Spencer’s reckless tackle did deserve red card

WILL Spencer’s shoulder to the jaw of Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor was high, dangerous, and merited the one month suspension handed...

Stay-at-home Mitchell needs to be hands on

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK JOHN Mitchell polarises opinion in Rugby Union more than anyone with the possible...

Bassett given the plaudits from Dai

WASPS director of rugby Dai Young hailed the performance of Josh Bassett after the wing’s excellent all-round display. Alongside Michael Le...

Wasps finally get Sale monkey off their back

By COLIN NEWBOULT THESE victories certainly don’t come around very often for Wasps. Since 2010, they have endured disappointment at Sale,...

‘End HIA to curb brain injuries’

By PETER JACKSON WORLD Rugby is being urged to eliminate the danger of ‘brain damaged’ players being sent back into action...

Red card fever could ruin rugby warns Care

By GARY FITZGERALD DANNY Care fears red cards could wreck top rugby as a spectacle if officials fail to adopt a...

Is England’s scrum doomed ahead of the World Cup? The architect of the 2003 world beaters shares his view

Phil Keith-Roach explains why the time for change may have arrived at the feet of England's front row

Hook: George North is showing he can smash Shane’s Wales try record with form for Ospreys

North's Ospreys debut was certainly a perfect welcome home

Guscott column: Eddie must pick a backline and stick with it through to Japan

Jeremy Guscott outlines who he would start with the World Cup less than a year away

Stephen Jones urged to stay at Scarlets rather than join Pivac at Wales

A former Scarlets and Wales coach says Llanelli is the place to be for Jones

Eddie Jones names England training squad as countdown to World Cup hits 12 months

Danny Cipriani overlooked by Eddie Jones as World Cup looms

Where will you be this time next year?

See yourself in a stadium? Us too. Fortunately, it’s not too late to secure a spot at the world’s most important...

Henry Trinder says Cipriani has got Kingsholm rocking and can ignite his own England career

The Gloucester fan favourite talks about the Cherry and Whites' playmaker

Cain column: Hold a World Cup just for Tier Two nations

By Nick Cain SOME of the leading lights in World Rugby appear to be struggling to work out which way is...

Murphy’s law can make Manu Tuilagi lethal for Leicester, says George Ford

"We are looking a bit more threatening" – Geordan Murphy can put right the 'disservice' done to Tuilagi

Leicester Tigers Will Spencer handed four-week ban for red card against Wasps

Spencer was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Tommy Taylor

I’m not concerned about my job security, says Dragons coach Bernard Jackman

Coming off a heavy loss to Leinster last weekend

RFU and Bulls agree deal to make John Mitchell England’s new defence coach

Just in time for the Autumn internationals

Rassie Erasmus to take charge of Barbarians at Twickenham

Plotting victory with the BaaBaas after beating the All Blacks with the Springboks

Gustard blasts lethargic first half

TODD Blackadder hailed his new juggernaut out wide, Joe Cokanasiga, after his try-double. “Joe was sensational today, not just his finishing...

Cokanasiga acrobatics prove he’s more than just muscle

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER TWO of England’s brightest prospects – Joe Cokanasiga and Zach Mercer – lit up a hectic afternoon as...

Saints will try to unleash Taqele

NORTHAMPTON boss Chris Boyd said that he hoped to utilise huge Australian wing Taqele Naiyaravoro –who marked his Franklin’s Gardens debut...

Peter Pan Strettle hooks in the Saints

By NICK CAIN Prolific: Alex Lewington dives over for the first of his two tries PICTURES: Getty Images THESE sides met...

Champ clubs worth their £650k

THE RFU’s parlous current financial position has led to competition among some grassroots clubs for loan funding, along with resentment that...

One good game does not deserve a Test cap

THERE’S been plenty of entertainment in the opening weeks of the season, but one thing that rankles is that every time...

Hold a World Cup just for Tier Two nations

NICK CAIN SOME of the leading lights in World Rugby appear to be struggling to work out which way is up....

DREAM TEAM

WILL HARRIES, EALING AND FORMER WALES, NORTHAMPTON AND DRAGONS WING, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1....

It’s boom time for northern rugby thanks Agustin!

