Hack job that became a must-read for rugby fans

BRENDAN GALLAGHER RUGBY MATTERS A new weekly look at the game’s other talking points RUGBY’S only genuine best selling author, Michael...

Farewell to Francis, the Rhino pioneer

THE name of Tim Francis, who died this week aged 83, might not instantly strike a chord with you but any...

Staggering statistics since Back called time

WHY can’t England find a natural openside? It’s the position that continues to haunt the national team but it’s not a...

Wales urged to retain coaching talent

By ALEX BYWATER WARREN Gatland has advised the Welsh Rugby Union to ensure the experience of his coaching staff isn’t lost...

Gilchrist back to his best thanks to boss Cockerill

By GARY HEATLY SCOTLAND second row Grant Gilchrist has been pleased with the performance of the pack in the last two...

Anscombe’s eager to be starter at 10

By STEFFAN THOMAS GARETH Anscombe is dreaming of a first Six Nations start with Wales in his favoured fly-half position as...

Davies to start – and earn us a bonus!

SHANE WILLIAMS WALES AND LIONS LEGEND Wales should beat Italy quite comfortably and a bonus-point would be the cherry on top....

Six of the best – Ireland clashes with Scotland in Dublin

1948: Ireland 6 Scotland 0 This was the one game during Ireland’s historic first ever Grand Slam played in Dublin at...

Townsend must get his Scots to forget their away-day blues

BRENDAN GALLAGHER looks at Scotland’s mission in Dublin – and their famous past clashes BRENDAN GALLAGHER So here’s the dilemma facing...

Joseph is sure he can tame the beast in Bastareaud

Technique is crucial: Jonathan Joseph MUCH of what Jonathan Joseph says about Saturday’s game against France makes it sound like it’s...

Eddie must take a healing scalpel to his ailing pack

NICK CAIN looks at the problems facing England’s head coach before the showdown with France NICK CAIN EDDIE Jones did not...

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Haag: Overseas coaches are blocking jobs

FORMER England U20s head coach Martin Haag has voiced his frustration at having his route back into English top-flight coaching blocked...

Wage demands will harm young talent – O’Connor

By NEALE HARVEY Warning: Matt O’Connor LEICESTER rugby director Matt O’Connor fears stellar wages being demanded by top stars as a...

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Ealing beef up Prem bid with Doran-Jones

EALING Trailfinders have issued another statement of intent ahead of next season by swooping for former England prop Paul Doran-Jones. Doran-Jones...

Falcons swoop for Symons

Wanted: Andy Symons NEWCASTLE Falcons are set to continue their player recruitment for next season with a move for Gloucester centre...

All Black duo set to join the Saints

NORTHAMPTON Saints are keen on former All Blacks Jeremy Thrush and Ben Franks who played under new director of rugby Chris...

Amazon prepare TV bid for rugby

AMAZON are looking at entering the market for Premiership Rugby rights even though they have still three years to run with...

ON THE BLIND SIDE

BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler SALE SHARKS are set to offer Josh Charnley a new contract after he closed...

ROOM 101

PAUL DORAN-JONES THE WASPS PROP TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Public displays of...

Referee Ridley still has that Tigers’ fighting spirit

ROOKIE Premiership referee Christophe Ridley has set his sights on taking charge of a World Cup final after completing a remarkable...

Warriors merry-go-round gone on too long – Arr

By NEALE HARVEY LONG-SERVINGWorcester Warriors No.9 Jonny Arr has pleaded for stability after admitting constant coaching changes have hindered the club’s...

Williams: Davies has talent to be star for Lions

By STEFFAN THOMAS SEB Davies has been tipped as a future British Lion as he prepares to push for a return...

French should have heeded that Mexican Wave

WHEN it comes to the most reliable barometer of spectator boredom, there is still nothing to touch the Mexican wave. They...

True rugby fans have no cause to hate English

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Back in the early Nineties, the RFU would hold a monthly Monday Press...

