Pacific Nations fighting for their World Cup lives

THE eyes of the rugby world will, of course, be focussed primarily on New Zealand and the Lions over the coming...

Enthralling mini-series awaits in Argentina

BRENDAN GALLAGHER says Eddie Jones has seized the chance to blood potential world beaters BRENDAN GALLAGHER EDDIE JONES has been riding...

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Exiles signal Premiership intent with Nalaga signing

By NICK VERDIER LONDON Irish have celebrated their return to the Premiership with the capture of Top 14 try-scoring machine Napolioni...

Wales will have gem if Botham Mk III can match Ian

IT WILL not make Welsh prospects any better at the Junior World Cup but one of their back row can justifiably...

Class of ’71 fought back from jet-lagged stumble in their opening game

THELions at least had three whole days from touchdown to the kick-off of their opening match yesterday. Their distinguished predecessors of...

HowScarlets boxed clever with Byron in their corner

PETER JACKSON Before the Scarlet champions could go out on the town in Dublin last Saturday night, Munster sent a congratulatory...

DREAM TEAM

ROSS BEATTIE, THE FORMER SCOTLAND, NEWCASTLE AND NORTHAMPTON FORWARD, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. George...

Exeter prove stability can bring big success

COLIN BOAG Exeter Chiefs’ victory in the Premiership finals should have warmed the heart of every rugby fan, as it shows...

Still not a fan of this play-off malarkey

WHAT is the point of trying to win titles when a team that finishes below you in your respective league can...

Is it time to bring in a portable darts oche for hookers?

HOOKERS failing to hook is a long-standing problem in the game but my gripe is that hookers are now not just...

A spot of high jinks is part of the game

YOUR article regarding Bath coach Todd Blackadder taking a dim view of his players running naked across the pitch following a...

Murray has a mental edge after Soldier Field mugging

NICK CAIN finds Conor Murray in battle mode as the All Blacks tormentor looks to make his mark CONOR Murray is...

…but booze and travelling took toll in Auckland

Meanwhile, on the North Island, Lions’ wounds were often self-inflicted reveals Brendan Gallagher Hero: Ronan O’Gara’s late penalty saved the Lions...

When brutality stalked Lions in Canterbury

Brendan Gallagher hopes that the Crusaders opt not to follow the thuggish style of their forebears In the thick of it:...

We made All Blacks respect us, here’s hoping Gatland’s men can do the same

1971 legend John Taylor returns to NZ for The Rugby Paper Aggression: John Taylor attacks the All Blacks in 1971 The...

Now I’m backing dad says Gatland junior

BRYN GATLAND reckons the Provincial Barbarians earned the Lions’ respect after pushing them close in the tour opener yesterday. The fly-half,...

Faletau refusing to take the bait from Zinzan criticism

Advice: Dad Kuli LIONS No.8 Taulupe Faletau says he will listen to only the few opinions that count after Kiwi legend...

Hogg didn’t shine, now Liam must have a go

WALES AND LIONS LEGEND SHANE WILLIAMS THE FIRST game of this Lions tour was always going to be a challenge, but...

PUB TALK

Breakfast in the local… a light-hearted look at how the Lions unite the country Across the country yesterday, they arrived in...

Germans set to get club into PRO12

By PETER JACKSON A Swiss-based billionaire is in talks with the PRO12 aimed at catapulting a German club into what started...

Farrell lays Test claim as stuttering Lions misfire

From NICK CAIN in Whangarei WARREN GATLAND praised Owen Farrell after the fly-half put down an early marker for the Lions...

Young Gun: Ali Crossdale – England U20s full-back

Ali Cossdale is living the dream by training with the best team in Europe every day and has learned that rubbing...

Peter Jackson: Size didn’t matter in 1971, just pure ability

When they line up for the first Test, the Lions‘ backs will be three inches taller on average than their historic...

Jeff Probyn: My Lions dream knocked out by a real McCoy from Jimmy

Twenty-eight years ago I was playing in a Five Nations tournament that was, in effect, a selection trial for the 1989...

