• Steve Borthwick refuses to guarantee Henry Pollock an England start after hat-trick heroics

    Steve Borthwick refuses to guarantee Henry Pollock an England start after hat-trick heroics
    Henry Pollock scored a hat-trick off the bench as England bounced back against Fiji – but Steve Borthwick refused to guarantee the Northampton Saints star a starting spot against Argentina.
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  • Start with Pollock? Let’s see, says chief

    Start with Pollock? Let’s see, says chief
    HENRY Pollock scored a hat-trick off the bench as 11-try England crushed Fiji 73-8 in Liverpool to get back to winning ways. ■By ADAM HATHAWAY at Hill Dickinson Stadium But boss Steve Borthwick refused to guarantee the Northampton back row a starting spot next weekend against Argentina in Santiago del Estero. There were tries on […]
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  • Why it’s worth going back to the future

    Why it’s worth going back to the future
    WHERE are we on the player welfare front? The same place as usual, sadly: stuck in downtown Palookaville without a street map. It is a story in dire need of an ending, but we don’t even have a starting point. Rugby needs cash, and the only way to generate it is to stage matches. Not […]
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  • We had chances, admits Sione

    We had chances, admits Sione
    SCOTLAND captain Sione Tuipulotu admitted missed opportunities proved costly as the visitors slipped to defeat against South Africa despite producing a battling fightback in Pretoria. “I’m disappointed to lose,” admitted Tuipulotu. “We were able to battle back but the period after half-time hurt us. We had a lot of possession in their 22 and didn’t […]
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  • Wales finish well but Junior Boks march on

    Wales finish well but Junior Boks march on
    By SKYE HOLLAND POOL A South Africa ..52 Wales ...............33 SOUTH Africa’s potent five-try driving maul proved too strong for Wales as the Baby Boks topped Pool A. Wales take on Australia in the fifth-place semi-final today, while South Africa play England in the last four on Monday. An upset looked on the cards when […]
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  • Wales are aiming to end on a high

    Wales are aiming to end on a high
    By BEN JAYCOCK 5th PLACE SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW... Australia v Wales Today. Kick-off 5.30pm, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi WALES have made two enforced changes for today’s fifth-place semi-final against Australia as Richard Whiffin’s side look to end an encouraging campaign on a high. After pushing unbeaten South Africa in their final Pool A match, the Welshmen have […]
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  • USA and Japan chase first victory

    USA and Japan chase first victory
    By JEAN BULL 13th PLACE SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW... Japan v USA Today. 5.30pm JAPAN have made eight changes for today’s 13thplace semi-final against the USA as both sides chase a first victory of the Championship. The Baby Blossoms and Junior All-Americans have met only once before at this level, with Japan claiming a commanding 44-8 victory […]
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  • Turner makes most of his Argentine trip

    Turner makes most of his Argentine trip
    PETER JACKSON THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW WALES landed in Buenos Aires in time to witness a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Argentina teetering en masse towards a nervous breakdown over opponents from a distant land. Their collective state of extreme anxiety had nothing to do with Los Pumas conceding seven […]
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  • Tuima signs for Tigers

    Tuima signs for Tigers
    LEICESTER Tigers have signed England women’s centre Lagi Tuima from Harlequins. Tuima, right, spent seven years at The Stoop and is second on their all time appearances list, featuring more than 100 times for the west London club. The 28-year-old was a key member of the Harlequins side that won the Premier 15s title in […]
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  • Top two sides may hail from the South

    Top two sides may hail from the South
    NOW that the new Nations Championship is underway, I wonder whether anyone has given any thought as to how it might pan out. Its ‘attraction’ is based upon the premise that it is a true examination of the Northern Hemisphere v the South! Its aim is to determine, for once and for all (and thereafter […]
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  • Tom Hooper happy to stay at Exeter Chiefs

    Tom Hooper happy to stay at Exeter Chiefs
    Wallaby flanker Tom Hooper has extended his stay with Exeter Chiefs until the summer of 2028 when he will return to Australia to join Queensland Reds.
    The post Tom Hooper happy to stay at Exeter Chiefs appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • The great survivor of the Welsh jungle…

