Danny Cipriani opens up on the frustration of being overlooked by England

'I know my skillset'

Wales record cap-holder Gethin Jenkins to retire from rugby

The prop has been suffering from a chronic knee injury

Franco Mostert in line for first Gloucester start after ‘touchy’ negotiations

The Lions had disputed the lock's move to Kingsholm

Rassie Erasmus to test homegrown talent with England match falling outside international window

Only South Africa and Japan based players are available to South Africa

Vesty hails his half-back pairing

BRISTOL had no answer to Saints’ twin terrors Alex Mitchell and James Grayson at 9 and 10. “Mitch and Grayse managed...

Academy boys push case for first team honours

By NEALE HARVEY Livewire: Alex Mitchell brings home the bonus for Saints PICTURES: Getty Images ■ England forward Courtney Lawes, 29,...

’Cursed’ Veainu forced off again

BRETT Deacon hopes Telusa Veainu will not face another lengthy spell out of action. The Tongan international had just returned form...

Tigers feel full force of Tongan wrecking ball

By GARY FITZGERALD Force of nature: Sione Vailanu looks to punch through the Tigers defence PICTURES: Getty Images ADAM Powell paid...

Picking Tuilagi at 12 will give the forwards a target

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMYGUSCOTT Firing on all four: Manu Tuilagi has brought a new dimension to Leicester’s play in Europe...

DREAMTEAM

DAVE ATTWOOD, THE BATH, ENGLAND AND FORMER BRISTOL, GLOUCESTER & TOULON LOCK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR...

Tackle flaws have already devalued European Cup

COLIN BOAG No escape: Danny Cipriani just braced himself for impact It is hard to overstate the parlous situation that rugby...

More clarity please between kit colours

I WATCHED Cardiff Blues v Glasgow last weekend and how on earth can anyone, especially the officials, allow the two teams...

Big fear that season ticket holders may be short-changed

THERE IS no consideration for the fans with these attempts to unify Northern and Southern Hemisphere seasons. With future seasons ending...

Tier 4 commitment can’t be questioned

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk JEFF Probyn mentioned the...

Versatile Anscombe’s plea for stint at No.10

■By ALEX BYWATER GARETH Anscombe has issued a stark warning to Cardiff Blues and revealed his frustration at continually being switched...

Clermont win again but Parra’s ruled out

FRENCH COLUMN DAVID BARNES Hammer blow: Morgan Parra has broken his wrist and misses the Autumn Clermont strengthened their grip on...

Heol y Cyw lay down a marker in Plate

Welsh Plate/Bowl round-up By STEFFAN JAMES FORMER winners Heol y Cyw thrashed Taffs Well 50-0 to progress into the third round...

Scott’s hat-trick sends Pooler to the top

Welsh Championship round-up By CARL FIELD CHAMPIONS Pontypool returned to the summit in the WRU National Championship with a 39-13 win...

Ironmen forging strong bid for title before halfway

By ROB COLE Ebbw Vale …0 Merthyr …20 THE sheer size and power of the Merthyr pack was too much for...

Ravens have no answer as slick Carmarthen cut loose

■By STEFFAN THOMAS Carmarthen Q44 Bridgend …6 QUINS crossed for six unanswered tries as they thrashed a lacklustre Bridgend side in...

Warren double decisive as Drovers take honours

■By PAUL HOPKINS Swansea 37320310 Llandovery 323 TWO Aaron Warren tries sealed a hard-earned victory for Llandovery over Swansea. The Drovers...

Morris dashes over to give Newport three wins in a row

By JAY BAYFORD Neath…17 Newport 37320 THEY say things come in threes and that proved to be the case for Newport...

Bargoed bemused as RGC are off to flying start

By DEAN JONES RGC …40 Bargoed 37 A SENSATIONAL start helped RGC get back to winning ways. It took just two...

Ponty onslaught sets up intriguing clash with leaders

By GEOFF CHAMPION Pontypridd …73 Cross Keys …12 PONTYPRIDD put Cross Keys to the sword. They ran in 11 tries in...

Principality Premiership

Aberavon …12 Cardiff …39 CARDIFF ran in five tries to make it five wins in a row and send Aberavon crashing...

Quins looking to build

PREVIEW: Richmond v Harlequins Sunday 28 October. Kick-off 1pm HARLEQUINS got their season well and truly up and running last weekend...

