Dragons give Dean Ryan the reins to rule at Rodney Parade

Dean Ryan unveiled as Director of Rugby at Welsh side Dragons, after leaving his position as the RFU's head of international...

Ulster turn heads with ‘significant’ addition from Highlanders

Ulster add to an already versatile backline with signing of Matt Faddes

For Ruck Sake: Hear what tours are REALLY like!

Iconic names in British rugby will be live on stage with tales from their decorated careers at the UK & Ireland's...

Sharks Sharks bring Jean-Luc du Preez back for second loan stint along with twin brother Dan

Three Du Preez brothers will play for Sale Sharks next season

Conor O’Shea’s standing with Italy unclear as Franco Smith confirmed as head coach

No official word from the Italian Rugby Federation, as Cheetahs confirm Franco Smith will depart

Handre Pollard out, Morne Steyn in at the Bulls

Bulls star fly-half destined to move north from Super Rugby home, while Steyn gets homecoming

Rugby demands careful preparation of body and mind

Rugby players need a combination of speed, power, endurance, and explosiveness to excel in this most demanding sport. You don’t need...

Super Sarries reclaim their crown thanks to tank Billy

From NICK CAIN at St James’ Park Fightback: Sean Maitland scores before half-time Power play: Billy Vunipola touches down for Saracens’...

Tough choice between 7s but only one should start

JEREMY GUSCOTT Tough tackler: Sam Underhill needs to develop his link play in attack PICTURE: Getty Images THE arrival of Tom...

DREAMTEAM

LUTHER BURRELL, THE NORTHAMPTON SAINTS, ENGLAND & FORMER LEEDS AND SALE CENTRE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR...

Falcons will be back, so what’s point of relegation?

COLIN BOAG Going down: Newcastle Falcons players show their dejection Premiership Rugby and the RFU need to get together and finally...

The Cipriani puzzle needs explaining

SO Danny Cipriani is voted the best player in the Premiership by his peers yet he can’t even make the top...

Lopsided County Cup could do with level playing field

I THINK senior county rugby (RFU funded) should be for only players at level 6 and below, plus any player under...

Colin can’t really be serious can he?

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk COLIN Boag’s article in...

Alun Wyn to take on Wales pals

ALUN Wyn Jones is poised to be offered the chance to tick one of the few remaining boxes on his CV...

Hutchinson’s versatility earns Scotland call-up

By GARY HEATLY RORY Hutchinson’s ability to step in from centre and play first receiver has prompted his promotion to the...

Butchery on hold for Quins beefcake Buchanan

DEFIANT Harlequins hooker Rob Buchanan aims to prove he is a cut above the rest after revealing how close he came...

Gloucester confident of landing the knockout

By NEALE HARVEY Big steps: Matt Banahan Young flyer: Ollie Thorley PICTURES: Getty Images REVITALISED Matt Banahan believes Gloucester are ready...

World Cup winners join Hall of Fame

NEWS EXTRA TWO Harlequins and a Northampton Saint will join the Premiership’s illustrious Hall of Fame. Jason Leonard and Matt Dawson...

Wild warns his rebels it’s Meyer’s way or highway

DAVID BARNES New contract: Stade Francais coach Heyneke Meyer The man trying to restore Stade Francais to their former glories has...

Tenacious Chiefs tame the Sharks

By ADAM ELLIS Tomahawk: Chiefs scrum-half Brad Weber continued his return from injury with two tries PIC: Getty Images STAND-IN skipper...

YOUNG GUNS

SAM MORLEY EXETER FLY-HALF When Sam Morley was told three years ago that he had no future at Harlequins, it would...

Goode crowned best in Europe

ALEX GOODE was last night named the best player in Europe after Saracens’ Champions Cup win to pile more pressure on...

Gloves up for Haskell to beat the madness

By GARY FITZGERALD Take that: James Haskell gets physical for Saints against Clermont PICTURES: Getty Images JAMES Haskell is contemplating stepping...

Owens: Job’s getting harder but I still love it

By ALEX BYWTER World’s best: Welsh referee Nigel Owens NIGEL Owens believes the introduction of technology has in many ways made...

Bates: Work to do after Six Nations

ENGLAND U20s coach Steve Bates has selected an experienced squad for the Junior World Cup in Argentina, including nine players who...

Pointers from Vesty put Rory in the mix

By NEALE HARVEY Rising star: Hutchinson IN-FORM Northampton centre Rory Hutchinson says he owes a huge debt of gratitude to backs...

