‘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...

Scarlets left red-faced after mauling from their old rivals

■By PAUL HOPKINS Swansea …38 Llanelli …7 SWANSEA put their local rivals Llanelli to the sword in an entertaining West Wales...

Merthyr made to battle before stretching clear

■By IAN GOLDEN Merthyr …33 Bargoed …23 MERTHYR took the East Wales Premiership honours after a hard-fought battle at home to...

Vale get lift after Woods confirmed as their new head coach

■By GEOFF CHAMPION Ebbw Vale…33 Bedwas …17 STRUGGLING Ebbw Vale have been boosted by the news that experienced Cross Keys head...

Stander signs on for another three years

LIONS and Ireland back-row CJ Stander has signed a new three-year IRFU deal to keep him at Munster until 2021 The...

Evans joins Cross Keys as coach

FORMER British and Irish Lions lock Ian Evans, 33, has joined the coaching team at Welsh Premiership side Cross Keys. Evans,...

Campagnaro could be back for 6 Nations

EXETER centre Michele Campagnaro could return to action within the next month. The Italy international, 24, has missed the entire season...

Healy gets to rest over Christmas

CIAN Healy will miss Leinster’s festive PRO14 inter-provincial derbies after being banned for three matches for the reckless use of a...

Williams will stay at the Rec until summer

BATH winger Jeff Williams has signed a contract extension until the end of the season with the Premiership club. The former...

Pivac: I’d say yes to following Gat

RUGBY SHORTS SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac would consider the chance to succeed fellow New Zealander Warren Gatland as Wales head...

BIG GAME – THE STORY SO FAR

BIG GAME 1 (December 27, 2008) Harlequins 26 Leicester Tigers 26 Nobody knew quite what to expect first off, but on...

Big Game will loom larger than ever for two strugglers

Brendan Gallagher looks at the history of the Big Game and says this year Quins and Saints will be desperate to...

YOUNG GUNS

JAMES DUN BRISTOL FLANKER When your dad played in the back row for Bristol, Wasps and England, Chris Robshaw attended the...

Taunton build on their early surge

By KEITH BROOKING Taunton T 36 Old Redcliff’ 17 THE Titans started the game well here and never looked back. A...

Rams toast their first half-century

By CAMERON TEMPLE London IWG 12 Redingens’ 52 THE Rams topped 50 points for the first time in the division with...

Clinical Chinnor lead way in Oxfordshire

By NICK PITSON Henley 28 Chinnor 33 CHINNOR kept their unbeaten record and claimed the Oxfordshire bragging rights with a bonus-point...

Shut-out is a bonus as Redruth go rampaging

By BILL HOOPER Redruth 41pts Barnstaple 0pts Pointing the way: Connor Swann of Redruth celebrates as he dives over to score...

TJs hold on after giftthrow provides winner

By GARETH WITHERS Canterbury 19 Tonbridge J 22 ANenthralling local derby delighted the bumper Christmas crowd at Merton Lane, but it...