Glos wary of Sarries

PREVIEW: Saracens v Glos-Hartpury Sunday 28 October. Kick-off 3.45pm GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY know that Saracens will be gunning for revenge as they look...

Attwood hat-trick inspires the Bears

By ART DE ROCHE Worcester V…10 Bristol Bears…50 BRISTOL Bears Women secured their first away win of the season by beating...

Sharks held scoreless as Molloy thrives

■By TOM BULMER DMP Sharks 30 Wasps…38 Hard yards: Wasps Alice Sheffield set up Claire Molloy for her second try WASPS...

Hunter at the double for the Lightning

By JAMES LEWIS F Waterloo…20 L Lightning…51 ENGLAND captain Sarah Hunter helped herself to a double as Loughborough Lightning continued to...

Portugal centre living the dream at Falcons

By JON NEWCOMBE AFTER an injury delayed start to his Newcastle career, Pedro Bettencourt is finally getting an opportunity to show...

Deacon: Murphy has reset the culture at Tigers

By NEALE HARVEY LEICESTER’S board must take the plunge and confirm Geordan Murphy as head coach without further ado, says defence...

Henson ready to begin his coaching odyssey

By JAMES CANDY GAVIN Henson is determined to weave his magic on the pitch for one final season before moulding Wales’...

Tuilagi’s power can helpmedo mystuff – Slade

By NEALE HARVEY Hand off: Henry Slade eludes Bath’s Darren Atkins for Exeter PICTURES: Getty Images HENRY Slade believes partnering Manu...

Poor autumn series ‘would deny England momentum’

Saints DoR: Chris Boyd ENGLAND’S failure to nail down key selections is compromising their ability to create World Cup-winning momentum, according...

Irish club fined after sexist abuse of ref

COLERAINE Rugby Club has been fined £5,000 by Ulster rugby authorities after a female referee was verbally abused at the club...

Larmour makes award shortlist

LEINSTER’S Jordan Larmour is one of three players nominated for the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year 2018. The 21-year-old...

Struggling Carnegie bring in Kiwi recruits

YORKSHIRE have further boosted their squad for this season with two talented young players from New Zealand. Fly-half or full-back Myles...

Veteran Brits signs on for another year

SPRINGBOKS and former Saracens hooker Schalk Brits will play for the Stormers in the 2019 Super Rugby tournament. Brits said: “I...

Saracens get green light for development

SARACENS’ £23m redevelopment of the West Stand at Allianz Park has received planning approval from Barnet Council. The proposed 3,000-seater stand...

Wasps agree early release for Wade

WASPS have released wing Christian Wade from his contract to allow him to pursue a career in NFL. Wade, 27, is...

Is ringing endorsement for Eddie all about the money?

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME JEFF PROBYN Irreplacable? Eddie Jones has been given the green light until next year’s...

Bournemouth stay perfect in South West

South West Premier BOURNEMOUTH maintained their lead in the South West Premier after running out 27-14 winners over Drybrook. The visitors,...

Easy street as four-try Hull earn bonus

Northern Premier HULL remain top after a 29-13 win at home to Alnwick. Alex Heard, Keane Taylor and Liam Regardson were...

Holder at the double as Salop push hard

Midlands Premier SCUNTHORPE made it seven wins out of eight as the Midlands Premier leaders maintain their grip on top spot...

Late drama sees Wimbledon off the top

London & South East Premier WIMBLEDON drop to second following a late 28- 27 loss away at Guildford. Bradley Ugodulunwa, Chris...

Beck’s late score helps in Cutting down the champs

BUCS ROUND-UP By JOE BYRNES ANOTHER set of tableturning results compressed the league table yet further on Wednesday night in Round...

YOUNG GUNS

BRISTOL UTILITY BACK CHARLIE POWELL HOMEGROWN Bristol players have been thin on the ground in recent seasons but Charlie Powell is...

Watt is the big deal at Raiders

By JACK THOMPSON Worthing …16 Old Albanian …21 DANIEL Watt proved to be the difference for Old Albanian as they claimed...

Mason doubles up for half-ton Titans

By KEITH BROOKING Taunton …50 Bury St E …0 ON A bitterly cold day, Taunton Titans ran out convincing winners against...