Italy - News, interviews, reports, analysis and opinion

Latest News

/ 3 days ago

Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualification Preview: South American sides looking to make history

Over the coming weeks, four South American sides will battle it out in search of a spot at the 2027 World...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 3 days ago

Charlie Elliott: Were the Springboks tactics against Italy genius or too far?

South Africa have split opinions this past weekend with a couple of new tactics implemented, that push the limits of what...

By Charlie Elliott

International Rugby

/ 5 days ago

South Africa 45-0 Italy: Century for Willie Le Roux as Springboks power past Italy

South Africa .............. 45pts Tries: Williams 8, Van der Merwe 15, 30, Moodie 37, Marx 50, Mapimpi 72, Wessels 80 Conversions:...

By The Rugby Paper Team

British and Irish Lions

/ 5 days ago

Paul Rees: No more talking, it’s time for the British and Irish Lions to roar…

Paul Rees says that, unless Joe Schmidt has been cultivating a banana tree, the Lions are unlikely to slip up The...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 5 days ago

Tuipulotu hat-trick is not enough as Argentina grab the last spot

WEDNESDAY ROUNDUP ■ By BEN JAYCOCK Try time: Kepu Tuipulotu scores against Australia BATH hooker Kepu Tuipulotu scored a hat-trick as...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 5 days ago

Young Guns: Asa Stewart-Harris

Boyhood supporter Asa Stewart-Harris is already making waves at Saracens, with a sharp pass, a keen rugby brain, and a love...

By Ben Jaycock

Latest News

/ 5 days ago

David double leads the way for England

By BEN JAYCOCK ENGLAND produced a remarkable second-half comeback to maintain their unbeaten record in the U20 Women’s Six Nations Summer...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Summer Tours

/ 1 week ago

Summer Internationals Team of the Week: George Ford shows class in 100th Test appearance

The Summer Internationals started on the weekend, with plenty of northern hemisphere teams heading down south and playing against some of...

By Charlie Elliott

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

South Africa 42-24 Italy: Italians make Springboks sweat

South Africa were made to work hard for this first Test triumph as Italy delivered a much improved second half performance...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Ireland miss chance to get past Italians

POOL C ■ By SAM JACKSON Italy ....................18pts Tries: Casartelli 12, Gritti 59 Conversion: Todaro 60 Penalties: Todaro 36, 72 Ireland...............16pts...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

New Zealand get off to a flier

POOL C ■By TOM RILEY New Zealand ...38pts Tries: Saunoa 15, 21; Treacy 24, Oudenryn 33, Vakasiuola 39, Kunawave 46 Conversions:...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

U20s World Championship: Kepu Tuipulotu – We know the Aussies will be right up for it

We have had quite the journey here in Italy so far, with plenty to reflect on as we gear up for...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 2 weeks ago

Peter Jackson: Dark day for Wales in land of rising sun

For more than an hour on Saturday in a land renowned for its courtesy, Japan overdid the welcome bit to such...

By Peter Jackson

Features

/ 2 weeks ago

Women’s World Cup: I’m here to learn, says Lilli Ives Campion

Lilli Ives Campion is just 21 years old but she knows that the opportunity to play at World Cup on home...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 2 weeks ago

Five-try England are quick to get off the mark

ENGLAND got their U20s Six Nations campaign off to a fine start with a 31-17 victory over Scotland. Flanker Joia Bennett...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Junior International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Clarity the key for England in U20s World Championship title defence says Ben Coen

As England U20 prepare to face South Africa in their second pool match of the World Rugby U20 Championship, Ben Coen...

By Charlie Elliott

International Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Old foes know they are facing tough rematch

POOL A Australia v South Africa Today. 2.30pm AUSTRALIA and South Africa meet again in the World Rugby U20 Championship today...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

U20s World Championship: Battling England get ready to turn up the heat on Scotland

England v Scotland Today. Kick-off 2.30pm. Verona England U20s begin the defence of their World Championship crown this afternoon, taking on...

By Charlie Elliott

International Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Ford gets the nod at No.10 for Wales

POOL B Argentina v Wales Today. 7.30pm DRAGONS fly-half Harri Ford has been handed the No.10 jersey for Wales’ Wales opener...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

New Zealand present a severe opener for hosts

POOL C Italy v New Zealand Today. 7.30pm HOSTS Italy kick off with a high-profile clash against New Zealand in Calvisano....

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

We’ve got the Scots first up, that’s our focus

ARCHIE McPARLAND ENGLAND U20 & NORTHAMPTON SCRUM-HALF MY FIRST big training session since injuring my shoulder in January was the one...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Japan vs Wales – Over five decades of meetings

As Matt Sherratt takes his squad to Japan to face Eddie Jones’ side this summer, The Rugby Paper takes a look...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 4 weeks ago

U20s World Championship – England attack coach Will Parkin on title defence

Ben Jaycock speaks to Will Parkin, the 30-year-old England U18s coach who is set for his first involvement with the U20s...

