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How Else Can You Engage with Rugby?

22 January 2025 0 comments

When you’re a fan of rugby, it feels like it’s something that can have a huge presence within your wider life. When that happens, you […]

RFU chief Bill Sweeney ‘wanted to defer’ controversial bonus payment

22 January 2025 0 comments

Bill Sweeney, the under-fire chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, has revealed he wanted to defer the controversial bonus payment that has led to […]

The Evolution of Rugby: How Technology and Strategy Are Shaping the Game

21 January 2025 0 comments

Rugby has undergone change after change from technological advancement to strategic innovation. From the mere introduction of video technology into team tactics, rugby has really […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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, […]

Gallagher’s late brace proves key for Caldy

19 January 2025 0 comments

By JOHN LYON Caldy ……………………………. 27pts Tries: Woodman 21, Dickinson 32, Gallagher 70, 77 Conversions: Barker 32, 77 Penalties: Barker 39 Nottingham …………………. 22pts Tries: […]

Blues climb to second ahead of Cov showdown

19 January 2025 0 comments

By TOM EASTMAN Bedford ………… 45pts Tries: Matavesi 22, 39; Tuilagi 28, Howard 57, Adamson 73, Smith 79 Conversions: Maisey 23, 29, 40, 58, 74, […]

Jamie helps Titans Cooke up triumph

19 January 2025 0 comments

■By DAVID BEDDOWS Rotherham T ………23 Sale FC………………… 17 JAMIE Cooke ghosted through for a second-half score to help title candidates Rotherham finally shake off […]

Harry Faulkner keeps upbeat about Esher’s chance to avoid drop in National One

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Positive feeling: Esher full-back Harry Faulkner Harry Faulkner remains hopeful Esher can survive in National One this season. Last year’s National Two […]

Dale get revenge after Otley thriller

19 January 2025 0 comments

By EDWIN WILLIAMS Wharfedale…………42 Otley……………………..28 AN excellent game of rugby played in front of a superb crowd saw Wharfedale level the score after Otley had […]

Williams lays early platform for hosts

19 January 2025 0 comments

By KIM HILL Chester…………………25 Fylde……………………. 19 CHESTER ensured they got their centenary year off to the best-possible start with victory over Fylde at Hare Lane. […]

Chris Wearmouth’s top-four aim for Tynedale as he edges to 400 club

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Chris Wearmouth is approaching 400 National League appearances and hopes to help Tynedale secure a top-four finish. The 38-year-old second row played […]

Lucs hang on to keep Port at bay

19 January 2025 0 comments

By GEOFF VICKRESS Luctonians………….. 12 Devonport S………….. 5 DEVONPORT SERVICES were left to rue missed opportunities after they failed to beat miss-firing Luctonians in the […]

It’s ten to the top as Clifton win again

19 January 2025 0 comments

By JACK TOZER Cinderford……… 18pts Clifton……………..39pts CLIFTON beat Cinderford in an impressive away performance to continue their lengthy run of victories in an exciting second-versusthird […]

Decalmer’s late clincher leaves Titans stunned

19 January 2025 0 comments

By PAUL BOLTON Bournville…………… 50 Taunton Titans…..43 BOURNVILLE turned the form book upside down with an exhilarating exhibition of attacking rugby capped by a last-minute […]

Hinckley have the edge in a thriller

19 January 2025 0 comments

By VICKY MACQUEEN Hinckley………………54 Hornets………………… 31 HINCKLEY claimed their first win of the new year against a strong Hornets side in what was a great […]

Veteran Jack is revelling in life as Camborne eye a title push

19 January 2025 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Experienced head: Camborne lock Jack Andrew IN his first season at Camborne, experienced campaigner Jack Andrew has proven a key cog in […]

Flying wing Armstrong eyes history for Islanders

19 January 2025 0 comments

By CHRIS COLLYER In form: Guernsey wing Anthony Armstrong ANTHONY Armstrong hopes his free scoring form can fire Guernsey to a first ever top six […]

REGGIEHAMMICK

19 January 2025 0 comments

YOUNG GUNS SARACENS FLANKER A brasive back row Reggie Hammick has joined Mark Mapletoft’s England U20s set-up aiming to make his mark on the side […]

