Luther puts his money on ‘scrapper’ Ludlam

By NEALE HARVEY Worked tirelessly: Lewis Ludlam PICTURES: Getty Images LEWIS Ludlam’s bloody-minded determination to prioritise winning rugby matches over making...

Eddie’s got balance right but Daly still looks shaky

Work in progress: Elliot Daly’s a match-winner, but is not commanding in the air PICTURE: Getty Images Ilike the 31-man England...

Farrell will have Ireland fired up says Robinson

By GARY FITZGERALD Old mate: Andy Farrell JASON Robinson insists it would be foolish to write off a potential Irish World...

Wing or 15, back-three overlap now says Watson

By NEALE HARVEY Utility back: Elliot Daly Aromatherapist: Jack Nowell Versatile: Speedster Anthony Watson PICTURE: Getty Images ANTHONY Watson insists England’s...

Cipriani: I’ll be ready if Eddie calls, I felt ready 7 years ago

DANNYCipriani insists he will be ready for the call should Eddie Jones require him as a late replacement for the World...

Shattered Halfpenny still makes his mark

By ROB COLE LEIGH Halfpenny proved that even after nine months away from the international stage he still has plenty to...

Wales are favourites now says artful Eddie

By ALEX BYWATER Jibe: Eddie Jones Dragon’s roar: George North celebrates scoring the only try of the game PICTURE: Getty Images...

Sean Long and his eye for detail can be a game changer for Harlequins’ Marcus Smith

Sean Long was part of Paul Gustard and Billy Mallard's plan for next season at Harlequins

Gallagher column: Scrap the World Cup warm-up games and take a short tour

Brendan Gallagher recalls England's wins over Australia and the All Blacks in a short tour prior to the 2003 World Cup

England back row stocks low as Jack Singleton is named as cover for Wales clash

No Underhill, Curry or Wilson for England ahead of Cardiff showdown

Johan Ackermann has put Gloucester on the path to challenge for top prizes

After seven years with Gloucester, departing chief executive Stephen Vaughan says the club is in a strong position

Dream Team: Former England Women’s 7s and XVs star Claire Allan

Claire Allan picks a best XV of players she played with and against

Cain column: Nigel Wray is being hounded for caring about his players at Saracens

Is the Saracens chairman the victim of vigilantism from other Premiership clubs?

Former Leicester Tigers wing Steve Booth has died suddenly aged 42

English rugby has been shocked by the sudden passing of former Leicester Tigers and Bath wing Steve Booth at the age...

Jackson column: Humble Sir Brian Lochore was touched by true greatness

Peter Jackson pays tribute to late All Blacks great Sir Brian Lochore

Nigel Short Q&A: the Scarlets chairman talks Brad Mooar

Scarlets chairman Nigel Short covets all areas facing the PRO14 club with the impending arrival of coach Brad Mooar

Olowofela: I’ll make my mark with Saints just like McConnochie did at Bath

Northampton flyer Ryan Olowofela insists he has no intention of hanging around in the race to replicate Ruaridh McConnochie’s stunning rise...

World Cup refs told to treat high tackles with zero tolerance, as Scott Barrett gets ban

Scott Barrett receives only a three-week ban from SANZAR for his high tackle on Australia captain Michael Hooper

England squad announcement: The 31 players heading to Japan

A tale of agony and ecstasy for players who have long been on England's radar and some who have only just...

South Africa clinch first Rugby Championship title in a decade

Are the Springboks closing the gap on New Zealand after their 46-13 thumping of Argentina?

O’Shea demands ‘precision under pressure’

CONOR O’Shea said his Italy side gave away some easy scores but will take a lot of positives from the display....

Schmidt’s keeping his fingers crossed on Carbery

By RONAN O’BRIEN Threat: Andrew Conway dives over to score Ireland’s third try PICTURES: Getty Images Blow: Joey Carbery is helped...

Record man Varndell set for a final spin at Carnegie

By JON NEWCOMBE Swansong: Tom Varndell YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE have held talks with Premiership Rugby’s record try-scorer Tom Varndell in a move...

Olowofela in a hurry to make his mark in XVs

By NEALE HARVEY New Saint: Former England 7s speedster Ryan Olowofela PICTURES: Getty Images Tiger: Jordan Olowofela World Cup shot: Ruaridh...

Chance of a title fight too good to pass up says Witty

AFTER swapping Newcastle for Exeter, revved-up lock Will Witty says the opportunity to test himself at a title-chasing side was too...

