Top 14

Challenge Cup

/ 2 years ago

Clermont survive second-half scare

Clermont ........27 Cheetahs .......22 ■By BEN JAYCOCK THREE-TIME Challenge Cup winners Clermont held off a Cheetahs fightback to earn a place...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Challenge Cup

/ 2 years ago

Carreras’ boot keeps Gloucester in control

By ROGER PANTING Gloucester ......... 30pts Tries: Mercer 8, May 27, Llewellyn 32 Conversions: Carreras 8, 27, 32 Penalties: Carreras 54,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Paul Rees

/ 2 years ago

It’s still all to play for in race to the finishing line

Paul Rees predicts a nerve-racking end to the Premiership season where bonus points will prove crucial THE two-month Premiership break has...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Rugby World Cup

/ 2 years ago

‘Immortal’ Whitelock to retire

By SAM JACKSON NEW Zealand’s mostcapped player Sam Whitelock will retire at the end of the French club season in June....

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

TV deal to break €500m barrier

FRENCH COLUMN - JAMES HARRINGTON France's Ligue Nationale de Rugby hopes to pocket more than half-a-billion euros, after launching a call...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Welsh Rugby

/ 2 years ago

Premier Sports is set to get back to ‘business as usual’

IRELAND-BASED sports broadcaster Premier Sports makes its long-expected return to British EPGs on Tuesday April 9, after its buyout of Viaplay’s...

By The Rugby Paper Team

/ 2 years ago

Toulon will have to wait for Carbonel

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN LOUIS Carbonel’s immediate Top 14 future is in Montpellier. The question is: for how long? The Toulon-born...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Premiership

/ 2 years ago

Lam: I understand Sinckler decision

By PAUL REES Pat Lam understands Kyle Sinckler’s decision to turn his back on England and join the exodus to France...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Summer Tours

/ 2 years ago

Japan rugby full of talent, warns Savea

By BEN JAYCOCK Ardie Savea has issued a warning to England not to underestimate Japan in the two sides' first ever...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

Toulon heading in right direction

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN TOULON coach Pierre Mignoni earned something of a reprieve this weekend, as his side’s 54-7 win over...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Autumn Internationals

/ 2 years ago

Ireland lining up NZ and Wallabies

Ireland will face New Zealand and Australia in their autumn series before head coach Andy Farrell takes his leave of absence...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Premiership

/ 2 years ago

Fiji star Nayacalevu signs for Sale

Sale have signed Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top 14 side Toulon on a one-year contract with an option for...

By The Rugby Paper Team

U20 Six Nations

/ 2 years ago

Band of brothers grab the glory

By BEN JAYCOCK France...............................31pts Tries: Ferte 12, Gourgues 24, Carbonneau 26, Castro 45 Conversions: Reus 13, 25, 27, 46 Penalties: Reus...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Nick Cain

/ 2 years ago

We need to make most of this team

NICK CAIN The England U20s won their first Six Nations title since 2021 with a tremendous second-half effort in which they...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Rugby Europe Championship

/ 2 years ago

All the pressure’s on us – Cockerill

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW... Georgia vs Portugal Today. Kick-off 8pm, Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris Eddie Jones has coached three national teams, South...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Paul Rees

/ 2 years ago

All set for a race to the finish

With the Premiership resuming next weekend, Paul Rees looks at how the runners and riders are gearing up The Premiership resumes...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

Toulouse and Stade in line for a race to glory

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN The top two tiers of French domestic rugby have been on hiatus this weekend, giving fans a...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 17/03/24

As the men’s Six Nations draws to a close find action from Super Saturday and a preview of the women’s competition, getting...

By Nick Powell

Letters

/ 2 years ago

Unwise for Prem to disappear from our sight

THE English top flight game during Six Nations time has disappeared, gone and is nowhere to be seen. The URC and...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Jeff Probyn

/ 2 years ago

At last! England find reason to be cheerful

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME We were waiting and hoping for a game that will define how...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

Oyonnax have to keep on believing

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Oyonnax manager Joe El-Abd promised last week that his side would ‘fight to the end’ following their...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Blindside - rugby transfers

/ 2 years ago

Nowell extends deal to stay at La Rochelle

ON THE BLINDSIDE By MARK STEVENS Jack Nowell’s French connection is set to go on for a few more years yet,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Chris Hewett

