No Celts needed for lady Lions

RUGBY-Union craves a bigger international footprint, so the move towards the establishment of a female version of the British and Irish...

Wheelchairs or rucks is rugby’s choice

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST Even at this advanced and supposedly enlightened stage of our development as a species, sport clings to...

Moody: Curry can prove he’s world class in Japan

By GARY FITZGERLAD Choice: Lewis Moody TOM Curry celebrated his 21st birthday earlier this summer but it will be on Japan’s...

Word’s out… the All Blacks no longer look invincible

JEREMY GUSCOTT Big finish: Herschel Jantjies scores for South Africa to draw against the All Blacks PICTURE: Getty Images OUTSPOKEN AND...

My players love pulling on their NO county shirt

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk I HAVE heard and read some comments regarding the Bill Beaumont County Championship that I...

Was our game of rugby truly better in 1991?

JEFF GAGE YES How it was: North beat the All Blacks Colin Boag labels those who have the temerity to be...

Welsh greats vie to be president of the WRU

By ALEX BYWATER Contenders: Gerald Davies and Tommy David TWO OF Welsh rugby’s glittering stars of the 1970’s, Gerald Davies and...

Elias desperate to win place on that plane to Japan

WALES are heading to Japan to win the Rugby World Cup, but for Ryan Elias even booking his place on the...

Cricketers have shown us the way says Daly

By GARY FITZGERALD No easing up: Elliot Daly will be going flat out in the warm-up matches PICTURE: Getty Images Schoolmate:...

Hill’s back to put the pain of England behind him

By STEFFAN THOMAS CORY Hill has warned England that Wales will be going hell for leather when the two rivals clash...

The French get big on cheese and wine!

Former Bath prop Kane Palma-Newport talks about his experiences in French rugby, one year after his move to Colomiers KANE PALMA-NEWPORT...

Horsman’s boys hunt big game in South Africa

HEAD COACH Chris Horsman takes his Wales squad to South Africa this weekend for the U18 International Series for what will...

Welsh stars swap pints for glory run

By JAMES CANDY Giant strides: Josh Adams. Inset: Gareth Davies scores against England in 2015 PICTURE: Getty Images TWO KEY members...

YOUNG GUNS

JAC MORGAN SCARLETS AND ABERAVON NO.7 When Wales U20s pulled off a remarkable 8-7 victory over their New Zealand counterparts at...

Bath boys aiming to dodge the cut-price breakfast!

By NEALE HARVEY BATH No.9 Will Chudley claims his side were “miles behind” last season and that the club’s rigorous new...

JPR blasts warm-up games as injury threat

By STEFFAN THOMAS Blow: Rhys Webb injured against Italy 2015 Horror: Morgan Stoddart breaks his leg against England in 2011 Big...

Lionesses could roar but only if done right

CATHERINE SPENCER FORMER ENGLAND WOMEN’S CAPTAIN Lion kings: Danny Grewcock and Jason Leonard after the first Test win in Brisbane 2001...

DREAM TEAM

CLAIRE ALLAN, ENGLAND WOMEN’S 7s AND FORMER ENGLAND 15s, RICHMOND, WASPS, WORCESTER AND SARACENS UTILITY BACK, CHOOSES HER BEST XV PLAYED...

Tyrrells challenge tougher this time

By ADAM ELLIS Graduation: Carys Williams of Loughborough Lightning played in her first Six Nations for England THE new Premier 15s...

World Rugby must act to stem decline in players

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Dwindling band: Schoolboys enjoy a game of rugby for the fun of...

Hola’s hit ended my World Cup

MY LIFEIN RUGBY AL CHARRON – HALL OF FAMER FORMER CANADA, BRISTOL, MOSELEY, PAU AND DAX LOOSE FORWARD So proud of...

Pellow turns to quarterback skills to give his Chiefs an edge

By NEALE HARVEY USA traveller: Ricky Pellow coaching at Exeter EXETERattack coach Ricky Pellow has revealed why he is arming the...

Coming back to Sarries I saw the youngsters were now world class

Q & A DAVE STRETTLE ON THE RECORD Finished in style: Dave Strettle Long-serving former England winger Dave Strettle reflects on...

Spray cans can stop the cheats

REFEREEING at the highest level has never been more professional which makes what happened in Wellington last weekend all the more...

Don’t ban booze, just the tray carriers

THE alcohol-free zone at the Millennium Stadium is to be ‘enhanced and upgraded’ next season, a permanent fixture at Welsh matches...

