Sports
The Rugby Paper
Murphy’s back at No.8 to help bolster Ireland challenge
IRELAND face a stern test against a physical and improving Georgia side in Calvisano.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
How flanker Gasc enjoyed his moment in the spotlight
JACQUES Gasc has died aged 75 and, although I am guessing it’s a name that will mean little to you, I've always wanted to know much more about the diminutive French flanker. Or at least his story.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Success of Big Match 25 shows unity in the north
IN WHAT is fast becoming a standout feature of the off-season, the North East claimed a hard-fought 28-24 victory over the North West in the second edition of Big Match 25, held at Huddersfield RUFC’s Lockwood Park last weekend.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Let's hope the WGU wins the day
THE attempts by some within the Twickenham administration to characterise the Whole Game Union's campaign to bring about democratic change at the RFU as the actions of a group of reckless \"Rebels\" ahead of this weekend's AGM, drew the following response from Paddy McAlpine, the co-chair of the WGU and chairman of Chichester RFC.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Sanderson: I'm backing Chiefs to bounce back
SALE Sharks boss Alex Sanderson is tipping a serious resurgence from fallen giants Exeter Chiefs next season, insisting Rob Baxter’s men already started to turn the tide after what he describes as a rare “blip.”
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Pierre is at home in Perth
SCOTLAND'S South African-born prop Pierre Schoeman, below, is obviously eyeing a job after rugby with the Western Australian tourist board.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
YOUNG GUNS
MAXKNIGHT GLOUCESTER & HARTPURY CENTRE
2 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Leaving on a jet plane - but not quite yet
TRP’s Lions tour got off to a bad start on Sunday when our flight from Heathrow to Singapore was cancelled leaving us with a blank night at the airport before boarding a plane the next lunchtime.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Baxter: I want to prove my worth for England
FIN Baxter is eager to play a big part for England in Argentina with first choice loosehead Ellis Genge away with the Lions in Australia.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Borthwick: Argentina a tough challenge
ENGLAND will need to show that they cope with Argentina's transition game if they are to succeed away to Los Pumas, according to head coach Steve Borthwick.
2 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
These players must think fast and play what's in front of them
Ben Jaycock catches up with England U20s pathway coach and former Sale, Gloucester and Leeds hooker Andy Titterrell, ahead of the upcoming Junior World Cup and also gets his thoughts on the state of the game in the Premiership.
3 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Battling England get ready to turn up the heat on Scotland
ENGLAND U20s begin the defence of their World Championship crown this afternoon, taking on familiar rivals Scotland at the Payanini Centre in Verona in a rematch of their 57-13 win from the Six Nations.
2 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Offiah's talks with Mapletoft inspired him to work hard
TYLER Offiah is aiming to cap a dream debut season at Bath by helping England Under-20s to World Championship glory.
2 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
We've got the Scots first up, that's our focus
MY FIRST big training session since injuring my shoulder in January was the one out in Italy, in 35 degrees. It was very, very hard but it’s so good to be back.
3 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
England must concentrate on a power game
WE are about to find out about the depth in England's playing resources, and whether the Premiership produces enough players ready to take the step up to international level, as England face two away Tests against Argentina over the next fortnight.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Dazzling French duo are creating history
NOW that Damian Penaud and his hyphenated sidekick have called a temporary truce to giving all and sundry both barrels, their exploits cry out to be put in a historical perspective.
2 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Diamond's call: Invest in boots on the ground
Paul Rees begins his summer series reviewing the Premiership season, starting with the bottom club Newcastle Falcons
5 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Feyi-Waboso waiting in the wings for Lions
IT MIGHT be mid-summer and nearly 11 months into a never-ending season but, as England go to work in Buenos Aires this week ahead of the first Test against Argentina, there should be a spring in their step. History tells us that stuff happens during Home Nations tours in Lions years, it adds an extra frisson to proceedings.
4 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Old foes know they are facing tough rematch
AUSTRALIA and South Africa meet again in the World Rugby U20 Championship today at Stadio San Michele in Calvisano, Italy, kicking off their tournament campaigns.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Lessons of Dublin must be learned
ONE of the strangest elements about the 2025 Lions starting line-up in the non-tour match against Argentina in Dublin was that the players looked jet-lagged.
4 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Slade reveals diabetes scare
HENRY Slade has revealed he recently had a major on-field concern with his continuous battle with Type 1 diabetes.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Galthie's squad will need to step up
AFTER all the fuss from players and New Zealand Rugby, after the negotiations between union and league bosses, after the hints that maybe, this time - the rules would be bent to allow more regular France first-choice players to tour, there was in the end, a particular and utterly predictable inevitability about Les Bleus’ squad announcement for the three-Test July tour of New Zealand.
4 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
We must nail the basics - Costelow
THE contrast between this summer’s trip and Wales’ last tour of Japan could hardly be more acute.
2 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Holland poised for AB debut
IS the suitably named Fabian Holland about to follow Tim Visser and Frans Ten Bos as a Dutchman playing top-level rugby for a country other than the Netherlands?
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Mission to kidnap BIL put on hold - for now...
HENRY Pollock, at 20, the youngest Lion on tour has been entrusted with looking after BIL the tourists' cuddly mascot for every second of the trip.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Schmidt quite happy to set off a grenade
JOE Schmidt is not a coach who tries to get a rise out of opponents ahead of a match or series. Not does he react to being baited, as Warren Gatland found out when the two New Zealanders were in charge of Ireland and Wales in the 2010s.
3 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Bali trip helps put Breach in the right mood
JESS Breach has unfinished business when it comes to World Cups but believes she is a very different person ahead of a showpiece on home soil in 2025.
2 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Tigers move for O'Connor
LEICESTER have confirmed the signing of former Australia utility back James O'Connor as one of six new faces arriving at Welford Road for next season under new head coach Geoff Parling.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Van der Flier leaves video nasty behind
JOSH van der Flier grew up watching a video nasty of the Lions but finally got to put the shirt on for himself yesterday in Perth and could set the record straight with the Tests looming.
1 min |
June 29, 2025
The Rugby Paper
Farrell is finding it rough on fairways
ANDY Farrell’s tour got off to a disappointing start with the Lions’ 28-24 defeat to Argentina in Dublin and things got worse on Thursday.
1 min |