Dragons’ big guns catch Ealing cold

By JONATHAN LANDI Flat out: Rhodri Williams dives over for the Dragons PICTURE: Patrick Khachfe Strong arm: Ben West of Ealing...

Ashton dots down at the death on his Sharks debut

By SAM JACKSON SALE got their pre-season campaign off to a flyer on Friday night with star signing Chris Ashton scoring...

Calzaghe helper set to replace Edwards

By PETER JACKSON WALES will launch a global search for Shaun Edwards’ successor knowing that they may already have found him...

Rebels aim to call for RFU board to resign

By DAVID EMERY THE RFU are under threat of rebellion from a group of former grandees dismayed by the current bout...

Rugby players and their love for poker

At first, poker and rugby seem to be polar opposites. One involves sitting quietly and studying cards and facial expressions, the...

10 Championship players who have gone on to become Premiership stars

Brendan Gallagher takes a look at the conveyor belt...

Guscott column: Ashton is back but he’s got big competition before he can wing it for England

Jeremy Guscott's take on Eddie Jones' pre-season training squad – will we see Ashton and Michael Rhodes in the autumn?

Zach Kibirige’s back to stake his claim at Newcastle

The Falcons back is ready to challenge the 'top quality' wings standing in his way

FEATURE: Johan Ackermann reflects on his first year in the Premiership with Gloucester

The Gloucester head coach talks Cipriani, team set-up and his vision for the Cherry and Whites

Top Rugby Players of All Time

Rugby is a full-contact team sport played using an oval ball with 15 players on each team. The sport uses a...

Championship conveyor belt

Pace and power: Wasps winger Josh Bassett Josh Bassett (Wasps): The big, fast, powerful Wasps wing looks such a consummate performer...

Le Bourgeois has his big shot at long last

BRENDAN GALLAGHER talks to Wasps centre Michael Le Bourgeois about the challenge ahead WASPS have earned the reputation in recent years...

Ash is back but he’s got big competition on wing

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMY GUSCOTT But how’s his defence? Chris Ashton is a world-class try scorer PICTURE: Getty Images GIVEN...

DREAMTEAM

MARK FLANAGAN, BEDFORD AND FORMER LEINSTER AND SARACENS LOCK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Mako...

Clubs must heed this RFU warning on costs

COLIN BOAG Well-paid: Charles Piutau is said to be the Premiership’s first £1m player Remember that television advert ‘There might be...

Academy boys key to OE’s success

I READ with interest in the July 22 edition that Old Elthamians are putting in place a plan to challenge for...

Get rid of the body armour and teach kids how to tackle

THE rise in head incidents in the game have been brought about inadvertently by the law makers. They allowed protective gear...

Shame Foden’s off, he still offers a lot

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email:newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk GOOD luck to Ben Foden...

Townsend will stay ahead of the game predicts Hastings

By GARY HEATLY SCOTT Hastings believes Gregor Townsend can avoid a ‘tricky second season’ as head coach of the Scotland national...

Only a November clean sweep will do – Tindall

By GARY FITZGERALD Papering over the cracks: England win the third Test against South Africa MIKE Tindall refuses to get carried...

Slade’s in pole but JJ fit for Autumn

By NEALE HARVEY Incumbent at No.13: Henry Slade in action against South Africa in June PICTURES: Getty Images JONATHAN Joseph will...

Dark arts silenced Ackford’s influence

For fun TRP columnist Brendan Gallagher, former flanker, picks the best XV he’s played with or against Grand Slammer: England lock...

Alex keen to continue his French adventure

FRENCH COLUMN DAVID BARNES Local hero: Alex Brown has signed for two more years at Perpignan Alex Brown, English prop of...

Clark calls time on illustrious Test career

ENGLAND’S most capped player Rochelle Clark has retired from international rugby, 15 years after earning her first cap. The 37-year-old prop...

Wales told to copy Scarlets lead

JJ WILLIAMS believes Warren Gatland’s coaching methods will make it “very difficult” for Wales to win next year’s World Cup. Gatland...

Zach’s back to stake his claim at Newcastle

By NEALE HARVEY Mentor: Glenn Delaney NEWCASTLE flier Zach Kibirige is hoping last year’s stint in New Zealand honing his game-management...