Stoddart’s agony is now shared by Faletau

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Cruel finish: Morgan Stoddart is carried from the field PICTURE: Getty Images When...

Bears must reach Heineken Cup insists Thomas

JONATHAN Thomas insists Bristol Bears have the potential to become a European superpower, but has warned Pat Lam’s men they must...

Mooar vows to make Patchell top for Wales

By STEFFAN THOMAS Soaring: Rhys Patchell can hit the heights with Scarlets PICTURES: Getty Images BRAD Mooar took his first training...

Scarlets style will help Tom come back – Dafydd

Fresh start: Tom James TOM James has been backed to hit the ground running and star at the Scarlets after recovering...

New ace in the pack

FORMER France centre Mathieu Bastareaud started Lyon’s pre-season encounter against Grenoble last night at No.8. The 30-year-old has moved to the...

Tributes for Kiwi legend Lochore

Great: Brian Lochore ALL BLACKS g reat Sir Brian Lochore died yesterday after a battle with cancer. He was 78. Lochore,...

Our sleeping Warrior will come awake with a roar

NEALE HARVEY talks to Colin Goldring, one of Worester Warriors’ new owners, about their plans Colin Goldring, one half of Worcester...

ROOM101

THE DONCASTER KNIGHTS LOCK AND ROTHERHAM COACH TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND MATT SMITH...

Row over medical bills as Carnegie land Ford

By ADAM ELLIS Return: Joe Ford playing for Leicester Tigers FORMER Yorkshire Carnegie flanker Dan Temm has slammed the club’s signing...

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Warm-ups essential to get Wales up to speed

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND Massive blow: The loss of Taulupe Faletau is devastating for the player and for Wales...

Molitika’s still going strong at age of 44

Indestructible Tongan back row Ma’ama Molitika tells NEALE HARVEY about his remarkable career Top table: Ma’ama Molitika playing for Cardiff Blues...

RUGBY SHORTS

Captain Robshaw QUINS have confirmed club stalwart Chris Robshaw as their captain for the 2019-20 season, suceeding James Horwill. Quins director...

Our top ten summer signings

Speed: Nathan Hughes Strike runner: Stuart Hogg All-rounder: Chris Harris Quality: Martin Landajo There have been some high-profile moves this summer...

Struggling Wallabies ‘no banker’ for Wales

AUSTRALIAN rugby is in disarray but Luke Morahan has warned Wales not to expect a banker win when they face the...

The Bears are ready to rumble says Morahan

■ By NEALE HARVEY Bear hunt: Luke Morahan is tackled by Bath’s Jonathan Joseph PICTURES: Getty Images AUSSIE ace Luke Morahan...

Beauden’s cheating has been uncovered

WHAT to make of Beauden Barrett’s strange spot of gamesmanship while kicking a penalty goal in the All Blacks’ draw with...

Brailsford model teaches Eddie important lessons

BRENDAN GALLAGHER IN MY VIEW Bubbling: Chris Froome and team boss Dave Braislford toast a Tour de France victory ACOUPLE of...

It’s a battleground but we’ll play open rugby vow Fylde

■ By JON NEWCOMBE FLYDE Chairman Dave Young reckons the club’s centenary season will be one to remember – but full...

All Blacks ‘will call for Gatland in next couple of years’

Mark ‘Sharky’ Robinson gives his verdict to GRANT SHUB on World Cup prospects and the future of the All Blacks Using...

Return of Bok greats will help everyone

I BELIEVE the return of JP Pietersen, Morné Steyn and Ruan Pienaar is of benefit to South African rugby. There will...

Suddenly Erasmus has three top No.9s

FORMER SARACENS AND SPRINGBOKS SCRUM-HALF NEIL DE KOCK Competitive position: Faf de Klerk PICTURE: Getty Images After two rounds of the...

Hamish aims to be a hero for his baby

■ By GARY HEATLY Proud father: Hamish Watson PICTURE: Getty Images SCOTLAND back row Hamish Watson feels a more relaxed character...

No more room at top for gym monkeys says Fisher

■ By NEALE HARVEY ENGLAND U18s coach Jon Fisher insists modern day academy players are set up for success and that...

Japan warm up for their World Cup in style

By WILLIAM WITHERS Japan ………………… 41 Tonga ………………… 7 Flyer: Kenki Fukuoaka score Japan’s fifth try JAPAN eased past Tonga in...