/ 2 years ago

Borthwick should put faith in this trio

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED PETER Winterbottom knows a thing or three about our sport, so you would expect him to make...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Q&A

/ 2 years ago

‘It’s been a great start but there are tougher challenges ahead of us’

Q&A Ben Jaycock catches up with England U20 head coach Mark Mapletoft to assess the current state of play in the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Brendan Gallagher

/ 2 years ago

It doesn’t feel right to see Italy at the bottom

Various non rugby specialists have contacted me this week asking why Italy are currently bottom of the Six Nations table. Patiently...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

Big clubs are hit by ‘doublon’ clashes

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN We always knew the World Cup would play havoc with the Top 14 season – as soon...

By The Rugby Paper Team

World

/ 2 years ago

Murley bags hat-trick as England A thump much-weakened Portugal

By NICK POWELL England A……………………………………………91 Tries: Blamire 3, Pearson 6, Barbeary 14, Tuima 19, Muir 25, Murley 29, 72, 76; Hodge...

By Nick Powell

Premiership

/ 2 years ago

Mercer: I’m focused on Gloucester

By PAUL REES If desire to play for England was a factor in selection, Zach Mercer would be one of the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

England U20 star joins Bristol

BRISTOL have signed England age grade back rower Kofi Cripps for next season. The 20-year-old flanker was formerly part of Wasps’...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 2 years ago

Lawes can bring some order

Paul Rees says the former England captain who has signed for Brive will have much to offer when he retires Brive...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

Collazo may risk all to beat the drop

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN It is a truth universally accepted in French domestic rugby that the side propping up the Top...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Rugby Europe Championship

/ 2 years ago

No stopping Portugal as they put on a show

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Romania ......................... 24pts Tries: Cojocaru 20, Gontineac 43 , Neagu 59 Conversions: Conache 21, 44, 60 Drop goals:...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

Toulon need to win over the critics

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Sometimes it’s not immediately obvious whether a side is in good shape or not. A simple look...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 18/02/24

As Scotland and England prepare for a crucial round three encounter at Murrayfield next weekend, don’t miss Paul Rees‘ preview of...

By Nick Powell

Autumn Internationals

/ 2 years ago

All Blacks in Dublin will be the acid test

CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED EARLY February is not obviously the moment to select a highlight of the calendar year. Especially if...

By The Rugby Paper Team

My Life in Rugby

/ 2 years ago

My first foreign mission was in deepest Siberia

My Life in Rugby with Rob Debney - The former international and Premiership referee talks about his journey in the game...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

Calvet’s likely to step in at Agen

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN France Under-20s coach Sebastien Calvet has emerged as favourite to replace Bernard Goutta on the conveyor-belt of...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 2 years ago

What’s in The Rugby Paper: 11/02/24

England and Wales reignite one of international rugby’s oldest and greatest rivalries on Saturday and they’ll be action, comments and analysis...

By Nick Powell

Champions Cup

/ 2 years ago

Once again, the fans are being taken for granted

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK THE European Cup’s ‘round of 16’ takes some beating when it comes to...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Nick Cain

/ 2 years ago

RFU double standards alive and well

Surprise, surprise, double standards are alive and well at the RFU. The latest example is the decision is to give a...

By The Rugby Paper Team

World

/ 2 years ago

Cockerill out to beef up Georgia

Rugby Europe Championship By JON NEWCOMBE Richard Cockerill starts his reign as Georgia head coach in a remote part of Germany...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Blindside - rugby transfers

/ 2 years ago

Scotland prop Rory signs with Warriors

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Scotland and Lions loosehead Rory Sutherland is returning to Scotland at the end of the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Blindside - rugby transfers

/ 2 years ago

Kennedy wanted in France

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Top 14 giants LA Rochelle and Racing 92 are both eyeing up a move for...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Premiership

/ 2 years ago

We are here for the long term

Newcastle were the only Premiership club to sack their head coach mid-season last year and the Falcons were at it again...

By The Rugby Paper Team

James Harrington

/ 2 years ago

Davidson relief as Castres stop rot

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN The afternoon after the Friday-night chastening Six Nations defeat in Marseille before, a subdued French rugby audience...

By The Rugby Paper Team