France - Page 3 of 129 - News, interviews, reports, analysis and opinion

Autumn Internationals

/ 2 months ago

Nations Championship: England – Jamie George takes charge as Maro Itoje told to rest

Everything you need to know about England’s Nations Championship squad, with Jamie George leading and five uncapped players included.

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Schmidt preparing the way for Kiss

AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA face one of the most significant years in their recent history, with a coaching handover already scheduled midway through...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

It’s a UK base for Botia and Co

FIJI FIJI have high hopes of proving they belong among rugby’s heavyweights, but unlike every other team in the competition they...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Galthie is banking on energy

FRANCE HEAD coach Fabien Galthie is without players from the Top 14 finalists, Toulouse and Montpellier, for the opening match against...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Savea: It’s an honour to lead

NEW ZEALAND INSPIRATIONAL back rower Ardie Savea will captain New Zealand into a new era under head coach Dave Rennie, his...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Chosoku style is the one for Eddie

JAPAN HEAD coach Eddie Jones is determined to implement his trademark high-tempo style against the world’s elite. Japan face a demanding...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Once again, France show how it’s done

SEASON after season after season, the Top 14 has been showing the English Prem how to turn the play-off semi-finals into...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 2 months ago

Will Genia: Henry Pollock’s approach is so good for the game – I love it, he creates excitement

Ben Jaycock speaks to former Australia scrum-half Will Genia ahead of the Nations Championship

By Ben Jaycock

Miscellaneous

/ 2 months ago

The new boys who showed the way

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Looking good: Junior Kpoku in Champions Cup action for Toulon against Glasgow PICTURES: Getty Images showed the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

England’s Marcus Smith opens up on ‘sleepless nights’ as he embraces changing role

Marcus Smith reflects on his England career, the “sleepless nights” caused by mistakes and adapting to a changing role under Steve...

By The Rugby Paper Team

England’s Maro Itoje during a training session at Pennyhill Park on Monday

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Maro Itoje rested for England’s summer tour as Jamie George takes captaincy

Maro Itoje has been rested for England’s summer tour, with Jamie George named as captain for the Tests against South Africa,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

2026 Super Rugby Americas – Final summary: Pampas end Dogos hoodoo to lift maiden title

Pampas overcame the odds to claim their first Super Rugby Americas title with an impressive 26-17 victory over bitter rivals Dogos.

By The Rugby Paper Team

Raring to go: Maro Itoje on the run for England during the Six Nations PICTURES: Getty Images

Columnists

/ 2 months ago

Jeremy Guscott: England should give Maro Itoje a break – and no argument

Jeremy Guscott argues England should end the uncertainty and give Maro Itoje a summer rest after a demanding year for club...

By Jeremy Guscott

Nicolas Depoortere beats Marcus Smith to score

Columnists

/ 2 months ago

Nick Cain: England still making the same mistakes

Nick Cain says England’s drab defeat to France exposed the same flaws that derailed their Six Nations campaign, leaving Steve Borthwick...

By Nick Cain

Columnists

/ 2 months ago

Peter Jackson: It was a fitting end to James Lowe’s Ireland odyssey

Peter Jackson reflects on James Lowe’s emotional Leinster farewell, the contract dispute that ended his Ireland career and the challenge of...

By Peter Jackson

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Blow for Ireland as Caelan Doris forced to miss Nations Championship tour

Ireland captain Caelan Doris will miss July’s Nations Championship matches with Australia, Japan and New Zealand with a foot injury.

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

France XV 35-19 England XV: Steve Borthwick’s side still lack that final flourish

England’s second string weren’t lacking for endeavour at the end of a long season when they lost to their French counterparts...

By Brendan Gallagher

Taine Plumtree concedes a penalty try and earns a yellow card for his high tackle on Henry Pollock during the Six Nations

Features

/ 2 months ago

Peter Jackson: Paul Gustard pulls Stade Francais out of the red zone

Peter Jackson names the guilty – and not-so-guilty – when it comes to red, orange and yellow cards dished out this...

