McCall: Max has touch of Barrett

SARACENS two-try fullback Max Malins drew comparisons with Beauden Barrett after inspiring Saracens to inflict the heaviest defeat Bristol have suffered...

Sarries uneveil a new star in magical Malins

By NICK CAIN Star is born: Max Malins goes over in the corner for Saracens PICTURES: Getty Images Early hope: Luke...

Relegation has no fears for Prem

THE main reason given for Premiership clubs devaluing the European Cup by putting out half strength sides is that they are...

Munster’s manners slip with doc Jamie

WE are all hostages to fortune at times, which is where Nigel Wray found himself as events unfolded during Saracens’ 15-6...

Rugby is forgiving and Howley deserves that

RROB Howley’s ninemonth ban (with a further nine months suspended) for breaching World Rugby’s gambling regulations is not something to be...

DREAMTEAM

STEVE McCOLL, DONCASTER AND FORMER SCOTLAND U20s, LEEDS & GLOUCESTER FULL-BACK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…...

Irish and French squad strengths defy belief

Views COLIN BOAG Galacticos: Leinster at Franklin’s Gardens had 453 caps between them What are we to make of the situation...

Huge plaudits for Lam and Boyd

SINCE before the end of last season two subjects have dominated “rugby talk” – the World Cup and the financial affairs...

Stop this chatter, just ref the game!

AT LAST, someone agrees with me. Colin Boag is 100 per cent right – referees are taking away the advantage by...

Spread it wide and let backs dazzle

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk I THOROUGHLY enjoy reading...

Eddie’s closed the door on my Test career – Robshaw

Big Billy again for revitalised Nathan By SAM JACKSON Fitter: Nathan Hughes makes a break for Bristol against Bath PICTURES: Getty...

Beast off to new Glory in Washington

FORMER South Africa prop Tendai Mtawarira is joining Washington's Old Glory DC in America’s fledgling Major League Rugby. The ‘Beast’ will...

Time to get ruthless, Clarke tells Gloucs

By NEALE HARVEY BATTLING back rower Freddie Clarke says Gloucester must hone their killer instinct if they are to figure in...

Williams signs for Scarlets

WALES full-back Liam Williams is set to rejoin Scarlets from Saracens at the end of the season. The British Lions flyer...

Moody’s explorers set for final mission

By SAM JACKSON FORMER England captain Lewis Moody is in the final weeks of preparations for an expedition to the remotest...

Emotions run high over death of ‘Ibou’

French rugby this week mourned 2013 Top 14 champion Ibrahim Diarra, who died on Wednesday at the age of 36. A...

Evans: World Cup blow was tough but I’ve parked it now

New man at No10: Jarrod Evans By ALEX BYWATER JARROD Evans is just 23 and has only three Test caps to...

All Blacks confident Mooar will leave Scarlets

By SAM JACKSON NEW Zealand coach Ian Foster is ‘really confident’ Scarlets boss Brad Mooar will become part of his coaching...

Surgery rules Watkins out of Wales’ Six Nations start

WALES centre Owen Watkin will miss the start of the 2020 Six Nations after having knee surgery. Watkin, 23, limped off...

Unflappable Bird flying as Ponty topple Turks

By GUTO DAVIES PONTYPRIDD delivered a determined performance to see off in-form Llanelli. Llanelli broke the deadlock through Iwan Evans’ penalty...

Ironmen down Quins to get back on track

By ANDREW DEERING MERTHYR halted a threegame losing streak by beating Carmarthen Quins. Steff Marshall kicked an early penalty for the...

Blue & Blacks break Church Bank curse in epic

By MATTHEW DAVIES CARDIFF broke their Church Bank voodoo to move 15 points clear at the top of the table as...

Ravens secure crucial victory to ease fears

By PAUL HOPKINS BRIDGEND eased their relegation concerns with a determined win over regional rivals Swansea. In the opening exchanges a...

Thomas stars as Wizards breeze past Steelmen

By THOMAS WILLIAMS ABERAVON ended a run of four straight defeats and sent Ebbw Vale to the bottom of the table...

Baldwin backed to be Wales’ new star in midfield

By STEFFAN THOMAS COREY Baldwin has been told he has the potential to be Wales star Jonathan Davies’ long-term successor in...

You have to fail to become coach of the All Blacks!

