Johan is after talks with ref’s supremo

GUTTED Gloucester boss Johan Ackermann said: “It’s a very unhappy changing room and the manner of the loss was hard to...

Gustard’s front-row gamble pays off for Quins

By NEALE HARVEY Green machine: Nathan Earle crosses for his first try for Harlequins PICTURES: Getty Images AN inspired tactical switch...

We’ve not devalued the Prem saysTodd

TODD Blackadder defended Bath’s decision to rest 13 players against Saracens, discounting the suggestion he was devaluing the Premiership as a...

There’s good …and then there’s Goode!

By NICK CAIN Hat-trick hero: Saracens’ Liam Williams scores his third try after collecting Alex Goode’s inside pass PICTURES: Getty Images...

Time has come to pick Farrell as England’s No 10

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMYGUSCOTT Power: Ben Te’o is Jerry’s first pick at 12 if fit PICTURE: Getty Images WHEN Owen...

DREAMTEAM

KURT MORATH, DONCASTER, TONGA AND FORMER AUCKLAND NO.10, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Sona Taumalolo...

Marler has just ensured his club career goes on

COLIN BOAG Intense: Joe Marler playing for England How many England caps does one man need? Joe Marler has 59, which...

Sorry Cips but Faz is out of this world

WHAT is this obsession for Danny Cipriani? It’s crazy and I really don’t get it. You only had to watch the...

Wallaby wannabe O’Connor owes Sale a huge debt

I WAS interested to see James O’Connor’s comments in last week’s paper regarding his wish to return to Australia in time...

All Black Pirates? Dicky’s delusional

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk DICKY Evans and the...

Blues and Ospreys in battle for Francis

TOMAS Francis is at the centre of a tug of war with both Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys in the market...

Rowntree to help Georgia

GEORGIA’S World Cup preparations have been boosted by the appointment of former England prop Graham Rowntree as their forwards coach ahead...

Webber believes West can give Sharks teeth

Forward guru: Dorian West has joined Sale PICTURE: Getty Images ANOTHER ‘old-school’ addition or a breath of fresh air? Rob Webber...

Hughes hopes to get the nod to tackle All Black great Read

By NEALE HARVEY Hitting form for Wasps: Nathan Hughes BIG-HITTING Wasps No.8 Nathan Hughes says the chance to face down New...

Caves returns with a fab four to savour

NEWS EXTRA By PAUL SMITH ADAMCaves served Moseley man and boy from the late 1990’s to the end of last season...

Castres send Euro warning to Premiership

DAVID BARNES FRENCH COLUMN Gloucester and Exeter had better beware of French title-holders Castres when they both face them in the...

Champs staying on course as Butler cleans up

Welsh National Plate round-up By JAY BAYFORD TAI Natthaphong and Dan Butler led the way for Brynmawr as they started their...

Four-try Poolergo top with Narberth in pursuit

Welsh Championship round-up By JAY BAYFORD PONTYPOOL are now the outright leaders after a 31-17 victory at Rhydyfelin. Alex Watkins, Danny...

Ironmen Locke the door with five tries at the Gogs

By DEAN JONES RCG 1404 .10 Merthyr .34 MERTHYR put in a fivestar performance to bag an impressive bonus-point victory at...

Lewis hat-trick heroics not enough as Quins hold nerve

By HAYDN JEFFERIES Bedwas .34 Carmarthen .35 CARMARTHEN Quins bagged maximum points after edging out Bedwas. The opening stages saw Quins...

Griffiths snatches victory from the jaws of defeat

By PAUL HOPKINS Cross Keys .29 Swansea .34 A LENGTH of the field interception try by Luke Griffiths clinched a sensational...

Steelmen stage late comeback to maintain perfect start

By JAY BAYFORD Neath.17 Ebbw Vale25 EBBW Vale maintained their perfect league record with a dramatic victory over lowly Neath. The...

Howells stars as Ravens unravel in second half

By PETER HUGHES Bridgend .35 Pontypridd .44 A THRILLING second-half showing from Pontypridd saw them come from behind to defeat Bridgend....

Unbeaten start grinds to a halt after dramatic intervention

By HUW S THOMAS Aberavon .31 Llandovery .26 ABERAVON brought Llandovery’s unbeaten start to the season to an end at the...

Preview: Llanelli v Newport

Today. Kick-off 2.30pm LLANELLI welcome Newport to Parc y Scarlets today still looking to get off the mark but are improving,...

