Billy Vunipola to have scan on ankle and won’t be risked for France clash

An ankle injury England are acting unconcerned about and a Super Typhoon which people are concerned about

Problems will exist in the Pacific until we get a professional team, says Fiji coach McKee

John McKee reflects on the issues facing Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with all three nations set to exit the World Cup...

Bitter sweet as Fiji show us what we have missed

FIJI’S road from bust to boom at the World Cup was illustrated by some superb attacking rugby in their 45-10 trouncing...

There’s no pleasure in Domes full of sweat

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK ”Closing the roof of a stadium in a country with such high humidity...

Pocock the tree-hugger

AUSTRALIAN flanker David Pocock is wellknown for his stance on environmental issues and he was flying the flag ag ain in...

Another big prize in Japan

LAST YEAR’S Melbourne Cup was won by Cross Counter, trained in Newmarket by Charlie Appleby, and more Brits got their hands...

Hiromi ensures we’re not lost in translation

THE English Press pack were not impressed when they turned up at Tokyo’s £500-a-night Conrad Hotel for a Japan media conference...

Welsh are small fish in this pool

World Cup diary Wales size: But this Lake Biwa monster evaded the Welsh players WALES’ players claimed a big scalp with...

Ireland find something to have a beef about

Retort: Andrew Conway IRELAND did not hold back in enjoying the local cuisine while staying in the world capital of prime...

Lingerers beware!

ENGLANDhave been stay- ing in the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district but fans were given strict warnings about approaching...

Ireland’s school of rock

RUMOURSof Ireland starting their own rock band while on tour are circulating after centre Bundee Aki was spotted with a guitar...

Pod-life is teeming

THERugby Paper have been sampling down-to-earth accommodation in Kanda in Tokyo this week – living in a pod. The capsules come...

Farrell stays so cool as Zen-like England fly under the radar

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Handbags: But Owen Farrell, No.12 far left, stays out of the melee Cast your mind back exactly four...

Dalyand Itoje helpkeep Eddie’s show on the road

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK Quality: Maro Itoje sets the standard Consistent: Tom Curry, left, and Sam Underhill, right, were...

GB name coaches for Tokyo 2020

HEAD of England 7s Simon Amor will resume his position as head coach for Team GB men’s programme at next summer’s...

European bosses vote to scrap Continental Shield

By ADAM HOOKER SPECULATION is mounting over potential expansion in European rugby after the EPCR confirmed that their tournament for emerging...

France call for the new poster boy Barassi

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN New star? Pierre-Louis Barassi is hailed as the answer to France’s midfield problems France coach Jacques Brunel...

Gratton hat-trick maintains Village’s fine start

By CARL FIELD Welsh Division One round-up DAVID Gratton helped himself to a hat-trick as Rhydyfelin beat Rhiwbina 31-25 to continue...

Hallett holds his nerve to get Wass over line

By CARL FIELD Welsh Championship round-up THERE were dramatic scenes at the Gnoll where Bedwas snatched a late 16-14 win over...

Sharks left reeling by in-form Dow in defeat

By GEMMA MARSTON Wasps FC……………29 Darlington M…14 Top form: Abby Dow ENGLAND winger Abby Dow scored twice as Wasps secured a...

Boatman wears down Warriors with two tries

By MATT VERRI Richmond FC…35 Worcester……………8 ELLIE Boatman scored two tries as Richmond battled their way to an impressive victory over...

Brown stands out in Quins comeback

By DANIEL ALEXANDE Harlequins……………39pts Gloucester-H……………12pts All smiles: Leanne Riley celebrates scoring a try with Jess Breach, left, and Amy Cokayne CO-HEAD...

Libby unlocks Lightning with late try in epic

By ALINA MENUKHIN Loughboro’……………24 Saracens……………28 LIBBY Lockwood’s late try completed a remarkable comeback as reigning champions Saracens recovered from 17 points...

Lucy Att the double as Bears pile on the misery

By WILL HUNTER Firewood W……………0 Bristol Bears……36 Star turn: Lucy Attwood BRISTOL Bears continued their impressive start to the Premier 15s...

Leota stays on to help Sharks’ next generation

By ANGUS WILLIAMS Legend: Johnny Leota on the attack for Sale SALE Sharks Johnny Leota is staying with the club as...

RUGBY SHORTS

St Ives decide to opt out THE scourge of long-distance travelling which plunged St Ives into crisis has now forced the...

