Japan - Page 2 of 58 - News, interviews, reports, analysis and opinion

Rhys Carre on his way to scoring for Wales in the Six Nations

Columnists

/ 4 weeks ago

Peter Jackson: Rhys Carre proves the WRU’s 25-cap rule is failing Wales

Peter Jackson examines Wales’ controversial 25-cap rule, Rhys Carre’s rise and whether the policy is helping or harming the national team’s...

By Peter Jackson

News Extra

/ 4 weeks ago

Halfpenny joins Tandy’s set-up for July matches

LEIGH Halfpenny has joined Steve Tandy’s Wales set-up for the Nations Championship as kicking coach. The recently retired full-back worked with...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 1 month ago

Peter Jackson: Anton Segner – The German loving life as an All Black

Anton Segner’s All Blacks call-up highlights rugby’s global reach as Peter Jackson explores the Nations Championship’s multinational squads.

By Peter Jackson

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

Barbarians 17-34 Wales: Double for Amy Williams has the Welsh cruising

Wales women followed the men to a deserved victory over the Barbarians to end a nine-game losing streak albeit in a...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Junior International Rugby

/ 1 month ago

New Zealand 38-21 Japan: Baby Blacks have to work hard to get past young Cherry Blossoms

New Zealand took all five points from their opener against Japan despite the match being abandoned in the 68th minute due...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Junior International Rugby

/ 1 month ago

France 45-15 Fiji: Gabin Garault storms to a hat-trick to keep the Fijians at bay

Six Nations champions France opened their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign with a commanding bonus-point victory over Fiji at the AIA...

By The Rugby Paper Team

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi lifts the 2023 World Cup

Autumn Internationals

/ 1 month ago

Paul Rees: Nations Championship – North take on South in the battle for supremacy

Paul Rees previews World Rugby’s new 12-team tournament, the Nations Championship, which kicks off next weekend.

By Paul Rees

Latest News

/ 1 month 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

Autumn Internationals

/ 1 month ago

Nations Championship: Ireland – Andy Farrell’s plans are disrupted by injury

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell’s plans have been rocked by injury ahead of their summer Tests against Australia, Japan, and New...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month 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

/ 1 month 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

Autumn Internationals

/ 1 month ago

Nations Championship: Scotland – Gregor Townsend insists it will be one of their toughest tours

Scotland face a gruelling summer itinerary against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji, and head coach Gregor Townsend is again leaning heavily...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

Quesada missing his big names

ITALY ITALY must do without star men full-back Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse) and hooker Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français) this summer against Japan,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

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

Columnists

/ 1 month 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

Columnists

/ 1 month 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

George Furbank playing in the Prem final for his final Northampton Saints appearance

Club Rugby

/ 1 month ago

George Furbank: Leaving Northampton Saints will feel weird

George Furbank today starts his life after Northampton Saints having spent 11 years at Franklin’s Gardens and admits it will feel...

By Paul Rees

International Rugby

/ 1 month 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

Club Rugby

/ 1 month ago

Joe Launchbury to lead academy at Worcester Warriors following retirement

Champ Rugby winners Worcester Warriors have appointed Joe Launchbury as their new head of academy.

By The Rugby Paper Team

Chris Hewett

/ 1 month 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

Features

/ 1 month ago

My Life in Rugby: Karl Dickson – Like most 9s, I had plenty to say to refs

Karl Dickson, the former Bedford Blues and Harlequins scrum-half turned international referee, reflects on his life in rugby.

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

Azzurrini looking to make impact

ITALY ITALY will believe they can make a significant impact after a promising build-up and one of the most impressive warm-up...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

baby Blacks out to make it a super 7

NEW ZEALAND NEW Zealand are one of the favourites to challenge for what would be a seventh title after another strong...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Junior International Rugby

/ 1 month ago

Under 20s World Championship: Scotland – Fergus Pringle’s Scots ready to compete

Scotland will be determined to continue their resurgence on the global stage after securing promotion back to the top tier and...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

Mizutani putting his faith in speed

JAPAN JAPAN have built their reputation on speed, skill and technical precision rather than brute force, and head coach Yoshitake Mizutani...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Leinster vs Bulls preview: Evenly poised matchup takes Grand Final stage

Once again, the home of the GAA opens its doors to the Grand Final of the United Rugby Championship as the...

By Chris Collyer

Jeremy Guscott

/ 2 months ago

Jeremy Guscott: Why I’m right behind this new Nations Championship

The Nations Championship, which will be contested by the world’s top tier international teams for the first time this year, is...

By Jeremy Guscott

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Pivac’s new role

FORMER Wales coach Wayne Pivac takes charge of Benetton next week and has brought in former Scarlets and Wales fly-half Rhys...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Lowe is leaving after nine years with Leinster

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Leinster vs Bulls: James Lowe leaves with parting tribute to club

James Lowe aims to sign off in style by helping Leinster defend their URC crown before he departs after nine years...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Top 14

/ 2 months ago

Galthie’s handed selection present

FABIEN Galthie is expected to unveil an initial list of 28 players on Monday, after this weekend’s ‘barrage round’ play-off matches...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Ireland wing James Lowe departs Leinster without “fairytale ending” in emotional farewell

James Lowe reflected his time with Leinster and Ireland in an emotional farewell as he prepares for a new chapter in...

By Chris Collyer

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Farrell to stay with Ireland until 2031

■By SAM JACKSON “What excites me most is the increasing strength and investment in pathways and the quality of talent coming...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Top RWC final ticket to cost more than £1,000

News THE top-priced ticket for next year’s Rugby World Cup final in Australia will exceed £1,000 for the first time in...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Steve Borthwick leading England in training

Features

/ 3 months ago

Paul Rees: Protectionism of the Prem is costing England and Steve Borthwick

Paul Rees looks at the selection issue hindering England coach Steve Borthwick.

By Paul Rees

Latest News

/ 3 months ago

Ball game at an end

FORMER Wales lock Jake Ball will retire for a second time at the end of the season after injuries brought an...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Letters

/ 3 months ago

DREAMTEAM

CONNOR BROCKSCHMIDT, THE CHINNOR AND FORMER GOLDEN LIONS & WITS UNIVERSITY LOCK, SELECTS THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR...

By The Rugby Paper Team

England flanker James Haskell - What a Flanker author

Features

/ 3 months ago

James Haskell interview: ‘You can lie to everyone else, but you can’t lie to yourself’

In this exclusive interview with the High Performance Speakers Agency, James Haskell discusses goal setting, selection pressure, injury, mental strength and...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 3 months ago

Nick Cain: Aussies musn’t waste the Lions windfall

The Lions have bailed-out Australian rugby again, with the hugely profitable 2025 tour by the British & Irish outfit last summer...

By Nick Cain

Will Genia playing for Australia against the Lions in 2013

Features

/ 3 months ago

My Life in Rugby: Will Genia – 100 Aussie caps is my career highlight

Will Genia, the former Australia, Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels, Stade Francais & Kintetsu Liners scrum-half, reflects on his life in rugby.

By Ben Jaycock

Club Rugby

/ 3 months ago

Grayson heads to Edinburgh

EXTRA NEWS EDINBURGH have signed former England U20 fly-half James Grayson on a one-year deal from Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars. The 27-year-old...

By The Rugby Paper Team