COLIN BOAG Too dominant: The All Blacks thrash Australia Agustin Pichot, World Rugby’s vice-chairman has issued a warning that the game...

Not just Newcastle on receiving end

TOTALLY agree with H. Johnson’s sentiments in his letter “All Clubs are Equal? Not on this Showing” regarding Newcastle’s unfair refereeing...

Invest in lower tiers rather than waste it on Championship

CHAMPIONSHIP clubs receive up to £650,000 a season from the RFU. Clubs below this level get nothing but a contribution towards...

Resistance to the ring-fence fading

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk THERE’S talk of the...

‘Happy’ George can smash Shane’s try record says Hook

GEORGE North’s scintillating start to life at the Ospreys has James Hook in no doubt he will break Shane Williams’ Wales...

Tyro Green stamping his mark at the Rec

By NEALE HARVEY Taking his chance: Max Green in action for England U20 MAX Green is intent on following fellow Tyke...

Problems for Cotter as Mignoni hits back

DAVID BARNES FRENCH COLUMN Uncanny vision: Jonathan Wisnieswki tore Montpellier apart Lyon boss Pierre Mignoni had dreams of reaching the Top...

Barnett’s 29 points sends out big message

WRU National Bowl Rnd One round-up By JAY BAYFORD HAVERFORDWESTwere the big winners in the first round of the WRU National...

Jones gets the Nelson challenge underway

Welsh Division One round-up By JAY BAYFORD NELSON are finally up and running in One East after a convincing 59-29 win...

Big three pick up bonus point victories

Welsh Championship round-up By JAY BAYFORD IT’S as you were at the top of the table after the top three all...

Gutsy Ebbw Vale see off RGC for impressive victory

By PETER HUGHES Cardiff …………29 Newport……….27 THIS was the 436th time that these two old foes have met but few of...

Tovey shows his quality as Keys unlock Neath

By HAYDN JEFFERIES Cross Keys ….36 Neath ……………30 CROSS Keys made it two wins out of three in the Principality Premiership...

Herbert late-show stuns Bargoed in tight encounter

By DAN ROBERTS Bargoed ……….14 Carmarthen Q 19 CARMARTHEN Quins made it back-to-back victories with a narrow success over Bargoed. Following...

Banfield penalty ends Ponty’s unbeaten start

By JAY BAYFORDz Aberavon………25 Pontypridd ….19 ABERAVON ended Pontypridd’s perfect league record with a battling victory. The lead changed hands numerous...

Lladovery flying high with comfortable win at Bedwas

By IAN GOLDEN Bedwas ……….30 Llandovery ….52 LLANDOVERY produced an outstanding second-half performance to secure their third win from three. But...

PREVIEW… Llanelli v Merthyr

September 16. Kick-off 2.30pm CHAMPIONS Merthyr will be looking to make it three wins out of the three at struggling Llanelli...

Bridgend ………26 Swansea ………23

A LAST-GASP penalty try earned Bridgend a hardfought home victory over Swansea. Swansea took the lead when Rhys Williams dummied over...

Harlequins have shown the way, now let’s follow

CATHERINE SPENCER FORMER CAPTAIN OF ENGLAND WOMEN British record: Harlequins v Richmond attracted 4,542 PICTURE: Getty Images At the early stages...

Wasps struck by Lightning in heavy defeat

By KASEY ALLEN Wasps Ladies 20 Loughboro’ L …40 Speedster: Tova Derk WASPS swapped their home and headed to Ealing as...

Green stings Bears with last kick of the game

By MICHAEL JORDAN Harlequins L …26 Bristol Bears…26 ELLIE Green’s last-gasp conversion secured Harlequins Ladies a thrilling draw with Bristol Bears...

Sarries made to wait but see off Worcester

By LEWIS HANCOCK Saracens W………43pts Worcester V……….7pts Up and running: Poppy Cleall scored twice for Saracens SARACENS Women recorded their second...

Second-half try blitz leaves Sharks all at sea

By TOM BULMER DMP Sharks ….14 Gloucester-H…57 GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY took maximum points from their trip North after an impressive performance at the...

Delany’s double inspires Waterloo to victory

By MARK COUGHLAN Richmond……12 F Waterloo……24 A FLURRY of tries early in the second half decided the Premier 15s match between...