    The great survivor of the Welsh jungle…
    BOB Penberthy’s arrival in the Pontypridd second row came at roughly the same time as John F Kennedy’s in the White House. By the time the Welshman of Bionic Elbow fame called it quits, five more US Presidents had come and gone. A few second row forwards have done famous things, like five Lions tours […]
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  • Start with Pollock against Pumas

    Start with Pollock against Pumas
    JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE... EVERY WEEK ENGLAND set a decent benchmark in the narrow loss against France in the last round of the Six Nations, and took the champions right to the last play of the match. However, it seemed that the energy had disappeared between that performance and the heavy defeat by South […]
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  • Spain out to prove worth

    Spain out to prove worth
    13th PLACE SEMI-FINALPREVIEW... Spain v Uruguay Today. 5.30pm SPAIN and Uruguay will both be desperate to end their World Rugby U20 Championship campaigns on a high when they meet for the first time ever at this level in today’s 13th-place semi-final in Tbilisi. Neither side managed a victory during the pool stages, with Spain finishing […]
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  • South Africa showing best way forward

    South Africa showing best way forward
    SOUTH Africa’s 23-man squad for the Test against England includes players from 11 different representative teams. Plus one player based in England. Many different clubs are represented in the team. By contrast, the England squad is restricted to 10 ring-fenced ‘Prem’ clubs – as if the rest of England’s clubs and their counties don’t exist. […]
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  • South Africa 42-28 Scotland: The Scots make Springboks fight all the way

    South Africa 42-28 Scotland: The Scots make Springboks fight all the way
    South Africa withstood a stirring Scotland comeback to claim a hard-fought 42-28 victory at Loftus Versfeld and maintain their unbeaten start to the Nations Championship.
    The post South Africa 42-28 Scotland: The Scots make Springboks fight all the way appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • Smith is another smart NZ selection

    Smith is another smart NZ selection
    LOOK out. With the 2027 World Cup beginning to hove into view, New Zealand are making some canny appointments. Dave Rennie, in my estimation, is an excellent appointment as head coach and now he has recruited the great Conrad Smith as the head of men’s high performance for NZR. Smith, below, is definitely a bloke […]
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  • Skivington banking on Morgan and Lake to put some beef into Gloucester

    Skivington banking on Morgan and Lake to put some beef into Gloucester
    Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Prem season, with the focus this week on Gloucester AFTER narrowly missing out on the play-offs, Gloucester were back at the wrong end of the table last season. The step back prompted a mid-season review of the management set-up and by the end of it, with George […]
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  • Scotland make South Africa fight all the way

    Scotland make South Africa fight all the way
    SOUTH Africa survived a spirited Scotland fightback to secure a victory in a 10-try Nations Championship thriller at Loftus Versfeld. By BEN JAYCOCK South Africa .................... 42pts Scotland ........................... 28pts Tries: Papier 17, Roos 19, Louw 58, Willemse 60, Porthen 66, Kriel 78 Conversions: Pollard 18, 20, 58, 61, 67; Horn 78 Tries: Fagerson 34, […]
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  • ‘Salt’ was an inspiration to all, says Cano

    ‘Salt’ was an inspiration to all, says Cano
    By CHRIS COLLYER FOR Ricky Cano, Clifton’s relegation from National One will always be remembered as secondary to the tragedy that shook the club earlier this year. The experienced prop, below, admits the sudden death of former head coach and Clifton College director of rugby Matt Salter in March left players devastated, but says the […]
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  • Sad to see second-rate refs in charge at Junior World Cup

    Sad to see second-rate refs in charge at Junior World Cup
    SO we have an England semi-final against South Africa at the Junior World Cup in Georgia to savour this week along with New Zealand’s clash with France. No shocks there, basically the normal suspects, although I was surprised that France, not really at the level of recent years, squeezed past Australia who to these eyes […]
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  • Ruthless Georgia far too strong for Uruguay

