Rugby news

• It’s either Ospreys or Scarlets, says WRU

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By SAM JACKSON SCARLETS intend to remain “at the heart of west Wales” after the WRU announced on Wednesday that either they or Ospreys will be cut as part of a radical downsizing to a three-region model. Welsh rugby’s governing body confirmed on Wednesday that Cardiff and Dragons will be given licences ahead of the […]
  The post It’s either Ospreys or Scarlets, says WRU appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Whitby celebrate 75 years with exciting new era ahead

  03-08-2026 16:25 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Whitby will celebrate their 75th anniversary during the 2026-27 season as the club enters a new era with a league move, fresh leadership and a thriving junior section.
  The post Whitby celebrate 75 years with exciting new era ahead appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Warrington thump Cas to boost play-off chances

  02-08-2026 16:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Watch highlights as Warrington Wolves thump Castleford Tigers to boost their Super League play-off hopes.
  
  Read more

• Wakefield beat Catalans for seventh straight win

  02-08-2026 16:22 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Watch highlights as Wakefield hold off Catalans Dragons to reclaim second place in Super League.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• York beat Saints for first time in 80 years

  02-08-2026 15:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Watch highlights as York Knights pile more misery on St Helens with a first victory over them in 80 years.
  
  Read more

• Henry Slade: England have a real chance in the 2027 Rugby World Cup

  02-08-2026 05:45 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Henry Slade believes England have all the ingredients to challenge rugby’s biggest nations at next year’s Rugby World Cup – if they can finally solve the one issue holding them back.
  The post Henry Slade: England have a real chance in the 2027 Rugby World Cup appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Peter Winterbottom says England have made no progress under Steve Borthwick

  02-08-2026 05:30 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Peter Winterbottom questions whether England have genuinely progressed under Steve Borthwick, with the former flanker also highlighting discipline issues and naming the player he believes could solve the midfield problem.
  The post Peter Winterbottom says England have made no progress under Steve Borthwick appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• James Dun admits ‘clock is ticking’ on England dream after Harlequins move

  02-08-2026 05:01 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  James Dun admits time is against him in his push for England recognition but believes his move to Harlequins can give him the platform to reach the international stage.
  The post James Dun admits ‘clock is ticking’ on England dream after Harlequins move appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Slade: We have real chance in World Cup

  02-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  HENRY Slade insists England are just one step away from competing with the top teams at the World Cup next year. ■By ADAM HATHAWAY Steve Borthwick’s squad currently have their feet up on holiday after winning two from three in their Nations Championship summer, another campaign blighted by ill-discipline. That will be top of the […]
  The post Slade: We have real chance in World Cup appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Prem review: After 15 years as the boss, Mark McCall leaves Saracens in impressive shape

  02-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Prem season, with the focus this week on Saracens.
  The post Prem review: After 15 years as the boss, Mark McCall leaves Saracens in impressive shape appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Peter Jackson: All Blacks v Springboks – The thrilling series that will grip the rugby world

  02-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Peter Jackson says the return of a four-Test series between South Africa and New Zealand is the blockbuster rugby has been missing – and one that will captivate fans around the world.
  The post Peter Jackson: All Blacks v Springboks – The thrilling series that will grip the rugby world appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Chris Hewett: Jac Morgan is the lad to get the Shed singing at Gloucester

  02-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Chris Hewett believes Jac Morgan can become a defining figure for Gloucester as the Wales captain joins a recruitment drive that could finally turn the Cherry and Whites into Premiership contenders.
  The post Chris Hewett: Jac Morgan is the lad to get the Shed singing at Gloucester appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Yatte Minahare, says Lowe as he heads east

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By SAM JACKSON On the attack: James Lowe in action for Leinster PICTURE: Alamy TOKYO Suntory Sungoliath have confirmed the signing of former Ireland and Leinster wing James Lowe on a two-year deal. Lowe departed Irish rugby at the end of the 2025-26 season after failing to agree a contract extension with Leinster, for whom […]
  The post Yatte Minahare, says Lowe as he heads east appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Yatte Minahare! James Lowe excited for Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath move following Leinster exit

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  James Lowe says he is excited to begin a “new chapter” in Japan after joining Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.
  The post Yatte Minahare! James Lowe excited for Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath move following Leinster exit appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• WRU: It’s either Ospreys or Scarlets

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Scarlets insist they remain committed to being “at the heart of west Wales” after the WRU confirmed either they or Ospreys will lose their professional licence as part of a three-region model.
  The post WRU: It’s either Ospreys or Scarlets appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Winters: I see no signs of progress

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By BEN JAYCOCK FORMER England flanker Peter Winterbottom believes Steve Borthwick’s side have shown no clear signs of progression despite recording two wins from three in the Nations Championship. England beat Argentina and Fiji but lost to South Africa, and Winterbottom remains unconvinced the performances represented a meaningful step forward following a dismal Six Nations […]
  The post Winters: I see no signs of progress appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Winterbottom: I can’t see progress

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  >Continued from Front Africa I don’t think the performance was quite as poor as the scoreline suggested. England created chances, particularly in the first half, and if they had converted them, it could have been a very different game. But, overall, have they really moved forward? “You would have expected England to move on from […]
  The post Winterbottom: I can’t see progress appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Whitby celebrate their first 75 years