Hougaard looking up after missing Boks cut

By GARY FITZGERALD NEWS EXTRA FRANCOIS Hougaard insists he is ‘at peace’ with being unable to be part of World Cup....

Marshall wants to become a Kingsholm champion

By NEALE HARVEY NEWS EXTRA GLOUCESTER’SKiwi utility back Tom Marshall is desperate to lift some silverware in what may be his...

Fanfare may be muted but England are on a roll

By NICK CAIN ENGLAND became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup and that is...

Truth about why Mendez decided to punch Ackford

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Flashpoint: Federico Mendez flattens Paul Ackford The first shock result of the...

Maids cling on with late penalty reprieve

South West Premier GLENN Coles missed a last-gasp conversion to hand Maidenhead victory as they stayed second with a dramatic 43-42...

Bills hit the jackpot with narrow victory

Northern Premier IN THE battle of the top two it was the away side Billinghamwho left with the win, beating Blaydon...

Bournville wrap up classy win to go first

Midlands Premier BOURNVILLE cruised to the top of the league with a 48-0 victory away to Burton, a result that sees...

Saunders in for two as Dons stay ahead

London & South East Premier WIMBLEDONstill head the table, albeit on points difference only, following a nine-try 53-13 hammering of Bedford...

Brew fit and firing for Bath trophy bid

ALED Brew believes it is high time Bath ended an era of “underachievement” by putting some silverware in their trophy cabinet....

Moon eager to put Sarries in the shade

By NEALE HARVEY Motivated: Ben Moon in pre-season training DEFIANT prop Ben Moon will not allow his World Cup disappointment to...

YOUNG GUNS

BARRIE KAREA EXETER CHIEFS CENTRE The tiny Pacific Ocean republic of Kiribati is not renowned for producing rugby players but talented...

Westcliff wonder if the tide will turn

By NICK CROWE Westcliff……………18 Old Redcliff’s 23 WESTCLIFF’S frustrating start reached a new level as they were edged out in a...

Honey penalty is sweet for Redruth

By BILL HOOPER Redruth……………26 Dings C……………23 AN injury-time penalty from Fraser Honey gave 14-man Redruth victory against a plucky Dings side...

Thompson centenary try seals great day

By BRIAN QUINN Old Albanian 39 Bournem’……………14 IF OAs can replicate their home form in away fixtures, their stature in this...

Clash of the Titans ends with bonus haul by TJs

By GARETH WITHERS Tonbridge……………68pts Taunton……………31pts Leap of faith: Tonbridge Juddians’ Murray Galbraith-Lowe goes over to score his third try and Taunton...

Bury’s joy is muted by injury to sub Kodie

By SAMUEL DRAPER Barnes……………10 Bury St Ed’……………12 BURY edged a close- fought affair away to a Barnes side which has struggled...

Worthing swept aside by Hawks

By NICK PITSON Henley……………63 Worthing……………7 HENLEY produced a scintillating performance at Dry Leas. Their speed and skill was too much for...

Extra man can’t help the Lions

By MATTHEW BALDWIN Esher……………16 Leicester L……………12 LEICESTER’S inability to take advantage of a spare man proved their downfall as Esher ran...

Clifton get shock as Sutton fight to the end

By ROGER OPIE Clifton……………38 Sutton & Eps’…31 CLIFTON appeared to have this game in the bag after a first quarter in...

MY LIFEIN RUGBY

FORMER SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH, SCARLETS, KOBE STEELERS AND NEWCASTLE LOCK SCOTT MACLEOD BILL McLAREN taught me at primary school and I played...

Students hold firm as Sheffield falter

By STEFFAN JAMES Sheff Tigers…37 L’boro Studs…40 A TRY-FEST in Sheffield gave Loughborough Students a bonus-point win over the Tigers. Loughborough...

Rowntree’s the main man in Otley

By MARY SEDGWICK Hinckley……………14 Otley……………17 OTLEY left it until the very last kick of the game to seal a remarkable triumph...

Where there’s a Will, Field can find a way

By ANDREW SMITH Huddersfield 25 Scunthorpe…24 WILL Milner’s last gasppenalty kick-started Huddersfield’s season in a dramatic finale at Lockwood Park. With...

Tigers are purring as they strike at the last

By DAVID LAWRENCE Stourbridge……………25pts Sedgley Park……………28pts A LAST-GASP try from flanker Mark Goodman earned Sedgley Park a hard-fought victory in the...