The Rugby Paper

Red Bull complete ‘landmark’ deal to take over Newcastle Falcons

The Rugby Paper Team — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:28:32 +0000

Energy drinks company Red Bull has completed its takeover of Newcastle Falcons. The Gallagher PREM club, who will continue to play at Kingston Park and retain Steve Diamond as director of rugby, will now be known as Newcastle Red Bulls. Red Bull has aspirations for the team to compete for trophies in England and Europe […]

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Joe Santamaria: New South American faces in PREM Rugby this season

The Rugby Paper Team — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 09:01:25 +0000

As the new Prem season draws near and teams begin to finalise their squads, The Rugby Paper takes a look at two South Americans preparing to make a splash, and three more who could follow them. Joaquín Moro Argentina back rower Joaquín Moro has already arrived in Leicester, becoming the latest in a long line […]

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Pete Ryan: Freddie Thomas set to be a star of the future for Welsh Rugby

The Rugby Paper Team — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:44:03 +0000

A fresh slate for a proud rugby nation, new faces will be looking to make a massive impact. Steve Tandy will take the helm to bring Wales back to prosperity. There are many young talents that Tandy should look forward to working with. One of those players is Freddie Thomas—a relentless forward who looks to […]

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The Prem is entering a new era this season, and so is Scotland’s Tom Jordan

The Rugby Paper Team — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:43:48 +0000

A player with a fascinating career is adding a fresh chapter as he makes the move to Ashton Gate this season. Jordan is a quality operator and is sure to make a significant contribution to the strong Bristol Bears side. Over recent years, we have seen players come to England and make a real difference. […]

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Pete Ryan: Ellis Genge – The unsung hero of the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour

The Rugby Paper Team — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:07:56 +0000

Big players step up on the biggest stages, giving their all when the pressure is at its highest. It doesn’t get much bigger than a Lions tour. Four years of hard work culminated in a monumental tour, and as the curtain fell on the 2025 season, many rose to the occasion. Few did so quite […]

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Ben Youngs gives his backing for R360 League

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 03:00:00 +0000

Ben Youngs claims the proposed breakaway league R360 could be just what rugby needs to help give it a major “shake up and reshuffle”. The former England, Lions and Leicester Tigers scrum-half feels the game could benefit from the ambitious new plan to try and help boost its financial and worldwide status. Mike Tindall is […]

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British and Irish Lions Chief: No quotas on squad selection

Adam Hathaway — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:58 +0000

Andy Farrell has been given the green light to pack his squad with Irishman again – if he gets the Lions head coach’s gig in four years’ time. Farrell, who oversaw the 2-1 win over the Wallabies in the tour that finished last Saturday, is hot favourite to do the job for a second time […]

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Leading sports scientists calls for more holistic approach to welfare

Ben Jaycock — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:57 +0000

Leading sports scientist Stephen Smith believes World Rugby’s guidelines on the maximum number of appearances made in a season are too blunt an instrument and instead urges the governing body to operate with more of a holistic approach. Smith is the CEO & Founder of Kitman Labs, who partner with Premiership Rugby, British & Irish […]

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I’ve learnt a lot from the Lions – Ben Earl

Adam Hathaway — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:56 +0000

Ben Earl looked back on the summer when he became a Test Lion and revealed England will get an improved player back in time for the November internationals. The Saracen came off the bench in the first and third Tests as well as being involved in five other games, the opener in Dublin against Argentina […]

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Lions Tour was my best trip ever, says Bundee Aki

Adam Hathaway — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:55 +0000

Bundee Aki had an eventful Lions tour to Australia, on and off the pitch, but rated the trip down under as the best experience of his rugby life. The Ireland centre had a mixed bag, starting the last two Test and coming off the bench in the first but could have been excused if his […]

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Dragons swoop for scrum-half Niall Armstrong

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:54 +0000

Dragons have signed Irish scrum-half Niall Armstrong after his departure from Exeter at the end of last season. The 25-year-old has trained with the Rodney Parade side throughout pre-season and replaces Dane Blacker, who has returned to Scarlets. The Belfast-born scrum-half, who made 20 appearances for Exeter, will contest the No.9 jersey with Wales international […]

