Jackson column: Johnny Sexton has become invisible in the PRO14

Peter Jackson points out that Johnny Sexton has played in one PRO14 match in Wales over the past two years

Easter: I learned more in adversity with Quins than if we were on hot form

Nick Easter speaks to Neale Harvey about leaving the Stoop and how he got the job in Durban with the Sharks

Williams column: Deafening WRU silence over the future of Cardiff Arms Park worries me

Shane Williams gives his take on the future of a ground with grand standing in the history of Welsh rugby

Abuse at Twickenham made me consider retiring, says Nigel Owens

The official reveals comments were shouted from the stands during a Test between England and New Zealand

Biggar: Good to get out of the goldfish bowl

'I put playing for Wales above the Lions' says the new arrival at Franklin's Gardens

Give Danny Cipriani a chance like the ECB with Stokes, Vickery urges

Phil Vickery calls for caution by the RFU and Eddie Jones

Guscott column: Aussies look like a junior team

Michael Cheika's future as Wallabies coach has been called into question Down Under

Harlequins release former Hartpury star Jonas Mikalcius

27 tries for Hartpury when they won promotion to the Championship

Ulster’s Rory Best keeps tight-lipped on his thoughts about his future

Over a decade as Ulster captain

Academy kids star as Warriors run in 8 tries

Worcester ….52 Hartpury ……24 WORCESTER ran in eight tries as they swept to a comfortable win. Four first-half tries from Ollie...

Blues battle hard but class tells for Sarries in second half

By MATT WRIGHT FLY-HALF Max Malins took his chance to impress as Saracens eventually pulled clear of a fired-up Bedford. With...

Matawalu adds his magic from the bench to throttle Quins

Glasgow ……..50 Harlequins ….17 HARLEQUINS head of rugby Paul Gustard branded his side’s showing “unacceptable” after they shipped eight tries in...

Blommetjies dazzles on debut for Scarlets

By STEFFAN THOMAS WAYNE Pivac hailed the x-factor impact of new signing Clayton Blommetjies who scored two tries as the Scarlets...

Kvesic states case with breakdown dominance

By ROB COLE THEChiefs hammered out a five-try warning to their Premiership rivals that they will be just as difficult to...

Young: That wasn’t part of the plan, we were second best

By DECLAN ROONEY Connacht ……..43 Wasps …………..10 DAI Young handed out nine Wasps debuts but his side were swamped by an...

All Blacks make Aussies look like a junior team

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMYGUSCOTT Set-pice dominance: Sam Whitelock wins clean lineout ball for the All Blacks PICTURE: Getty Images Australia...

DREAM TEAM

ANTHONY ALLEN, FORMER ENGLAND, LEICESTER AND GLOUCESTER CENTRE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Marcos Ayerza...

Dinosaurs must realise TMO plays a vital role

COLIN BOAG Injured: Ospreys signing Gheorghe Gajio is out for six months Well done to World Rugby for standing up to...

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...