How can cash-strapped RFU invest in women?

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME JEFF PROBYN Record crowd for women’s international: France v England PICTURE: Getty Images At...

King takes charge at Neath with Bluebirds as inspiration

NEW Neath head coach Simon King is hoping to defy the odds by taking a leaf out of Neil Warnock’s book...

Davies’ exit put me in at the deep end

MY LIFEIN RUGBY THE FORMER LLANELLI, LEEDS AND WALES FLY-HALF COLIN STEPHENS Calling the shots: Colin Stephens in action for Wales...

Duncan certain Warriors have talent to be top six contenders

By NEALE HARVEY WORCESTER head coach Rory Duncan hopes his experience of leading the Cheetahs into the unknown last season can...

Namibia set up Cup showdown with Kenyans

ADAM ELLIS NAMIBIA strengthened their credentials as Rugby Africa Gold Cup favourites by extending their 17-year unbeaten streak over Zimbabwe. Coached...

Ace Mo’unga has frustrated Lions chasing his shadow

By NICK CAIN On their way: David Havili dives over to score Crusaders’ second try PICTURES: Getty Images Show time: Crusaders...

Foundations in place, now we must take it to the next level

Q&A ON THE RECORD JOHAN ACKERMANN Star signing: Danny Cipriani will bring X-factor to the backline Pictures: Getty Images Gloucester head...

YOUNG GUNS

CHARLIE CHAPMAN GLOUCESTER SCRUM-HALF Fresh from representing Scotland U20s at the recent Junior World Cup and skippering Gloucester in the Premiership...

Atkins on gym diet in bid to replace Watson

By NEALE HARVEY Injured: Anthony Watson CONFIDENT flier Darren Atkins is ready to repay the faith Bath have shown by proving...

Tigers strike for Kyle but Toomua’s off

Off to Tigers: Kyle Eastmond KYLE Eastmond has joined Leicester Tigers following his departure from Wasps, but Matt Toomua will leave...

Englishgamemay stagnate if top-flight are untouchable

Jeff Gage, rugby expert and author of Rugby‘s Blazered Buffoon Questions: Former All Black prop Ben Franks during his time with...

ROOM 101

GLEN YOUNG THE NEWCASTLE LOCK TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Being in the...

No room for slackers in Gustard’s regime

By NEALE HARVEY Midfield general: Ben Tapuai decide to quit Bath for Harlequins PICTURES: Getty Images BUSTLING Ben Tapuai is relishing...

Bainbridge relishing fresh lease of life under Carnegie’s new Kiwi boss Stirling

By JON NEWCOMBE JOSH BAINBRIDGE admits that the arrival of Chris Stirling as Yorkshire Carnegie DoR towards the back-end of last...

Sam signs up for fresh start at Tigers

By NEALE HARVEY Bulking up: Sam Aspland-Robinson in action in the Premiership 7s PICTURES: Getty Images FORGOTTEN wing Sam Aspland-Robinson has...

Ospreys ready for lift off now that ‘Jockey’ has the reins

By STEFFAN THOMAS High hopes: Ospreys centre Cory Allen CORY Allen believes the Ospreys boast a secret weapon who can unlock...

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Clubs to get protection from academy poachers

PREMIERSHIP Rugby are set to close a loophole which enables clubs to poach England Academy Players (EAP) from other sides and...

Lions’ board will demand improved schedule in 2021

By NEALE HARVEY BRITISH & Irish Lions bosses will play hardball over their schedule for the 2021 South Africa tour to...

Birthday boy Billy

ONLY one British rugby player can claim to have scored more tries than Cristiano Ronaldo has goals, not that the man...

Pressure time as Burke gets own back on Guscott

RUGBY’S version of the Ryder Cup may have had a subterranean profile compared to the real thing but for one player...

Festive cheer from BBC Wales

BBC WALES have moved quickly to fill the vacuum left by the decision of Europe’s three major Leagues to leave the...

How Aaron went from bouncers to breakdowns

THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW PETER JACKSON Versatile: Aaron Shingler switched from cricket PICTURE: Getty Images Ricky Ponting made 150...

New boss at Sarries

SARACENS Women have appointed Alex Austerberry as head coach, replacing Rob Cain who took up the position of USA Rugby Women’s...