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Steve Borthwick: It’s time to put our foot down

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Steve Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to England’s problem in closing out matches – be even quicker out […]

Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade can work in Six Nations – Brad Barritt

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Brad Barritt backs the misfiring duo of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence to continue together in midfield for England, stressing the importance […]

Anthony Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees As Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester’s match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that […]

Christ Tshiunza: There’s no panic at Exeter Chiefs

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees As Christ Tshiunza reflected on what has been a frustrating season for the Wales forward, he recalled a recent conversation he had […]

Uncapped Fergus Burke gets nod from Gregor Townsend in Scotland Six Nations squad

19 January 2025 0 comments

Saracens fly-half Fergus Burke has been named in Scotland’s squad for the Six Nations as they look to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish. New […]

Alex Mitchell back to his best and ready for Six Nations battle

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Alex Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of […]

Antoine Dupont returns to Six Nations stage

19 January 2025 0 comments

Scrum-half Antoine Dupont will take part in his first Six Nations since 2023 after missing last year’s competition to prepare for the Paris Olympics, where […]

Prop Jack Boyle called up to Ireland Six Nations squad after Tom O’Toole ban

19 January 2025 0 comments

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has called up Leinster’s uncapped prop Jack Boyle, 22, for the Six Nations to replace the suspended Tom O’Toole. […]

Teddy Williams is poised to shift up a gear for Wales

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Teddy Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with […]

Stephen Varney & Tommy Allan back in the mix for Italy

19 January 2025 0 comments

Italy have recalled Stephen Varney and included Tommaso Allan in their squad for the Six Nations but are without Louis Lynagh who has undergone knee […]

Unfair to remove Kirill Gotovtsev’s Russian flag

19 January 2025 0 comments

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: [email protected] I have to respectfully disagree with your correspondent […]

‘Life at Sale Sharks without my brother is weird’ – Luke James

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Sale stalwart Luke James admits his first season apart from older brother Sam has been “very weird”. Before the Curry twins and […]

We are all paying for the financial errors of the RFU

19 January 2025 0 comments

Who, other than for self-aggrandisement, is going to invest in rugby? The Premiership has never ever returned a profit. Several leading clubs are currently in […]

Anthony Watson was so special

19 January 2025 0 comments

It’s such a shame to see that Anthony Watson has retired. He’s the most talented attacker this country has produced since Jason Robinson. I remember […]

Curtis Langdon’s Dream Team

19 January 2025 0 comments

CURTIS LANGDON, THE ENGLAND, NORTHAMPTON AND FORMER SALE, DONCASTER, WORCESTER, & MONTPELLIER HOOKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards 1. […]

Jeremy Guscott – Steve Borthwick must put faith in his players during Six Nations

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Jeremy Guscot – Outspoken and unmissable every week… The change of England captaincy that was discussed in last week’s column has become reality with […]

Beno Obano red ends Bath hope of an upset win against Leinster

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Leinster ……………………….. 47pts Tries: Henshaw 9, 15; Conan 37, Snyman 51, 76; Ringrose 60, Gibson-Park 67 Conversions: Prendergast 16, 38, 52, 61; […]

‘It’s tough on Beno Obano, we stand by him’ – Johann Van Graan

19 January 2025 0 comments

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said he has never seen a scrum penalty given near halfway result in a red card. “To concede […]

Charging Bulls dominate Stade Francais to book their Challenge Cup spot

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Bulls………………… 48pts Tries: Penalty 3, Williams 13, Papier 18, Vermaak 27, Louw 39, Chamberlain 47, Hanekom 51 Conversions: Goosen 14, 19, Chamberlain […]

Tom Seabrook hat-trick as Northampton Saints edge a thriller over Munster

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Rob Wildman Northampton ………………. 34pts Tries: Seabrook 13, 48, 67; Langdon 40, Ramm 54 Conversions: Smith 40, 54, 67 Penalty: Smith 59 Munster ………………………. […]

Alex Mitchell should be fit for England – Phil Dowson

19 January 2025 0 comments

Saints boss Phil Dowson hopes England scrum-half Alex Mitchell should be fit for the Six Nations campaign ahead. Mitchell needed treatment for a first-half knee […]

Plucky Benetton down La Rochelle to secure Champions Cup qualification

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Benetton…………. 32pts Tries: Cannone 15, Bernasconi 67 Conversions: Albornoz 15, Smith 68 Penalties: Albornoz 23, 42; Smith 40, 50, 60, 63 La […]

Rob Baxter: We can’t become victims

19 January 2025 0 comments

Exeter DoR Rob Baxter has told his side ‘not to be victims’ after they were sent crashing out of the Champions Cup. With just one […]

Izuchukwu treble as Chiefs sent crashing

19 January 2025 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Ulster …………………………… 52pts Tries: Izuchukwu 21, 66, 78; McCann 27, 73; Timoney 38, Herring 49, Carson 69 Conversions: Doak 22, 50; Cooney […]

Battling Bristol Bears suffer injury-time heartache against Clermont

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald Clermont ……………………… 33pts Tries: Newsome 17, Raka 40, 54; Penalty 76, Ceyte 80+6 Bristol ………………………….. 26pts Conversions: Belleau 40, 55, 80+6 Tries: […]

Pat Lam puts focus on push for Premiership play-offs

19 January 2025 0 comments

Pat Lam tried to look on the bright side of his Bears’ failure to progress to the knockout stages on a day of real European […]