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Dan Cole offered new role at Leicester Tigers

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:53 +0000

Former Leicester and England prop Dan Cole has become the recruitment and retention manager at Welford Road under new head coach – and former Tigers teammate – Geoff Parling. Cole, 38, who retired after the Premiership final loss against Bath in June, will sit on a newly created recruitment and retention committee. Cole’s newly created […]

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Marlie Packer available for World Cup opener

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:52 +0000

Flanker Marlie Packer will not miss the start of England’s home Women’s World Cup after she was given a one-match ban for a red card against Spain. The 35-year-old was sent off in the 97-7 win last Saturday for a clearout that caught the leg of full-back Claudia Pena. Packer missed England’s final warm-up in […]

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Steve Tandy is ready to take the criticism as new Wales head coach

Simon Thomas — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:51 +0000

Steve Tandy says he is ready to deal with the criticism which will inevitably come his way as Wales head coach. The 45-year-old will be firmly in the spotlight in his new high-profile role and admits the extensive media duties which come with the job will be a challenge. But the former Ospreys, Waratahs, Scotland […]

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Louis Rees-Zammit tipped to get better by Jonathan Davies

Ben Jaycock — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:50 +0000

Jonathan Davies believes the best is yet to come from returning Welsh superstar Louis Rees-Zammit, who he feels can be the poster boy for Wales once more. Davies won 96 caps for Wales between 2009-22 and feels the Welsh national team’s spirits have been lifted through Rees-Zammit’s return from the NFL at a pivotal time […]

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Jason Robinson is full of praise for Henry Pollock

Gary Fitzgerald — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:49 +0000

Henry Pollock has become so box office even Jason Robinson loves watching the England youngster strut his stuff on the field. Youngster Pollock followed up his sudden burst onto the Premiership scene with Northampton Saints by showing the same self-belief and lack of fear on the huge international stage. The 20-year-old - tipped to become […]

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Australian Rugby cancel Giteau’s Law

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:48 +0000

Australian rugby officials have announced the removal of the so-called “Giteau’s Law”, which had previously limited the number of overseas-based players Wallabies coaches could select. Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies avoided the whitewash last Saturday by beating the Lions 22-12 in the third Test – a shot in the arm ahead of the home World Cup in […]

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Four-week ban for Dan Sheehan

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:47 +0000

Hooker Dan Sheehan has been banned for four matches, which will be reduced to three if he completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention, for a “reckless” clearout in the Lions’ third Test defeat by Australia. The 26-year-old, below, was cited post-game for a first-half clearout that appeared to make contact with the head of Australia flyhalf […]

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Poppy Leitch calls for PWR clubs to work with universities

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:39 +0000

Poppy Leitch believes her England Students side can plug a crucial gap in the women’s pathway, having previously been overlooked. The former Exeter and England lock retired aged 27 in May following repeated injuries. She then became the Devonians’ first women’s Under-23s coach, overseeing young players coming into the club. Leitch, whose last England cap […]

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Jeremy Guscott: Once a Lions series is won, it’s hard to go again

Jeremy Guscott — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:38 +0000

The sports science and analysis available in the game now would almost certainly tell us that the Lions were not anywhere near physically done when they played Australia in the third Test in Sydney last weekend. However, it is the mental stuff that you cannot measure as easily. Where you could programme a robot to […]

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Gladiator Meg Jones gets ready to go to war at Women’s World Cup

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:37 +0000

England's Meg Jones is polishing her weapons and suiting up to step out in the ultimate gladiator arena this summer. The 28-year-old is part of John Mitchell’s Red Roses squad for the upcoming 2025 Rugby World Cup, which will take place on English soil. The event will travel the country, dotting down in seven host […]

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Canada prove too good for Ireland with clinical attacking display

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:36 +0000

Ireland..............26 Canada ............ 47 Canada produced a clinical attacking display to claim victory over Ireland at Ulster’s Kingspan Stadium yesterday, running in seven tries in a free-flowing encounter. Saracens back row Sophie De Goede, who finished with 17 points for Canada, said: “We knew Ireland would have purple patches but we stuck to our gameplan […]

