Brendan Gallagher

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 11/02/24

England and Wales reignite one of international rugby’s oldest and greatest rivalries on Saturday and they’ll be action, comments and analysis...

By Nick Powell

Series 3, Episode 23: Six Nations latest and remembering Barry John with Jonathan Davies

The opening round of the 2024 Six Nations threw the script out the window as Scotland almost let a 27-point lead...

By Nick Powell

It wasn’t quite Bazball but George’s men did enough to get the job done

BRENDAN GALLAGHER WELL, it wasn’t quite the ‘Bazball’ rugby that Jamie George apparently aspires to – did we really expect things...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Why you don’t give up on your dreams

SIX NATIONS 2024 BRENDAN GALLAGHER It's been said before but needs reiterating on a regular basis but there is no sporting...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Confident Crowley shows why he deserves the keys to No.10

BRENDAN GALLAGHER SIX NATIONS 2024 Regular readers of The Rugby Paper will recall that I told you a very long time...

By The Rugby Paper Team

50 years ago, and it’s a different world

RUGBY MATTERS - BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points IT’S funny how some things 50 years...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Series 3, Episode 22: Six Nations 2024 preview with Jerry Guscott

International rugby is back for the first time since Rugby World Cup 2023, and it’s Six Nations season! It is the...

By Nick Powell

Saracens in position for sprint to the line

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Saracens .......................... 40pts Tries: Hadfield 5, 65; Van Zyl 13, Gonzales 41, McFarland 80 Conversions: Farrell 14, 42,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Cool cat Crowley has to prove his worth

Six Nations team-by-team previews: Ireland Brendan Gallagher says coach Andy Farrell is spoilt for choice in nearly every position on the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Conquistador going in search of pot of gold

Six Nations team-by-team previews: Italy Brendan Gallagher predicts new coach Gonzalo Quesada could just be a very good appointment SO what...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Spirited Sarries show champions pedigree

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Saracens .......................... 39pts Tries: van Zyl 3, Itoje 43, 55; Gonzalez 68, Cinti 75 Conversions: Farrell 44, 56,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Lynagh lets rip with stunning try double

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Harlequins ....................... 47pts Tries: David 4, 64; Lynagh 24, 32; Care 47, Esterhuizen 58, Evans 72 Conversions: Smith...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Series 3, Episode 21: Rees-Zammit quits rugby, Six Nations squads and Portugal’s 2024 with Francisco Isaac

In a fascinating week in European rugby, amidst Six Nations and Women’s British and Irish Lions announcements, Welsh rugby superstar Louis...

By Nick Powell

No hiding place in those final trials

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER For some reason, the good old days have...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Proposed hybrid contracts causing major debate

By NICK POWELL On the most recent edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast, Jeff Probyn joined host Ollie Little and our...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Sleightholme leads the Saints fightback

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Exeter ................................ 36pts Tries: Vermuelen 5, 22; Feyi-Waboso 13, Townsend 17 Tuima 71 Conversions: Slade 6, 18, 24,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

When the selectors made the right calls

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER IT’S 2024 – a belated Happy New Year...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Probyn: It’s tough to take charge of a team at prop

The Rugby Paper Podcast On this week’s edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast, Jeff Probyn joined host Ollie Little and our...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Series 3, Episode 20: 2023 in review with Jeff Probyn

Happy New Year from the Rugby Paper Podcast! As 2024 dawns, host Ollie Little and Rugby Paper columnists Nick Cain, Chris...

By Jeff Probyn

Quins take honours in Big Game showdown

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Harlequins ....................... 32pts Tries: David 7, 19, Dombrandt 23, Lamb 45, Care 54 Conversions: Smith 46, 55 Drop...

By The Rugby Paper Team

When Merlene Ottey’s leotard grew nine sizes

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points NEW Year’s Eve and rugby always brings to...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Proud men who graced the game

Brendan Gallagher recalls the achievements of those from across the globe that the world of rugby lost in 2023 Sydney Millar...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Sharks keep it tight to hold off Saracens

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Sale Sharks ..................... 22pts Tries: Creevy 17, Roebuck 43, Cowan-Dickie 48 Conversions: Ford 18, 48 Penalty: Ford 64...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Time of goodwill to all (well, nearly all)

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER hands out his Christmas goodies... HO HO HO. I’m normally more of a scrooge than a Santa...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Series 3, Episode 19: Champions Cup recap and Big Game preview with Joe Launchbury

The Rugby Paper Podcast’s final episode of 2023 looks back at two thrilling weekends of Champions Cup action as well as...

