Pumas need a leg up, not the Kiwis

YET again the Rugby Championship fixture draw is skewed towards the All Blacks. They are the only team to get three...

Icebergs lie ahead if the RFU continue on this course

IN last Sunday’s Rugby Paper, Jeff Probyn refers to how the ‘nuclear option’ button may need to be pressed with regard...

Up the intensity by reducing schedule

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

Shoulder problem could force Blues ace Rhun to retire

By ALEX BYWATER CARDIFF Blues full-back Rhun Williams is fighting to save his career following a serious shoulder injury sustained in...

Roberts ready for the biggest challenge yet

By STEFFAN THOMAS Not giving up: Jamie Roberts PICTURE: Getty Images JAMIE Roberts insists a summer move to Bath can help...

Isiekwe stronger for his Boks humiliation

By GARY FITZGERALD Glum: Nick Isiekwe looks on after his early substitution in the first Test PICTURE: Getty Images NICK Isiekwe...

Easter back in the coaching swim with Natal Sharks

By NEALE HARVEY NICKEaster insists the disappointment of being axed by Harlequins has failed to dent his confidence or desire to...

Namibia grab Japan spot by battering Kenya

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER We’re through: Namibia celebrate their RWC spot NAMIBIA, for the sixth time in succession, booked their place at...

Wasps kick off with a doozy in Dublin

By SAM JACKSON LEINSTER will begin the defence of their Champions Cup title at home to Wasps on Friday October 12...

Blow for Stockdale

ULSTER winger Jacob Stockdale has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with a grade 2 hamstring strain. Stockdale, 22,...

Ashfield cops four-year ban

CLEVEDON RFC player Dean Ashfield has been banned from all sport for four years following a drugs test on March 15....

I wasn’t the best but I gave my all

MY LIFEIN RUGBY TONY WINDO THE FORMER GLOUCESTER AND WORCESTER PROP Prop idol: Tony Windo tries to break through the Newcastle...

Titans set to unleash their new ‘Pit Bull’

By JON NEWCOMBE Abrasive back rower: Anton Petrowitsch NEW Rotherham flanker Anton Petrowitsch says he is proud to be an ambassador...

McNicholl poised for new deal at Scarlets

By STEFFAN THOMAS JOHNNY McNicholl is set to sign a new deal with the Scarlets. The New Zealand-born wing’s contract in...

Earle bets big on Quins to bring him Test debut

By NEALE HARVEY HOT-SHOTHarlequins wing Nathan Earle insists he had to quit Saracens to avoid his career “going down the drain”...

In reality, the pro game owes everything to the grassroots

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME JEFF PROBYN East End hero: Jason Leonard playing for England PICTURE: Getty Images Isometimes...

Mullen joins Falcons

NEWCASTLE Falcons have signed United States prop Paul Mullen for the first four months of the season. The 26-year-old was part...

Sarries lock jam sends Cutmore down to Pirates

By NEALE HARVERY IMPOSING Cornish Pirates second row Danny Cutmore is drawing inspiration from erstwhile Saracens colleague Nick Isiekwe as he...

Dickinson calls time

EDINBURGH prop Alasdair Dickinson has ended his playing career to take up a coaching position with the Scottish Rugby Academy. The...

Mercer moving on

BATH flanker and former captain Guy Mercer has been released from his contract. Mercer, 28, played 123 games after arriving at...

Luatua’s top-flight delay finally over

By ROB COLE All Black class: Steven Luatua finally gets his chance to play in the Premiership PICTURE: Getty Images STEVEN...

Blackadder throttles back Bath training schedule

By TOM BRADSHAW BATH have overhauled their training programme in a bid to avoid the string of injuries that decimated their...

Abendanon’s ready to restore Clermont glory

DAVID BARNES No-one felt the pain of a doomed season for champions Clermont more than Nick Abendanon, their charismatic English full-back...

Boring? That’s what people used to say about Tigers!

Q&A ROB BAXTER ON THE RECORD Rob Baxter In possession: Joe Simmonds must battle Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade for the...

Millennium bargain buy

THE advent of every football season makes the Millennium Stadium look more and more of a bargain at £121m what with...

Can Wasps put sting on Leinster this time?

