Cain column: Japan needs sumos who can play in the front row

Nick Cain questions whether have kept pace with the bulk and physicality of other Tier 2 nations

Cross-coder Curtis Rona aims to excite London Irish fans

Rona spoke to Sekope Kepu and a number of League players about life in England

Hard graft paying off as Marland Yarde nears comeback for Sale Sharks

Yarde is making tremendous progress on his way back from a catastrophic knee injury

Guscott column: Springboks are my pick, but only if Handre Pollard can stay fit

Handre Pollard was in dominant form during the Rugby Championship, as South Africa lifted the trophy

Gatland: Rob Howley is devastated by the allegations

Wales coach Warren Gatland has for the first time after Rob Howley's betting allegations went public

Jackson column: French refs see red more often than most

Peter Jackson analyses the tendency of French officials to dig out the red card

Wales coach Rob Howley sent home on the eve of the Rugby World Cup

A huge bombshell for Warren Gatland and the Wales camp to deal with

I’ll prove Eddie was wrong to drop me, says Nathan Hughes

“You train all your life for a big goal like the World Cup and sometimes you have obstacles put in your...

Williams column: Hadleigh Parkes will know when the time is right to by risky

Shane Williams pinpoints Hadleigh Parkes as the man central to Wales' backline

Profile – Russia: How the Bear came in from the cold at last

Brendan Gallagher charts Russia's tortuous path to the World Cup

Japan will go ballistic if Blossoms bloom at Rugby World Cup

Nick Cain sets out the teams who are likely to be in the quarter-finals, and pegs Japan and Fiji to be...

Room 101: Cornish Pirates hooker Tom Channon

It's safe to say, the Cornish Pirates hooker hits the nail on the head with these selections for Room 101

Nicol try swings it way of the Warriors

Glasgow ..........36 Ulster................33 A LATE Adam Nicol effort ensured victory for Glasgow but head coach Dave Rennie demands the team’s defensive...

Dependable Evans holds his nerve to claw Ospreys back

By GARY HEATLY REPLACEMENT Cai Evans kicked a late penalty to clinch victory for the Ospreys as they warmed up for...

Hewitt back with a bang as Dragons get off to a flyer

By ROGER PANTING ASHTON Hewitt made a sparkling return as Dragons began their season preparations impressively by winning a full-blooded Welsh...

Kidney’s new-look Irish given a teaching

By JOHN FALLON Breakthrough: Dan Goggin scores the opening try for Munster DECLAN Kidney said that London Irish will use their...

Young guns lead Saints fightback but fall just short

By GEORGE LAWRENCE NORTHAMPTON produced a storming second-half comeback but Leinster held on to make it three pre-season wins from three...

Cardiff prove to be best of Blues

By SAM ROBERTS Bedford Blues… 14 Cardiff Blues… 39 IT WAS billed as a battle of the Blues but as the...

Springboks are my pick, but only if Pollard stays fit

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK JEREMY GUSCOTT Key man for South Arica: Fly-half Handre Pollard PICTURE: Getty Images THIS will be...

DREAMTEAM

DAVE LEWIS, THE ROSSLYN PARK AND FORMER EXETER, GLOUCESTER AND HARLEQUINS No.9, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR...

Chirpy annnouncers and Mexican Waves. Ugh!

COLIN BOAG Lack of atmosphere: England v Italy in Newcastle England’s final RWC warm-up match at St James’Park was spoiled for...

Buzz about Toon far cry from Twickers

A VIBRANT Gallagher End and the whole of Newcastle welcomed both the England and Italian teams in anticipation of a feast...

Pack looks strong but concerned by midfield options

ENGLAND’S first choice pack – Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry and one...

England can utilise Eddie’s connection

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk ALL eyes turn to...

Saracens’ squad depth will be tested to the max

By JON NEWCOMBE Big hit: Saracens will be missing 15 players SARACENS – Together Saracens, is a motto that will be...

Forthcoming fixtures

Week beginning Sunday, 15th, 2019 It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 NATIONAL...

Ampthill bolster pack

JAC Arthur and Rob Langley have joined Ampthill for their first season in the Championship. Back five forward Arthur, 21, joins...

Crane set for coaching job at Bristol

New role: Jordan Crane JORDAN Crane is set to call time on a 16-year professional career at the end of the...