Brecon’s Crockett the man for a big occasion

By CARL FIELD Welsh round-up IT’S advantage Brecon in their Division One East versus East Central playoff with Glamorgan Wanderers. Andy...

Sublime Sweeney helps punish Keys

By TOM HUGHES Cross Keys ......5 Pontypridd ....24 IT WASN'T all one-way traffic at Pandy Park, despite the home side picking...

Edd’s hat-trick sinks All Blacks

By ROB COLE Cardiff ............74 Neath..................7 NEATH had the audacity to take the lead at the Arms Park but paid a...

Second-half Whites magic stuns Wizards

By JOHN MURPHY Swansea ........24 Aberavon........14 SWANSEA finished with a midweek win as Aberavon let their early lead, and scrum dominance,...

Four-some Howley in seventh heaven with rout

By STEFFAN THOMAS Bargoed ..........26 Cardiff ............41 EDD Howley scored four tries to make it seven in two games as Cardiff...

Howe holds his nerve to send Ravens soaring to safety

By ALEX BYWATER Pontypridd ....31 Bridgend ........34 A LAST-GASP Owen Howe penalty saved Bridgend from relegation as they claimed a famous...

Doel’s double delivers Drovers a valiant victory

By ROB COLE Llandovery ....31 Aberavon........26 WALES Under-19 cap Harri Doel helped himself to two tries as the Drovers ended their...

Last-gasp 14-man maul seals Premiership title for Ironmen

By CARL FIELD Merthyr ..........28 RGC 1404 ........24 RGC 1404 almost spoiled the party at The Wern as they led Merthyr...

Let the pros run our game? That would just be lunacy

JEFF PROBYN Grerat man: Brian Habana of the Barbarians is greeted by Micky Steele-Bodger after playing New Zealand at Twickenham in...

Laughlin takes charge at Blaydon

BLAYDON have promoted captain/ assistant coach Keith Laughlin to the role of head coach in a bid to return to the...

Frustrated Shark John hankering for a Welsh bite

By STEFFAN THOMAS Pushing for Wales honours: WillGriff John in action for Sale PICTURES: Getty Images WILLGRIFF John admits he was...

5-starAmps are leading lights in our Dream XV

The Rugby Paper’s reporters have put their thinking caps on to come up with our National One Team of the Season...

Perfect ten for ruthless Dorset & Wilts

By JOE BRIGLY DIVISION 3 ROUND-UP DORSET & Wilts took control of Pool 2 with a superb ten-try blitz of Buckinghamshire,...

Mugford holds his nerve at death

Devon ..............30 Hampshire......27 By SARA RAINE PLYMOUTH Albion flyhalf Dan Mugford kicked a penalty from the halfway line with the last...

Super Jones in for two in narrow win

By ANDREW SMITH Yorkshire ........20 Cheshire ..........21 A TRY in each half from Caldy flanker David Jones helped Cheshire to their...

Moffatt muffles comeback as Kent cling on for points

Glouc’shire ..33 Kent ..............42 By TONY FIELDING THIS was a game of fluctuating fortunes, with Gloucestershire fighting back from 37-14 down...

Six of the best as dominant Cornwall keep pace for final

By BILL HOOPER In at the corner: Jack Simmons of dives in to score for Cornwall PICTURES: Simon Bryant/ Iktis Photo...

Seventh heaven for on-fire Lancs

By STEVE JACKSON A SEVEN-TRY secondhalf salvo saw Lancashire comfortably overcome Eastern Counties at Grantchester Road despite the hosts’ resolute defence...

Sandal props up derby day win

By TOM BULMER Northumbe’d ..35 Durham ............17 BEN Sandal crossed for two tries as Northumberland ran out comfortable winners over Durham....

Dylan is quick as a Flash to help Surrey fly

DIVISION 2 ROUND-UP By MATTHEW BALDWIN A RUTHLESS attacking display set the stage for an emphatic 46-24 Surrey victory as they...

Allen quits Tigers to take charge of Coventry defence

ANTHONY Allen is excited to be joining ambitious Coventry as defence coach after a successful spell in charge of the Leicester...

Ellis turns Kenilworth into triple kings at HQ

By JON NEWCOMBE Treble winners: Kenilworth captain Bobby Thompson lifts the trophy at Twickenham ■ Also at Twickenham last Sunday, Honiton...

MY LIFEIN RUGBY

THE FORMER IRELAND A, EXETER, HARLEQUINS, WORCESTER AND EDINBURGH PROP JOHN ANDRESS MOVING to Exeter in 2007 was the best decision...