By Nick Powell

Bordeaux put Bears through the mixer

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Bordeaux.......................... 36pts Tries: Lucu 4, Bielle-Biarrey 16, Penaud 32, Tapuai 55, Nanette 66 Conversions: Lucu 5, 33, 56;...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Saracens make it too easy for Bulls

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Bulls ................................... 27pts Tries: Kriel 2, Swanepoel 39, Moodie 48 Conversions: Daly 61, McFarland 71 Goosen 3, 39,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Barton is on target to rescue Gloucester

■By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Black Lion .......... 10pts Try: Matkava 20 Conversion: Matkava 21 Gloucester ......... 15pts Penalty: Matkava 68 Penalties: Barton...

By The Rugby Paper Team

A team stuffed full of captains

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER I was having one final lingering look at...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Varndell: We need to help players to handle this abuse

By NICK POWELL FORMER Premiership top try-scorer Tom Varndell wants better training around coping with social media abuse for players in...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Battling Saints too strong for Saracens

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Saracens ........................... 12pts Tries: Parton 59, Lewington 72 Conversion: Vunipola 73 Northampton Saints...... 18pts Tries: Sleightholme 51, Mitchell...

By The Rugby Paper Team

A case of third time lucky for Neville

RUGBY MATTERS - A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER Sport is full of sliding doors moments,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Twenty years on and still looking good…

Brendan Gallagher looked on as England’s World Cup winners from 2003 got together recently WAISTLINES have expanded and hairlines receded while...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Seven-try Saracens too good for Bears

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Saracens .......................... 39pts Tries: Farrell 7, Lewington 11, Vunipola 27, Lewington 44, George 53, 77; Willis 68 Conversions:...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Furbank in control as Saints hold on

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Northampton................... 36pts Tries: Sleightholme 8, 72; Ludlam 31, Mitchell 40+1, Coles 61 Conversions: Furbank 9, 32, 40+2, 62...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Our starting XV for 2027

NICK CAIN An England team for the 2027 World Cup is a long shot which would leave most snipers well wide...

By The Rugby Paper Team

A game in desperate need of some answers

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points IF THERE is one thing I have learned...

By The Rugby Paper Team

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 26/11/23

Following a consequential round of derby action in the Premiership, the league continues with four more reports and a preview in The...

By Nick Powell

Series 3, Episode 17: Picking an England XV to win RWC 2027 and remembering 2003

The Rugby Paper Podcast is back with a bang! Post Rugby World Cup and on the anniversary of England‘s iconic Rugby...

By Nick Powell

Ruthless Saracens demolish Harlequins

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Harlequins ........................ 10pts Try: Esterhuizen 74 Conversion: Smith 74 Penalty: Smith 18 Saracens .......................... 38pts Tries: Gonzalez 19,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

When relegation battle was the key

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points Twenty years on from England’s World Cup triumph...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Sharks go on attack with Ford in control

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Bristol .................................13pts Tries: Caulfield 9 Conversions: Sheedy 10 Penalties: Sheedy 42, 53 Sale .................................... 27pts Tries: Reed 24,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

/ 2 years ago

The Beast of Bezier broke the mould

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points French rugby said goodbye this week to the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

Series 3, Episode 16: Mark Evans on RWC format shake-up and World League introduction

In the Rugby Paper Podcast‘s final Rugby World Cup episode, it’s time to zoom out a bit and look ahead to...

By Nick Powell

Brendan Gallagher

/ 2 years ago

Marta try was my favourite moment

RUGBY MATTERS BRENDAN GALLAGHER A weekly look at the game’s other talking points SO that’s a wrap and after this final...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 05/11/23

The Rugby World Cup has come to an end, but there’s plenty of action, reaction and analysis to look forward to in...

By Nick Powell

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

Series 3, Episode 15: RWC 2023 review with Brendan Venter

The sun has set on Rugby World Cup 2023, and in a thrilling finale the Springboks held onto their crown, edging...

By Nick Powell

Brendan Gallagher

/ 2 years ago

England’s finest right to the end

RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER Now here’s a little in-house admission. A couple...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Brendan Gallagher

/ 2 years ago

Paying the price of a lopsided draw

BRENDAN GALLAGHER And there, ladies and gentlemen, we can see the mortal danger of having such a lopsided draw. We may...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Rugby World Cup

/ 2 years ago

Italy crushed by rampant France

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER France.................................60pts Tries: Penaud 2, 37; Bielle-Biarrey 12, Ramos 21, Jalibert 46, Mauvaka 53, Moefana 63, 75 Conversions: Ramos...

By The Rugby Paper Team