Bring back magic of Six Nations trial matches

THE first week of January always used to be the occasion of the final England trial at Twickenham – England v...

Kingston struggles to accept late call

HARLEQUINS director of rugby John Kingston believed they were unfortunate to lose after seeing a potential lastminute try ruled out. Kingston...

Quins come up short after Marler sees red

By COLIN NEWBOULT JOEMarler, at times a cantankerous individual, is prone to the odd brain fade but his red card offence...

Wales in SOS to Worcester wing Josh

Wreckage mounts for Welsh wingers By PETER JACKSON Finding form: Manu Tuilagi scored for Leicester Tigers in their defeat of London...

TheRUGBYPaper

‘We’re giving everyone else’s coaches experience’ By NEALE HARVEY FORMER Cornish Pirates director of rugby Ian Davies has branded the RFU’s...

Dai Young signs contract extension with Wasps after being ‘humbled’ by links to Wales job

Aviva Premiership club confirms news revealed by TRP two weeks ago

Brendan Gallagher picks his 2017 Team of the Year

Despite Argentina's poor year, one Los Pumas player makes the grade

Slater’s galvanising Gloucester revival with forward grunt

Willi Heinz talks about Ed Slater's impact at Kingsholm after the swap deal involving Jonny May going to Leicester last summer

‘I’ll do my best to stay on the level of other England locks’, says bulking Isiekwe

Nick Isiekwe on the unconventional diet which has helped him grow to over 18st

London Irish urged to keep faith with coaching staff

Former rival coach comes out backing Nick Kennedy and co.

Guscott column: Obano’s call-up shows Eddie Jones still has vacant spots when picking forwards

Jeremy Guscott gives his thoughts on Eddie Jones' training squad ahead of naming his team for the Six Nations

Two-in one-out at Worcester Warriors

Warriors energised by Ryan Mills new deal, while Peter Stringer exits Sixways

Billy Vunipola turns up to award prizes to stars of Saracens Disability Programme

England vice-captain brings the Christmas cheer to winners of Saracens' crossbar challenge

Saracens complete signing of Nic Stirzaker on short-term deal

Former Rebels scrum-half will cover for the injured Richard Wigglesworth

Wales advised to consider Vern Cotter as successor to Gatland

Mike Ruddock urges the WRU to consider the former Scotland boss he describes as a 'class act'

The rugby people we lost in 2017

In a series of obituaries, we remember the former players and club personnel who graced the sport

Solomons: We were beaten by bench

AFTER his second game back from collarbone surgery, flanker Michael Rhodes told TRP: “We’re happy with the win but it wasn’t...

All Rhodes lead up the table for happier Saracens

By NEALE HARVEY Who turned the lights out: Jackson Wray scores for Saracens PICTURES: Getty Images Battle: Owen Farrell and Sam...

Saints: North may be back in a week

HARLEQUINS skipper and MOM Dave Ward hailed the impact of the home supprt. “Our fans were amazing; we loved the atmosphere,...

Seven-try Quins serve up Christmas cracker

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Stretch: Danny Care dives over for Quins’ fourth try PICTURES: Getty Images QUINS chose their annual gala game...

Obano’s call-up shows Eddie still has slots to fill

JEREMY GUSCOTT Explosive: Ben Obano has rocketed into the England thinking PICTURE: Getty Images THERE won’t be many surprises with Eddie...

DREAM TEAM

RICKY PELLOW, THE EXETER COACH AND FORMER BATH AND CORNISH PIRATES No.9, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS…PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…...

Let TMOs automatically make a call on ALL tries

COLIN BOAG Correct call: Dialling up the TMO should be mandatory for deciding tries The New Year is the time for...

Coventry residents spoilt for choice

EXCELLENT article on National One leaders Coventry RFC in last week’s edition. The relationship between Cov and Wasps is intriguing, as...

Championship still needs work despite Melville promises

HERE we go again about ring fencing the Premiership in December 17 edition of TRP. Nigel Melville came in as RFU...

Choke-tackle must get the big Kiss-off

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email:newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk HOWI applauded Colin Boag’s condemnation...

Warburton hits fresh peak with New Year OBE

Ian McLauchlan Ed Morrison James Robson BRITISH Lions captain Sam Warburton says he is “overwhelmed, privileged and very proud,” after being...

