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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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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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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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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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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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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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Diamond happy as Falcons sign Japan back rower

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:05 +0000

NEWS EXTRA NEWCASTLE have signed veteran Canon Eagles back rower Amanaki Mafi on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old Japan international previously had a short stint in the Premiership with Bath in 2016. “Amanaki is a big ball carrier with great footwork and an offloading game, and someone who will get our fans off their seats,” […]

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Charles Rylands: We need a repeat of the 2015 Championship drama

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:04 +0000

Many readers will recall the Championship final second leg between Worcester and Bristol broadcast live on Sky Sports where Chris Pennell’s try set the stage for former England international Ryan Lamb’s last gasp conversion to deny Bristol promotion and send Worcester straight back into the top flight. That is the kind of drama and jeopardy […]

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Read scores three as Havant ease to big win

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:59:00 +0000

■ By BEN JAYCOCK HAVANT blew Bracknell away in the second quarter with five well worked tries that gave a platform for a solid victory. Lots of new players on both sides contributed to an entertaining preseason match. The first 20 minutes were very competitive, and both sides showed endeavour, but chances weren’t taken. Havant […]

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PWR starts with a fierce repeat final

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:58:59 +0000

■ By BEN JAYCOCK PWR champions Gloucester-Hartpury and last season’s runners-up Saracens reignite their rivalry in the opening round of next season’s Premiership Women’s Rugby. That clash on Sunday, October 26, ends an intriguing opening weekend of action which begins on the Friday night at The Stoop, where Harlequins will host Loughborough Lightning. Elsewhere that […]

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Pre-season fixtures

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:58:58 +0000

It is advisable to check matches and kick-off times with the clubs THU AUG 14 Neath v Gorseinon (7.30pm) FRI AUG 15 Rotherham Titans v Hull Ionians (7.45pm), Bedford Blues v Blackheath (7.45pm), Old Redcliffians v Bargoed v Henley Hawks (trimatch) (2pm), Macclesfield v Sale FC (7.45pm) SAT AUG 16 Taunton Titans v Clifton (3pm), […]

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Once again, officials fail to punish the Lions

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:58:57 +0000

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME SO the tour is over, and the Lions return home happy at a result that perhaps they didn’t really deserve, winning two of the three Tests – particularly as, yet again, match officials failed to punish the Lions for on field law breaking. Leinster hooker Dan […]

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Invest in sevens to win over US -Friday

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:58:56 +0000

■ By BEN JAYCOCK MIKE Friday says poor marketing, an inconsistent domestic competition, and unrealistic expectations surrounding 15s is hindering rugby’s progress in America. The Major League Rugby (MLR) season recently finished, and while the former USA Sevens coach acknowledges that there has been improvement in the on-field product, Friday points to deeper structural and […]

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Ponsonby adds her class to T’finders

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:58:55 +0000

TRAILFINDERS Women have signed New Zealand hooker Georgia Ponsonby. Ponsonby, who has 31 caps, was part of the team that won the 2022 World Cup. New Zealand teammate Alana Borland is also joining Trailfinders. Ponsonby, 25, said: “I’m stoked to be joining Trail-finders. It’s an evolving team with exciting talent and a great culture.” Ponsonby […]

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I aim to be passionate and purposeful

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:58:54 +0000

Coach to coach Steve Hill talks to Sean Scanlon, below, head coach at Dronfield RFC in Regional 2 Midlands North (L6) What is your playing background/history? I played for Ireland U20s, Munster, Rotherham Titans, Doncaster Knights and Nottingham. Why did you get into coaching rugby and what was your journey to arrive at your current […]

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Time for France

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:58:53 +0000

JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN IT’S HOT in France right now. Very hot. Weather alerts were issued for the entire southern half of the country for high temperatures yesterday – with the mercury expected to top out at around 40C in some places. Temperatures stayed high long after sunset. In Mont-de-Marsan, where France faced England in […]

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Fantasy Rugby 2025-26 – Enter Now

admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 05:39:34 +0000

For the latest updates and tables follow this link Do you fancy yourself as a Fantasy Rugby expert? Well, here is your chance to prove it as The Rugby Paper launches the TRP Fantasy Rugby Competition for the 2025/26 Season. What is so special about this fantasy competition? Well, you don’t pick players in this […]

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Trailblazing Referee Sara Cox on Breaking Barriers and Inspiring the Next Generation in Rugby

The Rugby Paper Team — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:39:23 +0000

As one of the UK’s most recognisable rugby sports speakers, Sara Cox has redefined what’s possible in officiating. From becoming the first woman to referee a men’s Premiership Rugby match to earning global recognition for her trailblazing achievements, Sara has broken barriers at every stage of her career. In this exclusive interview with The Champions […]

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British and Irish Lions: Andy Farrell looks poised for a repeat in 2029

Adam Hathaway — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:00:00 +0000

Andy Farrell watched his Lions go down 22-12 to Australia in their final game down under then refused to rule out another shift as head coach. The tourists had the series wrapped up after last weekend’s 29-26 win in Melbourne but had their hopes of a whitewash drowned in a Sydney deluge. Lightning delayed the […]

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World Rugby Chief Executive – 2027 World Cup will be competitive

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 02:59:59 +0000

World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has hit back claims that the next men’s global tournament in Australia in 2027 will be full of mismatches. The number of teams has been expanded from 20 to 24 for that version of the World Cup with a round of 16 introduced. Hong Kong China, Spain, Zimbabwe and […]

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British and Irish Lions: I’ve learnt new way to play, says Finn Russell

Adam Hathaway — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 02:59:58 +0000

Finn Russell has proved yet again he is the man for the big occasion on the current Lions tour – capping the best campaign of his career. The 32-year-old joined the Lions in Dublin, ahead of the flight to Australia, as Premiership and Challenge Cup winner with Bath, his first major trophies for a decade. […]

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Louis Rees-Zammit is on his way home

The Rugby Paper Team — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 02:59:57 +0000

Wales and Lions wing Louis Rees-Zammit is returning to rugby union 18 months after he sensationally quit the game to pursue a career playing American football. Rees-Zammit, right, had spells with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not play in a regular-season game. The former Gloucester ace, 24, who has 32 Wales […]

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