The Galthie guillotine could chop up rivals

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK ”Galthie has put his reputation on the line to bring an end to...

We need fast start now says Johan

AFTER similar poor performances in the first half of their last two home league games against Worcester and Bath, Gloucester’s director...

Mighty Toulouse stand in way for Gloucester

By ROGER PANTING Pile up: Gloucester celebrate as referee Frank Murphy awards their fourth try scored by Todd Gleave PICTURES: Getty...

Kaino: Now we’re ready for Gloucester

By JOHN FALLON Grounded: Toulouse’s Pita Ahki scores with the help of Antoine Dupont PICTURE: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy TOULOUSE captain Jerome Kaino...

Van Graan sweats on Hanrahan hamstring

By ADAM ELLIS Doubt: JJ Hanrahan Chance: Ben Healy MUNSTER head coach Johann van Graan has urged his side to move...

That was a golden chance missed laments coach Hogg

Soft points: Carl Hogg CARL Hogg said the Ospreys let victory slip from their grasp as their horror season continued. The...

Red card, but Sarries still find the way to win

By ALEX BYWATER Early hope: Dan Evans scores Ospreys’ first try Comeback: Alex Lewington, left, celebrates with Manu Vunipola after scoring...

McFarland: We needed tries, not penalties

ULSTER head coach Dan McFarland defended his side’s decisions to kick for the corner in the first half rather than go...

Ulster miss chance as Clermont put on style

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER ULSTER, not making the best of a dominant first half, felt the full force of Clermont after the...

Marler is an ugly star says Gustard

HARLEQUINS prop Joe Marler celebrated his 200th appearance for the club by earning praise from director of rugby Paul Gustard. Gustard...

Watson’s off as Bath face Euro whitewash

By ROGER PANTING Going in: Alex Dombrandt breaks away to score for Harlequins PICTURES: Getty Images Touchdown: Jackson Willison dives over...

Pick Louis now to foil England, Wales told

By PETER JACKSON WALES are being urged to pick Louis Rees-Zammit for the Six Nations this week to avert any danger...

Saracens judge says: Lift cloak of privacy

By DAVID EMERY Open justice: Lord Dyson THE senior judge who presided over the Saracens salary cap inquiry has urged Premiership...

Room 101: England Sevens captain Tom Mitchell

A phobia we don't think we've had proposed to Room 101 before...

Northampton’s restoration under Chris Boyd owes much to freedom of youth

The Northampton Saints director of rugby hasn't been afraid to offer opportunity to the club's brighest academy prospects

Classy Jacob Umaga has the genes to succeed, says Wasps teammate Fekitoa

Wasps centre Malakai Fekitoa sees a bright future for starlet fly-half Jacob Umaga

Gloucester whizz-kid Louis Rees-Zammit can speed into Six Nations

Like many others at Gloucester, their rise gathered pace at Hartpury College

Saracens appoint new chairman with legal expertise

Premiership club appoint experienced lawyer as successor to Nigel Wray

Cain column: Wray leaving could see salary cap storm linger

Nick Cain shares his views on what the retirement of Nigel Wray as chairman means for Saracens

Wasps fly-half Billy Searle to switch to Worcester Warriors

"I'll continue to give my all to the jersey till the end of the season" - Billy Searle

Williams column: Top signing for Ospreys by Rhys Webb must earn Wales spot

Rhys Webb's availability for Wales is welcome but shouldn't threaten Gareth or Aled Davies, writes Shane Williams

England World Cup star George Kruis set to exit Saracens

A big name departure could be on the cards for Saracens and the England lock department

Jordan Taufua urges Crusaders boss to follow him north

The Leicester Tigers flanker believes head coach Scott Robertson can boost his All Blacks aspirations by gracing the Premiership

Happier times for Northampton’s Haywood after ACL, MCL and PCL injury nightmare

Saints hooker Mikey Haywood talks to Neale Harvey about his comeback from a severe knee injury

Jackson column: Champions will be wary of wounded Ospreys

Peter Jackson previews how the Ospreys will be seeking to ignite their season against Saracens this weekend

The four players set to leave Saracens early as club seeks to balance up the books – reports

After the retirement of Nigel Wray, the reality of Saracens' £5.36m fine for breaching the salary cap appears to be taking...

Guscott column: Eddie can’t ignore Mark Atkinson in search for centre

With Henry Slade likely out injured for all of the Six Nations, Jeremy Guscott looks at who can step in for...

Michael Fatialofa undergoes surgery to alleviate pressure on spinal cord

The Worcester Warriors lock remains in intensive care in London

Championship chairman fears funding cuts to Tier Two

Nottingham chairman Alistair Bow on the state of play between Championship clubs and the RFU, with the central funding agreement soon...

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...