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Stade go close but Ulster hold on
■ By JIM STEVENS Ulster ................26 Stade .................19 RELIEF poured out of Ravenhill at full-time after the hosts’ 26-0 half-time lead, which appeared insurmountable, was threatened until the very end. Ulster just about held on to a bonus point victory despite failing to register a point in the second half. Player of the match Bryn […] The post Stade go close but Ulster hold on appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
11-try Connacht secure home tie
Connacht .......75 Montauban ...14 ■ By MARK WILLIAMS CONNACHT produced a ruthless display to book a home tie in the last 16, running in 11 tries in a one-sided Galway rout. The western province were in control from the off, combining tempo, physicality and accuracy to overwhelm a Montauban side that struggled to live with […] The post 11-try Connacht secure home tie appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
PREVIEW…Lyon v Benetton
Today. Kick-off 1pm, Matmut Stadium de Gerland LAST season’s finalists Lyon face a do or die clash against pool leaders Benetton knowing only a win will keep their knockout hopes alive. Lyon, languishing down in 12th in the Top 14, have endured an underwhelming Challenge Cup campaign, having suffered three defeats from three against the […] The post PREVIEW…Lyon v Benetton appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
PREVIEW…Racing v Cheetahs
Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, La Defense Arena ONLY pride is at stake in this matchup with both Racing 92 and Cheetahs out of play-off contention. Cheetahs were forced to surrender a five-point loss to Ulster last Sunday after the sold-out fixture in the Netherlands was cancelled due to a frozen pitch. The South African invitational side […] The post PREVIEW…Racing v Cheetahs appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Perpignan through but Lions are sent packing
Round-up ■ By SAM JACKSON A DRAMATIC Challenge Cup clash at Stade Aimé Giral ended all square as Perpignan and the Lions shared the spoils in a 20–20 draw as the South African visitors were eliminated from the knockout stages. Perpignan have now qualified for the knockout stages but will be away from home in […] The post Perpignan through but Lions are sent packing appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Nick Cain’s column should be hung in Sweeney’s office
NICK Cain’s column last week should be cut out, framed and hung on the wall of Bill Sweeney’s office as it perfectly encapsulates the nonsense of the way the game is being taken. Sweeney, and Premiership club owners are hell-bent on splitting the game in two and it is very sad to see that Tony […] The post Nick Cain’s column should be hung in Sweeney’s office appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Worrying direction of travel
A SUCCESSFUL enterprise is usually built on firm foundations. I wish that I could see this in rugby union with a leadership at the top which cares about the grass roots of the game. Regrettably the answer is I do not. I am sorry to say that the current league set-up puts tremendous financial strain […] The post Worrying direction of travel appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Classy Chinnor stun Bedford
The Champ ■ By WILLIAM BULL Chinnor ..............27pts Tries: Smith 15, Rukhadze 22, Hanks 58 Conversions: Chamberlain 16, 23, 59 Penalties: Chamberlain 63, 74 Bedford Blues ..17pts Tries: Pasco 18, Tuilagi 32, Hutler 48 Conversion: Maisey 49 CHINNOR continued their remarkable run of form with an emphatic win over Bedford in the only Champ game […] The post Classy Chinnor stun Bedford appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Reduce numbers to raise standard
THE European Cup still throws up some fantastic matches – Bulls against Bristol last week was crazy – but too many times this season the tournament has been cheapened by weakened teams with less riding on certain pool matches than in the past. There are too many teams in the competition for starters. It is […] The post Reduce numbers to raise standard appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
DREAM TEAM
JACOB ATKINS, FORMER LONDON IRISH AND ROVIGO CENTRE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH TAILORED NOT FOR PACKED STADIUMS, BUT FOR COLD, WET MONDAY NIGHTS IN THE PREMIERSHIP A-LEAGUE... 1. Harry Elrington – The ultimate Monday-night loosehead. Championship and National League warrior who never shirked work. Loved playing with him. Always delivered in […] The post DREAM TEAM appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Brendan Gallagher: European Champions Cup is still in dire need of an overhaul