World Cup takes its heavy toll on Toulouse

FRENCH COLUMN JAMES HARRINGTON Veteran: Census Johnston, playing here for Racing 92, is still going strong for Bayonne at the age...

World Cup will inspire kids all around globe

THE FORMER ENGLAND AND LIONS LOCK, NOW COACHING AT MELBOURNE REBELS, REFLECTS ON HIS TIME COACHING IN AFRICA AS PART OF...

Food, science and rugby… what a job!

THE FORMER ENGLAND XV, BATH, LONDON IRISH, NEWCASTLE AND GLOUCESTER SECOND ROW MY LIFE IN RUGBY JAMES HUDSON Camel charge: James...

Ellis doubles up as Beddau shoot down the Ravens

By CARL FIELD Brace: Cameron Ellis CHAMPIONSHIP club Beddau pulled off the shock of the National Cup first round as they...

Midwife Knight aims to emulate her uncle

By STEFFAN THOMAS JADE Knight is hoping to use her Saracens form as a launchpad to becoming a permanant fixture in...

Scott’s quest to reach Premiership summit

ABBIE Scott is adamant Harlequins are contenders to win the Premier 15s this season. Harlequins were defeated by Saracens in last...

Standard’s gone up but McKenna eyes Saracens hat-trick

By ADAM ELLIS Player of the season: Sarah McKenna THE Premier XVs returns next weekend and fans are told to expect...

Promoted Birchgrove make it two on the spin

WELSH DIV 1 ROUND-UP By CARL FIELD BONYMAEN made it two wins out of two in One West Central with a...

Speedster Cambriani strikes twice to sink Blues

CELTIC CUP By ROB COLE BEN Cambriani flew in for two tries as the Ospreys got their Celtic Cup campaign off...

Canada snub gets lead Pirate hungry for battle

NEWS EXTRA By MIKE SINCLAIR BRETT Beukeboom is eager for action with Cornish Pirates after missing out on a place in...

Dallaglio: If Billy stays fit England can win it

Key man: Billy Vunipola LAWRENCE Dallaglio insists Eddie Jones’ men will be “a target” in Japan and urges them to keep...

Hughes: I’ll prove Eddie was wrong to drop me

By GARY FITZGERALD Working hard: Nathan Hughes PICTURE: Getty Images Choice: Eddie Jones NATHAN Hughes is adamant his England career is...

Players can really shrink at World Cups says Eddie

ENGLAND head coach Eddie Jones says the hot and humid conditions in Japan will suit his players. England open their campaign...

Driscoll hat-trick has Harrogate on a high

Northern Premier HARROGATE head the table after thrashing Kirkby Lonsdale 57-12. Tom Driscoll went in for a hat-trick, with Jonny Coser,...

Students are foiled by Keohane late dash

South West Premier A LAST-ditch Ed Keohane try, scrambled home in the corner, earned Maidenhead a 45-43 victory over Exeter University....

Guernsey and Rochford leading the way

London & South East Premier GUERNSEY Raiders remain the early league leaders following a bonus point 22-7 win at home to...

Paviors not out of place after a step-up

Midland Premier FIVE sides made it two wins from two, including Paviorswho continued their strong start following promotion with a second...

Davis: Tom’s a huge talent but we won’t rush him in

By NEALE HARVEY Young talent: Tom De Glanville Mentor: Ryan Davis BATH assistant coach Ryan Davis has vowed to use the...

YOUNG GUNS

SAM WAINRIGHT SARACENS TIGHTHEAD Sam Wainwright grew up admiring New Zealand’s double World Cup-winning brothers, Owen and Ben Franks. Now, he...

Kingdom steers ship in four-try win

By MIKE AMOS Taunton ..........29 Redruth ............12 TAUNTON Titans made it two from two with a solid all-round performance on a...

TJs sizzle to 70 in Sutton sunshine

By GARETH WITHERS Sutton & Eps ..14 Tonbridge J....74 AFTER a tough start away to Henley, life did not get any...

Hawks show predatory spirit to hit top

By BEN RODEN Old Redcliffs ..0 Henley ..........50 HENLEY HAWKS deservedly took maximum points at Scotland Lane against an Old Redcliffians...