Tuilagi starts as O’Connor demands reaction

LEICESTER Tigers fullback Telusa Veainu is set to be out for at least eight weeks after sustaining a double fracture of...

Tigers told to stand up to Irish bullies

By JON NEWCOMBE Looking for response: Luke Hamilton in action against Racing 92 PICTURE: Getty Images BACK rower Luke Hamilton believes...

Imhoff’s red for headbutt can’t stop slick Racing

By STEVE EVANS European Champions Cup RACING 92 kept themselves in the hunt for a quarter-final place after overcoming Castres despite...

Rennie: We’ll be stronger for this

GLASGOW coach Dave Rennie believes there is still reason to smile despite their winless Champions Cup campaign. A run of four...

Glasgow monstered by unstoppable Nadalo

By JAMES CANDY GLASGOW were powerless to stop Nemani Nadolo from inspiring a European Champions Cup double as Montpellier kept in...

Leinster win after ‘refusing to panic’

LEINSTER coach Leo Cullen acknowledged that his team didn’t make things easy for themselves but was delighted to see his side...

This was international standard, says Baxter

European Champions Cup By CIARAN McGREAL LEINSTER staged a stunning fightback after the break to recover from two firsthalf sin-binnings and...

Humphreys says No to the top job with Blues

By PETER JACKSON Eye for the line: Anthony Watson breaks to score for Bath in their win over Toulon PICTURE: Getty...

Mallinder paid ‘for not axing coach West’

By NEALE HARVEY JIM Mallinder’s loyalty to “old school” forwards coach Dorian West contributed to his downfall at Northampton, according to...

Workaholic Wray aims to keep Saracens up to the job

Nick Cain talks to Saracens' Mr Consistent about Brad Barritt's captaincy and the influence of Ernst Joubert

Williams column: Ospreys would be the best fit for George North

Shane Williams offers his opinion on who is the most likely fit for the Northampton and Wales wing

Jono Ross relishing new life in fast lane with Sale Sharks

The South Africa-born back row on a turbulent meeting between the Stade Francais president and Stade players

Jackson column: Wales Euro challenge undermined by the Union

Peter Jackson on how the fourth autumn Test scheduled by Wales impacted the nation's regions and their hopes of success in...

Gary Graham glad to resume family affair with Newcastle Falcons

The former Jersey flanker on emulating his father, George, at Kingston Park

Guscott column: Springboks need to pick best XV on ability alone

Time for the SARU to be more welcoming of overseas player selection?

Kingston: ‘It’s time Danny Care showed he can be the world’s best scrum-half’

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston has thrown down a challenge to his number 9 in the lead up to the...

All-action Gloucester back row Ludlow flying high in top tackler race

The Gloucester back row is well out in front in the Premiership's tackle count stats

Scots back in pole for takeover of Worcester

By Neale Harvey Worcester are set to agree a takeover by the Scottish Rugby Union after a bid from former Swindon...

Matt O’Connor reveals extent of injury to Leicester’s Veainu

Tigers fullback suffers double fracture to jaw in 33-10 defeat to Munster

Leinster defeat shows we’re still learning our lesson in Europe – Rob Baxter

The Exeter Chiefs boss reacts to his side's first defeat at Sandy Park in a year

Asquith late winner conjured by Evans

Last gasp: Paul Asquith scores Scarlet’s fifth and winning try By ROB COLE SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac punched the air...

‘Toulon favoured by ref at tackle’

TODD Blackadder said that refereeing calls at the breakdown had favoured Toulon, but that his Bath side had given a good...

Bath fall just short despite Ashton’s act of charity

From NICK CAIN at Stade Mayol Thanks Chris: Jonathan Joseph celebrates with team mates after scoring a try following a mistake...

Springboks need to pick best XV on ability alone

JEREMYGU SCOTT Selected on merit: South African back rower Siya Kolisi PICTURE: Getty Images EVER since South Africa adopted a quota...

DREAMTEAM

MATT JESS, THE NEWTON ABBOTT AND FORMER EXETER WING, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Brett...

International caps are all at sixes and Sevens

COLIN BOAG The recent Rugby League World Cup showed just what a joke the 13-man game’s eligibility rules are – basically...

Game needs the odd giant killing

TOTALLY agree with Jake Smith’s letter last week. The Championship clubs deserve more exposure and must be given regular games against...