    Ruthless Georgia far too strong for Uruguay
    By BEN JAYCOCK POOL A Georgia ............56 Uruguay .............3 HOSTS Georgia produced a ruthless display to end Uruguay’s hopes of a higher finish by running in eight unanswered tries in a crushing victory in Tbilisi. Los Teritos briefly threatened an upset when fly-half Juan Francisco Pereira slotted an early penalty to edge his side 3-0 […]
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  • Relief for Farrell as Ireland get home

    Relief for Farrell as Ireland get home
    SEAN Jansen marked his Ireland debut with a try and player-of-the-match display as Andy Farrell’s much-changed side wore down Japan in Australia to maintain their perfect start to the Nations Championship. BY BEN JAYCOCK Japan ...................20pts Ireland................ 36pts Tries: Main 4, Era 59 Conversions: Matsunaga 5, 60 Penalties: Matsunaga 18, 28 Tries: Timoney 9, O’Toole […]
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  • Paul Rees: England put on a show to take the heat off Steve Borthwick – for now

    Paul Rees: England put on a show to take the heat off Steve Borthwick – for now
    England produced a ruthless 11-try display to ease the pressure on Steve Borthwick, but Paul Rees warns the head coach’s problems are only temporarily eased ahead of Argentina.
    The post Paul Rees: England put on a show to take the heat off Steve Borthwick – for now appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • Nottingham quick to find their feet at Richmond jamboree

    Nottingham quick to find their feet at Richmond jamboree
    NOTTINGHAM ended Durham’s three-year grip on the BUCS Rugby Sevens crown with a five-try 35-5 victory over Loughborough in the final at the University Celestial 7s in Richmond. The annual event attracted more than 50 men’s and women’s teams and around 1,000 players to Richmond Athletic Ground, with Great Britain Sevens selectors again watching closely. […]
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  • Nothing’s changed

    Nothing’s changed
    WHILE nobody was expecting England to win in South Africa against this current Springboks team, what was clear from the defeat was that nothing has been learned from the disastrous Six Nations campaign, whatsoever. Head coach Steve Borthwick could have had one of the best ball carrying, physical No.8’s in Tom Willis, yet chose not […]
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  • New Zealand on easy street

    New Zealand on easy street
    By SAM JACKSON POOL B New Zealand.. 45 Italy...................15 Italy made a flying start when centre Giacomo Falchetto intercepted a pass to score inside three minutes, but New Zealand gradually took control after a scrappy opening quarter. Bradley Tocker powered over after sustained pressure and a yellow card for Simone Far-din, before David Lewai punished […]
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  • New Zealand 47-17 Italy: Will Jordan cuts down the Italians and speeds into the record books

    New Zealand 47-17 Italy: Will Jordan cuts down the Italians and speeds into the record books
    Will Jordan became New Zealand’s all-time leading men’s Test try scorer as the All Blacks pulled away from Italy to stay unbeaten in the Nations Championship.
    The post New Zealand 47-17 Italy: Will Jordan cuts down the Italians and speeds into the record books appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • Main issue is Borthwick’s selection

    Main issue is Borthwick’s selection
    AFTER last week’s very predictable result and performance against South Africa, it’s noticeable that some rugby commentators (mostly former players) and possibly also some fans are starting to apportion the blame for the recent bad run of results to the English game in general rather than Steve Borthwick and his inadequacy as a selector. in […]
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  • Lucas Friday insists England U20s are ready to take on South Africa challenge

    Lucas Friday insists England U20s are ready to take on South Africa challenge
    Lucas Friday insists England’s youngsters are ready for the challenge as they prepare to face reigning champions South Africa in the World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final.
    The post Lucas Friday insists England U20s are ready to take on South Africa challenge appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • Lock star Josh Caulfield returns to Bristol Bears from Ealing Trailfinders

    Lock star Josh Caulfield returns to Bristol Bears from Ealing Trailfinders
    Bristol Bears have brought lock Josh Caulfield back to Ashton Gate after one season with Ealing Trailfinders, with the hometown forward returning for the 2026-27 campaign.
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  • Lock star Caulfield returns to Bristol

