Call to cut the subs will cull land of the giants

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW The first substitution at Test level took place 50 years ago next summer...

Henson urges Wales to keep faith with Williams at 12

By ROB COLE GAVIN Henson sees a bit of himself in Wales’ new midfield playmaker Owen Williams and believes he will...

Vui banks on Bristol to make him a world star

By NEALE HARVEY Powerhouse: Chris Vui in action for Bristol against Doncaster PICTURES: Gareth Lyons ULTRA-CONFIDENT Samoan Chris Vui aims to...

Gatland set to give kids a run at Boks in US capital

By ALEX BYWATER WALES believe their oneoff clash with South Africa in Washington next year will have significant benefits both on...

All time Coventry XV

Blond bomber: David Duckham was one of England’s finest wings 15: Peter Rossborough Attack-minded full-back from the local King Henry Vlll...

England star Harry, 103, will be there for players’ reunion

REMARKABLY England’s oldest surviving international Harry Walker, right, is still a regular spectator at Coventry home games at Butts Park. Harry,...

Cov on the roll again after Wasps gave them a sting

BRENDAN GALLAGHER REPORTS ON THE WELCOME REVIVAL OF A ONCE-MIGHTY CLUB IT probably hasn’t escaped your notice that once mighty Coventry...

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Solomons named as Gold’s successor

ALANSolomons will succeed fellow South African Gary Gold as Worcester Warriors director of rugby on Sunday. Gold, 55, was scheduled to...

Friday: OEs can bridge top-flight gap in Kent

By NEALE HARVEY Academ y boss: Mike Friday AMBITIOUS Old Elthamians will push the boundaries to create a player pathway to...

Happy Christmas to all our readers

NEXT WEEK: The Rugby Paper will be out as usual next week on December 31 covering all the games in the...

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Keep in touch with The Rugby Paper wherever you are at home and abroad! It is now available as an online...

Furlong focused on happy future

Preview Munster v Leinster Tuesday Dec 26, Kick-off 3.15pm LEINSTER head for a raucous Boxing Day at heaving Thomond Park with...

Christmas comes early for six-try Connacht

By DARAGH SMALL MATTHealy said beating Ulster by a record margin was the perfect way to kick off the three Irish...

Dragons treak

By ROB COLE Rising star: Dragons second row Cory Hill DRAGONS skipper Cory Hill is hoping to deliver the perfect Christmas...

Kiwi boys prepare for a smashing Christmas

By STEFFAN THOMAS Pumped: Ospreys centre Kieron Fonotia cuts through against Clermont Auvergne PICTURE: Getty Images NEW ZEALAND pair Johnny McNicholl...

Dean’s late try bails out 14-man Edinburgh

By GARY HEATLY EDINBURGH pulled off an amazing last minute win over rivals Glasgow at Murrayfield in the first of three...

Bragging rights to Benetton as Meyer sees red

By SAM JACKSON Benetton …27 Zebre…14 BENETTON picked up their fourth victory of the PRO14 season as they battled past Italian...

Non-alcohol zone would help to keep all fans happy

I MUST applaud the Welsh Rugby Union this week after I read of their plans to introduce an alcohol-free zone at...

New Wales caps offer reasons to be cheerful

Test pedigree: Josh Navidi PICTURE: Getty Images IF I had to give Wales a mark out of 10 for 2017, it...

Wallaby tank Tatafu not here for a joyride

NEALE HARVEY talks to Tatafu Polota-Nau fresh from his Tigers European baptism against Munster Tatafu Polota-Nau gets away from Jonny Gray...

Leinster were a step up but we’re not out yet insists Hill

By NEALE HARVEY Battle cry: Jonny Hill celebrates a try for Chiefs DEFIANT lock Jonny Hill vows Exeter will put their...

ROOM 101

THE BLACKHEATH WINGER/FULLBACK TAKES US THROUGH HIS PET HATES FROM THE RUGBY WORLD AND BEYOND LEO FIELDING 1. The 3-hour pre-amble...

Warriors keep hold of prized asset Mills

WORCESTER have won their battle to keep highlyrated former England U20 international Ryan Mills at Sixways next season. The 25-year-old, who...

