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Look outside the Prem, England
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk HOW sad to hear of the death of former England and Lions wing Peter Squires. Peter started his rugby career at Ripon and then to his local big club Harrogate. From there he was selected for Yorkshire XV, […] The post Look outside the Prem, England appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
All games should be played on grass
LIKE Dale Barker (letters February 1), I detest artificial pitches but he is wrong to think that they are suitable for Rugby League. Widnes have such a pitch and it was universally unpopular when they were in the Super League being responsible for burns and, probably, other injuries. Is Gloucester’s huge injury list related to […] The post All games should be played on grass appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Saracens have an outstanding record
LEE Dunkley’s letter (February 1) erroneously refers to Saracens having ‘only’ won one title ‘in five years’. In fact, they have only completed four seasons back in the Premiership (but if you include the fifth season they happened to win the Championship). Furthermore, their Premiership record in those four seasons was 2nd, 1st, joint 3rd […] The post Saracens have an outstanding record appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Bill Mata happy to commit future to Bristol Bears
Big Bill Mata had no hesitation in reaching for a pen when Bristol Bears offered him a new contract. The post Bill Mata happy to commit future to Bristol Bears appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Slade stays with Chiefs
ENGLAND centre Henry Slade has signed a new two-year contract with Exeter. The 32-year-old – who leads the Prem points table this season qith 115, including six tries – has spent his entire career at Sandy Park, having come up through the academy system. He is one of Exeter’s two centrally-contracted England players, alongside winger […] The post Slade stays with Chiefs appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Pirates look to raise cash
CORNISH Pirates have launched a crowd-funder to help pay for damage caused by last month’s storms. Storm Goretti caused about £200,000 of damage to the main stand, which is insured, but further damage caused by Storm Ingrid to the club’s electronic scoreboard, electrics and another stand is unlikely to be covered. ... Continue reading... Access […] The post Pirates look to raise cash appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Quartet sign up for Quins
HARLEQUINS have signed four forwards on short-term loans as cover for four Prem Cup matches this month. Dragons pair, tight-head Luke Yendle and second row Barny Langton-Cryer, both 25, are joined by Oisin McCormack, a 24-year-old back rower from Connacht and loose-head Ben Murphy, 23, who arrives from Super Rygbi Cymru side Cardiff. ... Continue […] The post Quartet sign up for Quins appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
DREAM TEAM
FORMER LUCTONIANS, NORTH OTAGO, PLYMOUTH ALBION, DONCASTER KNIGHTS AND NEWCASTLE BACK ROW JOHN KELLY CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST… 1. Ralph Darling – Played with him in New Zealand. A smaller loose-head but hugely skilful, strong in the scrum for his size and a natural leader who captained me at […] The post DREAM TEAM appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Peter Jackson: Trefor Evans to miss reunion for the boys of ’76
In a perfect world, Trefor Evans would be back on the big stage next weekend for the first time since he left it during the glory days half a century ago. The post Peter Jackson: Trefor Evans to miss reunion for the boys of ’76 appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Another son follows in father’s footsteps
PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW Family tie: France’s Hugo Auradou breaks through against Ireland in Paris PICTURE: Alamy THE Paris premiere of the 2026 Six Nations has still to run its course when another hefty chip off an old block comes hurtling into view: Hugo Auradou restoring the family name to a […] The post Another son follows in father’s footsteps appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Sale Sharks vs Bath: Will Roue gets the call to start at No.10 for Johann van Graan’s side