    Lock star Caulfield returns to Bristol
    BRISTOL have re-signed second row Josh Caulfield from Ealing Trail-finders for the 2026-27 season. Caufield left the Bears last summer and has spent the past season with the Champ club who lost the play-off final to Worcester Warriors. The 29-year-old previously made 36 appearances for his hometown club between 2023 and 2026. Caulfield said: “Coming […]
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  • Kick, kick, kick tactics are woeful

    Kick, kick, kick tactics are woeful
    I COULD write a long letter regarding the woes of England players and coaches, but it would take too long. They may look great playing in the Premiership but at international level they are not. For some reason we kick, kick, and bloody kick the ball to the opposition for 80 minutes, WHY? It’s pathetic. […]
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  • Jordan cuts down Italy and speeds into record books

    Jordan cuts down Italy and speeds into record books
    By SAM JACKSON New Zealand ... 47pts Tries: Darry 8, Jordan 30, 51, 54; Roigard 42, de Groot 48, Vaa’i 81 Conversions: Love 9, 31, 43, 52, 55, 82 Italy .....................17pts Tries: Menoncello 3, Marin 57 Conversions: Allan 4, Garbisi 58 Penalty: Allan 18 WILL Jordan rewrote the record books as New Zealand powered to […]
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  • Jeremy Guscott: England chief Steve Borthwick must start with Henry Pollock against Argentina

    Jeremy Guscott: England chief Steve Borthwick must start with Henry Pollock against Argentina
    Jeremy Guscott calls for Steve Borthwick to unleash Henry Pollock from the start against Argentina, warning England must rediscover their energy and attacking edge.
    The post Jeremy Guscott: England chief Steve Borthwick must start with Henry Pollock against Argentina appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • Japan 20-36 Ireland: Relief for Andy Farrell as the Irish get home

    Japan 20-36 Ireland: Relief for Andy Farrell as the Irish get home
    Sean Jansen marked his Ireland debut with a try and player-of-the-match display as Andy Farrell’s side overcame Japan to maintain their unbeaten start to the Nations Championship.
    The post Japan 20-36 Ireland: Relief for Andy Farrell as the Irish get home appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • Jamie George: Owen Farrell’s helping England flyer Noah Caluori get it right

    Jamie George: Owen Farrell’s helping England flyer Noah Caluori get it right
    Jamie George has revealed how Owen Farrell has helped guide England’s teenage wing Noah Caluori after the Saracens youngster earned his first senior Test involvement against Fiji.
    The post Jamie George: Owen Farrell’s helping England flyer Noah Caluori get it right appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  • Jamie, 31, fights off cancer to

    Jamie, 31, fights off cancer to
    By BEN JAYCOCK JUST eight months after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, Guernsey prop Jamie Aureka Mao-ate-Dunn pulled on the famous black jersey once again after earning selection for the New Zealand Ambassadors touring squad. The 31-year-old former Manawatū expat, who has spent the last three seasons at Guernsey, admits the diagnosis “hit me […]
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  • Ireland get late Molony boost

    Ireland get late Molony boost
    9th PLACESEMI-FINALPREVIEW... Ireland v Fiji Moday, July 13. 5.30pm IRELAND will look to finish their campaign on a positive note when they face Fiji in Monday’s ninth-place semi-final in Kutaisi. Andrew Browne’s side finished third in Pool C after defeats to England and Argentina before bouncing back emphatically with a 73-22 victory over the United […]
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  • Ireland close on a high as classy backs run riot

    Ireland close on a high as classy backs run riot
    By SKYE HOLLAND Ireland.............73 USA.....................22 POOL C CHARLIE O’Shea and Sean Walsh both grabbed hat-tricks as Ireland finished strong to claim third in Pool C with a convincing win over USA. Ireland head coach Andrew Browne rotated heavily for this one, with 11 changes in all, largely led by the short five-day turnaround between games. […]
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  • Hooper happy to stay a Chief