Whitgift bounce back in fine style

19 January 2025 0 comments

SCHOOLS RUGBY By CAMERON STEPHENS AMONG a smattering of games cancelled due to the weather in the second week back of schoolboy rugby, Whitgift started […]

I tell them we are all in this together

19 January 2025 0 comments

Coach to coach Steve Hill talks to Baz Basra, below, the head coach at Letchworth Garden City RFC in Regional 1 South East Why did […]

Hartpury aiming for top four, says Short

19 January 2025 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK HARTPURY University continue to punch above their weight in the Championship and influential back row Harry Short says they are targeting a […]

Will Wand enjoying life as a Leicester Tiger

19 January 2025 0 comments

By Paul Rees Will Wand is living his dream with Leicester, the club he supported as a boy, having become a professional rugby player in […]

Lam on the lookout for cover at No.10

19 January 2025 0 comments

PAT Lam is looking to add an outside-half to Bristol’s squad with only one fit 10 on the books. AJ MacGinty will be out for […]

Steve Borthwick backs new skipper Maro Itoje to lead England at 2027 World Cup

15 January 2025 0 comments

Steve Borthwick insists Maro Itoje can lead England into the next World Cup after appointing him captain for the upcoming Six Nations at the expense […]

S4, E18: Maro Itoje England captaincy reaction and Niko Matawalu madness

15 January 2025 0 comments

Join Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett for this week’s Rugby Paper Podcast edition, recorded just half an hour after it was announced that […]

Bill Sweeney facing SGM following Six Nations

12 January 2025 0 comments

The RFU will hold a special general meeting after the men’s Six Nations with chief executive Bill Sweeney facing demands for his removal.

New signing Regan Grace out to seize his chance at Cardiff

12 January 2025 0 comments

Cardiff have revealed how the signing of Regan Grace was made possible by an injury to one of their Wales stars.

Sorry, Nick, but it’s different in France

12 January 2025 0 comments

NICK Cain has spent several issues arguing the case for promotion from the Championship and made an unfavourable comparison with French rugby. Unfortunately, it is […]

No room for Gerald

12 January 2025 0 comments

PETER Jackson’s excellent tribute to rugby’s latest knight in last week’s paper gave rise to the thought: Would Gerald Davies get a game in today’s […]

Is Bill Beaumont the right man for the job?

12 January 2025 0 comments

Rugby Union’s dire inability to handle the crisis threatening a great sport’s future is reflected in Sir Bill Beaumont’s hasty appointment as interim Rugby Football Union chairman.

Dream Team – Matt Corker

12 January 2025 0 comments

MATT CORKER, THE CANTERBURY HEAD COACH AND FORMER WASPS, LONDON WELSH & RICHMOND PLAYER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… Forwards […]

Phil Dowson: Henry Pollock is ready for England

12 January 2025 0 comments

Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson insists Henry Pollock is ready for an England call-up if it comes on Tuesday when their Six Nations squad is announced.

Rampant Stormers too good for Sharks

12 January 2025 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Stormers ……………………… 40pts Sale ………………………………… 0pts Tries: Schickerling 21, Libbok 25, Sithole 45, Gelant 54, De Wet 63, Venter 70 Conversions: Libbok […]

Baxter: It looks like a bit of a stuffing

12 January 2025 0 comments

EXETER director of rugby Rob Baxter could not hide his disappointment after watching his side slip to a record Champions Cup defeat. He said: “The […]

Stade Rochelais v Leinster: Leinster aiming to cash in on Will Skelton’s absence

12 January 2025 0 comments

Leinster and La Rochelle, the 2022 and 2023 finalists, continue their epic rivalry today with both sides unbeaten in this year’s competition.

Ollie Lawrence’s play-acting was shameful to watch

12 January 2025 0 comments

Ollie Lawrence’s sham injury in the closing minutes of a knife-edge finish between Northampton and Bath at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend has seen some commentators get themselves in an almighty tangle.

We don’t need platitudes, we need to see change

12 January 2025 0 comments

The RFU’s U-turn on Friday in agreeing to an SGM, just 24-hour’s after rejecting the Thursday’s submission representing 152 clubs across the length and breadth […]

Bath v Clermont: Joe Cokanasiga- “It is all down to chatting to the boss”

12 January 2025 0 comments

Joe Cokanasiga has credited a frank conversation with head of rugby Johann van Graan for his purple patch of form for Bath.

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