The European Champions Cup which, after this weekend, goes back into hibernation for the best part of three months, remains in dire need of revamp or simply a return to its old tried and tested format. The post Brendan Gallagher: European Champions Cup is still in dire need of an overhaul appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
100 years ago when Scots missed the Slam
THE one that got away is a staple in sport – indeed life – and for Scotland the one that got away was 100 years ago when they should have won their second Grand Slam on the trot. Given that they have famously – infamously – only ever won three Slams in total that would […] The post 100 years ago when Scots missed the Slam appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
McCrae enjoyed hitting heights
NOT many senior careers span four decades but that was the longevity displayed by former Scotland scrum-half Ian McCrae who died aged 84 last week. McCrae made his First XV debut for Gordonians in Aberdeen in 1959 and was still a considerable performer for their First XV 25 years later when he bowed out in […] The post McCrae enjoyed hitting heights appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Paul Rees: Rampaging Baby Rhino Ellis Genge in the form of his life
Paul Rees on how Ellis Genge is driving Bristol Bears - and England - in the right direction. The post Paul Rees: Rampaging Baby Rhino Ellis Genge in the form of his life appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Buchanan echoes the thoughts of many
WALES have not beaten England in the Six Nations at Twickenham since 2012. If they will not be going into next month’s encounter there as favourites having been whitewashed in the last two championships, their problems on the field are little compared with the ructions off it. The Central Glamorgan Rugby Union, who represent clubs […] The post Buchanan echoes the thoughts of many appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Leaders Albion dull the roar of the Lions
Leicester L ......17 Plymouth A .... 47 By MALCOLM WRIGHT FORM side Plymouth Albion tightened their position at the summit, with a stylish sabre-toothed attacking show at losing hosts Leicester Lions. Brace-scoring trio Jack Oulton, Lucas Gulley and Morgan Stone displayed the very clinical edge that has seen Albion surprise soar to the top of […] The post Leaders Albion dull the roar of the Lions appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Down-stream TJs flooded by Rams
Tonbridge J ...........33 Rams ........................35 By GARETH WITHERS WHEN IT RAINS it clearly pours at Tonbridge Juddians’ Slade home, after an afternoon starting with a flooded pitch and ending with a leaky defeat to Rams. For the second week, TJs were forced to play on their 3G training facility. A move they would rue, after […] The post Down-stream TJs flooded by Rams appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Titans capitalise in tantalising taunt
Bishop’s S ...............27 Rotherham T .........35 By JOHN ALLANSON ILL-DISCIPLINE was the key factor that let Bishop’s Stortford down, after travelling party Rotherham Titans romped to victory. The Titans rallied to a 13-point lead within the first 18 minutes. Two penalties, a try and conversion all belonged to Richard Hayes. Stortford, though struck back with […] The post Titans capitalise in tantalising taunt appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Park shine to abandon Blackheath in darkness
By CHARLIE WHITE Rosslyn Park ...36pts Tries: Stanton 22, King 37, Digby 43, Piper 63, Smith 79 Conversions: Johnston 23, 38, 44, 80 Penalty: Johnston 40 Blackheath ......19pts Tries: Harding 7, 48; Osborne 55 Conversions: Morley 8, 56 ROSSLYN PARK secured a brutish victory over Blackheath, as a historic rivalry once again delivered intensity, drama […] The post Park shine to abandon Blackheath in darkness appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Lavender and Blacks gather at the back to battle on
Clifton ......................24 Sedgley Park ........ 10 By ROGER OPIE HOSTS CLIFTON displayed a defensive determination to keep Sedgley Park at bay, carving out a deserved home victory. The Tigers showed early doggedness and, after three attempts from catch and drives, Ben Gregory found the line to open the the visitors’ account. A seemingly even first […] The post Lavender and Blacks gather at the back to battle on appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Longstaff seals it at the end for Sale
