TEAMS: Bath get dream back row together at last for Gloucester clash

Francois Louw skippers Bath against rivals Gloucester with Sam Underhill and Taulupe Faletau in tow

Rugby Matters: New breed of coaches take centre stage in 2020

Only Eddie Jones and Gregor Townsend remain from the World Cup as the Six Nations nears

Alan Dickens names first squad as England U20 head coach

Alan Dickens has retained eight players who played for England U20s in 2019 in a 32-man squad

A wishlist for rugby in 2020: Nick Cain’s wants an England Grand Slam

Nick Cain reveals his wishlist for England and the sport of rugby in general this year

Hepher and Pellow see Champions Cup within touching distance for Exeter Chiefs

Past winners as players, head coach Ali Hepher and skills coach Ricky Pellow see Champions Cup glory as the next step...

Hull Ionians to hold minute’s silence after recent death of player Billy Hardy

Hardy was in his second season at the reigning National Two North champions

Williams column: A strong Dragons team can help Pivac make strides

Shane Williams shares his view on how Aaron Wainwright and Taine Basham can take Wales to the next level

Grind of club rugby is killing player numbers, says Richmond DoR Steve Hill

Hill sends a strong message to the RFU that 30-games-per-season is far too much for National League clubs

Obituaries: The rugby players and pioneers we lost in 2019

Brendan Gallagher remembers those influenced the sport greatly

Guscott column: Six Nations excitement can light up the New Year

Jeremy Guscott lends some advice for any players set to grace the Test stage for the first time in the upcoming...

Leone Nakarawa to rejoin Glasgow Warriors on short-term deal

The former European player of the year had his contract terminated by Racing 92 last month

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray retires citing need for ‘fresh start’

Nigel Wray has retired with immediate effect two months after Saracens were plunged into a salary cap scandal

Homecoming for Rhys Webb at Ospreys

Toulon agree to release the Welsh scrum-half a year early from his contract

Ellis Genge and George Ford agree Leicester Tigers extensions

George Worth and Sam Aspland-Robinson have also signed contract renewals to stay at Welford Road

Five rugby players who could have made it in football

There is a strong relationship between two of the UK’s biggest sports with a number of rugby players spending their youth...

Munster team doctor fined for verbally abusing Jamie George

Munster medic Jamie Kearns given €2,000 fine for comment which sparked mass brawl during Champions Cup trip to Saracens

What are the most common injuries in rugby?

Rugby is a full contact, 100mph sport with players smashing into one another nearly every second of the match. Yet, it...

Peter Jackson’s alternative list for Winners of 2019

An alternative take on the year's events sees Peter Jackson crown Doddie Weir for his fight in defiance of MND

Gustard: We’ve lost five centres

PAUL Gustard fears an injury crisis has gripped Quins after Italian star Michele Campagnaro joined the crocked list. Campagnaro appeared to...

Late try by Veainu sees Tigers grab vital lifeline to beat drop

By GARY FITZGERALD TELUSA Veainu crossed for a late try as Tigers growled back from the brink to snatch what could...

We dug in and held our nerve – Boyd

NORTHAMPTON DoR Chris Boyd hit a lighthearted note when asked about the contribution of MOM Cobus Reinach during a second-half in...

Cobus’ golden winter glows ever brighter

By NICK CAIN LOUIS Rees-Zammit is the hottest try-scoring property in the Premiership. Man-of-the-match: Cobus Reinach scores for Northampton But even...

Six Nations excitement can light up the New Year

MY wish list for the New Year starts with the teams competing for the 2020 Six Nations title to either play...

DREAMTEAM

IGNAS DARKINTIS, DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK, LITHUANIA AND FORMER THANET, BIRMINGHAM, ORDIZIA, COVENTRY AND EALING PROP, CHOOSES HIS BEST XV PLAYED WITH...

Unions should concentrate on amateur side of game

COLIN BOAG Last week’s Rugby Paper gave fuel to those who want to claim that the game is in rude health,...

Club fans miss out

IT is becoming increasingly obvious that World Rugby is only interested in international games. Of course the attendances and TV rights...