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  WHITBY Rugby Club are celebrating their 75th anniversary in the 2026-27 season which is shaping up to be one of their most exciting seasons in recent memory. The Maroons 1st XV have moved in the recent league restructure, transferring from the Durham & Northumberland leagues to the Yorkshire League structure, kicking off at home to […]
  The post Whitby celebrate their first 75 years appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• When Bill Oddie dreamt of winning a Blue

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  RUGBY MATTERS A weekly look at the game’s other talking points BRENDAN GALLAGHER FOR some reason it amuses me that two of the comic geniuses of our times both went to Oxbridge to read English literature with the primary intention of winning a Rugby Blue… but got waylaid by the need to make people laugh. […]
  The post When Bill Oddie dreamt of winning a Blue appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Wales need James to make dents at 12

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  THERE are certain things in life that can’t be anything but a 12. Show me the house to the far left of 10 Downing Street (as we usually see it on TV), and it is without doubt number 12 – it traditionally serves as the office for the Government Chief Whip. Show me Leonardo da […]
  The post Wales need James to make dents at 12 appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• URC Ins and Outs – Cardiff leading the Welsh challenge

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Ben Jaycock looks ahead to the URC season with Jarrod Evans returning to the Blue and Blacks as Corniel van Zyl puts final touches to his squad
  The post URC Ins and Outs – Cardiff leading the Welsh challenge appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Tudor: People often describe fans as the 16th man but at Caldy it’s really true

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Q&A Caldy winger , below, speaks to Ben Jaycock about the demands of pre-season, the club’s Champ ambitions and the challenge part-time players face due to a growing number of Friday fixtures Q: Pre-season has been under way for around a month. Has it been a shock to the system? It has been tough, especially […]
  The post Tudor: People often describe fans as the 16th man but at Caldy it’s really true appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Thrilling series that will grip the rugby world

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  THE MAN TRULY IN THE KNOW PETER JACKSON THE last four-Test series ended at Eden Park on July 16, 1983 when the Lions disappeared without trace, exactly as Shergar had done rather more ominously a few months earlier. The next one kicks off this month; four Tests on successive Saturdays between the perennial superpowers of […]
  The post Thrilling series that will grip the rugby world appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• SRU sacks Williamson

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  SCOTTISH Rugby has sacked chief executive Alex Williamson following an independent investigation into his conduct. Williamson was placed on extended leave in May and John McGuigan, chairman of Scottish Rugby Limited, said: “The board of Scottish Rugby has dismissed Alex Williamson from his position as chief executive with immediate effect. “His dismissal follows the conclusion […]
  The post SRU sacks Williamson appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Sorry, Steve, but we can’t avoid this…

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  IN their eight matches to date this year, England have collected more cards than France, Scotland, Ireland and Italy combined over the same number of fixtures. They have accumulated an aggregate total of 12 cards, all yellow, compared to the Red Rose tally of 13 yellows and one red (Henry Arundell against Scotland). Among the […]
  The post Sorry, Steve, but we can’t avoid this… appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Schmidt signs up for new Ulster role

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By TOM RILEY FORMER Ireland and Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has been appointed to a newly created consultancy role with Ulster Rugby. The 60-year-old New Zealander will step into the position of coach development adviser, focusing on strengthening the province’s grassroots and pathway coaching structures rather than working with the senior squad. The high-profile […]
  The post Schmidt signs up for new Ulster role appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Rhys Tudor: People often describe fans as the 16th man but at Caldy it’s really true

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Caldy winger Rhys Tudor speaks to Ben Jaycock about the demands of pre-season, the club’s Champ ambitions and the challenge part-time players face due to a growing number of Friday fixtures.
  The post Rhys Tudor: People often describe fans as the 16th man but at Caldy it’s really true appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Racing will have to get used to life on the road

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  FRENCH COLUMN JAMES HARRINGTON IT HAS been a relatively quiet summer at Racing 92’s Plessis-Robinson training campus, after their return to the top six last season. Highly regarded ex-Georgia defence coach Julian Salvi has replaced NRL-bound Freddie Michalak among the staff; they’ve built on their squad quietly yet impressively – Australian Seru Uru, returning veteran […]
  The post Racing will have to get used to life on the road appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Pulling on a Wasps shirt was a proud moment

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  GEORGE SIMPSON THE FORMER CARDIFF MET, EALING TRAILFINDERS, WASPS, DONCASTER KNIGHTS, MANLY MARLINS AND HARTPURY UNIVERSITY FULL-BACK BEING released by Harlequins at 16 gave me the motivation to become a professional rugby player. At the time, it was difficult to take. I had been part of the academy, rugby was what I wanted to do […]
  The post Pulling on a Wasps shirt was a proud moment appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

• Prem Rugby and RFU must work together

  02-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  IS IT time for the RFU and Prem Rugby to put their heads together to resolve the challenges facing English rugby? Internationally, we are producing very few players of genuine top class who can challenge the leading nations. Recent results have, at best, been underwhelming. The Prem has been reduced to 10 teams, with many […]
  The post Prem Rugby and RFU must work together appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
  Read more

Follow @Rugby_News_UK on Twitter!