Mathewson try-double swings game for Munster

■By ROGER PANTING ALBY Mathewson’s two tries ensured that Blues’ season lies in tatters as they crashed to a fourth league...

I’m here all season insists Rennie

■By GARY HEATLY Glasgow ……….50 Kings ………………0 GLASGOW coach Dave Rennie has stressed to his players that he is committed to...

Dowson: Mr T is a big, fast freak!

PHIL Dowson heaped praise on ‘freak’ wing Taqele Naiyaravoro after his two tries helped Saints build on an impressive start to...

Naiyaravoro creates havoc for Harlequins

■By GARY FITZGERALD Power surge: Taqele Naiyaravoro bursts through to score for Saints PICTURES: Getty Images Bench star: Cadan Murley scores...

Eagles ace Taufete’e prepared for ferocious backlash from chastened Chiefs

■By NEALE HARVEY WORLD player-of-the-year nominee Joe Taufete’e says Worcester must prepare to make 300 tackles if they are to prevail...

Diamond: We only deserved one point

BRISTOL director of rugby, Pat Lam, said his side had to play in a different way to secure the win. He...

Teen-star Lloyd rises above the mediocre

■By ROGER PANTING Super sub: Ioan Lloyd beats Byron McGuigan to score the winning try for Bristol PICTURES: Getty Images IOAN...

Junior Wallaby Hoskins opting for England

■By NEALE HARVEY TEAK-TOUGH Australian tighthead Ollie Hoskins is dreaming of an international future – with England. Perth-born destroyer Hoskins represented...

I told the boys to have a beer and keep their heads up

Blow: Declan Kidney MANU Vunipola hopes his dramatic last gasp winning kick will help put a small smile back on cousins...

Manu wins the day to give lift to Vunipolas

■By GARY FITZGERALD MAKO and Billy Vunipola may have endured Tokyo heartbreak but back in north west London young cousin Manu...

We were a bit panicky at time admits happy Young

WASPS boss Dai Young said: “The most important part was getting that win and overall I thought we were the better...

All-action Robson adds Wasps’ finishing touch

■By PAUL SMITH Over: Brad Shields scores for Wasps and celebrates with Sione vailanu and Dan Robson PICTURES: Getty Images DAN...

Lineout accuracy is the big work-on for Dunn

■By NEALE HARVEY CANDID Tom Dunn admits his lineout throwing must improve if he is to make an England breakthrough. Despite...

Unknown Kendall lands the top job in Portugal

Stunned: Jack Kendall FORMER England Deaf international Jack Kendall admits he has been stunned to be offered the job of coaching...

No blame on referee Tempest says Ackermann

GLOUCESTER’S head coach Johan Ackermann refused to blame two close calls in the final minutes by referee Ian Tempest for his...

Hardwick shows Tigers have turned the corner

■By ROB WILDMAN Winning feeling: Tom Hardwick celebrates his winning kick for Leicester PICTURES: Getty Images IT WASN’T pretty but Leicester...

DREAM TEAM

TIM TAYLOR, GLOUCESTER COACH AND EX-GLOUCESTER, LEICESTER, NOTTINGHAM, TASMAN AND CRUSADERS FLY-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE’S PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…...

World Rugby has so much to answer for

COLIN BOAG Raw physicality: The Springboks get the shove on against England So what is the verdict on RWC 2019? It...

England fine absurd

WHY allow New Zealand the stage for two minutes to fire up their emotions while the opposition just stand in a...

Bring back Saxons to develop Tier 2

TOOmany of the Tier 2 countries playing rugby don’t have exposure to the Tier 1 level of play. A solution might...

National One refs need intervention

I’VE been most impressed by the teamwork shown in the World Cup by the three onfield officials and TMO. Although I...

Rugby converts roll in thanks to ITV

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk BAD LUCK, England, you...

The Big Ten maintain their power game at World Rugby

ALL men are equal, but some are more equal than others as World Rugby continue to demonstrate with Orwellian ruthlessness. There...

Now Japan gets ready to make Sevens sing

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points ONE of the big winners from RWC2019 is going to...

Kolisi shades Josh, Warren for top vote

AND so to our final jouer de rugby gallant award of the World Cup. There are many contenders in truth but...

