Rugby news

• Peter Jackson: All Blacks great Beauden Barrett is hanging on for his final hurrah

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Peter Jackson examines Beauden Barrett’s fight to secure a place at next year’s World Cup as the All Blacks great faces competition.
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• RFU postpones start of the community game season

  16-08-2026 05:45 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  The decision follows weeks of dry weather across England, with concerns over player welfare and the condition of pitches forcing the RFU to push back competitive fixtures.
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• Jonathan Davies: WRU board must go now

  16-08-2026 05:30 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Former Wales captain Jonathan Davies has backed growing calls for change at the Welsh Rugby Union, urging the organisation to appoint an interim board and set a new course for the game.
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• Start of season delayed

  16-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By SAM JACKSON President of the RFU, Sir Bill Beaumont, said: “We know this decision will be disappointing for the clubs, schools and colleges, players, volunteers and fans looking forward to the start of the season, and we do not underestimate the impact it will have across the game. President: Bill Beaumont THE RFU has […]
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• Richard Barrington: George Martin and Alife Barbeary will power Saracens

  16-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Former Saracens prop Richard Barrington, below, talks to Ben Jaycock about his move into coaching, the next generation of front row talent, a new era at Saracens and why he expects one of the most competitive Premiership seasons in years.
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• Prem review: Champions Cup is the one Johann van Graan wants to add to his collection at Bath

  16-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Prem season, with the focus this week on Bath.
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• Chris Hewett: It’s too quiet! The decline of the supercoach

  16-08-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Chris Hewett asks whether rugby is losing something as the era of globe-trotting supercoaches gives way to a new generation of homegrown head coaches.
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• Welfare concerns delay big kick-off

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  >Continued from front at the RFU, I would like to thank all those who have shared their views and contributed to discussions in recent days. Player welfare and readiness have been central to our thinking throughout, alongside our desire to give the season the best possible opportunity to begin on a fair and consistent footing […]
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• We should be in the mix, 100 per cent, says Lucock

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By BEN JAYCOCK LEEDS Tykes head coach Pete Lucock believes his side should be pushing firmly into National One’s top-five picture this season after transforming their form during the second half of last term. The newly-promoted Yorkshire outfit endured a difficult opening to the campaign but grew into the season, finishing ninth, and Lucock feels […]
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• We need new cup

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  CLUB rugby in England desperately needs a cup competition, similar to the Challenge Cup in Rugby League. The Prem Rugby Cup simply doesn’t cut it as an attractive option for fans, nor did the Championship Cup in the second tier. Getting rid of the old Tetley’s Bitter Cup was a terrible decision. Martin Brooks ... […]
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• Warriors stand loud and proud

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  All-Stars XV: Worcester 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 occasional series doing precisely that. Having knocked off the 10 Premiership teams last summer he now spreads his wings. Selection is weighted heavily […]
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• Set up a charity to help players

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  PAUL Rees’s article in last week’s TRP about the concussion-related legal claims made by former players against ruling bodies struck a number of chords with me. He starts with the fundamental – and indisputable – point that the one guaranteed beneficiary of any lawsuit is the legal profession. Not a reason in itself, of course, […]
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• Red Bulls launch plans for ‘hotbed’

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  A NEW era in rugby has been launched in the North East after Newcastle Red Bulls teamed up with grassroots players to train and retain talent in the region. ■By IAN LAMMING Darlington Mowden Park and Newcastle have joined forces with an ambitious vision to boost player development and make the North East a hotbed […]
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• Paul Rees: All Blacks need to defy history in South Africa

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Paul Rees looks ahead to the first Test in the South Africa vs New Zealand series, which starts next weekend.
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• Ospreys short on numbers

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  THE summer scorches on throughout the Land of Song as if in tune with the blazing state of its national sport. The wonder of Wednesday’s solar eclipse failed to muffle the latest shot in the uncivil Welsh rugby war. Ospreys, condemned alongside local rivals Scarlets to fight for their very existence, fired a shot at […]
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• Nice get their act

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  JAMES HARRINGTON FRENCH COLUMN Springbok women’s star Jakkie Cilliers is heading for Toulon, becoming one of the few South African women to crack the lucrative overseas market. “I’m really excited, and it’s quite a good, big step, but it’s something that I really wanted to do for such a long time,” the Bulls playmaker said. […]
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• Newcastle Red Bulls launch plans to make North East a ‘hotbed’ of rugby talent