MATT McILRAITH Hoping to coach the All Blacks? Don’t bother coaching a Super Rugby team then. Not only do statistics suggest...

Lightning looking fine as battered Bears concede nine

By BETHAN ZIEDLER LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning stole the show as they put 55 points past Bristol Bears and made amends for the...

Quality Quins rampant as Warriors hit for six

By NICK REWCASTLE HARLEQUINS Women bounced back from last weekend’s defeat against Sar acens with a convincing victory over Worcester Warriors...

Savvy Sharks smell blood to secure bonus-point glory

By ADAM SMITH DARLINGTON Mowden Park Sharks triumphed in the battle of the north after securing an important bonus-point victory at...

Ellie’s late heroics take the sting out of Wasps

By ALEX BARTLETT SUSIE Appleby hailed the desire of her players after a late Ellie Underwood try sealed a remarkable comeback...

Rayer given bigger war chest to turn Blues around

By JON NEWCOMBE BEDFORD Blues chairman Geoff Irvine has opened his cheque book and released more funds to help DoR Mike...

Four-year ban for Hull wing

HULL RUFC winger Stephen Hihetah has been suspended from all sport for four years after he tested positive for banned substances....

Small can still be dynamic insists Simmonds

EXETER No.8 Sam Simmonds feels back to his dynamic best and would love a Six Nations shot with England alongside Tom...

I’m ready to challenge that England spot says

By NEALE HARVEY England choice: Saracens’ Billy Vunipola is the man in possession Go-forward: Pat Lam BRISTOL talisman Nathan Hughes believes...

Stokes boosts Irish back three options

LONDON Irish have bolstered their squad with back-three flyer James Stokes joining from Coventry for the remainder of the season. James,...

Skipper Laidlaw calls time on Test career

SCOTLAND captain Greig Laidlaw has stepped down from international duty after 76 caps. The 34-year-old Clermont scrum-half is second on the...

Harman takes reins from Pendlebury

WASPS have appointed Kevin Harman as head of academy following Jon Pendlebury’s departure to join the RFU as England U18s head...

Morgan extends his stay at Gloucester

BENMorgan has signed a new “longterm” contract with Gloucester. The 30-year-old joined the club from PRO12 side Scarlets in 2012 and...

Le Bourgeois gets new deal at Wasps

WASPS centre Michael Le Bourgeois has signed a new undisclosed-length contract with the Premiership side. The 29-year-old –who can also play...

Bears forward Batley joins Tigers on loan

LEICESTER Tigers have signed utility forward Joe Batley on loan from fellow Premiership side Bristol. The 23-year-old has turned out twice...

You’d think Jamie would be used to the insults

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME There’s nothing like a good old fashioned punch-up or handbag waving contest...

Frustration for Maidenhead as they fail to capitalise on Barnstaple postponement

South West Premier MAIDENHEADmissed the chance to pull back on South West Premier leaders Barnstaple after being held to a 20-20...

Harrogate make up ground

Northern Premier HAVING picked up on a game postponed from 26th October, Harrogate move back into second place in North Premier...

Bournville go 12 without loss in clash of leaders

Midlands Premier IN THE top-of-the-table clash at Bridgnorth it was Bournville who continued their unbeaten streak, running out 24-13 winners. Matt...

Tight at the top come Christmas with Raiders heading up three-team pack

London & South East Premier GUERNSEY Raiders remain at the top of the table following a 47-7 win away at Brighton....

England flop in Cape Town cauldron

Front runners: Kiwis got revenge on South Africa By ADAM ELLIS MEN ENGLAND equalled their worst ever finish in Cape Town...

YOUNG GUNS

FREDDIESTEWARD LEICESTER FULL-BACK Norfolk has provided a rich seam of talent to Leicester down the years with the Youngs brothers, Ben...

Bury switch on turbo as Westcliff are felled late

By NICK CROWE BURY St Edmunds grabbed two late tries to put the gloss on victory in an evenly-fought match-up at...

Bradley helps Hawks to pass Redcliffians test

By NICK PITSON DRY Leas was anything but dry on a day when Henley Hawks bested the visiting Old Redcliffians with...

Shepherd’s flock get set for a happy Christmas

Muddy marvel: Jack Hodge goes over for a try for Redruth By BILL HOOPER REDRUTH wrapped up a deserved win over...