Champions Bath take on Sale Sharks in Salford today rocked by a lack of fly-half options. The post Sale Sharks vs Bath: Will Roue gets the call to start at No.10 for Johann van Graan’s side appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Bristol Bears 35-46: Hat-trick for Campbell Ridl to put Chiefs in charge
Campbell Ridl is learning fast – too fast, in fact, for defences trying to keep pace with his rise – as he helped inspire victory for Exeter Chiefs over Bristol Bears. The post Bristol Bears 35-46: Hat-trick for Campbell Ridl to put Chiefs in charge appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Saracens 40-43 Harlequins: Tom Lawday makes the difference as Quins take down Sarries
Tom Lawday savoured his first win at the home of Saracens as he celebrated scoring the match-winning try for Harlequins at StoneX Stadium. The post Saracens 40-43 Harlequins: Tom Lawday makes the difference as Quins take down Sarries appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Leicester Tigers 28-19 Newcastle Red Bulls: Tigers dig deep to keep control
Leicester Tigers needed to dig deep into their reserves to stay afloat over a determined Newcastle Red Bulls team on one of the wettest nights of the winter so far. The post Leicester Tigers 28-19 Newcastle Red Bulls: Tigers dig deep to keep control appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Paul Rees: Mark McCall leaves a lasting legacy at Saracens
Paul Rees looks back at the Irishman's time in charge at Saracens and says he is one of the game's key figures The post Paul Rees: Mark McCall leaves a lasting legacy at Saracens appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
It’s seven-up for Blues in the battle of Bedfordshire
■By JACOB SMITH Bedford .............35pts Tries: Uru 33, Hill 43, Herman 51, Ward 54, Worth 78 Conversions: Maisey 34, 44, 52, 55; Price 79 Ampthill ............13pts Try: Barton 76 Conversion: Morgan 77 Penalties: Grimoldby 28, 31 BEDFORD Blues made it seven wins on the spin against their nearest rivals Ampthill as they ran in five […] The post It’s seven-up for Blues in the battle of Bedfordshire appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Brownhill on hand to grab it at the death for Richmond
■By TIM FORRESTER Richmond ........17pts Tries: Spring 32, Brownhill 76 Conversions: Grieve 33, 76 Penalty: Grieve 2 Nottingham .....15pts Tries: Dickinson 35, Graham 41 Conversion: Parks 36 Penalty: Parks 14 THE destiny of this game swung both ways in a frenetic final four minutes, with Richmond just clinging on after a 76th-minute try by replacement […] The post Brownhill on hand to grab it at the death for Richmond appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Ealing Trailfinders 36-34 Coventry: Visitors just fail to halt record run
Ealing Trailfinders clung on to level the Champ rugby win streak record at 21 matches as they edged out Coventry in a thrilling end-to-end fixture. The post Ealing Trailfinders 36-34 Coventry: Visitors just fail to halt record run appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Gonzalez strikes to steal it for Warriors
■By JEAN BULL Worcester ........25pts Tries: Wallis 9, Chapman 16, Gonzalez 76 Conversions: Reed 17, 77 Penalties: Reed 34, 46 Doncaster .........20pts Tries: Kerr 39, Viliamu 70 Conversions: Bennett 40, 71 Penalties: Bennett 3, 64 WORCESTER Warriors avenged their early-season defeat to Doncaster Knights with a dramatic victory sealed by Juan Gonzalez’s last-gasp try at […] The post Gonzalez strikes to steal it for Warriors appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Cambridge can’t break duck (on a day for them)
By STEVE JACKSON Cambridge ..... 24pts Tries: Irvine 37, Dawson 43, Currie 66, Timpson 75 Conversions: Mausia 44, Thompson 76 Caldy .................26pts Tries: Robinson 21, K Wilkinson 33, C Wilkinson 47, Gallagher 61 Conversions: K Wilkinson 22, 34, 48 CAMBRIDGE narrowly missed out on their first win of the season for the second home game […] The post Cambridge can’t break duck (on a day for them) appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Bazalgette makes it a certainty for Hartpury
■By LUKE JARMYN Chinnor ..............21pts Tries: Walker 5, 37, Hall 51 Conversions: Chamberlain 6, 38, 52 Hartpury ............39pts Tries: Clark 18, 47; Crane 22, Worts 42, Paramore 56 Conversions: Bazalgette 23, 43, 48, 57 Penalties: Bazalgette 67, 78 GOOD rugby sides know how to battle to victory even when the elements are against them, and […] The post Bazalgette makes it a certainty for Hartpury appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Pirates forced on the road again after storm issues
