Australia - News, interviews, reports, analysis and opinion

Latest News

/ 2 days ago

Another son follows in father’s footsteps

PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Family tie: France’s Hugo Auradou breaks through against Ireland in Paris PICTURE: Alamy...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 days ago

Wilson happy with law tweaks ahead of the big kick-off

Super Rugby Pacific Preview ■By BEN JAYCOCK Champs: Crusaders celebrate last year’s success PICTURE: Getty Images WALLABIES skipper Harry Wilson has...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Henry Arundell will start England’s Six Nations opener

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Steve Borthwick names his England team for Six Nations opener against Wales

Henry Arundell will make his first England start since the 2023 World Cup after being named on the left wing for...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Fraser Dingwall says the sky is the limit as England aim to hit the Six Nations ground running against Wales on Saturday.

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Fraser Dingwall: England are ready for take-off in the upcoming Six Nations

Fraser Dingwall declared the sky is the limit as England aim to hit the Six Nations ground running against Wales on...

By Adam Hathaway

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Jack van Poortvliet targets successful Six Nations with England after injury setbacks

It was typical of the misfortune that has plagued Jack van Poortvliet in recent seasons that the day after being named...

By Paul Rees

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Will Greenwood tips the ‘spiky bunch’ England for Six Nations glory

England’s “spiky bunch” are preparing to pump up the physicality and aggression in the Six Nations and lay down a real...

By Gary Fitzgerald

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Louis Lynagh: Italy will cause some damage in this year’s Six Nations

Louis Lynagh is adamant Italy are in the “perfect place” to cause some more special Six Nations tremors in the coming...

By Gary Fitzgerald

Club Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Julian Heaven prioritises Exeter Chiefs over Spain ahead of World Cup

Julian Heaven qualifies for five countries but has turned down the chance to play for Spain ahead of next year’s World...

By Paul Rees

Club Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Will Muir eager to make up for lost time at Bath after injury setback

As the Premiership goes into hibernation for a couple of months, many players will get a long break, but it has...

By Paul Rees

England head coach Steve Borthwick during a training session

Columnists

/ 1 week ago

Nick Cain: England must ditch the hype and make history

The Six Nations decision to play this season’s tournament opener between reigning champions France and Ireland in Paris on Thursday evening...

By Nick Cain

United Rugby Championship

/ 1 week ago

Ulster go up to third but Cardiff still looking good

■By BEN JAYCOCK Ulster ................21pts Tries: Wilson 11, Bell 18, Irvine 66 Conversions: Murphy 12, 19, 67 Cardiff ..............14pts Tries: Mulder...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Action man: Henry Pollock sprints clear to score against Australia PICTURE: Getty Images

Brendan Gallagher

/ 1 week ago

Brendan Gallagher: Why putting your faith in data doesn’t add up

Of all the sports most ill-suited to detailed statistical analysis it strikes me that rugby union comfortably tops this list, which...

By Brendan Gallagher

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Six Nations guide – Italy: Gonzalo Quesada will be planning upsets

Brendan Gallagher finds the Azzurri in an optimistic mood despite their injury list

By Brendan Gallagher

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Hugo Keenan out of Six Nations opener as Ireland’s injury list continues to grow

Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions series winner Hugo Keenan has fractured his thumb in training, which excludes him from...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 2 weeks ago

Why England need to prove they have class, not just form ahead of the Six Nations

When Steve Borthwick took the England head coach role from Eddie Jones, the Red Rose were not in a good position.

By Will Judd

Columnists

/ 2 weeks ago

Jeremy Guscott: A fit Fin Smith gets my vote for the No.10 role with England

England’s 9-10 combination of Alex Mitchell and George Ford were at the heart of a strong Autumn series in which they...

By Jeremy Guscott

Winger Noah Caluori was in scintillating form as Mark McCall’s Saracens demolished Newcastle yesterday

Club Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Noah Caluori is hoping to follow in Henry Pollock’s footsteps for England

Noah Caluori relished his first experience with the England senior team and wants more of where that came from despite being...

