In this issue

April 28, 2024

Battle for top four reaching climax

THE battle for the Premieship play-off places heated up yesterday with leaders Northampton losing to Harlequins and a revitalised Bristol Bears launching a stunning comeback to end Leicester’s hopes of making the top four.

3 mins

England celebrate Grand Slam treble

ENGLAND secured their sixth straight Six Nations title and third Grand Slam in a row yesterday by beating France 42-21 in Bordeaux.

4 mins

Saracens know how to win Tompkins

WITH the Premiership run-in hotting up, Saracens centre Nick Tompkins claims ‘experience matters’ in these blockbuster end-of-season contests and says his side have regained their confidence after enduring a Jekyll and Hyde campaign thus far.

3 mins

Langdon is quick to make his point

NORTHAMPTON have placed an emphasis this season on putting pace in the legs of their players and that suits Curtis Langdon, a hooker in a hurry.

4 mins

Time for Saints to be true to themselves

THE contest between the 9-10 pairings of Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne and Northampton’s Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith will be critical to the outcome of the European Cup semi-final at Croke Park on Saturday.

5 mins

Sharks look to have edge in Diamond derby

SALE boss Alex Sanderson has thanked Steve Diamond, his opposite number at Newcastle, for giving him extra motivation to win what has been dubbed ‘the Diamond derby’.

3 mins

Leinster's workload merits little sympathy

LEINSTER are worried about the pressure that could prevent them from winning a European Cup and URC double. Any observation like this by a province with a full Ireland international line-up – and more squad players with Irish or Irish U20 caps jostling to be seen than there are patients in an NHS A&E – merits the response, “welcome to the real world”.

3 mins

RED ROSES

MADDIE FEAUNATI EXETER CHIEFS BACK ROW

2 mins

Cardiff left in a mess by lively Edinburgh

CARDIFF’S last appearance at the Arms Park this season ended miserably as Edinburgh picked up a valuable four points in their quest for an end of season playoff spot.

2 mins

The boys down west who know how to win

THE way they see it down Exeter way, only one team is flying the flag for the region as the Premiership campaign heads for home.

3 mins

'Ireland in blue' will provide stiffest test

PHIL Dowson and Leo Cullen first crossed paths in European action 10 seasons ago when Northampton did something they had never done before nor since: beating Leinster in Dublin.

3 mins

35 years on and Tim's charity still full of hope

IF YOU believe rugby is the ultimate team sport – which I still do – it is tempting to superimpose all its many fine qualities into other team environments.

6 mins

Lions survive as Patrick heroics seal late glory

THE final throws of the 2023-24 season saw Sale take on Leicester Lions at Heywood Road, with the visitors looking for a victory to ensure their survival.

2 mins

It's title delight for the Titans!

ROTHERHAM Titans are the champions!

2 mins

Tries galore as Jake leads the Crusaders title party

WITH Dings stalwarts Charlie Taylor and Jake Holcombe reaching the milestones of 250 and 200 appearances respectively, the massive win over Camborne was a fitting end to the season.

2 mins

YOUNG GUNS

SEANKERR HARLEQUINS & ENGLAND U20 CENTRE

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.