Leeds Tykes ..........14 Sale FC..................... 19 By MARK DOCHERTY KILLER INSTINCT was the difference as Sale FC overcame strugglers Leeds Tykes, sealing victory through Alfie Longstaff ’s late finish. The favoured visitors were put under the pump throughout, quickly too, as they were tested early when the two sides traded blows. Tykes’ captain Ben Dixon’s […] The post Longstaff seals it at the end for Sale appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Crusaders keep on going until end
Dings Crusaders ..25 B Moseley .............. 19 By LILLEE O’CALLAGHAN DINGS CRUSADERS secured a slim victory over Birmingham Moseley, in a hotly contested encounter at Shaftesbury Park. Moseley woke up early in the third minute, when Sam Clarke exploited a gap in the Dings defensive line to run over, before Jack Jolly converted. Dings then […] The post Crusaders keep on going until end appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Prop’s script is flipped to help author Albion’s Pullinger prize
By BEN JAYCOCK PLYMOUTH Albion prop Dan Pullinger admits it feels odd seeing his beloved club sit top of National League 1, but says the position is a deserved reward for years of hard graft at Brickfields. After spending recent seasons scrapping at the wrong end of the table, Albion’s surge into the promotion picture […] The post Prop’s script is flipped to help author Albion’s Pullinger prize appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Hull hold on to see off Fylde in a true nail-biter
Hull.....................27 Fylde..................26 By RICHARD GORE THIS was a close game which went down to the final seconds and won by a Hull side that carried on from where it left off last week. Fylde took the lead after five minutes with a try from Mike Walton, converted by Danny Cassidy. Hull responded with a Reece […] The post Hull hold on to see off Fylde in a true nail-biter appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Caudle deserves defensive Oscar!
Tynedale.................14 Sheffield Tigers...... 7 By BRIAN TILLEY FREEZING conditions produced a treacherous surface and a slippery ball, but Tynedale somehow managed to hang on for an unlikely victory, despite being under the cosh for much of the game. The Tigers dominated territory and possession, with some good lines run by Will Baker, Ben Manderfield and […] The post Caudle deserves defensive Oscar! appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
By George! Dale owe it to Hedgley
Wharfedale............32 Otley..........................14 By EDWIN WILLIAMS A LARGE crowd was treated to cracking, entertaining rugby, with the home team dominating for long spells and taking the five points. With George Hedgley providing the inspiration, Dale opened the scoring when Oli Cicognini ran on to a simple pass and burst through to touch down. Archie Haddon added […] The post By George! Dale owe it to Hedgley appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Kieran is so cool as Dale edge key clash
Scunthorpe......... 7pts Rossendale......13pts By GARETH LYONS Well held: Jonny Leota is stopped short KIERAN Tyrer kept his nerve with two second-half penalties as Rossendale edged a tight, nervy affair against relegation rivals Scunthorpe. In a game which neither team could afford to lose, Rossendale just about shaded the contest, playing the heavy conditions better. In […] The post Kieran is so cool as Dale edge key clash appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Double delight for Darlington as rivals stumble
Darlington MP.......45 Billingham..............35 By IAN MORRIS DARLINGTON Mowden Park overcame a sluggish start to complete the season double over local rivals Billingham in a classic ‘game of two halves’. The visitors dominated the opening 40 minutes. Exploiting an error-prone DMP, Billingham crossed over with two tries from Eldon Myers and one from Kieran Clark, while […] The post Double delight for Darlington as rivals stumble appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Macc are worked hard by Hoppers
Macclesfield .........38 Preston G ................26 By JEAN BULL GIVEN the two teams’ respective runs and positions in the league you could have been forgiven for thinking this would be a walkover for Macc – but it was anything but! The home the team looked rusty in an error-filled scrappy display by both sides. Macc opened […] The post Macc are worked hard by Hoppers appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Hooper helps the leaders ease home
Sheffield .................26 Hull Ionians ........... 17 By TOM BARRY SHEFFIELD kept their impressive form from 2025 on track with another bonus-point win over Hull Ionians. They definitely did not have it all their own way, though, as Ionians had a very impressive third quarter that nearly had the league leaders looking down the barrel at […] The post Hooper helps the leaders ease home appeared first on The Rugby Paper.