Knights appoint former Scotland star Smith

NEWS EXTRA ■By JON NEWCOMBE FORMER Scotland and Lions prop Tom Smith is the surprise choice as Doncaster’s new head coach....

Warriors make light of Gray’s absence

By SCOTT JAMES Glasgow……….34 Edinburgh……10 GLASGOW Warriors booked themselves a home semi-final with a convincing bonus-point victory over Edinburgh at a...

Late Screech try puts skids on Scarlets

■By STEFFAN THOMAS Postman: Josh Lewis scores for Dragons DRAGONS overturned an 11-point deficit to stun the Scarlets and record their...

Anscombe miss lets his new club escape to victory

By ROGER PANTING A LAST minute penalty from Sam Davies gave Ospreys a Champions Cup play-off spot after Blues made two...

Munster use Euro pain to get home

■By DARAGH SMALL Munster ……….27 Connacht ……14 MUNSTER will host Benetton in the quarterfinal next weekend as they missed out on...

Ulster survive after McFadden let off

By RONAN O’BRIEN Ulster…………….14 Leinster ……….13 IN the only dead rubber of the final round of PRO14 games, with both teams...

Joyce stars for Baabaas

WALES wing Jasmine Joyce scored four tries as the Barbarians beat USA Eagles 34-33 in their first women’s international. Joyce’s Wales...

Lood the mighty signs for Sharks

TRANSFER ROUND-UP SALE supporters may well adopt South Africa as their ‘second team’ in this year’s World Cup after the signing...

Quins eye Radwan as cover for injured Earle

HARLEQUINS are looking to sign a winger after former England U20 international Nathan Earle was ruled out of action for a...

100-cap Kepu can add grunt to the Exiles

Prop star: Sekope Kepu LONDON IRISH are weighing up improving their front row next season with a move for Wallaby international...

Wilson may get loan away from Falcons

BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler Clause: Wilson MARK WILSON could be loaned out by Newcastle Falcons after he returns...

ROOM 101

THE CINDERFORD CENTRE TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND GEORGE BOULTON 1. Cyclists I understand...

Return of Watson is only real plus point

ANTHONY Watson’s return was a rare positive for Bath. After 13 months out following Achilles surgery, the England wing showed no...

Diamond dogs Curry put the bite on Bath

By NEALE HARVEY Smashed: Jaques van Rooyen feels the forec of Tom Curry TEAMS SALE: L James 7, Solomona 6, S...

Warriors focus on Cipriani shut-out to claw their way to Premiership safety

STOP Danny Cipriani and Worcester’s pathway to Premiership safety will open up before them, says Warriors hooker Niall Annett. Cipriani’s sensational...

Dire first half killed us says Richards

TOM Collins claimed a “brutal chat” with boss Chris Boyd inspired his heroic hat-trick display at Kingston Park. Collins was at...

Collins hat-trick pushes Falcons to the brink

By GARY FITZGERALD CHRIS Boyd’s sympathy for Dean Richards and his Falcons was short but sincere before focusing on trying to...

Premiership owners must be kept in check by RFU Council

THERE is a virtual ring fence in place already when it comes to promotion and relegation, with the side relegated from...

Pick Watson at full-back and switch Daly to 13

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK ANTHONY Watson’s 74 minutes at full-back for Bath in their 6-3 loss to...

McCall: Time to rest key players

SARACENS boss Mark McCall says he will be resting key players for next Saturday’s visit of Exeter. With the Champions Cup...

Wasps’ revival crushed by Sarries power pack

By ROB WILDMAN SARACENS produced a trademark powerpacked first half to demolish Wasps who disappointed in front of their home supporters....

Wales wait on French verdict from Edwards

By ALEX BYWATER SHAUN Edwards will this week decide between a firm offer to join France or the option of staying...

Bristol look to explore American investment

EXCLUSIVE By NEALE HARVEY Stunned: Bristol celebrate Harry Thacker’s late winner against Leicester PICTURE: Getty Images STEVE Lansdown, majority shareholder of...