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Newcastle Red Bulls and Darlington Mowden Park have joined forces to develop local players and create a stronger pathway for emerging talent across the North East.
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• New Gloucester lock Joe Joyce wants to make friends in The Shed

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Joe Joyce is targeting a top-four finish with Gloucester after returning to the Premiership, with the lock enthused by the club’s new coaching set-up and summer recruitment.
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• Neumann called up for Wales’ new-look squad

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  WING Lisa Neumann returns for Wales in an extended 46-player training squad preparing for the WXV Series. The 32-year-old, who is unattached after leaving Harlequins in July, missed most of the Six Nations after injuring her hamstring in the opening game against Scotland. Head coach Sean Lynn has named 14 uncapped players as preparations begin […]
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• Neil de Kock: All Blacks getting in the mood to take on the Springboks challenge

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Neil de Kock believes the All Blacks are finding their rhythm ahead of their mouth-watering series against South Africa, but expects the Springboks to use their set-piece strength to gain the upper hand.
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• Mitchell: WXV will be World Cup audition

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  JOHN Mitchell has challenged his Red Roses to treat the new WXV Global Series as an early audition for the 2029 World Cup as England begin plotting the next phase of their development. ■By BEN JAYCOCK The world champions will face Australia, Canada and New Zealand at home before travelling to Canada and the United […]
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• Michael Le Bourgeois: After defeat in last year’s final, we’re determined to go one better this year

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Bedford Blues centre Michael Le Bourgeois is determined to turn last season’s Champ Rugby final heartbreak into motivation as Bedford target another shot at glory.
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• Mel Smith joins the comic First XV

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  WE seem to have unearthed an unsuspected sociological and sporting themes concerning world-class comic talents with a backstory of skippering their school’s First XV before they headed to Oxbridge. Who would have guessed? A couple of weeks ago, we added the late Bill Oddie to the list, the guiding light of the Goodies, having skippered […]
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• martin and arbeary ill power aracens

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Former Saracens prop Richard Barrington, below, talks to Ben Jaycock about his move into coaching, the next generation of front row talent, a new era at Saracens and why he expects one of the most competitive Premiership seasons in years Great signing: Alfie Barbeary scoring for Bath PICTURES: Getty Images Q: What are you doing […]
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• Marmion predicts big things

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  KIERAN Marmion is adamant Bristol Bears have enough growl and grunt to make a title bid this season despite the club taking a relative back seat in the transfer market. ■By GARY FITZGERALD Director of rugby Pat Lam has shown huge confidence in the squad which just missed out on the Premiership play-offs last time […]
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• Malcolm returns as captain

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  SCOTLAND INTERIM head coach Dave Butcher has named a 32-player squad for the upcoming WXV series, which features four uncapped players – Glasgow Warriors trio Imogen Spence, Ceitidh Ainsworth and Nicole Flynn, and Exeter Chiefs wing Katie Buchanan. Rachel Malcolm returns to captain the side after missing the last three games of this year’s Six […]
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• Longstaff agrees to new deal with Sharks

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  SALE Sharks hooker Alfie Longstaff has signed a new deal to remain with the Prem club until 2029. The 20-year-old joined the club’s academy during the 2024-25 season and went on to make his senior debut during that season. He had a breakthrough campaign last year, making 11 first team appearances and featured in four […]
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• KWAMEBEKOE

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  YOUNG GUNS LEICESTER TIGERS & ENGLAND U18 LOCK Leicester second row Kwame Bekoe says a first victory in an England shirt is his proudest moment so far as he looks to build on an increasingly influential role within the age-grade set-up. The powerful lock, who is currently on tour in South Africa, had made five […]
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• Kieran Marmion predicts big things for Bristol Bears next season

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Kieran Marmion believes Bristol Bears can challenge for the Premiership title after injuries hampered their campaign last season, with the scrum-half backing Pat Lam’s squad to push into the play-offs.
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• Junior Boks are class apart

  16-08-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  South Africa U18...68 England U18............40 nBy BEN JAYCOCK ENGLAND ended the series in South Africa with a hard-fought defeat to their hosts. In a thrilling high scoring contest, South Africa’s power up front and set piece platform proved the difference between the sides who both produced fine attacking rugby. Jonathan Pendlebury’s side had secured back-to-back […]
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