■By BEN JAYCOCK PREVIEW... Cornish Pirates v L Scottish Today. Kick-off 2pm, Mennaye Field CORNISH Pirates will look to bounce back from last weekend’s heavy defeat at Doncaster Knights when they host London Scottish today, though the contest comes amid unusual circumstances in Cornwall. Storm damage to the Mennaye Field means the Pirates are once […] The post Pirates forced on the road again after storm issues appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Packer joins the 100 club
PREVIEW... Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs Today. Kick-off 3pm, The Stoop IN-FORM Harlequins will look to extend their winning run to five matches when they host Exeter Chiefs in a heavyweight PWR clash at the Stoop. Quins edged a thriller against Trailfinders last time out, with Aoife Wafer’s hat-trick and a late score from Alex Callender […] The post Packer joins the 100 club appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Uren in right place to deny Bears
■By BLUEBELL NICHOLLS Bristol ................26pts Tries: Bern 5, Gallagher 20, Bevan 23, Bonner 57 Conversions: Bevan 6, 21, 24 Trailfinders .....26pts Tries: Laflin 27, White 44, Malcolm 59, Uren 77 Conversions: N Gallagher 28, 45, 78 A LAST-minute try from Emma Uren denied Bristol back-to-back wins. The Bears imposed themselves in the first half to […] The post Uren in right place to deny Bears appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Saracens aiming for top spot
PREVIEW... Leicester Tigers v Saracens Today. Kick-off 1pm, Welford Road SARACENS travel to Welford Road knowing a bonus-point win could send them back to the top of PWR after Gloucester-Hartpury overtook them during last weekend’s bye round. The visitors have been one of the division’s most consistent outfits this season and will expect to take […] The post Saracens aiming for top spot appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Sharks sink while champs swim
■By BEN SHEARD Sale ...................... 7pts Try: Hyndman 18 Conversion: Aitchison 18 Gloucester-H ...22pts Tries: Venner 2, K Jones 12 , Sing 31, Lund 62 Conversions: Sing 13 GLOUCESTER-Hartpury continue undefeated in the PWR after a tough win in atrocious conditions away at Sale Sharks. Gloucester-Hartpury started like a house on fire in the opening […] The post Sharks sink while champs swim appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Brendan Gallagher: Why it’s time to be nicer to the French
I’ve always found it odd the blind spots and prejudices that develop in sport and indeed life, the absolute determination by some to pursue one narrative while the evidence of our own eyes and the record books strongly suggest another story altogether. The post Brendan Gallagher: Why it’s time to be nicer to the French appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
All this tinkering with the laws doesn’t really add up
AS night follows day rugby continues to change and tinker with the laws with an OCD obsession that I am sure has driven many fans – old and new – into the arms of other sports. I occupied one rainy afternoon recently listing the major law changes in the professional era and it topped out […] The post All this tinkering with the laws doesn’t really add up appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Ryan made life tough for 1953 All Blacks
ENGLAND in the mid-1950s, not unlike now, had an abundance of back row talent which probably explains why former Cambridge University and Richmond flanker Peter Ryan was restricted to just the two caps. Ryan, who died this week aged 95, was renowned for his Henry Pollock like speed and certainly caught the eye of the […] The post Ryan made life tough for 1953 All Blacks appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Double delight for DMP is down to Douglas
■By NEIL MORRIS Darlington ...... 24 Wharfedale .....17 MOWDEN celebrated a Friday night success as they completed the double over Wharfedale, with Ben Douglas the star of the show. The hosts started brightly with some excellent open play in the backs, with Archie Callaghan dotting down after 11 minutes and Liam Checksfield adding another just […] The post Double delight for DMP is down to Douglas appeared first on The Rugby Paper.