Quartet on their way to Leicester

Leicester have announced the signings of Dominic Ryan, Sione Kalamafoni, Joe Ford and Jonah Holmes. As revealed in TRP back in...

Exiles bring in Top14 star wing and six others

London Irish have landed Top 14 winger Napolioni Nalaga from Lyon ahead of next season. Nalaga, 31, who racked up 105...

James Haskell on track for a Hollywood ending!

Lions tours usually include a fairytale story along the way and Welsh legend Scott Quinnell reckons the 2017 version will have...

Farrell is Lions’ key man, not Sexton

Permutations for the Lions back line are pretty extensive but Owen Farrell must be given a jersey regardless of the number,...

Room 101: Sam Moss – Macclesfield hooker

1. Poor lineout lifts/jumps At Macclesfield we pride ourselves on our set-piece and lineout and in what has been a difficult...

Nick Cain: Of course Billy’s a loss, but others will step in

The wailing and gnashing of teeth over Billy Vunipola‘s withdrawal from the Lions tour party to New Zealand due to a...

Brendan Gallagher picks his all-time Lions XV

15. JPR Williams Ever present in 1971 and 1974 and a player who took the fight to the ‘enemy’ more than...

Warburton fit to lead Lions in tour opener

Sam Warburton has recovered from his knee injury and will captain the British and Irish Lions in their opening match against...

England lose front row pair for tour

Tommy Taylor and Nick Schonert have been ruled out of England‘s tour of Argentina. Wasps hooker Taylor picked up a knee...

20 Questions: Max Clark – Bath centre

Enjoying the off-season? It came a bit earlier than we were expecting as we missed out on the Premiership play-offs so...

Wallaby leaves Leicester for Clermont

Peter Betham has left Leicester Tigers in order to join Clermont next season. Australia international Betham, 28, arrived at Welford Road...

Wood suspended for six weeks

Tom Wood has been suspended for six weeks for the stamp on Djibril Camara’s last Friday Champions Cup Play-off final against...

TRP’s National Two North Dream Team

Caldy were beaten just twice all season as they earned promotion to National League One with a very impressive campaign and...

CONFIRMED: Picamoles leaves Northampton

Northampton Saints have announced that Louis Picamoles will be leaving the club to rejoin Montpellier. The France No.8 only moved to...

Brendan Gallagher: Exeter prove patience can be greatest virtue

It was Leo Tolstoy – who doesn’t offer appear on the sports pages – who once remarked that the two most...

Jeremy Guscott: Set Faletau loose and he can cause havoc for Lions

Taulupe Faletau is in the spotlight following Billy Vunipola‘s withdrawal from the Lions tour because No.8 is such an influential position....

Shane Williams: Breathtaking, now let’s hope all regions can build on success

What a win, what a performance, what a team! Hats off to everyone at the Scarlets because they’ve managed to do...

Newcastle sign England Sevens flyer

Newcastle Falcons have signed England Sevens international Cameron Cowell to their senior academy squad. The 21-year-old can play at full-back, wing...

Eddie’s in need of a big rethink says Lamb

France-bound fly-half Ryan Lamb says Eddie Jones’ decision to exclude Freddie Burns, Danny Cipriani and Christian Wade from the tour to...

My Life in Rugby: Jimmy Richards – former Harlequins hooker

Growing up in a small fishing village in North Pembroke-shire, it wasn’t unusual for me be up at 2am and spend...

Bath Test star off to Worcester

Worcester have completed the signing of Scotland international David Denton ahead of next season. Zimbabwean-born Denton will make the switch to...

Wasps sign Springbok centre

Wasps have confirmed the signing of South African international Juan De Jongh, who will join up with Wasps after completing the...

Harlequins appoint Nick Evans as attack coach

Nick Evans will join the Harlequins coaching team as Attack Coach following his recent retirement from the game. Following a 17...

England U20s name side for JWC opener

England have named their team for the opening match of this year’s World Rugby U20s Championship against Samoa (10am BST) in...

Armand called up by England for Argentina tour

Uncapped Exeter flanker Don Armand has been named in the England squad for next month’s tour of Argentina. Zimbabwe-born 28-year-old Armand...