Jackson column: Welsh clubs risk European wipe out in Judgement Day weekend

Will the Principality Stadium be the heartbreak hotel for Welsh regions?

Premier 15s final: Saracens v Harlequins preview

It's a repeat of the 2018 final at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday

Guscott column: Has Todd Blackadder been a success at Bath?

In his exclusive column, Jeremy Guscott says who he would like to see succeed Todd Blackadder

Rugby World Cup Japan 2019: Six of the biggest host venues

The Rugby World Cup Rugby 2019 will be held in Japan from September 20th until November 2nd. There are twelve venues...

Guy Thompson: Exeter’s example will always be the argument against ring-fencing

Leicester Tigers back row Guy Thompson wants promotion and relegation to remain in the Premiership

Job Vacancy: Wallingford RFC require new Head Coach

Matt Moulds follows Blues teammate Melani Nanai in Worcester move

Worcester Warriors director of rugby Alan Solomons’ raid of Super Rugby outfit Blues has continued with the signing of hooker Matt...

Slater mystified by England freezing out Danny Cipriani

Gloucester lock joins the calls for Cipriani to get a seat on the plane to Japan

Northampton Saints add Henry Taylor to scrum-half options

"He has all the qualities to stake a claim for regular first-team rugby" – Chris Boyd

Anthony Watson to make first start for Bath after 13 months out

England international on the comeback trail after ruptured Achilles

Sale Sharks complete signing of Springbok Lood de Jager

Joining Rob du Preez and Akker van der Merwe in moving north

A record £44.4m in losses, Premiership club finances in deeper detail

But Exeter Chiefs, who were the only club to turn a profit, chairman Tony Rowe says CVC money has boosted balance...

‘I walked off after the 2003 World Cup hating rugby’ says Jonny Wilkinson

England's superstar of 2003 reveals his disillusionment with winning the game's top prize at the age of 24

Barnes column: Fabien Galthie and Raphael Ibanez to reshape the French

The ultimate humiliation for France head coach Jacques Brunel

London Irish record appearance holder Topsy Ojo to retire

The one-club man is calling it a day at the conclusion of the Exiles Championship-winning season

David Strettle to hang up his boots

Where does the Saracens wing sit among the Premiership's top tryscorers?

Dan Jones sticking close to home with new Scarlets contract

Nearing 500 points for his home region

Lawrence Dallaglio’s scathing condemnation of Billy Vunipola

Former England no.8 slams Vunipola's post-match interview after being asked about his social media comments

Lancaster: Leinster will turn it on for the big game

■By DECLAN ROONEY Starts: Sean O’Brien No.10: Antoine Dupont FLY-HALF Johnny Sexton returns to face Toulouse in the semi-final of Leinster’s...

Billy does his talking on the pitch for super Sarries

■From NICK CAIN at the Ricoh Threat: Liam Williams breaks with the ball SARACENS put a smile back on the face...

Who follows Blackadder? Bath should call for Deano

JEREMYGUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK Lovely man: Todd Blackadder will leave Bath at the end of the season PICTURE: Getty Images...

DREAMTEAM

GLEN TOWNSON, EALING FORWARDS COACH AND EX-SALE, DONCASTER, NEWCASTLE, BRISTOL AND EALING LOCK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE’S PLAYED WITH OR...

Folau can b elieve what he likes, just keep it p rivate!

COLIN BOAG Previous: Israel Folau had been warned about social media postings In last week’s paper Nick Cain made a reasoned...

We ll d one Nick, for your commonse nse

WELL done Nick Cain for talking some sense on the matter of the tweets by Israel Folau and Billy Vunipola. While...

Cain misse s the p oint, this is not faith, it’s b igotry

NICK Cain spectacularly misses the fundamental point in his article regarding Israel Folau. This is not an issue about a person’s...

One rule for Tige rs, one for the re st…

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk IN TRP April 14,...

Hartley’s back to stake England claim

Remember me: Dylan Hartley in England action DYLAN HARTLEY will have a chance to prove his fitness for England after Northampton...