Winger Leonardo is top draw for Premiership

ITALY wing Leonardo Sarto could be on his way to the Premiership when his contract with Glasgow runs out at the...

ON THE BLINDSIDE

Tank rolls back to New Zealand BY NEIL FISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler ■ SALE SHARKS are planning more talks...

Six-month rule can’t stop the talking…

PREMIERSHIP clubs are able to open talks with players they are interested in signing for next season from tomorrow. But directors...

ROOM 101

BEN SOWREY THE NEWCASTLE HOOKER TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Man’s best friend...

Les Bleus should have kept faith with their old winning formula

I’VEnever understood the problem appointing the France coach. You consider all your options, compare domestic records and take into account whether...

RUGBY MATTERS

Good news for Falcons but seriously, why no Cipriani? BRENDAN GALLAGHER A new weekly look at the game’s other talking points...

Action man Richie saves day

Safe return: Richie McCaw with wife Gemma THERE was no rest on Christmas Day for action man Richie McCaw who is...

Many have tried but few succeed in Gridiron

SO giant Worcester lock Christian Scotland- Williamson is heading to an American Football training camp in Miami this week with a...

Diamond: Their big pack took control

SALE’S director of rugby Steve Diamond was full of his praise for his live-wire Springbok scrum-half, Faf De Klerk. “Despite us...

Sharpshooter Billy finds range to torpedo Sharks

By ROGER PANTING In at the corner: David Halaifonua scores the first try for Gloucester PICTURES: Getty Images Fightback: AJ MacGinty...

We’re still hoping, insists Tonks

GREIG Tonks is refusing to push the panic button despite Irish slumping to another confidence-denting defeat and still trailing ten points...

We want more call-ups like Graham says Deano

By GARY FITZGERALD No stopping him: Vereniki Goneva scores for Newcastle PICTURES: Getty Images Doubling up: Greig Tonks of London Irish...

Tait demands reaction as Tigers battle to avert worst losing run in over 50 years

By NEALE HARVEY MATHEW Tait has challenged Leicester to improve their ball retention and accuracy or suffer the ignominy of recording...

Joe was ‘shining light’ for us – Dai

WASPS’ director of rugby Dai Young was still critical of his side despite picking up a valuable five points away from...

Quick-fire Wasps hit Bath with early salvo

By ROGER PANTING Smiles better: Marcus Watson scores Wasps third try and his second PICTURES: Getty Images BATH’S week of woe...

Ruddock: Add Cotter to the list for Wales

By PETER JACKSON WALES are being advised to consider Vern Cotter as their new head coach. Mike Ruddock, the only Welshman...

Sevens set to launch IPL-style tournament

By NEALE HARVEY PLANS to introduce an annual IPL cricketstyle franchised Sevens competition in 2018 will be a “game-changer for smaller...

‘I was frustrated by how the ARU dumped the Western Force’ says Tigers arrival Polota-Nau

The Australia international reveals Michael Cheika gave him the seal of approval to move to Welford Road

Dark day for Dan Robson if Cipriani leaves Wasps for France

The Wasps scrum-half praises his team-mate as being 'a joy' to work alongside

‘Old Elthamians can bridge top-flight gap in Kent’, says Mike Friday

The USA 7s head coach on taking on the head of academy role at the National One side

Nottingham ace looks for love on Channel 4’s First Dates

Oli Evans applied for the Channel 4 show after being single for the past nine years

How to make money on rugby betting

Rugby union is one of the world’s oldest team sports. From its origins in the British Isles, the game has spread...

Williams column: Ability of new caps offers Wales reasons to be cheerful after below-par 2017

Shane Williams says Welsh provinces enjoyed a better 2017 than the national team

Coventry on the roll again after Wasps gave them a sting

Brendan Gallagher on why 15 wins from 15 for the National One side is not the only reason for Coventry to...

Jackson column: Call to cut the subs will cull land of the giants

Few replacements able to be named will mean national team coaches require more mobility, writes Peter Jackson

Wales miss out as Dai Young commits to Wales

Huge news for Wasps as their director of rugby counts himself out of the running to replace Wales head coach Gatland

Kyle back in that winning routine

KYLEEastmond excelled in his third game back for Wasps after Achilles surgery. Boss Dai Young said: “Kyle’s an international player who’s...