Sopoaga ponders future in Coventry

Wanted by Wasps: Lima Sopoaga LIMA SOPOAGA is considering an offer to join Wasps when his contract with the New Zealand...

Stirzaker set to calm Saracens’ injury storm

Rebel: Nic Stirzaker SARACENS are set to sign London-born scrum-half Nic Stirzaker on a short term contract from the Rebels as...

ON THE BLIND SIDE

BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler ■ TWICKENHAM has already hosted American Football this season and now Anthony Joshua could...

Saracens braced for Tigers hostility

By GARY FITZGERALD Turning point: Alex Lozowski scores Saracens second try in defeat to Clermont last weekend ALEX Lozowski is fed...

Frustrated Kalamafoni calls for composure

By NEALE HARVEY DISCIPLINE holds the key to Leicester snapping a run of four successive defeats and inflicting more misery on...

Leinster academy scrum-half Patrick is going downhill fast

THERE was a time not so long ago that Patrick McMillan was an outstanding No.9 prospect in the same Leinster Academy...

RUGBY MATTERS

BRENDAN GALLAGHER A new weekly look at the game’s other talking points Flyer: Josh Adams Try of the week: Former Scarlet...

Freddie was no flop – in fact he was simply magic!

Pioneer: French fly-half Frederic Michalak FREDDIE MICHALAK has confirmed he is retiring at the end of the season so expect some...

Hard-man Stan never backed down

Enforcer: Stan Pilecki STANPilecki, something of a cult hero at Queensland and with Australia, has died after a short illness aged...

Wallaby Ken was ‘a flash of light’

KEN Catchpole, who died on Thursday aged 78, is possibly a name that might not resonate with the modern generation but...

We didn’t fire any shots – Kennedy

IRISH boss Nick Kennedy was unhappy with his side’s dsiplay: “It was a massive game for us and we played very...

Adams hits turbos to leave Irish staring at relegation

By ROGER PANTING JOSH Adams’ two tries left London Irish with a mountain to climb to avoid relegation from the Premiership....

Deano: We want festive treble

DEAN Richards has set his Falcons an ambitious Christmas target. The Newcastle director of rugby said: “We said before the start...

Falcons hold on as it goes to the wire

By ALAN HEDLEY Breakthrough: Vereniki Goneva scores Newcastle’s try PICTURES: Getty Images NEWCASTLE’S second biggest crowd of the season were handed...

We just melted admits Bath boss

TODDBlackadder admitted little went right for his Bath side, even when they were competitive in the first half. “We didn’t build...

Sharks feast on rump of Blackadder’s squad

By COLIN NEWBOULT SALE must enjoy hosting West Country sides at the AJ Bell Stadium. First Gloucester were dispatched comfortably earlier...

New Year discussion to reduce bench size

WORLD Rugby are to consider reducing the number of substitutes per game in an attempt to tackle the escalating injury toll....

Wales miss out as Dai commits to Wasps

By PETER JACKSON DAI Young is set to sign a long-term contract with Wasps that will effectively rule him out of...

Jackson column: Ironmen Number 8s fall to injury after showing feats of fitness

Peter Jackson pays homage to the international stars Taulupe Faletau, Jamie Heaslip and Kieran Read who have all made a rare...

Bulldozer Bothma at Stoop to put Harlequins in the title mix

The Namibian number 8 wants to build on a strong finish in the league as Quins' European hopes fade

Cain column: Oh, for the leadership of Lawrence and Johnno

Nick Cain examines the validity of Eddie Jones claiming English rugby lacks depth in leaders

France becoming second home for rising number of Fijian fliers

Brendan Gallagher counts the rise of Fijian wide men heading to the Top 14

David Strettle could return for Premiership swansong as Top 14 make rule changes

"I've got a few other offers from France, but I haven't made up my mind" says the former Saracens wing

Cory Hill signs two-year contract extension with Dragons

Dragons captain becomes latest player to commit to the PRO14 side

The reasons behind Jim Mallinder’s sacking at Northampton Saints

A former Saints player recalls the debacle that led to Victor Matfield's sudden exit from Franklin's Gardens

Gordon Reid ready to play catch-up in Scotland ranks after concussion woe

'If I play well for London Irish rewards will come' says Scotland loosehead