By Ben Jaycock

Latest News

/ 4 weeks ago

We don’t fear anyone else, says Whiffin

WALES ■By CHARLIE ELLIOTT WALES head coach Richard Whiffin says his squad head to the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 weeks ago

Mathis ready to add some sparkle

NEW ZEALAND Star: Oli Mathis AFTER retaining the Rugby Championship U20 title in South Africa earlier this summer, New Zealand are...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 weeks ago

McCarthy’s out to turn things around

Under 20s Championship -Pool C IRELAND ■By CHARIE ELLIOTT CONNACHT’S Éanna McCarthy leads Ireland as they look to build on last...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 weeks ago

Junior Lelos are determined to prove worth

GEORGIA GEORGIA aim to make history by advancing past the pool stage for the first time. Drawn in a tough group...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Junior International Rugby

/ 4 weeks ago

U20s World Championship: Hosts Italy will be looking to get crowd cheering

Hosts Italy will have real ambitions of getting out of their pool, with Ireland, Georgia and New Zealand their opponents. They...

By Charlie Elliott

Features

/ 1 month ago

Six of the best from the Toulouse globe-trotters

IT’S happened! As predicted in this column some while ago, Toulouse now have six international full-backs who have started for Le...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

Augustus keeps place in Springbok squad

NORTHAMPTON No.8 Juarno Augustus, who is joining Ulster this summer, has been named in a 54-man South Africa squad. Head coach...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Women's International

/ 1 month ago

Back-to-back matches to be introduced in revamped 2026 Women’s Six Nations

A revamped Guinness Women’s Six Nations will feature back-to-back matches on a single day in each round during the 2026 tournament....

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

Ask yourself: Have you made a difference?

Steve Hill talks to Nick Scott, below, director of rugby at Pesaro RFC in Italy Serie A What was your rugby...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 1 month ago

Young Guns – George Knowles

Gloucester hooker George Knowles is one of the brightest young front rowers coming through the England age-grade system – and he’s...

By Ben Jaycock

Champions Cup

/ 2 months ago

Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey: A pair of aces who fill our hearts with joy

If the level of mastery is unusually high, the depth of mystery is unfathomable.

By Chris Hewett

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Date for Rugby World Club Cup revealed

The first Rugby World Club Cup will be held in 2028 after “unanimous” agreement from the relevant leagues and unions. The...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Thursday kick-off for Six Nations in 2026

Ireland will travel to defending champions France in the first-ever Thursday night fixture in Six Nations’ history when the 2026 tournament...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Brendan Gallagher

/ 2 months ago

Brendan Gallagher: Not such a Goode day for ref Luke Pearce

I’m a big Luke Pearce fan, but must join the consensus that he – and his team of officials – didn’t...

By Brendan Gallagher

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Brendan Gallagher: Six Nations on a Thursday! Has the world gone mad?

I have yet to see any adequate explanation as to why France will be hosting Ireland on a Thursday night –...

By Brendan Gallagher

Dream Team

/ 2 months ago

Dream Team – Jonathan Pendlebury

JONATHAN PENDLEBURY, THE FORMER ROTHERHAM, GLOUCESTER AND LEEDS SECOND ROW WHO IS NOW ENGLAND U18S HEAD COACH, CHOOSES THE BEST XV...

By The Rugby Paper Team

United Rugby Championship

/ 2 months ago

Hanrahan sparkles in classy Italian job

■ By JOHN RILEY Zebre ...............12 Connacht ........22 JJ HANRAHAN stole the show as Connacht concluded an underwhelming season with a...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Rugby milestone for ref Davidson

SCOTLAND’S Hollie Davidson will become the first woman to take charge of a European final when she referees the Challenge Cup...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Gloucester bring in reinforcements

GLOUCESTER have signed scrum-half Mike Austin on a permanent deal after an impressive spell on loan from Championship side Hartpury. Forwards...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Wales’ star backs in fitness race to make JWC

■ By ROB COLE Rapid: Tom Bowen WALES U20 are sweating on the fitness of two key back line players ahead...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Kvesic returns to Worcester

■ By SAM JACKSON MATT Kvesic says it was a ‘no-brainer’ to return to Worcester next season. He becomes the first...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Touring Japan with Wales is my goal says Dan Edwards

By Simon Thomas Having had a first taste of international rugby this season, Dan Edwards is now eager for more as...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Former Wasps pair in charge

By BEN JAYCOCK Benetton..........33 Glasgow............. 7 FORMER Wasps stars Paolo Odogwu and Jacob Umaga ran riot as Benetton gave reigning champions...

By Ben Jaycock