Jackman confident he’ll have last laugh

By STEFFAN THOMAS Early hope: Dorian Jones scores for Dragons PICTURE:Huw Evans THE DRAGONS hit an all-time low in Port Elizabeth...

Marais holds nerve to kill off Connacht at the death

By BILL KIELY CONNACHT were left shattered after a last minute penalty cost them on their first visit to South Africa....

Exploiting loopholes in rugby’s law book

MATT EVERARD TALKING TACTICS This year’s Six Nations has been a hot bed for cunning coaching tricks. Guys like Eddie Jones...

DREAM TEAM

BRETT BEUKEBOOM, CORNISH PIRATES AND CANADA LOCK, CHOOSES HIS BEST XV PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Cian Healy – Tough character...

Time for refs to agree on breakdown process

COLIN BOAG Back in December I highlighted the problems that are caused by allowing referees to interpret the laws in their...

Top flight stitch-up nearing completion

JEFF Probyn wrote in last week’s Rugby Paper about the agreement between the RFU and Premiership Rugby under which ‘the Championship...

Columnists split over Lovobalavu’s disciplinary case

I WOULD like to highlight just how difficult rugby’s disciplinary process can be, and how the same offence can appear to...

Feeling of déjà vu with Eddie’s team

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk DYLAN Hartley should be...

Six Nations needs no hype – it’s all genuine – and raw – emotion

IF Eddie Jones was not warned by his RFU minders about the pitfalls of buying a standard class rail ticket from...

All Black invasion will boost the Quins

NICK CAIN THE deal that Harlequins have struck with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to turn the Premiership club into a sabbatical...

Kingston urges fans to ‘park frustrations’

HARLEQUINS’ welcome Bath to the Stoop in the match rescheduled from Friday night due to the freezing conditions. Quins make six...

Harrison demands a repeat performance

By NEALE HARVEY Extended run: Tigers No.9 Sam Harrison LEICESTER’S historic victory over Saracens last week will count for nothing unless...

Botha playing for his future at Irish

Believer: London Irish back rower Arno Botha HIGH-impact back rower Arno Botha believes London Irish can still pull off a miracle...

Malins reaping rewards from Farrell tutorials

By NEALE HARVEY Out in front: Owen Farrell Alex Lozowski GIFTED Saracens playmaker Max Malins is ready to step out of...

Davies loses his fight to streamline Welsh rugby

GARETH Davies has been forced to admit defeat in his plan to modernise the governance of Welsh rugby. The WRU chairman...

Launchbury: We’re aiming to put on the Ritz in Paris

By GARY FITZGERALD Falcon in flight: Ally Hogg breaks clear to score Newcastle’s first try against Gloucester PICTURE: Getty Images JOE...

Bakewell’s challenge to create new pack legacy at Leicester Tigers

The Kiwi forwards coach on leaving Bristol for Welford Road and the new generation he wants to foster

Williams column: Irish ‘bullies’ gave us a lesson at the breakdown

Shane Williams says Wales must still respect the value of the Six Nations as their title hopes fade into nothing in...

Batty: Plenty of life left in the old dog yet!

Batty seeking to rule the roost in the hooker department at the Rec

Guscott column: Huw’s that guy? Truly a superstar in awaiting

Jeremy Guscott lauds the performance of Huw Jones in Scotland downing England's Grand Slam hopes

Haley leaves Sale for Munster in pursuit of international stage

Shunned by Eddie, the full-back will now aim to stand shoulder to shoulder for Ireland thanks to maternal roots

Chris Farrell set to miss the rest of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign with injury

Munster centre joins Robbie Henshaw in being sidelined

Nigel Owens responds to those calling him a ‘cheat’ in wake of Scotland’s win

Did the majority of England supporters take Saturday's loss gracefully?

Stockdale breaks Wales hearts as Ireland keep Grand Slam on track

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER In the corner: Jacob Stockdale dives in for the opening try under pressure from Leigh Halfpenny PICTURES: Getty...