RFU - News, interviews, analysis and opinion

International Rugby

/ 3 days ago

Former England wing Chris Ashton urges RFU to listen to players on Steve Borthwick decision

England bosses have been urged to copy the All Blacks lead and give the players influence over the future coaching direction...

By Gary Fitzgerald

George Furbank on the attack for Northampton Saints in their win over Newcastle Red Bulls yesterday

Club Rugby

/ 3 days ago

It’s a hard road back to the top of the Prem for Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints returned to the top of the Prem table with a hard-fought one-point win over Newcastle Red Bulls.

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 3 days ago

Elior UK the new sponsors of Champ Rugby

Contract catering company Elior UK has become the title sponsor of Champ Rugby after signing a multi-year partnership deal with the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 3 days ago

Results and tables supplied by the RFU

... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per day! SUBSCRIBE Already a subscriber to our...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Toby Flood: Andy Farrell is the kind of leader to inspire England

Toby Flood believes Andy Farrell would be the obvious long-term choice to lead England and questions whether Steve Borthwick’s current leadership...

By Ben Jaycock

International Rugby

/ 1 week ago

Joe El-Abd: I’m still committed to England despite Six Nations slump

Assistant coach Joe El-Abd has nailed his colours to England’s sinking mast despite recent speculation linking him with a move back...

By Adam Hathaway

Ben Earl in action against Italy for England

Columnists

/ 1 week ago

Nick Cain: England lead way in self-inflicted wounds

The fog of disinformation surrounding England since their landmark loss to Italy in Rome last weekend reflected a group unwilling to...

By Nick Cain

Letters

/ 1 week ago

RFU must tell us what it plans to do

DEFEAT by Italy means that another Six Nations passes by with England grossly under-achieving. The worst aspect is that large parts...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Letters

/ 1 week ago

This is why I fear for England’s weak underbelly

THE build-up to this Six Nations and how it as unravelled seems reminiscent of the 2015 RWC and, like the group...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Letters

/ 1 week ago

Borthwick simply can’t stay in charge

I DON’T enjoy watching England losing any match, but if a first-ever defeat to Italy hastens the end of Steve Borthwick’s...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 1 week ago

Peter Jackson: Blackheath still have a dream of higher things

The oldest football club in Wales and the oldest rugby club in England share a common goal. Wrexham AFC (1864) and...

By Peter Jackson

England players look dejected after their historic 23-18 Six Nations defeat to Italy in Rome.

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

2026 Six Nations analysis: Where do England go from here after historic defeat to Italy?

It is not an overstatement to say that Saturday was one of the darkest days in recent English rugby history.

By Will Judd

Steve Borthwick England Six Nations 2026

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Steve Borthwick insists RFU backing remains despite England’s Six Nations defeat to Italy

Steve Borthwick insists he retains the confidence of his RFU bosses despite England’s historic humbling in Rome yesterday.

By Adam Hathaway

Tom Jordan scores Scotland’s seventh try

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

Scotland set up Six Nations nail-biter after electrifying victory over France

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu revealed that the pressure on coach Gregor Townsend has been the inspiration behind their remarkable three-match winning...

By Ben Jaycock

Leonardo Marin on his way to scoring for Italy against England

International Rugby

/ 2 weeks ago

England 18-23 Italy: Steve Borthwick’s stunned squad are left with no defence

England lost their heads and Steve Borthwick’s neck is on the line after they made history of the wrong kind in...

By Adam Hathaway

Letters

/ 2 weeks ago

Game has been betrayed

SO, Bill Sweeney`s grand plan for franchise rugby, which sees the abolishment of promotion and relegation (but with applications to join...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Letters

/ 2 weeks ago

Support for the whole community

HAVING read the comments by RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, I await to see how his comment “capable of supporting the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Ollie Chessum backs England to revive Six Nations campaign

Defiant Ollie Chessum has told England fans to stick with the team and watch them rescue some respect from the wreckage...

By Adam Hathaway

Club Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

England’s George Ford will ignore outside noise, says brother & Sale Sharks coach Joe

Joe Ford says the noise over whether his brother George should keep his place in the England side after the defeats...

By Paul Rees

Club Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

RFU defends move to franchise model at the top of English club rugby

Promotion and relegation is set to be scrapped in a major restructure at the top of English club rugby.

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Nottingham chief Alistair Bow concerned by RFU’s franchise plans

Nottingham chairman Alistair Bow aired his concerns over the proposed franchise structure of the Prem in the match programme ahead of...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Bath’s Will Muir scores against Gloucester in this Prem Cup clash

Club Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Bath 38-26 Gloucester: Will Muir takes to the air to put the holders into semis

Seb Atkinson passed his Six Nations audition, but it was holders Bath who marched into the semi-finals of the Prem Cup...

By Adam Hathaway

Letters

/ 3 weeks ago

This exhibitionism is too much for me

NICK Cain is quite right (February 15) to draw attention to those elements in our game promoting ‘showbiz’ rugby. He wrote...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Letters

/ 3 weeks ago

We just can’t stick with the status quo

WHEN the franchise system for England’s pro clubs is introduced, it will formally reinforce the existing practical gulf between the small...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 3 weeks ago

Ward: It’s a pity there will be no promotion

By GUY WILLIAMS Doncaster ........... 7pts Try: Kerr 79 Conversion: Bunting 79 E Trailfinders ..29pts Tries: Montgomery 5, Jones 15, Gwynn...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Regional results

Results and tables supplied by the RFU ... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 3 weeks ago

Regional results

Results and tables supplied by the RFU ... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per...

By The Rugby Paper Team

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by one of rugby’s most influential player voices – RPA General Secretary Christian Day – for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the pitch.

Latest News

/ 4 weeks ago

New Rugby Paper Roundup: Italy v England Six Nations preview ft Christian Day – MasterChef to RPA leader

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by one of rugby’s most influential...

By The Rugby Paper Team

On a roll: Ealing Trailfinders celebrate as Scott Buckley goes over for his second try

Columnists

/ 1 month ago

Nick Cain: Rifts widen as franchise plan set to go ahead

Attempts by Premiership club owners, and the RFU executive, headed by Bill Sweeney, to bounce English club rugby into an American...

By Nick Cain

Letters

/ 1 month ago

Wales left to rue kick-off blunder

SUCH a pity Wales could not hold on for the win against Scotland to end their horrible run – but it...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 1 month ago

Regional results

Results and tables supplied by the RFU ... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Letters

/ 2 months ago

Look outside the Prem, England

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk HOW sad to hear...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Regional results

Results and tables supplied by the RFU ... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Regional results

Results and tables supplied by the RFU ... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 2 months ago

Regional results

Results and tables supplied by the RFU ... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as 14p per...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 months ago

Doncaster decide to stop being a full-time operation

DONCASTER Knights have made the decision to cease operating as a full-time operation next season. The Knights were expected to be...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Letters

/ 2 months ago

Triple top for Lucs!

LAST Saturday Luctonians had all three of their RFU League teams playing at home. All three were playing against the first...

By The Rugby Paper Team

National League 2E

/ 2 months ago

Havant ‘Knighted’ on Joel’s big day

■By DOUG MILLER Havant......................39 Westcombe Park..27 WITH RFU president Deborah Griffin in attendance to make a special presentation to Havant’s outstanding...

By The Rugby Paper Team