By Adam Hathaway

Tomas Francis in action for Wales against Australia at the 2023 World Cup

Columnists

/ 2 weeks ago

Paul Williams: At last we can see signs of stability for Steve Tandy’s Wales

Have you ever had someone try to tell you something really important? But instead of taking in that information, you’re instead...

By Paul Williams

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Ulster skipper Iain Henderson is left out of Ireland squad but Andy Farrell remains confident

Ulster captain Iain Henderson has been left out of Ireland’s squad for the Six Nations. The second row, 33, made his...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Jake Farnworth in action for Leicester Tigers

Features

/ 2 weeks ago

My Life in Rugby: Jake Farnworth – Training was sink or swim and I loved it

Former Leicester Tigers, Nottingham and Birmingham Moseley hooker, Jake Farnworth, reflects on his life in rugby.

By Ben Jaycock

Mr Angry: All Black Grant Batty PICTURE: Getty Images

Brendan Gallagher

/ 2 weeks ago

Brendan Gallagher: Small in stature but big on talent

Back in the day it became almost a cliché that All Blacks forwards were all rugged frontiersmen and farmers – world...

By Brendan Gallagher

Latest News

/ 2 weeks ago

Galthie’s ready to look at options

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN SIX Nations champions France cut vice captains Gael Fickou and Gregory Alldritt, as well as the country’s...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Mark Nawaqanitawase of the Sydney Roosters

Club Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Why rugby union can’t get enough of league imports

Recent developments in the so called silly season of transfer rumours, stories and embargos have shown a huge link in rugby...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Scott Robertson after his last game in charge of the All Blacks against Wales

Columnists

/ 3 weeks ago

Nick Cain: Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson fails to produce a cutting-edge strategy

Scott Robertson’s ‘windmill’ spin breakdancing celebrations were shelved during his tenure as All Blacks head coach.

By Nick Cain

Some kind of athlete: Lock Junior Kpoku in action for Racing 92 PICTURE: Getty Images

Chris Hewett

/ 3 weeks ago

Chris Hewett: Junior Kpoku on course to power up Red Roses

On the basis that Junior Kpoku is 6ft 8ins and 120kgs, his opponents must be dreading the day they run into...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 3 weeks ago

100 years ago when Scots missed the Slam

THE one that got away is a staple in sport – indeed life – and for Scotland the one that got...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Ellis Genge charges forward for Bristol Bears against Harlequins last weekend

Club Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Paul Rees: Rampaging Baby Rhino Ellis Genge in the form of his life

Paul Rees on how Ellis Genge is driving Bristol Bears - and England - in the right direction.

By Paul Rees

International Rugby

/ 4 weeks ago

Scott Robertson removed as All Blacks boss

New Zealand are searching for a new head coach after Scott Robertson was forced to step aside following an internal review...

By Ben Jaycock

Northampton Saints’ Tommy Freeman bursts through to score against Harlequins

Champions Cup

/ 4 weeks ago

Tommy Freeman: I just want Northampton Saints to keep on winning

Tommy Freeman has yet to taste defeat this season for Northampton Saints and is looking to keep it that way today...

By Paul Rees

On the ball: Luke Pearce awarding a penalty PICTURE: Alamy

Chris Hewett

/ 4 weeks ago

Chris Hewett: Why we need to see more of referee Luke Pearce

Alfie Barbeary turned in an eye-catching performance as Bath squeaked their way past Exeter at a rapt Recreation Ground last weekend....

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 4 weeks ago

Peter Jackson: Wales head coach Steve Tandy is facing a mountainous task

The Welsh Rugby Annual of 1991 appeared in the form of a death notice, its front cover etched in a rectangle...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 weeks ago

Bertie believes Barum boys have the battle for final Stretch

■By BEN JAYCOCK Believer: Barnstaple hooker Bertie Stretch BARNSTAPLE hooker Bertie Stretch believes grit, togetherness and pride in homegrown talent have...

By The Rugby Paper Team