Rolling substitutes already work well at grassroots level

I HAVE to disagree with Nick Cain’s view on rolling subtitutes, as the practice has been used successfully in the grassroots...

Ambitious clubs need a pathway

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email:newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk TRP December 3 gives examples...

Pivac eyes back row ace Wells

SCARLETS have targeted Waratahs back row Michael Wells as a solution to their No.8 problem. Wayne Pivac’s side will lose Scotland...

Ross relishing new life in the fast lane with Sharks

By JON NEWCOMBE STAND-IN Sale skipper Jono Ross admits the pace of Premiership rugby caught him by surprise after swapping Paris...

Laporte in jail threat over deal with Altrad

DAVID BARNES Under pressure: Bernard Laporte is facing trial on favouritism charges PICTURE: Getty Images No sooner has Bernard Laporte brought...

Eighth straight defeat for Seven Sisters

Welsh Division One round-up MAESTEG Quins continued their perfect start to the season in West Central, earning a 26-5 win over...

Gullis hits double as perfect Pooler march on

Welsh Championship round-up CLAYTON Gullis was at the double as leaders Pontypool beat Trebanos 24-7 to make it 11 wins out...

Castle is hero as Ystalyfera are into Last 16

National Plate & Bowl round-up By CHRIS SMART A LAST-GASP drop goal from full-back Steffan Castle secured last season’s WRU National...

Reed demands physicality

PREVIEW… Richmond v Bristol Today. Kick-off 2.30pm BRISTOL captain Amber Reed wants a physical performance today in the mid-table Tyrrell’s Premier...

Lightning set to strike again

PREVIEW… Worcester v Loughborough Today. Kick-off 2pm LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning travel to Sixways to face Worcester Valkyries looking for a fourth-straight win...

Quins back to winning ways with bonus point

By DANIS ROBERTS Harlequins 27pts Wasps 8pts Final try: Abbie Scott powers over to complete the rout HARLEQUINS got back to...

Seven-try Saracens continue their domination

By JAMES LAUGHTON Saracens 45 Firwood W’loo 6 LEAGUE leaders Saracens continued their imperious form with a tenth straight win in...

Glos-Hart stunned by late Sharks onslaught

By MOLLY GOODWIN Glos-H’pury 24 Darlington 38 Try: Mary-Anne Gittings GLOUCESTER-Hartpury’s poor recent run continued as Darlington Mowden Park Sharks condemned...

Gurney’s surge gets Cambridge rolling

Oxford W 0 Cambridge W 24 Revenge is sweet: Cambridge Women celebrate CAMBRIDGE women stormed to a four-try 24-0 victory in...

Double delight for Light Blues

By GEORGE LAWRENCE Oxford 10pts Tries: Wilson 65 Conversions: Kearns 65 Penalties: Kearns 33 Cambridge 20pts Tries: Bell 28, Russell 55,...

Davis adamant Ospreys moving forward

By ALEX BYWATER THE Ospreys admit they have serious work to do to strengthen their threadbare squad but defence coach Brad...

England appoint new U20 coaching panel

By SAM JACKSON FORMER Leicester centre Anthony Allen has been appointed as one of three new coaches for England U20s as...

RUGBY SHORTS

Fine coming for Faletau BATHhave been charged by Premiership Rugby for allowing Taulupe Faletau to play for Wales against South Africa,...

Francis focused on wearing No.10 for England

PIERS Francis has vowed to prove himself as a flyhalf of World Cup quality by challenging Owen Farrell and George Ford...

Care rising to challenge of becoming world No.1

By NEALE HARVEY Taking on responsibility: Danny Care PICTURES: Getty Images DANNY Care is ready to determine his place in history...

Williams confident of filling Webb role for Wales

CRACKERJACK Bristol scrum-half Rhodri Williams believes Rhys Webb’s defection to Toulon will offer him a route back into a Wales jersey...

RFU funding for EQPs gives England a big advantage

JEFF PROBYN Money bags: Top 14 contenders Montpellier have a raft of Test stars including François Steyn and Nemani Nadolo PICTURE:...

Race heats up for promotion chasers

South West Premier BOURNEMOUTH took a confidence boosting victory as they drew closer in the battle for the top two in...