Beauty and the beast in equal parts

Brendan Gallagher’s reminiscences from a truly memorable World Cup in Japan Bowing out: The Japanese team show humility Best ref never...

Josh finally gets a rest after Japan exertions

■By MIKE SINCLAIR Fabulous experience: Josh Matavesi in action for Fiji JOSH Matavesi will report back for training tomorrow following a...

Tompkins pushing hard to reach his peak

■By NEALE HARVEY BULKED-UP Saracens centre Nick Tompkins has his sights sets on England recognition as he aims to build on...

Warriors made me super fit for Saints

MY LIFEIN RUGBY MARK ROBINSON FORMER NEW ZEALAND, NORTHAMPTON, WASPS, AUCKLAND BLUES & NORTH HARBOUR SCRUM-HALF Mark Robinson scores for Northampton...

Lancaster predicted success at 2019 RWC

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Too soon: Stuart Lancaster faces up to defeat in 2015 PICTURE: Getty...

Shoulder problem forces Burgess to retire

THE man who divided opinion during the last World Cup in England, Sam Burgess, has announced his immediate retirement from the...

They’re simpy the best, better than all the rest

Nick Cain picks his team of the tournament from the World Cup Tenacous: Damien de Allende scores for South Africa against...

McCaw is within the grasp of Alun Wyn

IF HE stays in one piece for the rest of the season, Alun Wyn Jones has every chance of finishing it...

So just why did you lose then, Warren?

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW More like it: Hallam Amos scores against New Zealand PICTURE: Getty Images Amid...

England are crushed by iron fist of mighty Boks

From NICK CAIN in Yokohama Out cold: Kyle Sinckler receives treatment WELL, it didn’t go to the script and will have...

Gatland let us go toe-to-toe with world

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND Grand Slam: Warren Gatland’s era starts with 2008 clean sweep PICTURE: Getty Images THERE will...

Bad shoulder, but Rhys is on a high

ALEX BYWATER talks to Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell about his Japan experience Battered: Rhys Patchell playing against New Zealand PICTURE: Getty...

Battling Wales see dream ended by late Pollard kick

From NICK CAIN In Yokohama SOUTH Africa edged their way into their third World Cup final, while Wales were denied a...

That’s my World Cup over says ref Nigel

REFEREE Nigel Owens says he has taken charge of his last World Cup game. The 48-year-old Welshman oversaw England’s 19-7 semi-final...

Gatland goes still thinking: What might have been?

■From ADAM HATHAWAY at Tokyo Stadium STEVE Hansen had the last word over Warren Gatland as New Zealand claimed the bronze...

Only way is up for Welsh team says McBryde

■By SAM JACKSON FORWARDS coach Robin McBryde believes the future is bright for Welsh rugby as a new era dawns. Wales...

So Judgement Day has arrived for Eddie

Nick Cain charts the remarkable four-year journey of England head coach Eddie Jones Puzzled: Eddie Jones bows his head after defeat...

Our young stars ‘still have world at their feet’

Nick Cain and Gary Fitzgerald talk to Lewis Moody about flankers and Manu Tuilagi Former England flanker Lewis Moody insists England’s...

Back: Let players decide when to return

■By NEALE HARVEY ENGLAND’S returning stars must set their own agendas when it comes to being available for their club sides,...

Los Teros join WR Council

URUGUAY are to join the World Rugby Council, the international federation’s primary decision-making forum. Uruguay become the 52nd member of Council...

Curry flies England flag for world player of year

■ By SAM JACKSON SALE Sharks flanker Tom Curry is the only English nomination on a six-man shortlist for World Player...

Bronze carries no glitter for men who have failed

CAN anyone explain the point of the so-called Bronze Final? The vast majority of players and coaches hate the idea of...

It’s time to rethink this hoo-ha around the haka

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK Iget all the stuff about the haka being great sporting theatre, especially when...

Ospreys in hunt to bring Wales ace Liam Williams back home

The Scarlets are also interested in the full-back with Leigh Halfpenny out of contract next summer

TEAMS: Round 3 of the Premiership

Matchday squads and officials for Round 3 of the Premiership