Slater’s galvanising Gloucester revival with forward grunt

By NEALE HARVEY Leader: Ed Slater Skipper: Will Heinz ED SLATER’S leadership skills have helped fire Gloucester into Premiership title contention,...

Sharks ace chomping at the bit for shot at Six Nations

By JON NEWCOMBE Flyer: Byron McGuigan NEW Scotland star Byron McGuigan has his sights set on the Six Nations after enjoying...

Isiekwe powers up for place in Eddie’s

By NEALE HARVEY Chicken and milk diet: Nick Isiekwe IMPOSING Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe has revealed how a diet of chicken...

Club or country decision is real tough one for role model Carr

Choice to make: Nizaam Carr WASPS back rower Nizaam Carr admits he will face the most agonising decision of his career...

Saints opt for Gaffney over Ford

NORTHAMPTON Saints have appointed Australian coach Alan Gaffney as a technical coaching consultant until the end of the season. Alan Dickens...

Tier Two not so attractive without playoffs – Costello

By JON NEWCOMBE WASPS-bound coach Ian Costello believes the Championship is all the poorer for the absence of play-offs. Costello has...

Cragg optimistic Titans can survive the drop

NEWS EXTRA By GUY WILLIAMS WINLESS Rotherham Titans still believe it is possible to avoid relegation after sacking coach Andy Key....

Noves goes legal as French job row hots us

DAVID BARNES FRENCH COLUMN New France supremo Jacques Brunel, promised a golden goodbye by his Bordeaux- Begles troops, found they could...

Warriors lock quits to pursue American Dream

Ace: Scotland-Williamson SECOND row Christian Scotland-Williamson has left Worcester Warriors to pursue a career in American football in Florida. The 24-year-old...

Henry’s mind games get him focused on England

By NEALE HARVEY Finally fit again: Henry Thomas is hungry for a Test recall thanks to help from Don Macpherson PICTURE:...

Howe puts the boot in to claim derby

SWALEC Division One round-up By JAY BAYFORD MAESTEG Quins edged into a five-point lead at the top of One West Central...

Four-try Jamie ends year on a high

SWALEC Championship round-up By JAY BAYFORD THERE was end-of-year cheer for Jamie Jeune as his four-try salvo helped maintain Pontypool’s perfect...

RGC keep pace at the top with thumping victory

RGC 1404 …47 Bridgend …14 By CHRIS SMART RGC 1404 said goodbye to 2017 in perfect fashion as they scored six...

Super Sweeney the hero again as Ponty maintain form

Pontypridd …29 Bedwas …20 By JAY BAYFORD PONTYPRIDD made it 11 wins from their last 12 Principality Premiership games with a...

Newport hold on as Cardiff squander late chance

Newport…29 Cardiff …17 By IWAN GABE DAVIES IT IS one of the oldest fixtures in rugby, dating back to 1876, and...

Mogg stars as Bargoed turn on the style to crush Neath

Neath…17 Bargoed RFC…40 By CARL FIELD JULIAN Mogg’s brace inspired Bargoed as they hit Neath for six at the Gnoll. Former...

Magnificent Merthyr hit seven to demolish Keys

Merthyr …43 Cross Keys …10 By ANDREW DEERING MERTHYR powered to a convincing victory over Cross Keys at the Wern, crossing...

Wizards undone by Llandovery magic in one-sided game

Llandovery …30 Aberavon …7 By HUW S THOMAS LLANDOVERYdeservedly and decisively took the spoils against Aberavon in front of the live...

Ebbw Vale…43 Llanelli …15

EBBWVale put in an outstanding second-half performance to overwhelm Llanelli. The home side opened the scoring when Dorian Jones kicked a...

Principality Premiership

Carmarthen …24 Swansea …23 TWO penalty tries helped Carmarthen Quins to a last-gasp victory against Swansea in a thriller at Carmarthen...

North have stolen a march on southern pace-setters

JEFF PROBYN Big gains: Stuart McNally scores in Scotland’s eight-try victory over Australia PICTURE: Getty Images Well that’s it, 2017 is...

PRO14 pair banned following red cards

SCOTLAND prop Simon Berghan will miss the Six Nations opener against Wales after being banned for six weeks. Edinburgh star Berghan,...

Hamstring injury sidelines Bassett

WASPS have been hit by news that winger Josh Bassett faces a spell on the sidelines. Bassett was forced off in...