Cardiff 43 Bargoed .21

WILL Rees-Hole was at the double as Cardiff overcame a spirited Bargoed side at the Arms Park. Powerful home skipper and...

Boks’ fast start stuns Wallabies

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Elusive: Try scorer Faf de Klerk makes a break PICTURES: Getty Images SOUTH Africa maintained their unbeaten record...

Fitzgerald helps Scarlets down the Eagles

CELTIC CUP ROUND-UP By CARL FIELD SCARLETS A returned to winning ways in the Celtic Cup with a 35-19 defeat of...

Smid out to follow Rhodes route to England

By NEALE HARVEY NEWLY England-qualified Ealing back rower Rayn Smid has his sights on following compatriot Michael Rhodes into the Red...

Hamilton happy to ignore keyboard warriors

By ALEX BYWATER LUKE Hamilton has revealed that he has been a target for social media abuse after swapping his Welsh...

Cockerill relishes Warriors’ big European challenge

By GARY HEATLY Tough: Richard Cockerill EDINBURGH Rugby head coach Richard Cockerill has a long history with the Heineken Champions Cup...

I’m sticking my head in dark places says Luatua

By NEALE HARVEY Keen to stay: Steven Luatua PICTURES: Getty Images BRISTOL captain Steven Luatua is ready to bin any hopes...

World Cup winner Fisher takes time out

HEATHER Fisher, part of England’s World Cup-winning side in 2014, will take a break from the game to “mentally recharge”. Fisher,...

PCL puts Davies out until New Year

WALES will be without Scarlets openside James Davies for their autumn Tests. The 27-year-old suffered a knee injury in the PRO14...

Atkins on board to assist fly-half crisis

BEDFORD have brought in London Irish flyhalf Jacob Atkins on a short-term loan deal. Atkins, 21, has spent time with Rosslyn...

Pirates strengthen front row stocks

CORNISHPirates have signed prop Jack ‘Owl’ Owlett on dual-registration from Exeter. The London-born former Scotland U20s player, now 23, featured for...

Kriel targets October debut for Gloucester

GLOUCESTER summer signing Jaco Kriel is targeting a return to action at the end of October. The flanker hasn’t played since...

New training base gets local support

WASPS have moved a step closer to building a new permanent training base in the West Midlands. The Premiership club currently...

Why does Jones want to change his midfield?

A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME JEFF PROBYN Game-changer: Danny Cipriani could have shone if he had played for Saracens...

Super six as Packer stars in fightback victory

By MARK COUGHLAN Richmond.12 Saracens .30 A BRACE from Marlie Packer ensured defending champions Saracens maintained their flawless start to the...

Lightning strike late in West Country derby

By DAVID SAUNDERS Glos-Hartp’ry 40 Loughbor’gh .41 LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning maintained their 100 per cent start the Tyrrells Premier 15s season but...

Seventh heaven for clinical Bears backs

Bristol Bears 41pts DMP Sharks .14pts By GEORGE WEST Bonus victory: Phoebe Murray scores for Bristol BRISTOL Bears made it back-to-back...

Five-star Wasps maintain pressure on leaders

By SAM ANDREW Wasps .29 Worcester V.10 WASPS scored five tries in a hard-fought victory over Worcester Valkyries to secure their...

Quins get back on track as Waterloo struggle

By MICHAEL JORDAN Harlequins27 Firwood W .6 HARLEQUINS got back to winning ways in the Tyrrells Premier 15s, defeating Firwood Waterloo...

Thanks for the – too short – memory you fine fellows

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points Gone too soon: Barry John AN international rugby...

Hats off to the world travelling duo

Willie le Roux THE old timers will insist the modern breed have it easy and, in many ways they do, but...

Professional Arrows will be boost to Canada

IT’S been a very tough time for Canadian rugby recently but there is good news in the pipeline with the Ontario...

Ton-up for Cleve as Pats put to sword

South West Premier CLEVE took their second victory of the South West Premier in style by running over 16 tries during...

Battling Rossendale edge Billingham

Northern Premier BILLINGHAM’S unbeaten run came to an end as they went down 26-23 away at Rossendale. Matt Blackman notched two...

Another win in the bag for Scunthorpe

Midlands Premier SCUNTHORPE maintained their perfect 100 per cent start to make it five wins in a row with a 35-12...