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England 40-6 France: Ruthless forward power drives Red Roses to victory in final World Cup warm-up

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:35 +0000

France.................. 6pts Penalties: Bourgeois 35, 43 England .............40pts Tries: Talling 3, Cokayne 15, Muir 37, Jones 47, Davies 74, 77 Conversions: Harrison 16, 38, 48, 75, 78 England's formidable record against France rolls on as John Mitchell’s side geared up for their World Cup opener against the USA on Friday, August 24 with a convincing […]

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Nick Cain: Wallabies paid price for unprofessionalism during Lions Tour

Nick Cain — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:34 +0000

The Lions are back on the winning trail, but the high stakes surrounding the 2025 tour, whether sporting or commercial, means that getting an objective appraisal of its impact and benefits is no longer as straightforward as looking at a win-loss ledger. Despite record profits for the tour being projected, with cash-strapped Rugby Australia alone […]

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Nick Cain: No return to Australia for the Lions without legal guarantees

Nick Cain — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:33 +0000

Should Australia get the Lions back in 12 years? The answer is that Rugby Australia would have to commit to a far more competitive pre-Test itinerary than it provided in 2025, and it would have to be legally binding. Without that, the answer should be no. There is also no guarantee that even with the […]

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Leicester’s all-time XV: Talented Tigers burning bright

Brendan Gallagher — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:32 +0000

What would be the greatest All-time XV your club could field if you could travel back in time and select everybody playing in their pomp? Brendan Gallagher continues his series doing precisely that for the ten Premiership sides, selecting Dream Teams for all concerned. Preference will generally be given to those who had a reasonably […]

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Charlie Hodgson transfers his rugby skills to business

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:31 +0000

As England’s all-time leading Premiership points scorer, Charlie Hodgson’s impact on British rugby is undisputed. With a decorated career spanning over a decade at Sale Sharks and Saracens, Hodgson earned 38 caps for England and played a crucial role in multiple Premiership and European victories. Renowned for his strategic vision as a fly-half and his […]

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Dream Team – George Boulton

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:30 +0000

George Boulton, the Dings Crusaders captain and former Hartpury and Cinderford inside centre, chooses the best XV he has played with or against... 1. George Porter – Happiness himself. Has a great sense of humour and is an all-round polite chap. Probably the best loosehead in the National Leagues on his day at Cinderford. Terrible […]

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Chris Hewett: Andy Farrell not alone with his ‘home’ Lions selections

Chris Hewett — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:29 +0000

“There's an epidemic sweeping through the England team, but it isn’t catching.” Attributed to John Arlott (who else?), the exquisite one-liner sprang to mind as a flurry of butterfingered spillages helped India build their winning second innings total at The Oval last weekend. On the other side of the world, meanwhile, there was something highly […]

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Chris Hewett: Wallabies make the obvious choice with Giteau Law change

Chris Hewett — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:28 +0000

Inevitable. Had to happen. Written in the stars. Quite why the Australian rugby hierarchy spent so long umming and aaahhing about picking Wallaby-class players from overseas is a mystery that passeth all understanding, for the very good reason that without them, there were never enough Wallaby-class players to fill a team. As of now, the […]

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Peter Jackson: The British and Irish Lions fail to impress Paul Turner

Peter Jackson — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:26 +0000

From the early days in Newbridge through to Sale’s rise as champions of England, Paul Turner has built an admirable track record for innovation, an endless quest to make the game more entertaining. He saw none of that from the Lions in Australia. “Boring rugby from the Lions,’’ Turner wrote on X. “No invention. No […]

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Sharks tale will concern 2031 hosts

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:25 +0000

ON Monday, Major League Rugby announced the winner of their inguaural executive of the year award: Milagros Cubelli, CEO of the Miami Sharks. “I have a strong background in entertainment and production,’’ she said. “We are a new team so you have to be smart in how you use your resources.’’ On Tuesday, The Guardian […]

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Stewart McKinney recalls the brutal Lions days of ’74

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:24 +0000

Long before the Lions failed to turn up in Sydney for their shot at something historic, one of their Old Invincibles had no choice but to give it a miss. Back home in Dungannon, Stewart McKinney did so for reasons far removed from any anxiety at the prospect of watching a Lions squad complete an […]