THE Champions’ Cup six-round pool competition will begin in Dublin with Leinster’s opening defence against Wasps on Friday October 12 and...

Sexton has become Invisible in the PRO14

THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW PETER JACKSON Scarce: Johnny Sexton has played one league match in Wales in two years...

Fagerson has high hopes after Rennie’s full pre-season

SCOTLAND prop Zander Fagerson believes Glasgow have “all the tools” to make up for last year’s PRO14 semi-final defeat and go...

Chief White won’t be following Matt home

By NEALE HARVEY Wallaby ace: Nic White is enjoying life in the West Country PICTURE: Getty Images AUSSIE scrum-half Nic White...

YOUNG GUNS

OLLIE SLEIGHTHOLME NORTHAMPTON WING The race to become the first player born since the turn of the millennium to play Premiership...

Erasmus critical of sub-par display

SPRINGBOKS coach Rassie Erasmus was in surprisingly downbeat mood after what appeared to be a decent start to South Africa’s campaign....

De Klerk gets Boks rolling in second half rout

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER SOUTH Africa, with Sale’s Faf de Klerk at the helm, turned up the wick after the break with...

We had to dominate up front says Read

KIERAN Read claimed the All Blacks ferocious set-piece was the key to regaining the Bledisloe Cup. The outstanding No.8 and his...

Barrett has too much class for Wallabies

By GARY FITZGERALD Command performance: Beauden Barrett dives over for the All Blacks PICTURES: Getty Images BEAUDEN Barrett produced another breathtaking...

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Steep learning curve for English lads in South Africa

ENGLAND U18s lost their third and final match of the International Series, going down 41-22 to hosts South Africa. It completes...

Cutbacks cause fear over future of Welsh club game

By STEFFAN THOMAS FORMER Wales coach Nigel Davies fears some of rugby’s most historic clubs could fall out of existence with...

Deafening WRU silence over future of Cardiff Arms Park

IT’S 2018, but I will always remain a rugby traditionalist and that’s why I’m firmly of the belief Cardiff Arms Park...

Ospreys can turn the corner with Shaun working defence

WALES AND LIONS LEGEND SHANE WILLIAMS Leader: Justin Tipuric has the Ospreys armband this season PICTURE: Getty Images MY former side...

Quins rejection was tough admits Twomey

BATTLING lock Sam Twomey insists the heartache he suffered after being forced to leave Harlequins has been replaced with a fresh...

Biggar: Good to get out of goldfish bowl

ALEX BYWATER talks to Wales fly-half Dan Biggar about life on the other side of the bridge World Cup ambitions: Dan...

I’m far from finished Ken warns rivals

Warrior: Ken Owens is still fighting for Wales place Young gun: Elliot Dee KEN Owens has warned his Wales hooker rivals...

What Mum’s done in Malawi fills me with so much pride

Hands up for football training: Local children await the Alex Goode masterclass TWELVE days of Alex Goode’s off season was spent...

Goode’s glad science now dictates pace of pre-season

BRENDAN GALLAGHER CATCHES UP WITH SARACENS FULL-BACK ALEX GOODE FRESH FROM HIS SUMMER BREAK Working hard: Alex Goode joins in the...

Slater: Johan’s expanded my rugby brain

By TOM BRADSHAW Eyes open: Gloucester lock Ed Slater ED SLATER has hailed Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann as a kindred...

Chudley confident he’ll get Bath’s attack firing

By NEALE HARVEY Winner: Will Chudley ACE scrum-half Will Chudley is refreshed and ready to bring his Premiership-winning nous to Bath...

Johnny enjoys growth spurt at Newcastle

Impressive start: Johnny Williams on debut for Falcons last weekend AFTER seven years at London Irish, Johnny Williams is relishing the...

Axed England coach Fletcher wanted by FA and hockey

EX-England U18s coach John Fletcher, recently ditched by the RFU despite a brilliant track record in developing players, won’t be letting...

Jantjies in market for move to England

SPRINGBOK fly-half Elton Jantjies is looking to ply his trade in the Premiership after the World Cup in Japan next year....

The Fijian Beast could be coming to feast at Bath

Explosive: Josua Tuisova ARE Bath about to break the bank to land Toulon’s superstar winger Josua Tuisova to replace injured England...