Heinz needs a big game or Eddie will get stick

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK Moment of truth: Willi Heinz has his chance to impress THE England team that...

DREAMTEAM

SEB STEGMANN, THE EALING AND FORMER HARLEQUINS, LONDON WELSH AND YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE WINGER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH...

Eddie mind games can give England an edge

COLIN BOAG Mystifying: Eddie Jones doesn’t seem to rate Alex Goode The phoney war starts this weekend in the northern hemisphere,...

Goldring mistaken

WORCESTER Warriors co-owner Colin Goldring has cemented my concern over the role of CVC and private investment within British rugby. Goldring...

Gifts for the Prem

THE recent Premiership “ins & outs” section demonstrated the value of the Championship despite the lack of funding by the powers...

Small clubs’ role as star finders needs cherishing

I HAVE followed the disagreement between Colin Boag and Jeff Gage with interest, however both are so entrenched in their own...

Waist-high tackle rule spells danger

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk IT CAUSES me grave...

Captain Ford talks the talk

GEORGE Ford will lead England out against Wales today in the absence of rested skipper Owen Farrell. Despite a lack of...

Daly: We’re fit, strong and really raring to go

By GARY FITZGERALD Winning matters: Elliot Daly ELLIOT Daly says he and his England teammates are primed for action and prepared...

Gareth still drinks to that World Cup magic moment

By ALEX BYWATER GARETH Davies admits his 2015 World Cup try-scoring heroics against England still result in a free pint here...

Adams chasing another Twickenham glory try

By ROB COLE Coming down: Josh Adams scores against England in this year’s Six Nations PICTURE: Getty Images TEAMS ENGLAND: Daly;...

Curry in search of ‘perfect game’

By GARY FITZGERALD TOM Curry is prepared to spill more blood for England’s World Cup cause today when Eddie Jones’ men...

Big risk this England side could be left humiliated

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME New cap: Northampton back row Lewis Ludlam starts on the blindside flank...

Pre-season fixtures

TUESDAY AUGUST 13 Morpeth v Tynedale, 7pm Leicester Lions v Nuneaton, 7pm THURSDAY AUGUST 15 Castres v Bristol Bears, 6pm FRIDAY...

Woodlands still home for world-traveller Bill

WE SPEAK WITH A NUMBER OF WELL-KNOWN RUGBY FIGURES ABOUT THE CLUB THEY CALL THEIR OWN, STARTING WITH WORLD RUGBY CHAIRMAN...

Graham lured back by prospect of an all-Kitchener engine room at Worcester

By NEALE HARVEY Brothers in arms: Graham and Andrew Kitchener GRAHAM Kitchener says the chance to partner his brother in a...

High tacklers could be banned for World Cup

By PETER JACKSON Sent off: Warburton WORLD CUP referees are under renewed instruction to throw the book at players guilty of...

Bring it on says Ewels – we’re all out to win

By NICK CAIN Big test awaits: Charlie Ewels PICTURE: Getty Images CHARLIE Ewels does not do doubt. Even though he is...

YOUNG GUNS

JUDEWILLIAMS WASPS WINGER Rugby’s journeys are rarely straightforward, which is something 18-year-old Jude Williams can identify with as he sets out...

Mooar to come from Scarlets

NIGEL SHORT ON THE RECORD Q&A It’s been a busy summer in Llanelli with Brad Mooar succeeding Wayne Pivac as head...

Titans set sights on promotion under new man Posa

By GUY WILLIAMS NEWS EXTRA AMBITIOUS new Rotherham joint head coach Ants Posa is confident he can build a side to...

Ladies or women, they need to raise bar

CATHERINE SPENCER FORMER ENGLAND WOMEN’S CAPTAIN Football is a game for gentlemen played by hooligans, and Rugby Union is a game...

Hawick Balls helped us slay Boks giants

THE FORMER SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH, GLOUCESTER & NEWCASTLE SCRUM-HALF RORY LAWSON MY LIFEIN RUGBY Day to remember: Rory Lawson celebrates the famous...

Mulvihill rejects offer of Russian tune-up

By ROB COLE NEWS EXTRA CARDIFF Blues have turned down the chance to play Russia before the World Cup and will...

Fireside chats with Lochore will never dim

Son of the soil: Brian Lochore against SA in 1970 LIKE many All Black legends Sir Brian Lochore was a son...