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Paul Rees: Money was the theme for the Lions – and that will not change

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:23 +0000

Paul Rees says that, as the Lions chase every pound, the home unions can't complain if players do the same As weary Lions’ supporters, some 40,000 of them, returned home last week broke but satisfied, they received an e-mail inviting them to fork out on a limited edition watch to commemorate the series victory. Called […]

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Prem Rugby Transfers: Five key signings show way for Bath

Ben Jaycock — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:21 +0000

Ben Jaycock assesses the comings and goings in the transfer market as the Premiership prepares for the coming season With the 2025/26 Premiership campaign looming, Bath find themselves in unfamiliar territory as the team to beat, and as a result, Johann van Graan’s side have bolstered their squad even further. Rather than overhaul a winning […]

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Premiership Transfers 2025/26 – Bath

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:20 +0000

In: Dan Frost (Exeter Chiefs), Bernard van der Linde (Bulls), Santiago Carreras (Gloucester), Henry Arundell (Racing 92), Chris Harris (Gloucester) Out: Codi Purnell (Dragons), Mackenzie Graham (Coventry), Ruaridh McConnochie (retired), Rory Crum (released), Josh Dingley (released), Archie Stanley (released), Raff Weston (released), Niall Annett (retired), Arthur Cordwell (retired), Hame Faiva (released), Luke Graham (Rams), Will […]

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BRISTOL BEARS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:19 +0000

Pedro Rubiolo In: Tom Jordan (Glasgow Warriors), Pedro Rubiolo (Newcastle Falcons), Max Pepper (Newcastle Falcons), Josh Carrington (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Will Ramply (University of Nottingham), Luka Ivanishvili (Black Lion) Out: Max Malins (Saracens), Jake Heenan (Northland), Jacob Cusick (released), Siva Naulago (released), Harry ry Rowson (released), Yann Thomas (released), Andrew Turner (Doncaster Knights), Aaron Tull […]

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EXETER CHIEFS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:18 +0000

Joseph Dweba In: Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies), Joseph Dweba (Stormers), Stephen Varney (Vannes), Julian Heaven (NSW Waratahs), Charlie Chapman (Gloucester), Len Ikitau (ACT Brumbies), Andrea Zambonin (Zebre Parma), Bachuki Tchumbadze (Black Lion) Out: Dan Frost (Bath), Marcus Street (Saracens), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Jack Innard (Gloucester), Jacques Vermeulen (Sale Sharks), Chester Ribbons (Cornish Pirates), Sam Maunder […]

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LEICESTER TIGERS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:17 +0000

Jamie Blamire In: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints), Wilf McCarthy (Hartpury University), Joaquin Moro (Pampas XV), Charlie Titcombe (Scarlets), Ollie Allan (promoted), Lewis Chessum (promoted), Archie van der Flier (promoted), Josh Manz (promoted), Cameron Miell (promoted), Orlando Bailey (Bath), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Cardiff), James O’Connor (Crusaders), Billy Searle (Agen), John Stewart (Bath), James […]

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NEWCASTLE FALCONS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:16 +0000

Freddie Clarke In: Ethan Grayson (San Diego Legion), George McGuigan (Ospreys), Jamie Hodgson (Edinburgh), Freddie Clarke (Gloucester), Amanaki Mafi (Canon Eagles) Out: Pedro Rubiolo (Bristol Bears), Max Pepper (Bristol Bears), Ben Redshaw (Gloucester), Callum Chick (Northampton Saints), Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers), Josh Bainbridge (Doncaster Knights), Louis Brown (Worcester Warriors), Oscar Stott (Nottingham), Ben Stevenson (Vannes), […]

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NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:15 +0000

In: Cleopas Kundiona (Nevers), Amena Caqusau (Glasgow Warriors), Danilo Fischetti (Zebre Parma), Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons), Anthony Belleau (Clermont), JJ van der Mescht (Stade Français), James Martin (Coventry), Aidan Pugh (Bath) Out: Juarno Augustus (Ulster), Reuben Logan (Sale Sharks), Temo Mayanavanua (Fijian Drua), Tarek Haffar (Leicester Tigers), Charlie Savala (Glasgow Warriors), Ewan Baker (Coventry), Tom […]