Owen Farrell brings spark to Racing 92

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Racing 92 …….. 31 Stormers ……….22 Match Action Racing 92 booked their place in the round of 16 at the expense of […]

Chandler Cunningham-South and Harlequins cook up a tasty performance

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Bryn Palmer Harlequins ………..24pts Tries: Cunningham-South 14, Chisholm 20, Murley 67 Conversions: Smith 15, 21, 68 Penalty: Smith 25 Glasgow ……………… 7pts Try: Jordan […]

Mark McCall – Saracens’ most meaningful game of the season so far

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees Mark McCall is expecting a highly motivated Castres when they take on Saracens at the StoneX Stadium this afternoon with a home […]

Good news on Maro Itoje, but England’s problems persist

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Nick Cain – Read his expert opinion every week Having been a long-time advocate of Maro Itoje as England captain, my first reaction to […]

The RFU Board has failed to do its job properly

19 January 2025 0 comments

The employment of the crisis management company, Teneo, by the incumbent RFU administration to help it weather the SGM storm is a scandal – especially […]

Referees are not free from criticism

19 January 2025 0 comments

In a country in which we are lucky to have freedom of opinion and speech as a birthright, Wayne Barnes is entitled to his say. […]

Matt Banahan tribute to ‘superb’ Anthony Watson

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Former England international Matt Banahan has hailed Anthony Watson as the ‘ultimate team man’ and a ‘true professional’ who had an unparalleled […]

I want the Red Roses to be unstoppable, says Zoe Aldcroft

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Dan Robertshaw Newly appointed England captain Zoe Aldcroft insists there is work to be done before her side can set their sights on glory […]

Captains don’t have to play the full 80

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Chris Hewett – Thinking Allowed It seems your columnist’s hotline to the England head coach Steve Borthwick has turned positively polar. “Don’t take the […]

Beefing up club rugby may start a trend

19 January 2025 0 comments

HERE’S a novel idea: a fresh European tournament specifically aimed at clubs based on the continent of Europe, as opposed to a European tournament featuring […]

Bundee Aki potency provides the edge for Connacht

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Roger Panting Cardiff …………… 19pts Tries: Lloyd 16, Young 42, 58 Conversions: Thomas 16, 42 Connacht ……….28pts Tries: J Murphy 13, Joyce 37, Ralston […]

First-half blitz sets Scarlets on their way to Challenge Cup knockouts

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Roger Panting Scarlets ………..38pts Tries: Macleod 7, 22; Murray 26, Davies 32, Rogers 37, Van der Merwe 51 Conversions: Lloyd 7, 22, 32, 51 […]

Montpellier turn power on to finish in top spot

19 January 2025 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Newcastle ……………………… 7pts Tries: Hearle 32 Conversions: Wilkinson 33 Montpellier…………………. 26pts Tries: Bernadet 1, Serfontein 46, Akrab 59, Martins 64 Conversions: Darmon […]

Ospreys snatch it in stunning finale against Pau

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Pau ………………..28 Ospreys ……….. 31 Ospreys booked a home tie in the last 16 with a superb five-try bonus point victory in […]

Lyon thump Cheetahs to secure home Challenge cup knockout tie

19 January 2025 0 comments

Lyon secured a home knockout tie with a 10-try, 68-21 victory including two apiece from Josiah Maraku and Léo Berdeu. A first-half double from Maraku […]

Dragons suffer record defeat against Lions

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Simon Thomas Lions……………… 60 Dragons…………. 10 Dragons crashed out in ignominious fashion as they suffered their heaviest-ever defeat in European competition. They went into […]

Greg Fisilau is following in father’s footsteps

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Mark Stevens In what has been a challenging campaign for the Exeter Chiefs, Greg Fisilau has emerged as a rare shining light. The young […]

South America aiming for four teams at Rugby World Cup 2027

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Joe Santamaria After a historic 2024 for rugby in South America, former Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade is turning his attention to the future. […]

What a team London Irish could have been…

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Peter Jackson – The man truly in the know Those disciples of London Irish pining for their lost Premiership team will be given more […]

Black mark for the Joe Biden

19 January 2025 0 comments

And so Joe Biden leaves the White House for the last time. Whatever judgement history passes on his single term in the Oval Office, there […]

A hat-trick to beat them all

19 January 2025 0 comments

PETER Brown, born into one of Scotland’s most decorated footballing families during the Second World War, responded to the privilege by daring to do a […]

Coventry cling on as Bennett fires wide

19 January 2025 0 comments

By PAUL SMITH Coventry ………. 24pts Tries: Nkwocha 16, Hutler 24, Opoku-Fordjour 35 Conversions: Mathews 17, 25, 36 Penalties: Mathews 42 Doncaster ………23pts Tries: Holden […]

Once again, Trailfinders prove they’re class above

19 January 2025 0 comments

By RORY MORROW Chinnor …………… 8pts Tries: Watson 73 Penalties: Smith 3 Ealing …………….28pts Tries: Willemse 12, Wilson 24, 64; Harris 33 Conversions: Willis 13, […]

Hartpury pack sets platform for victory

19 January 2025 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Hartpury ……….. 34pts Tries: Hunt 3, 35; Denty 22, Short 27, Hayler 77 Conversions: Bazalgette 4, 28, 77 Penalty: Bazalgette 72 C […]

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