    Hooper happy to stay a Chief
    WALLABY flanker Tom Hooper has extended his stay with Exeter until the summer of 2028 when he will return to Australia to join Queensland Reds. Hooper, 25, arrived at Sandy Park last summer and helped Chiefs climb from second-bottom to reach last month’s Prem final, which they lost to Northampton. “I think a three-year stint […]
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  • Heyes so happy to see his old mate back

    Heyes so happy to see his old mate back
    GEORGE Martin’s comeback last weekend in Johannesburg spelt good news for England and sparked emotion from one of his supposed hard man forward pals. By ADAM HATHAWAY The second row scored in his first international for more than a year – the 45-21 defeat to South Africa at Ellis Park – after over a year […]
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  • Georgia have the force behind them

    Georgia have the force behind them
    By SAMANTHA EMMA 9th PLACE SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW... Moday, July 13. 3pm Georgia v Italy HOSTS Georgia will be aiming to continue their impressive record against Italy when the sides meet in Monday’s ninth-place semi-final of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Kutaisi. The Junior Lelos have won five of their previous six meetings with the […]
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  • Friday: We’re ready to take on SA challenge

    Friday: We’re ready to take on SA challenge
    LUCAS Friday believes England’s youngsters have nothing to fear as they prepare for the ultimate test against reigning champions South Africa in Monday’s World U20 Championship semi-final. By BEN JAYCOCK Friday, playing in his third World Championship, says England are determined to seize a “surreal” opportunity after returning to the last four following last year’s […]
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  • Freeman deserves a decent run at 13

    Freeman deserves a decent run at 13
    NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK TOMMY Freeman’s trek from wing to outside centre, and back again, over the last 16 months is a graphic illustration of the vacillating, non-professional selection strategy during Steve Borthwick’s tenure as England coach. The Northampton back is recognised widely as England’s brightest light in attack, with his […]
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  • France’s battalion of centres is unmatched

    France’s battalion of centres is unmatched
    CHRIS HEWETT THINKING ALLOWED Centre of excellence: Fabien Brau-Boirie PICTURES: Getty Images THE spirit of exploration is hardwired into the French mindset, whatever sport they’re playing or shape of ball they are managing to make talk. If Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and that Mbappe chap are currently being lionised as the attacking quartet […]
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  • France will be big test, says NZ coach

    France will be big test, says NZ coach
    By SAM JACKSON SEMI-FINAL PREVIEW... France v New Zealand Monday July 13. Kick-off 3pm NEW Zealand have kept faith with the forward pack that powered them through the pool stages as head coach Kane Jury made five changes to his side for Monday’s World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against France in Tbilisi. The Baby Blacks […]
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  • France too strong for Wallabies

    France too strong for Wallabies
    By GEORGE LAWRENCE Australia ............26pts Tries: Paenga-Amosa 10, McReight 27, 34; Williams 77 Conversions: Lonergan 11, 28, 35 France................ 42pts Tries: Meafou 3, Grandidier-Nkanang 18, 50; Ntamack 53, Verhaeghe 57, Attissogbe 73 Conversions: Lucu 4, 54, 58 Penalties: Lucu 46, 63 Try time: Romain Ntamack goes over for France FRANCE produced a devastating second-half display […]
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  • France end up top in winner-takes-all clash

    France end up top in winner-takes-all clash
    By SAM JACKSON France............. 34 Australia..........29 POOL D FRANCE secured top spot in Pool D with a perfect record of three wins from three and 15 points to book their place in the semi-final. Australia drop into the fifth-place play-offs despite pushing Les Bleuets all the way in this winner-takes-all clash in Kutaisi. Australia made […]
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  • France 34-29 Australia: The French end up on top in winner-takes-all clash

    France 34-29 Australia: The French end up on top in winner-takes-all clash
    France finished top of Pool D with a flawless record to book a World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against New Zealand after holding off a spirited Australia fightback in Kutaisi.
    The post France 34-29 Australia: The French end up on top in winner-takes-all clash appeared first on The Rugby Paper.

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