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Thursday, Dec 11

17

Leo Cullen on why perfection isn’t realistic after Leinster’s seven-try Champions Cup win over Harlequins

For many in the Leinster camp, it feels like the start of the season with the return of the international players Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Joe McCarthy, who all put in impressive individual performances over last Saturday’s 45-28 bonus…

14

The biggest rugby events in the UK and Ireland in 2026

Every year, rugby has their big matches and tournaments that every fan of the sport is looking forward to. This year, both the UK and Ireland will host the best international squads in the world in two different competitions, plus we’ll…

Biggest Loses in NRL History

There’s nothing like a 60-point loss in an NRL game. Each season features a few lopsided scorelines, but some matches stand out, leaving fans shocked for years. This overview highlights the largest losses in league history, featuring the…

Top 5 hair transplant clinics in Turkey 2026

For many people, hair loss means a significant loss of self-confidence and quality of life. A hair transplant is therefore much more than just a cosmetic procedure – for many sufferers, it is a step towards rediscovering themselves. Turkey…

Tuesday, Dec 9

18

European Rugby Champions Cup: Full Tournament Preview and Key Contenders

Introduction: A New European Rugby Season Begins The 2025-26 European Rugby Champions Cup is back. Starting on December 5th, the club rugby competition in Europe combines English Premiership, French Top 14, and United Rugby Champions.…

Football Betting Trends in Different Countries Around the World

Football’s status as the world’s game is undisputed, with billions of fans following their favourite clubs and national teams across continents. In plenty of countries, football slips into daily routines, shaping how people spend weekends,…

Monday, Dec 8

14

The Top South African No-Deposit for 2025

As online gambling continues to grow rapidly in South Africa, players are increasingly seeking reliable, transparent and trustworthy information to guide their choices. With new casinos launching and bonus offerings constantly changing,…

Sunday, Dec 7

06

Alex Sanderson says it is ‘criminal’ to devalue the scrum

Alex Sanderson has called on World Rugby to allow teams to exploit their dominance in the scrum amid calls for change after South Africa’s power up front led to two Ireland props being sin-binned in Dublin.

05

England head coach Steve Borthwick hopes it will be fifth time lucky at 2027 Rugby World Cup

Steve Borthwick has been around the World Cup block a few times and knows his England side have to keep on winning tight games if he is to make it fifth time lucky – despite their dream draw.

Wales drawn with England in Rugby World Cup pool

Fierce Six Nations rivals England and Wales will clash in the pool stage of the 2027 World Cup.

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth gets 12-week ban for eye gouge

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has been banned for 12 weeks for an eye gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann.

No action taken over Tom Curry & Felipe Contepomi row in England-Argentina Test match

England flanker Tom Curry will not face punishment for a tunnel row with Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi following last month’s Test at Twickenham.

Northampton Saints full-back George Furbank fighting fit on his new fish diet

George Furbank has put the frustrations of the last year behind him as he looks to regain his place in the England squad and make a pitch for the 2027 World Cup.

England ace Brown takes charge at Esher

FORMER England fullback Mike Brown has been appointed as sporting director at National One club Esher, replacing Peter Winterbottom who has stepped down as director of rugby after 10 years. Brown has over 20 years of top flight experience,…

Gloucester aim to build momentum in Europe, says Ben Redshaw

Ben Redshaw wants Gloucester to use last weekend’s Prem victory over Harlequins as a springboard when they welcome Castres today in the Champions Cup.

Pumas knew risks of emptying bench

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: newsdesk@therugbypaper.co.uk I CONSIDER Peter Jackson’s musings on the game to be thoughtful, insightful and considered – but he got it wrong…

WRU acts like it has a death wish

ALTHOUGH supporters of Welsh rugby will have suspected it for some time, there is evidence to suggest the WRU has a death wish! They are wedded to the idea that, if you get the finances right, playing success will automatically (and…

How Scotland put a lock on New Zealand-born utility back Tom Jordan

Tom Jordan came to the UK as a 21-year-old for the experience and ended up staying after the pandemic struck.

England prop Asher ruled out for six weeks

SALE and England prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is set to miss the next six weeks with an elbow injury sustained in last week’s defeat by Exeter. The 21-year-old, who featured in two of England’s four internationals last month, has started all…

Two-match ban for Saints flyer Todaro

NORTHAMPTON wing Edoardo Todaro has been suspended for two games following his red card against Bristol last Saturday. The 19-year-old Italy international was sent off for 20 minutes for a dangerous aerial tackle on Sam Worsley early in…

DREAMTEAM

HAYES, FORMER CHESTER, CALDY, CHESHIRE AND ENGLAND COUNTIES FLY-HALF/FULL-BACK, WHO IS NOW HEAD COACH OF CHESTER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH... 1. Joe Sproston – Played age-grade rugby together at Mold and later teamed up again…

Jeremy Guscott: England short of World XV starters

The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw held last week in Sydney produced a good result for England, mainly because Wales, their main rivals in Pool F, are going through a rough period.

Saracens 47-10 Clermont Auvergne: Elliot Daly’s star of the show as Sarries open in style

Elliot Daly showed there is plenty of life in the old dog yet as Saracens opened their Champions Cup account with a seven-try destruction of Clermont.

Toulouse v Sharks: Visitors will fight hard to send John Plumtree off with a victory

Record six-time winners Toulouse launch their Champions Cup title pursuit today with several star players returning to a fixture that will also mark John Plumtree’s final match in charge of Sharks.

Sale Sharks 21-26 Glasgow Warriors: Sharks reeled in by rugged Warriors

Sale Sharks has proved a notoriously difficult venue for visiting teams, as evidenced by their outstanding home record in recent years.

Everitt’s relishing return to top table

■By BEN JAYCOCK Preview Edinburgh v Toulon Today. 5.30pm EDINBURGH are buoyed by the return of two British & Irish Lions as they look to make an early statement in Europe against Toulon today. Wing Darcy Graham and hooker Ewan Ashman…

Bath 40-14 Munster: Johann van Graan’s side issue a warning to Europe elite

Bath issued a thunderous statement to Europe’s elite as they ruthlessly swept Munster aside at a rain-soaked Rec.

Gloucester v Castres: George Skivington – Nine-week block key to season

Gloucester launch their Champions Cup campaign today aiming to build on their recent revival against Castres.

Nick Cain: Selection skills key to delivering big prizes for Steve Borthwick’s England

Where does England’s 4-0 Autumn Series success over southern hemisphere opposition leave them? The answer is having to take the next step of delivering a Grand Slam in the 2026 Six Nations.

Nick Cain: Recruiting Benhard Janse van Rensburg sends out the wrong message

The decision by the RFU to petition World Rugby for Bristol’s South African-born-and-bred centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg to be granted a switch of international allegiance to England under an “exceptional circumstances” dispensation is…