PRO14 gives South Africa the best of both worlds

Battlers: Cheetahs have exceeded expectations in the PRO14 but they have lost Clayton Blommetjies, above, to the Scarlets In many ways...

Maverick Erasmus glad to see Cips spice up the game

RASSIE Erasmus and Eddie Jones have been coaches at opposite ends of the spectrum over the last few weeks. Where the...

Cape Town gives Eddie space, but he needs to find more answers

Galvanising force in Cape Town: Joe Launchbury on the ball, supported by Chris Robshaw PICTURES: Getty Images IF you want a...

Mulvihill will help Warburton beat off rivals for the Wales No7 shirt

NEWCardiff Blues coach John Mulvihill is a lucky man. Just look at the talent he has available to him in the...

Rugby can learn from the World Cup VAR

Getting it right: Neymar’s penalty decision against Costa Rica was overturned by VAR Like everyone else I’ve been glued to the...

DREAMTEAM

CHRIS MORGAN, CORNISH PIRATES PLAYER/COACH AND FORMER BRISTOL BACK ROW, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1....

Gardner got it right, it’s Law makers in a muddle

Hung out to dry: Referee Angus Gardner COLIN BOAG Having been sent off in the second Test against New Zealand, at...

Answers found, but still more questions

THE South Africa tour had answered a few questions. First, hysterical haranguing of referees is not the hallmark of a good...

Seamless domestic structure? We have the exact opposite

THE RFU seem to have allowed ring-fencing issues to pervade all aspects of English rugby where the Premiership is concerned. 1....

Root of all problems come from the pack

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU Email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk WHENat school in thbe...

Acid test awaits against All Blacks

NICK CAIN sits down with former Springboks captain Gary Teichmann – a hero in South Africa and Newport… Cornerstone: Tenda Mtawarira...

Hooper: We need clarity on refereeing directives

NEWS EXTRA By NEALE HARVEY ENGLAND’S breakdown woes have their roots in how differently the Premiership is refereed compared to other...

Brown should just keep walking

MIKE Brown this week gave his version of the exchange with an England fan as he went down the tunnel following...

Too much chat? Then refs must march them back ten

OWEN Farrell was the subject of a South African comment piece this week saying that the Springboks should attempt to get...

Eddie has to plan for life without Big Billy

Injury prone: Billy Vunipola has spent months on sideline PICTURE: Getty Images IT is no surprise that England’s five Test crash,...

Brunel blasts referee block

STEVE Hansen praised Damian McKenzie for silencing his critics and defended his controversial first try. The All Blacks boss said: “Damian...

French wheels fall off after more controversy

By GARY FITZGERALD Hat-trick hero: Rieko Ioane dives over to score one of his three for New Zealand PICTURES: Getty Images...

Lydiate’s aiming for fresh Test glories

By PETER JACKSON DAN Lydiate has vowed to join the massed ranks of Welsh back row contenders in Test rugby. After...

Moment of magic from Cipriani gets England home

From NICK CAIN at Newlands Winning combination: Danny Cipriani celebrates with try scorer Jonny May PICTURE: Getty Images Touch of class:...

Eddie’s so grateful for Cipriani’s magic kick

From NICK CAIN in Cape Town DANNY Cipriani got the thumbs up from Eddie Jones after a moment of inspiration that...

Brendan Gallagher picks out the young guns who have starred at this year’s Junior World Cup

Except for a brief break last August we seem locked into a never ending season which has been trundling along for...

Drowning Eddie needs a life raft

By Nick Cain England are in danger of drowning and their one time saviour, Eddie Jones, is starting to look like...

Shane Williams Column: Edwards is a must for whoever takes over

While Wales narrow down their search for a successor to Warren Gatland, I think they’re missing a trick when it comes...

Gatland’s right, we will be contenders

By Alex Bywater Martyn Williams is certain that Wales’ summer tour has rubber stamped Warren Gatland‘s claim his team are genuine...

Ford’s been caught short so Cipriani must start | Jeremy Guscott

By Jeremy Guscott Danny Cipriani simply has to start the final Test in Cape Town next Saturday. George Ford was asked...

