In this issue

November 19, 2023

Vakatawa grateful to Lam for giving him a chance at Bears

VIRIMI Vakatawa says he feels blessed to be playing rugby again after being told last year that a heart condition meant his career was over.

2 mins

Underhill faces a fight for his place

BACK row is not one of England head coach Steve Borthwick’s problem positions in terms of competition for places, but the return of Sam Underhill at the end of the World Cup was timely.

3 mins

Sale captain Curry enjoying return to the 'hamster wheel'

NOW he is fit again and back on the “hamster wheel” of training, playing and recovering, everything in Ben Curry’s world appear to be normal.

3 mins

Launchbury back where

JOE Launchbury has returned to the club where his career started, and nearly ended, 14 years ago.

3 mins

We keep pressing self-destruct button

IT IS high time English rugby with its huge resources, in both player and financial terms, ceased pressing the wretched self-destruct button.

3 mins

Russell has the mastery to push Bath to the top

FINN Russell is, with out a doubt, an ultra talented fly-half and the Scot has a touch of old school about him in terms of being like the very good attacking 10s of 30 years ago. I mean this in terms of Russell not playing to a game plan or structure, but playing much more what he sees with his own eyes and projecting it forward.

5 mins

World Cup winner puts Tigers on top

LEICESTER ignited their campaign through a huge collective effort inspired by Springbok World Cup winner Handre Pollard.

2 mins

Ruthless Saracens demolish Harlequins

SARACENS flexed their muscles mightily at The Stoop last night to remind everybody they remain the team to beat if you have intentions on this season’s Premiership title.

2 mins

Lawrence shines on a night of spectacle

FOR a derby that has been played for more than a century, this was a contest for the ages. It ebbed, it flowed, and there were mini-battles everywhere. It was a sell-out spectacle to hearten the West Country’s rugby soul.

2 mins

Davis keen to put on a show on derby day

AIDON Davis has played in all three major leagues in Europe and feels the physicality of the Premiership best suits him as a South African.

3 mins

Smith: I want to join Alex in England team

FIN SMITH dreams of pairing up with Alex Mitchell for both club and country in the not too distant future after a strong start to the season.

4 mins

Hogg: Now is the time for young guns to shine

EXETER Chiefs’ young talent have had to bide their time but are now the focus of Rob Baxter’s side and former full-back Stuart Hogg says the pressure’s on with a ‘sink or swim’ mentality.

2 mins

Radwan motivated to make up for lost time

ADAM Radwan’s relishing Newcastle’s new expansive style this season, with the winger confident it will lead to an England recall.

3 mins

Hanekom chews over Wales option

HIS elder brother was the first to dip his toe into Welsh rugby and now the Bulls No.8 Cameron Hanekom is mulling over his future international possibilities.

3 mins

Good cop, bad cop worked well, says Lake

DEWI Lake has revealed just how much he learned about captaincy with Wales at the World Cup amid his “good cop, bad cop” partnership with Jac Morgan.

2 mins

Cambridge set to make up for tough opening

CAMBRIDGE have had a difficult start to their first season in the Championship and but director of rugby Richie Williams believes they have a more winnable batch of games to come.

2 mins

Markus makes his mark to hit 250 milestone

MARKUS Burcham made his 250th appearance for Blackheath last Saturday in their 21-17 win over Richmond and continues to enjoy playing under influential head coach James Shanahan.

2 mins

Ruthless Dale's joy as Tigers are caged

THE two teams in third and fourth swapped places again as Wharfedale won the match and gained five points with Sheffield Tigers going home with nothing to show for their efforts.

2 mins

Hornets feel the sting after surprise jump up the league

IN A sport decided by the most razor-thin margins, experience is one of the most precious things a rugby team can have.

2 mins

Young pals leading the fightback in Oaks battle

AFTER five games of the National 2 East season, Sevenoaks had just one win to their name.

2 mins

Read all stories from The Rugby Paper

The Rugby Paper Magazine Description:

The Rugby Paper, the UK's number 1 selling rugby title, brings you exclusive stories, reports and features on your device, published in exceptional clarity. It contains renowned journalists such as Nick Cain and Peter Jackson, and famous former players as columnists including Jeremy Guscott and Jeff Probyn. Published every Sunday, The Rugby Paper covers Rugby Union from national teams and Premiership / Rabo Direct down to grass roots.