their lead in the Premiership with a comprehensive win. Tries from Ioan Davies, Max Llewellyn,...

Mighty Pooler’s victory is their 60th in a row

Welsh Championship round-up By CARL FIELD RUTHLESS Pontypool ran in ten tries as they inflicted a crushing 62-14 home defeat on...

RUGBY SHORTS

Nakarawa to Glasgow FIJI lock Leone Nakarawa, 31, has rejoined Glasgow Warriors until the end of the season as revealed on...

Dickens’ lads start prep for French test

NEWS EXTRA ALAN Dickens has named his 32-man England U20 elite player squad for the 2020 campaign with their first game...

Challenge Cup nears boiling point with Pool deciders aplenty

Building steam: Dean Ryan WHATwith no live Thursday night game on the TV these days the Challenge Cup seems to have...

How the Pools stand

REMAINING FIXTURES: Round 5 – Leinster v Lyon, Northampton v Benetton Round 6 – Benetton v Leinster, Lyon v Northampton Leinster,...

Miracle man Cooney’s got Ulster fans dreaming big

BRENDAN GALLAGHER looks at the strength of Ulster’s challenge for the top prize in Europe History boys: Ulster win in 1999...

Taufua urges Crusaders boss to follow him north

Physical: Jordan Taufua HARISMATIC Crusaders coach Scott Robertson could enhance his All Blacks credentials by becoming a smash-hit in the Premiership...

Classy Umaga has the genes to succeed

By NEALE HARVEY Making his mark: Malakai Fekitoa MALAKAI Fekitoa credits fly-half Jacob Umaga with transforming Wasps’ attack and reckons the...

RFU need a strategy to find Eddie’s successor

Flare up: Exeter Chiefs players clash with Saracens at Sandy Park last Sunday PICTURE: Getty Images As we start the New...

Billingham shock as chasers scent blood

Northern Premier THE gap at the top of the table is closing as league leaders Billingham went down 35-26 in the...

Perfect response by wounded Barum

South West Premier BARNSTAPLE are still the team to beat in the South West Premier. after coming out unscathed from an...

Pack closing in as Islanders miss bonus

London & South East Premier IT’S getting interesting at the top of the table as league leaders Guernsey, who failed to...

Barton’s hat-trick gives Paviors lift-off

Midlands Premier PAVIORS lifted themselves away from the drop zone with a thrilling 38-34 victory at home to Kettering. A hat-trick...

Talent spotter Boden hunting for ‘fit, hungry’ new recruits

By JON NEWCOMBE Big plans: Steve Boden STEVE BODEN wants Doncaster to be a club that can help players fulfil their...

YOUNGGUNS

NOAH HEWARDFULL-BACK WORCESTER Six years ago, Noah Heward had a decision to make. Did he continue pursuing a career in football...

OAs come from behind in thriller

By JOHN CROYSDILL SUTTON & Epsom opened their 2020 account in disappointing fashion, losing at Rugby Lane to Old Albanian by...

Late tries edge 12-score cracker

By JOHN WHITE DINGS made a fantastic start to the new decade thanks to a bonus-point win over Esher at Shaftesbury...

Mid-table rivals begin with a banger

By NEIL IRELAND THE first game of the new decade for both teams was a thriller, the home side triumphing 24-22...

End-to-end thriller as Dalton try wins day

By MIKE AMOS Power play: Taunton’s Cory Teague bursts through. Right: Worthing on top at a line-out PICTURES: CJ Photos A...

Seven-try win thanks to first-half barrage

By MIKE HOWKINS LEICESTER Lions showed their class in a splendid first-half performance that welcomed in the New Year. Westcliff opened...

Leaders roll on in Red warning

By GEOFF SIBLEY OLD Redcliffians, fighting for their lives, had the dubious honour of hosting free-scoring Juddians at Scotland Lane, and...

Hawks escape Lions shocker

By ADAM HUNTER BOTTOM club Bournemouth came within a score of upsetting table-toppers Henley Hawks, going down 26-20 at Chapel Gate....

Honey-pot traps hosts as gritty Reds dig in

BY LYNDON EDNEY A FINE kicking performance from Fraser Honey helped Redruth come from behind twice to grind out a narrow...

MY LIFEIN RUGBY

THE FORMER WASPS AND LEINSTER PROP WILL GREEN WHEN I’m asked if I miss rugby, I always say I don’t miss...