Hogg leads young Scots into battle for first time

STUARTHogg will captain Scotland against the USA as head coach Gregor Townsend makes 12 changes from the team that started last...

Victory over Georgia makes it four on the spin for Fiji

PACIFIC NATIONS CUP ROUND-UP SCRUM-HALF Henry Seniloli scored two firsthalf tries and his replacement Frank Lomani added two in the second...

Pumas well and truly tamed by Gat’s lads

From ALEX BYWATER in Santa Fe Full stretch: Hallam Amos scores Wales’ second try PICTURES: Huw Evans WALES secured their first...

Allan fires late double to ensure Azzurri level series

Japan …22 Italy…25 TWO late penalties by flyhalf Tomasso Allan were enough for Italy to hold off a resurgent Japan and...

Stroppy Youngs shows just how much team are suffering

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Anybody who has ever come across Ben Youngs on the rugby circuit will know him as a thoroughly...

Ford’s been caught short so Cipriani must start

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK Danny Cipriani simply has to start the final Test in Cape Town next Saturday. George...

King Louis takes a fall from grace

DAVID BARNES FRENCH COLUMN Feud: Louis Picamoles is at war with French coach Brunel PICTURE: Getty Images Long gone are the...

ROOM 101

THE LONDON SCOTTISH FLANKER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND MATT ELIET 1. Training heroes...

Salvi takes on coaching role at Chiefs

JULIAN Salvi is relishing being in the vanguard of Exeter’s bid to reclaim their Premiership crown after accepting a role to...

Mallinder in as RFU pathway coach

FORMER Northampton boss Jim Mallinder is to join England Rugby as a pathway performance coach. Mallinder will replace long-serving pathway coaches...

Talks over Attwood departure ‘ongoing’

By NEALE HARVEY Hitting form: Dave Attwood on the charge for Toulon PICTURES: Getty Images Review: Stuart Hooper BATH will consider...

Gibbes off to France

LA ROCHELLE have announced that former Ulster boss Jono Gibbes will take over the reins at the Top 14 outfit on...

Finchley nail Grand Slam

FINCHLEY RFC claimed a Grand Slam at the inaugural Tournoi des Nations in France, an amateur Six Nations. Finchley won all...

Coach role for Morgan

CORNISH Pirates’ veteran back row forward Chris Morgan has been appointed as a player-coach. The 36-year-old joined the club in 2008...

Quins bring in Millard

HARLEQUINS have appointed Billy Millard as general manager of rugby. The 48-year-old Aussie has held ther same position with USA Rugby...

Catchpole calls time

LEICESTER centre George Catchpole is retiring from rugby at the age of 24. He made his debut in 2013 but has...

Nabou to join Blues

RUGBY SHORTS CARDIFF Blues look set to bolster their pack with the signing of Fijian international lock Sikeli Nabou. The 30-year-old...

Stop experimenting Eddie, you’ve lost plot

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Stability and grunt: Joe Launchbury allows Maro Itoje more freedom PICTURE: Getty...

Counties enjoy a clean sweep

By JON NEWCOMBE Done it: England Counties celebrate their stunning undefeated tour of Romania JAMES Shanahan has hailed the recent England...

Positive signs for World Cup

WOMEN’S SEVENS ROUND-UP ENGLANDWomen Sevens finished eighth in Paris after a 7-20 loss to Spain in the seventh place final. They...

Victory in France clinches another Blitzboks Series

PARIS SEVENS WRAP SOUTH Africa secured the men’s World Rugby Sevens title with a 24-14 victory over England to claim the...

Fiji were sensational but 10/10 for the Blitzbokke

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points Ultra consistent: South Africa celebrate their World Series...

New academy boys excel for Uruguay

Talent: Reinaldo Piussi THEfeelgood factor in Uruguay rugby continues apace with a second Nations Cup title courtesy of an excellent win...

It’s a six-way shoot out to stage 2021 World Cup

AFTER just one nation – Ireland – tendered a bid for the 2017 Women’s World Cup, everybody in the game will...

Brookes on board to power up Wasps set-piece

WASPS have signed England tighthead Kieran Brookes after he opted to leave Northampton Saints at the end of his contract. Brookes,...