Rugby news

• Ireland get late Molony boost

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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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• Steve Borthwick refuses to guarantee Henry Pollock an England start after hat-trick heroics

  12-07-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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.
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• The great survivor of the Welsh jungle…

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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.
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• Smith is another smart NZ selection

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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.
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• Nottingham quick to find their feet at Richmond jamboree

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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.
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• Main issue is Borthwick’s selection

  12-07-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  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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