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GLOUCESTER

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:14 +0000

Will Joseph In: Will Joseph (Harlequins), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Ben Loader (Stormers), James Venter (Sharks), Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons), Jack Mann (Glasgow Warriors), Will Trenholm (Harlequins), Mike Austin (Hartpury University), Josh Basham (Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks), Hugh Bokenham (Cornish Pirates), Rob Russell (Leinster), Nepo Laulala (Toulouse), Jono Benz-Salomon (Hartpury University), Danny […]

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HARLEQUINS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:13 +0000

Kieran Treadwell In: Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Guido Petti (Bordeaux), Harry Williams (Pau), George Turner (Kobelco Kobe Steelers), Stu Townsend (Exeter Chiefs), Max Green (Périgueux) Out: Nathan Jibulu (Sale Sharks), Will Joseph (Gloucester), Dillon Lewis (Dragons), Irné Herbst (Brive), Will Trenholm (Gloucester), Danny Care (retired), Wyn Jones (Dragons), Caleb Ashworth (released), Charlie Claire (released), Lewis Gjaltema […]

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SALE SHARKS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:12 +0000

In: Nathan Jibulu (Harlequins), Marius Louw (Lions), Jacques Vermeulen (Exeter Chiefs), Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints) Out: Josh Beaumont (retired), Tommy Taylor (retired), Ross Harrison (released), Harry Thompson (Ealing Trailfinders), Jean-Luc du Preez (Bordeaux), Jonny Hill (Racing 92), Will Addison (Sale FC) Nathan Jibulu ... Continue reading... Access all our premium content from as little as […]

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SARACENS

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:11 +0000

Max Malins In: Max Malins (Bristol Bears), Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs), Vilikesa Nairau (Coventry), Tietie Tuimauga (Montauban), Owen Farrell (Racing 92) Out: James Talamai (Dragons), Ollie Hoskins (retired), Sam Crean (Ulster), Liam Williams (released), Tiff Eden (Worcester Warriors), Fraser Balmain (Worcester Warriors), Josh Hallett (released), Alex Goode (retired), Finn Bloomer (released), Declan Murphy (released) ... […]

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It’s the people you meet that make the difference

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:10 +0000

MY LIFEIN RUGBY STEVE BODEN THE FORMER DONCASTER, LEEDS AND JERSEY HOOKER AND COACH, WHO IS NOW COACHING AT COVENTRY WHEN I left Doncaster as both a player and a coach, I quickly realised that in sport, what matters most are the people, not necessarily the club itself. In professional sport you’re ultimately an employee […]

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Brendan Gallagher: British and Irish Lions tour no longer rugby’s Everest

Brendan Gallagher — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:09 +0000

The dust is beginning to settle on the 2025 Lions tour and that is a process that should be encouraged and indeed accelerated. One of the problems with Lions rugby is that it occupies too much of our rugby consciousness to the detriment of everything else. It uses up too many gigabytes. Already, for example, […]

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Pat Lam’s philosophy: You get punched, you get back up, and you go again

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:08 +0000

Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Premiership season, with the focus this week on Bristol Bears Bristol started the regular season with a bonus point victory and ended it in the same manner to secure fourth place and a trip to Bath in the play-offs. The Bears were the Premiership’s extrovert entertainers, securing […]

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Georgia prove too strong for England U18s

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:07 +0000

■ By BEN JAYCOCK Georgia...............35pts England..............31pts On the run: England U18’s Hugh Shields PICTURE: Gallo Images ENGLAND U18s suffered a defeat in the first of three games on tour in South Africa as Georgia secured an impressive victory over Jonathan Pendlebury’s side. Captain Declan Treacey admitted his side were impressed by the power of Georgia’s […]

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Oundle building a smart pathway

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:06 +0000

Ben Jaycock talks to coach Andy Key about the challenges of playing at level 4 after promotion from Regional 1 S-East OUNDLE will be testing themselves in the National Leagues for the first time next season, and coach Andy Key says the club are “chomping at the bit” to get stuck into level 4. The […]

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