Sean’s long wait is over

IMAGINE making your debut in the Six Nations during the last few minutes of a home win over Wales and then...

When West ran the risk of a Johnno backhander

ANDso, as far as anyone can tell, Dorian West remains unique among the various visiting casts for Wales-England matches in Cardiff,...

Hagler could keep his date if the Irish deliver a knock-out

FOOTBALLER John Terry’s talk to the England squad on leadership provided a timely reminder that nobody has matched the standard set...

Webb’s free to leave… if Gatland still wants him

PETER JACKSON Decision time: Toulon scrum-half Rhys Webb PICTURE: Getty Images The latest eruption from the volcanic Mount Mourad may help...

Not always greener across the Channel

COLIN BOAG Past his prime: Toulon’s former All Black wing Julian Savea French rugby is a world all of its own,...

Modern day scrum farce makes me cry

WITH obvious tongue in cheek, I would like to propose the following law change. Watching the Six Nations, the Premiership, PRO14...

Professional sport must not have such amateur handicaps

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk IN no other sport...

It’s ‘entertainment’ …but is it Rugby?

NOW that referees routinely ignore the laws of the game, the scrum and line-out have just become a mechanism for restarting...

Stronger together

I READwith interest Kevin Higginson’s letter (17/2) about the combining of the Premiership teams and the PRO14. English clubs will say...

It’s simple, sign fewer foreigners

THE Premiership ringfencers, in pursuing their selfish self-preservation stance, often state that closing off the league would benefit the development of...

QUICKFIRE ROUND WITH DICK BEST

DICK BEST, the former England coach who is no stranger to life on the other side of the Channel, or to...

Loyalty to Leicester? They don’t reciprocate

Rediscovering his best: Manu Tuilagi helped destroy Ireland, left, on the back of a series of top displays for Tigers Tigers...

Warriors confident of delivering the double

By NEALE HARVEY Rising star: Worcester flanker Sam Lewis SAM Lewis knows Worcester must make a rapid start and keep their...

Morgan: Soft tries take the gloss off

DOUBLE try-scorer Ben Morgan modestly attributed his brace to his team-mates’ efforts – and made it clear that Gloucester’s late lapse...

Bok beef pounds Saracens pack into submission

By TOM BRADSHAW Something to shout about: Ed Slater scores Gloucester’s third try PICTURES: Getty Images No surrender: Jackson Wray breaks...

Sheedy: Every point so crucial

CALLUM Sheedy is confident Bristol Bears can claw their way to safety if they continue to show the heart and commitment...

Quins make hay with sun on their backs

By GARY FITZGERALD Delight: Mike Brown celebrates scoring Quins’ third try PICTURES: Getty Images Battling: Callum Sheedy runs in to score...

Todd: All gone in one mad minute

BATH’S late collapse left boss Todd Blackadder gutted. He said: “We didn’t exit properly and young Max (Green) will learn from...

Poacher Ribbans seals it for Saints at the death

By NEALE HARVEY In the corner: Rory Hutchinson evades the tackle of Zach Mercer as he dives in to score for...

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Diamond row over de Klerk penalty

STEVE Diamond admitted his Sale team got the “rub of the green” in this tough encounter. The Sale boss said he...

Penalty try controversy as Sharks take first win at Ricoh

By ROB WILDMAN First blood: Rob Webber touches down Sale’s opening try PICTURES: Getty Images Quicksilver: Joe Simpson goes over for...

Hepher happy to see more emotion

EXETER head coach Ali Hepher was pleased with the reaction after last week’s loss to Gloucester. He said: “It was tough...

Order is restored as Falcons go crashing

By ROGER PANTING Adding the extras: Nic White beats Andrew Davidson to score Exeter’s bonus point try PICTURES: Getty Images EXETER...

Francis on standby for another call from Eddie

FIT-AGAIN centre Piers Francis has vowed not to become one of England’s forgotten men by spearheading Northampton’s charge for the play-offs....

