Bigi gets the job of replacing Parisse

By GARY FITZGERALD NEW Italy captain, hooker Luca Bigi, hopes the arrival of Franco Smith will herald a successful era for...

Franco was lined up for months to replace O’Shea

Italy Brendan Gallagher charts background of new Italian head coach Franco Smith New broom: Franco Smith with his squad NICK CAIN...

Gavin will keep me in touch says Hogg

Scotland New Scotland captain Stuart Hogg will seek expert advice about his job Man and mentor: Stuart Hogg and Gavin Hastings,...

Sexton: If I keep healthy I can go on a lot longer

Ireland GARY FITZGERALD talks to Ireland’s new captain about his hopes Ambitions: Johnny Sexton is still driven for success PICTURE: Getty...

Saracens’ free agents may start a ‘slaughter’

By NEALE HARVEY RIPPLE effects from Saracens’ impending relegation to the Championship may lead to a “slaughter” of middle-ranked Premiership players...

I’ts England – if they can escape Paris!

Wise men? From left, Peter Jackson, Nick Cain, Matt Emery and Jerry Guscott The Rugby Paper’s brains trust reconvened for the...

Jones brings the Russian Bear back to basics in bid to claim their first title

By JON NEWCOMBE RUSSIA head coach Lyn Jones says his team will adopt a win-atall costs mentality as they look to...

Georgia will use the Boks to gatecrash Six Nations

Brendan Gallagher looks at the strength of the countries playing in the European Nations Cup WHILE the clamour for Georgia to...

Fright night for Falcons at electric Lady Bay

By ROB WILDMAN NEIL Fowkes told his Nottingham squad they must back up this performance in forthcoming trips to Yorkshire Carnegie...

Purple patch after half-time turns game Ealing’s way

By OLI SHAPLEY EALING Trailfinders ground out an impressive victory against local rivals London Scottish after a much improved second-half performance...

Amps survive late assault for famous victory

By WARREN KAY AMPTHILL held firm in the face of a fierce second half fightback to take the spoils over former...

Eden’s late strike puts Hartpury in wonderland

By LAURA SHANA On the run: Coventry’s Max Trimble HARTPURY notched a last-gasp win over high-flyers Coventry in an enthralling game...

Carnegie battle to the end with late Humfrey try

By TOM INNES JERSEY Reds stretched their legs and brushed aside Yorkshire Carnegie in a predictably onesided encounter. Enjoying a firm...

Pirates braced for another humdinger

Preview Cornish Pirates v Bedford Blues Today, Kick-off 2.30pm CORNISH Pirates joint head coach Alan Paver is expecting another ‘ding dong’...

I’m banking on Myners to end this Sarries saga

BEING both a proud Cornishman – and therefore surely a rugby man – and a razor sharp former Financial Services Minister,...

TV joins the American rugby fray

THE birth of Major League Rugby in North America has not been without its challenges but with its third season nearly...

Can lieutenant Andy cut it as the head honcho?

His Master’s Voice: Andy Farrell chats to new captain Johnny Sexton PICTURE: Getty Images You will hear much talk over the...

Walder’s name in the frame

NEWCASTLE Falcons head coach Dave Walder could be on the move as his CV has been doing the rounds of Premiership...

Kunatani opts for Castres

Move: Semi Kunatani CASTRES look to have won the race to land Harlequins ace Semi Kunatani in the face of competition...

U20 back row Hinkley off to Chiefs

EXETER Chiefs have agreed to a deal that will see them land England U20 back row Aaron Hinkley from Gloucester when...

Bath ready to offer Lozowski a new challenge

Versatile: Alex Lozowski BATH are leading the hunt for Alex Lozowski as the departures from disgraced Premiership champions Saracens pick up...

Lyon put Sopoaga on their wanted list

Top 14? Lima Sopoaga FRENCH Top 14 outfit Lyon are looking for a new fly-half and have Wasps former All Black...

Sinckler deal done, now Bears eye Kvesic

BRISTOL Bears, who are now understood to have completed a deal for England prop Kyle Sinckler, are still in the hunt...

ROOM 101

MATT ROGERSON THE LONDON IRISH NO.8 TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Untidiness I...

PRL lynch mob make Sarries climb scaffold

HOW can a Premiership Rugby organisation which preaches the moral virtues of a level playing field in salary cap funding –...