By Peter Jackson

Chris Hewett

/ 2 months ago

Chris Hewett: Wayne Smith’s ‘new lab’ will be a revelation

Wayne Smith’s return to coaching is a welcome boost for rugby. Chris Hewett explains why the game still needs its great...

By Chris Hewett

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

A special bench to remember Robinson

OVER the course of almost 400 matches for Cardiff, Ian Robinson would bust a gut and a few others to boot,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Junior International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Under 20s World Championship: Wales – We can take the heat, says Richard Whiffin

Wales head to Georgia looking to build on the progress made under Richard Whiffin.

By Ben Jaycock

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Home comfort key for hosts

GEORGIA HOSTS Georgia will look to harness home advantage in Tbilisi as they target beating their best ever finish of eighth...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Pumitas gunning for their first title

ARGENTINA FOLLOWING last year’s bronze medal, Argentina will be hoping to secure a maiden age-grade title but they are in a...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Junior International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Under 20s World Championship: Ireland – Andrew Browne’s boys ready for huge test

Ireland head to the U20s World Championship after finishing Six Nations runners-up, with captain Sami Bishti leading a talented squad targeting...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Kouo key for Les Bleuets

FRANCE FRANCE will be among the favourites to lift the title and continue a remarkable era of success at age-grade level....

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Flair mixed with force

FIJI FIJI will aim to re-establish themselves among the leading nations in age-grade rugby after returning to an expanded 16-team Championship....

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

junior Wallabies ready to rise

AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA will be hoping to challenge for their first U20 Championship title next month. The Junior Wallabies have twice reached...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

DREAMTEAM

ROBBIE POVEY, THE CANADA AND FORMER COVENTRY, NORTHAMPTON SAINTS, SALE FC, UTAH WARRIORS, HOUSTON SABER CATS AND TORONTO ARROWS FLY-HALF/FULLBACK, SELECTS...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Miscellaneous

/ 2 months ago

Sadourny told: Get it right this time

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN CASTRES Olympique have spent much of this week busily confirming the new arrivals for the 2026/27 campaign...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Miscellaneous

/ 2 months ago

Top 14 final available to UK audience

A MAJOR late-season bonus for fans of French rugby in the UK – next Saturday’s Top 14 final will be streamed...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Super Rugby Pacific and Japanese Division One

/ 2 months ago

Slipper is back – at 37!

EXTRA NEWS AUSTRALIA prop James Slipper will come out of international retirment for the Nations Championship – and could keep going...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Summer break could be ‘right thing to do’ for Maro Itoje

Steve Borthwick will rest England captain Maro Itoje this summer unless injury strikes in the second row over the weekend.

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Benhard Janse van Rensburg set for England debut in France

Benhard Janse van Rensburg is poised to make his England debut off the bench in Friday’s non-cap international against a France...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Maro Itoje again left out of Steve Borthwick’s England squad

Maro Itoje is missing once again as England named an enlarged squad to resume preparations for a summer schedule that begins...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Smith quits over Alphonsi post

RFU council member Matthew Smith has resigned following his discriminatory online post about England World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi. Smith, who...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Tom Willis picked up the Prem Player of the Year award ahead of his return to Bordeaux

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Saracens’ Tom Willis is crowned Prem player of the year ahead of France move

Saracens No.8 Tom Willis leaves England for France as the Prem player of the year.

By The Rugby Paper Team

Maro Itoje leads England against Argentina

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Phil Morrow: England would love players to take a break

Phil Morrow, England’s head of performance, would love to mimic New Zealand’s sabbatical model – but admits it is a non-runner.

By Adam Hathaway

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

French may stop Edwards coaching

SHAUN Edwards’ departure from France is still being negotiated and he could be barred from coaching a rival to Les Bleus...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Mackenzie Martin keen to take up new Beziers challenge

Beziers-bound back rower Mackenzie Martin feels it is the right time to leave his comfort zone and embrace a new culture...

By Ben Jaycock

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Connor Treacey’s backing World Rugby’s tackle-height trial

England U20s captain Connor Treacey is backing World Rugby’s tackle-height trial in the forthcoming World Championship, having suffered a ‘fair few...

By Ben Jaycock