Marshall: Thorley will be a star, he carries like a Tongan

Brute: Ollie Thorley ENGLAND prospect Ollie Thorley carries as hard as any Pacific islander and is destined to become a worldclass...

Care staying positive that top form will deliver recall

By NEALE HARVEY Upping his game: Quins No.9 Danny Care PICTURES: Getty Images Leading the way: Dan Robson, left, and Ben...

Hated losing to Wales, it’s one my lowest moments

CATHERINE SPENCER FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN One to watch: Hannah Bluck can unleash the Welsh flyer Jasmine Joyce England coach Simon Middleton...

Considine double in vain as Italy earn maiden win

Italy Women… 29 Ireland Women… 27 EIMEAR Considine scored twice but Ireland fell to their first ever women’s Six Nations defeat...

Scots have no answer to a top treble from Vernier

France Women… 41 Scotland Women… 10 A HAT-TRICK from inside centre Gabrielle Vernier kept France well and truly in the three-way...

Scott takes charge of new-look England

By SAM JACKSON Captain’s call: Harlequins second row Abbie Scott ENGLAND centre Emily Scarratt will sit out the women’s Six Nations...

Joseph’s late brace kills off Scotland comeback

By GARY HEATLY FRANCEbossed the second half of this 11-try thriller in Pau after Scotland had forged a fight-back following a...

Smith’s try in stoppage time swings it for Wales

By ROB COLE Jubilation: Wales celebrate at the final whistle PICTURES: Getty Images Over he goes: England’s Ollie Hassell-Collins is tackled...

Irish charge for a second Grand Slam gathers pace

By DAVE MURPHY Star man: Craig Casey Late try: Marco Butturini ONLY Wales and France stand in the way of a...

Shut roof is an extra weapon for Gatland

WE had another round of roof wars this week with Warren Gatland canvassing hard for Wales to have the final say...

Clubs handicapped by helping England

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK SOMEHOW, in its first stab at a restructured season, the Premiership has arranged...

Murphy gets big chance to stake his claim

BACK ROWER Jordi Murphy is preparing for his first Six Nations start in four years. The flanker, 27, played in the...

Sexton out to ensure Irish cogs are aligned

By DECLAN ROONEY Lessons learned: Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton NINETEEN games have come and gone since Italy last won a Six...

Brunel: I knew Romain was up to the task

FRANCE head coach Jacques Brunel was full of praise for his teenage flyhalf Romain Ntamack after the impressive victory over Scotland....

Jaunty France join the party as Scots get more travel sickness

By PETER JACKSON Taking the plunge: Yoann Huget scores France’s second try PICTURE: Getty Images All over: Gregory Alldritt, centre, is...

Don’t rule us out of title chase, says Eddie

By ALEX BYWATER Oneills Early hope: Tom Curry goes over to give England the lead in Cardiff PICTURE: Getty Images EDDIE...

Hot-head? I’m never out of control!

Kyle Sinckler says he is ready to rumble when England face Wales in Cardiff this weekend – and much of that...

When Tarw put the boot into England Grand Slam

At some point this week, Eddie Jones could do worse than blow the dust off a classic illustration of England’s tendency...

Cardiff effect could put end to Slam dunk

Jon Newcombe talks to England's double Grand Slam winner Peter Winterbottom.

Warren has to establish a half-back partnership

Shane Williams looks ahead to Wales' crunch game with England this weekend.

Give young players a chance!

Nick Cain puts forward an argument for playing younger players.

England must aim to get the ball in Elliot Daly’s hands

The full-back has been a constant performer for England in recent matches.

Biggar will be fit for Wales says Boyd

NORTHAMPTON’S Chris Boyd believes Dan Biggar should be fit for Wales’ clash against England next Saturday despite hobbling off in the...

King Midas in reverse as Saints administer a thrashing

By ROB WILDMAN Wicked speed: Cobus Reinach Saints scores his second try for Saints PICTURES: Getty Images Up and in: Denny...

Murphy: We looked dead on our feet

WITH both sides fielding a number of young players, Saracens DoR Mark McCall said he was delighted with the way his...