Porecki’s the hero as Saints implode

By ROGER PANTING Shock and roar: Dave Porecki dives over in the last minute to seal victory for Irish PICTURE: Getty...

Salary cap fallout pours more fuel on feisty rivalry

By NEALE HARVEY Loyal: Will Collier Eager: Richard Barrington HARLEQUINS prop Will Collier insists his side need no extra motivation as...

We’re kicking ourselves for losing that says disappointed Duncan

Frustrated: Duncan Weir DUNCAN Weir hopes for better luck with Scotland next weekend after failing to sign off from club duty...

Young tells England to keep an eye on Willis

By GARY FITZGERALD Comeback: Ollie Lawrence goes over for Worcester DAI Young claimed Eddie Jones should have picked Jack Willis after...

Sharks go third, ‘doing it right way’

VICTORY took Sale into third place in the Premiership table and rugby director Steve Diamond said: “Our investment – like Exeter’s...

Diamond savours his rare triumph at Exeter

By MIKE SINCLAIR STEVE Diamond believes his Sharks are in good shape to mount a serious attack on a Premiership play-off...

Dallaglio: Big Dom’s No.8 snub ‘curious’

By GARY FITZGERALD Starter: Jimmy Gopperth scores Wasps’ first try in their win at Worcester PICTURE: Getty Images LAWRENCE Dallaglio is...

Eddie’s men are chasing record £6m for a Slam

By PETER JACKSON Grand Slam: Wales earned £5m last year ENGLAND will hit the biggest jackpot in world rugby if they...

What’s in Sunday’s Rugby Paper?

Plenty to get your teeth into in issue #593 of TRP... SIX NATIONS: The Rugby Paper‘s team of columnists and writers...

‘Eddie Jones knows talent when he sees it’ – McConnochie backs Simon Amor

The Bath wing isn't going to lie down after missing out on a place in England's Six Nations squad

George Ford still has his best years ahead of him, says Eastmond

Kyle Eastmond has watched Ford grow from his time at Bath and Leicester

Matt Proudfoot: How England’s new forwards coach left a mark on Pieter-Steph du Toit and Schalk Brits

The two Springboks reveal the inner teachings of Proudfoot who worked under Rassie Erasmus in the World Cup triumph

Rugby Matters: New Broom Galthie has the leeway to go for broke with France

Brendan Gallagher writes how a new-found desire to nurture homegrown talent in the Top 14 has allowed Fabien Galthie to rewrite...

Nigel Wray issues apology to Saracens as Premiership releases report into salary cap breach

Nigel Wray speaks out to clarify co-investments with players revealed in finer detail by the Dyson report

Finn Russell sent home from Scotland camp

Scotland discipline star fly-half as the start of the Six Nations draws closer

“I’d done my time in Cape Town” – Eben Etzebeth talks Toulon move

Springboks enforcer Eben Etzebeth switched the Stormers for Toulon after winning the World Cup

Jackson column: Mystery of James Hook and the Wales No.10 shirt

Peter Jackson ponders why James Hook was rarely considered to play at outside half for Wales under Warren Gatland

Billy Vunipola ruled out of the Six Nations for England

Who can replace England's talisman with no Sam Simmonds or Alex Dombrandt in the squad?

Player-head coach Joe Ford leaves Yorkshire Carnegie

Carnegie say Ford has left the Championship club to concentrate on his business activities away from rugby

LEAKED: How Saracens breached the salary cap

Saracens co-investments broken down across property, hospitality and image rights

Harlequins sign Andre Esterhuizen after meeting lofty wage demands

Quins win race for Springbok centre's signature after facing competition from rival Premiership club

Williams column: Wayne Pivac has shocked a few and I am glad

Shane Williams praises the shrewd picks of Nick Tompkins and Will Rowlands in the Wales squad for the Six Nations

My Life in Rugby: Former London Irish and Scotland forward Kieran Low

A remarkable story of a player who reached the heights but can't recall some moments due to concussion

Premiership Rugby finally break cover over Saracens farrago

Chief executive Darren Childs says Premiership Rugby acted to protect the integrity of the league

Cain column: Vindictive owners get their pound of flesh off Saracens

Nick Cain believes the punishment served to Saracens bears no relation to their crimes