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...

Coaches take centre stage in the New Year

Challenge: Franco Smith has taken over the Italian national team Insets: Fabian Galthie, right Andy Farrell, below PICTURES: Getty Images Making...

RUGBY SHORTS

Slade sidelined after double ankle injury EXETER and England centre Henry Slade is set for a spell on the sidelines with...

Lochore brought true style on and off the field

SIR BRIAN LOCHORE (Wairarapa-Bush and New Zealand) Died August 3, aged 78 ALL BLACKnumber 637. One of the New Zealand greats...

Man of steel who nurtured Baa-Baas

Grand master: President Micky Steele-Bodger visits the Barbarians dressing room after the Killick Cup match with Argentina last year MICKY STEELE-BODGER...

Rainbow nation got its colour from Chester

Obituaries: BRENDAN GALLAGHER PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT PLAYERS WHO DIED IN Star player: Chester Williams on the way to a...

Big worry that no English coach wants the top job

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME There are times when I think that nobody really cares or listens...

Impressive Amps land Boxing Day knockout

■By SAM ROBERTS AMPTHILL upped the ante in the second half to earn the bragging rights over local rivals Bedford. Trailing...

Rhodri’s Dragons building strength through adversity

■By STEFFAN THOMAS Turned corner: Rhodri Williams PICTURE: Getty Images RHODRI Williams believes playing in a struggling Dragons side has made...

ROOM 101

LUC JONES THE JERSEY SCRUM-HALF TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Middle lane drivers...

Benetton double up despite Brex’s exit

Benetton 36 Zebre 25 ■By ADAM ELLIS A HAT-TRICK for hooker Hame Faiva completed a festive double for Benetton Treviso over...

Leinster crack the Thomond fortress

Munster 6 Leinster 13 ■By JOHN FALLON LEINSTER dug deep to carve out victory and end Munster’s two-year 21-match unbeaten record...

My worst night at Ospreys – Tipuric

Sneaking in: Kieran Hardy scores for Scarlets PICTURE: Huw Evans ■By STEFFAN THOMAS BRAD Mooar was delighted with his side as...

High-five for Ulster despite wobbly arrows

Ulster 35 Connacht 3 ■By JOHN FALLON ULSTERcoach Dan McFarland said a big improvement will be required to see off Munster...

Blues keep climbing with fourth win on trot

■ By ROGER PANTING JOSH Navidi returned from his World Cup injury to lead Blues to a hard-fought victory before a...

Graham’s try double sets up revenge

Edinburgh 29 Glasgow 19 EDINBURGH put in a much improved performance to turn the tables on Glasgow Warriors and avenge last...

Hill: Grind of club rugby is killing player numbers

By NEALE HARVEY RICHMONDdirector of rugby Steve Hill claims player numbers will “fall off a cliff” unless the amount of rugby...

Let’s hear it for my winners of 2019!

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Silent assassin: Danny Cipriani has heard nothing from Eddie jones. Inset left: Sebastien...

Chiefs ‘have learnt how to rule Europe’

Are Exeter Chiefs ready to win the Heineken Champions Cup? NEALE HARVEY talks to two of their coaches who believe their...

MY LIFEIN RUGBY

MIKE McCARTHY FORMER IRELAND, WASPS, NEWCASTLE, CONNACHT & LEINSTER LOOSE FORWARD IWAS a late bloomer with Ireland. I thought that ship...

Top v bottom but, make no mistake, it’s clash of titans

NICK CAIN MEASURES THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ENGLAND’S TWO BEST TEAMS On form: Nick Tompkins scores as Saracens demolish Bristol last week...

Family matters as Blues have proved so well

WE TALK a lot about the rugby family. It’s what makes our game what it is and the Cardiff Blues have...