Cipriani’s the maestro as Wasps hit some high notes

By NEALE HARVEY WASPS roared above Gloucester into second place after a stunning second-half display. Trailing 17-15 at the end of...

Dickens: Penalty count too high

EXETER skipper Gareth Steenson issued a warning that the Premiership leaders are still looking to up their game. “We are very...

Chiefs smash Saints while they are down

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Power: Jack Yeandle breaks clear to score Exeter’s fourth try PICTURES: Getty Images BELEAGUERED Northampton flattered to deceive...

Wage cap cheats have been able to prosper

Huge win: Josh Adams is mobbed by Worcester team mates after scoring his second try against London Irish on Friday night...

DREAMTEAM

RUPERT HARDEN, HARTPURY AND FORMER GLOUCESTER & TYNEDALE TIGHTHEAD, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS …PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Nick...

Refs need to make sure justice is equal for all

COLIN BOAG Escape: Sean Maitland got away with taking out Clermont’s Isaia Toeava Les Kiss, Ulster’s director of rugby, and formerly...

Too early for Peel

SHANE Williams extolled the virtues of Welsh coaches Stephen Jones, Phil Davies, Kingsley Jones and Nigel Davies – but none have...

Change needed

I READ with interest last week’s article on Northampton Saints and their proposed attempt to lure Warren Gatland from his job...

Costly shortage of top-flight action north of Gloucester

I AM chairman of Eccleshall RUFC, a small community rugby club in Staffordshire. I have tried to highlight to the powers...

Referees are just following policy

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk THE set piece –...

Deacon wanted in Wales as Murphy’s right hand man

By STEFFAN THOMAS Tiger: Brett Deacon CARDIFF Blues hope to recreate Leicester Tigers’ winning formula by adding Brett Deacon to their...

Brew back on the boil after Dragons blowout

By NEALE HARVEY Flying: Aled Brew in action against Toulon REVITALISED former Wales wing Aled Brew has set his sights on...

Young speedsters turning up heat on Sharples

New batch: Henry Purdy, Ollie Thorley and Tom Hudson CHARLIE Sharples claims back three competition at Gloucester is fiercer than ever...

Dark day for Robson if Danny signs off

By NEALE HARVEY Hitting top form again: Dan Robson PICTURES: Getty Images DANNY Cipriani’s probable departure to France at the end...

Brunel: I’m ready to answer call from France

FRENCH COLUMN DAVID BARNES Jacques Brunel, to be officially announced on Wednesday as the new head coach of France, most likely...

Warrior Heathcote to be sidelined until April

FLY-HALF Tom Heathcote and scrum-half Jonny Arr remain on long roads to recovery as they battle to overcome concussion. Worcester Warriors...

Anscombe ready to end injury misery

NEWS EXTRA ■By ALEX BYWATER Recovered: Gareth Anscombe is fit again GARETH Anscombe hopes his fitness troubles are behind him so...

Japan’s safe and silent – and brilliant

Former England lock Geoff Parling tells of his new life in Japan with Sanix Blues ahead of joining Melbourne Rebels Six...

Wellmen continue charge for another Bowl final

WELSH ROUND-UP TAFFS Well edged to a narrow 14-10 victory over Treharris to claim their place in the last 16 of...

PREVIEW…Neath v Aberavon

December 26. Kick-off 2.30pm NEATH team manager Martyn Morris wants his players to savour what promises to be a red-hot atmosphere...

Powell touch of magic inspires fightback by Keys

■By JAY BAYFORD Newport…24 Cross Keys …32 CROSS Keys came from behind to claim a thrilling victory at Rodney Parade in...

Sombre backdrop as Drovers win clinches second spot

■By HUW S THOMAS Llandovery …29 Carmarthen…14 THIS game was overshadowed by the tragic death from a spinal tumour of Llandovery’s...

RGC stay in control with double by dashing Jones

■By CARL FIELD Bridgend …10 RGC 1404 …27 FULL-BACK Dion Jones claimed a double as RGC cemented top spot in the...