Conference call

FOLLOWING CVC involvement maybe we will see an integrated British League. It could consist of six conferences of four teams split...

Game could die if the roots continue to be neglected

FOLLOWING on from Colin Boag’s comments on the uneven playing field for Premiership sides when compared to the “richer” French clubs...

One Six Nations per year is enough

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk REGARDING Peter Jackson’s article...

Hooper’s got full backing of Bath buff Coe

BATH superfan Graham Coe is convinced his side will win the Premiership under rugby director Stuart Hooper – and he aims...

Cousin Carwyn follows Faletau not Vunipolas

By STEFFAN THOMAS CARWYN Tuipulotu hopes he can be Wales’ long term No.8 after turning his back on England. The 18-year-old...

Morgan still gunning for Test recall like Easter

By NEALE HARVEY WITH a new contract safely pouched, Ben Morgan believes Gloucester are in the perfect position to launch a...

ENGLAND U20s CLASS OF 2013 – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Junior Cup final squad – England U20s 23 Wales 15 15. Jack Nowell – Fullyfledged international superstar playing for Exeter Chiefs,...

Danny daring to dream about England again

By NEALE HARVEY SIX years after starring in England U20s history-making squad of 2013, London Irish prop Danny Hobbs- Awoyemi feels...

Hepher: I want to help build a dynasty at Exeter

EXETER head coach Ali Hepher believes establishing a Sir Alex Fergusonlike dynasty at Sandy Park outweighs the challenge of helping England...

Lewis-Hughes is using idol Sam as inspiration to excel

SHANE Lewis-Hughes has set his sights on reaching the very top – just like his idol Sam Warburton. Lewis-Hughes, 22, has...

O’Brien grabs chance to jump Scarlets queue

By ALEX BYWATER Man of match: Angus O’Brien ANGUS O’Brien says the pain of the past will drive him forwards as...

Toulon let Webb off extension to contract

On way back to Wales: Rhys Webb is free to leave Toulon PICTURE: Getty Images Dec 29: La Rochelle v Agen,...

Strongman John has eyes on lifting a Wales cap

STEP aside Big Ted, ‘Little John’ has taken on the mantle as the ultimate strong man at Sale Sharks. Andrew Sheridan...

Alex gets in the swim to help the hospice kids

By JON NEWCOMBE FORMER Scotland centre Alex Grove will go to any lengths to raise money for his favourite charity. Aquaman:...

JOE CARPENTER SALE SHARKS FULL-BACK

Feature It takes a certain level of chutzpah to turn down the chance of joining Saracens but former Yorkshire Carnegie academy...

Bainton double inspires Bridge in One East

Welsh Division One round-up By CARL FIELD NEWBRIDGE moved six points clear in One East with a 29-12 win at Risca....

Ponty flying high as Bird downs leaders

By ROB COLE CARDIFF’S 11-match unbeaten run was finally brought to an end as they ended a decade of trying to...

Swans glide to Turks league double

By PAUL HOPKINS SWANSEA secured a league double over old rivals Llanelli in a hard fought win at Parc y Scarlets....

Jack’s the Lad as Drovers battle to draw

By ALEX BYWATER JACK Maynard’s 83rdminute penalty rescued a dramatic draw for Llandovery as Carmarthen Quins lost more ground on Cardiff...

Craig double Lockes up Ironmen win

By IAN BLACKWELL CRAIG Locke bagged two trademark driving lineout tries as the Ironmen leapfrogged their north Wales rivals to move...

Hyatt hails Wizards after magic performance

By ROB COLE ABERAVON head coach Jason Hyatt reckoned his side’s six-try demolition of struggling Bridgend was among the best team...

Perfect Pooler hit half-ton to stay unbeaten

Welsh Championship round-up By CARL FIELD PONTYPOOL completed their second consecutive unbeaten calendar year in the Championship with a thumping eight-try...

One-eyed heroes defy the ravages of war

EXACTLY 100 years ago this week the Five Nations championship cranked back into action after World War 1 and it kicked...

Eagles must hope Irish don’t poach 20st man

THE US Eagles – slightly downcast at not doing themselves justice at RWC2019 but generally on an upward curve – are...