Rugby news

• Welsh pair to leave Bristol

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ALISHA and Jasmine Joyce will leave Bristol this summer to return to Wales. In total, 11 players are leaving the Bears. The pair, who joined the club in 2020 and helped Bears to two PWR semi-finals, will return home to stay closer to their families following the arrival of their son Ralphie at the end […]
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• When Saints need him most, Archie McParland is ready

  02-06-2026 13:45 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  The 21-year-old scrum-half has spent two years in Alex Mitchell’s shadow at Franklin’s Gardens. With the Lions nine now sidelined again, McParland may find that patience has its own reward. There is a particular type of player that every title-chasing squad carries but rarely celebrates: the one who keeps the machine running when the headline […]
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• 2026 Super Rugby Americas – Round 13 summary: Dogos clinch home semi-final amid play-off drama

  02-06-2026 11:55 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  In Round 13 of the 2026 Super Rugby Americas season, Dogos became the first team to secure a home semi-final with a hugely impressive away victory over Capibaras.The post 2026 Super Rugby Americas – Round 13 summary: Dogos clinch home semi-final amid play-off drama appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
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• How senior forward packs will adapt to World Rugby’s new maul crackdown

  01-06-2026 16:51 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  How will World Rugby's latest directive on mauling mechanics reshape set-piece tactics and force forward packs to adjust their training?The post How senior forward packs will adapt to World Rugby’s new maul crackdown appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
  
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• Last-gasp George Furbank the hero for Northampton Saints

  31-05-2026 05:45 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  George Furbank scored a last-minute try to defeat Gloucester and secure Northampton Saints home advantage in the Prem semi-finals.
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• Lloyd Williams looking to finish on a high as Worcester Warriors go for Champ glory

  31-05-2026 05:30 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Former Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams aims to bow out today as a Champ winner when Worcester Warriors clash with Bedford Blues in the final at Goldington Road.
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• Steven Luatua and AJ MacGinty agree new deals at Bristol Bears

  31-05-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Bristol Bears flanker Steven Luatua has extended his contract into a 10th season with the club.
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• Northampton Saints flanker Tom Pearson sets his sights on England return

  31-05-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Tom Pearson has had another strong season for Premiership leaders Northampton Saints but has not come closer to adding to his one England cap.
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• Jeremy Guscott: It’s time for Fin Smith to run England from No. 10

  31-05-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Here’s my England backline to face South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4, based on current form and availability.
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• Exeter Chiefs’ Scott Sio is keen to bow out in style

  31-05-2026 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Prop star Scott Sio aims to sign off at Exeter Chiefs with a Prem winner’s medal before he joins Cardiff this summer.
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• Yorkshire & Surrey leading the pack Gill Burns

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Gill Burns Championship ■By BEN JAYCOCK SURREY take on Staffordshire and Eastern Counties visit Yorkshire in today’s Division 1 semi-finals. Yorkshire thrashed Northumberland 62-0 to finish Pool 1 unbeaten. Yorkshire’s ruthless attack once again ran riot, with Chloe Brocklebank grabbing a hat-trick while Lauren Roberts, Jasmin Brankin, Becky Patrick, Honey Cockcroft-Smith, Lauren Bolger, Georgina Holmes […]
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• Williams out to end his career on a high

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  > Continued from Page 1 involved in the club and the city.” Williams is proud to have played his part in the rejuvenation of the club in their first season back. “Everyone’s bought in and given themselves to the club, which is great and everyone’s pulling in the same direction, which makes things a lot […]
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• When Newcastle broke records

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Record breaker: Va’aiga Tuigamala in Newcastle colours PICTURE: Getty Images AS befitting their rock bottom status, Newcastle spent less money on players last season than any other top-flight club. A Prem report reveals that their squad investment amounted to under £4m, some £2.5m short of the £6.4m salary cap. All that will be of cold […]
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• We failed to take chances – coach

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  BATH head of rugby Johann van Graan saw his side miss the chance to go back to the top of the Prem table and bemoaned their failure to take chances. He said: “The first half was very good as we were in control to lead 19-7 at the interval but we still created loads of […]
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• Trio to leave Saracens

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  FIRST team backs Gareth Simpson, Louie Johnson and Sam Spink will all leave Saracens at the end of the season. Scrum-half Simpson, 28, below, made 48 appearances for Sarries, including six this season in the Prem Cup and three in the Prem and Champions Cup. Fly-half Johnson, 22, far right, played 13 times after his […]
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• Trailfinders are the real champs after 26-0 season

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  WHAT a joke that Worcester Warriors, interlopers to Champ Rugby, are just one game away from being champions. Coventry finished above them and smashed them only a few weeks ago at Nick Newbold Stadium. Ealing Trailfinders are the real champs after winning 26 out of 26 and finishing 30 points clear of the rest of […]
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• Tom Varndell: Leicester Tigers have shown how to adapt…they are good enough to beat anybody

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Tom Varndell, the former Leicester Tigers, Wasps and Bristol Bears wing, believes English rugby is entering a defining period with the Prem title race heating up, Steve Borthwickunder growing pressure and the national sideat a crossroads stylistically ahead of a brutal summer Test against world champions South Africa.
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• Students prepare to show talents in Celestial 7s

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  THIS year’s University Celestial Sevens could be the most important edition yet with the tournament able to provide a pathway into the Great Britain Sevens team. ■By BEN JAYCOCK Champs: Imperial celebrate last season and inset, Joe Byrnes More than 1,000 student players from across the UK will descend on Richmond Athletic Ground next Saturday […]
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• Stormers 44-21 Cardiff: South African giants too good for brave Blue & Blacks

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Cardiff were left “gutted” as their historic season came to an end despite a brave effort in this URC quarter-final clash against Stormers in Cape Town.
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• Steyn grabs try double as Warriors march on

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By SAM JACKSON GLASGOW booked their place in the semi-finals after holding off a spirited Connacht at Scotstoun with Kyke Steyn scoring two tries. Glasgow, champions in 2023/24, will be at Murrayfield next week against Bulls. Kyle Rowe said: “They came here and they tested us but I feel like we proved that we wanted […]
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• Stevens decides to call time

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  CORNISH Pirates back row John Stevens – the son of former British Lions and England forward Brian ‘Stack’ Stevens – has retired from professional rugby. The 31-year-old former captain spent the past 13 seasons at the club, playing 152 games and scoring 23 tries. Having missed 18 months after suffering a serious knee ligament injury […]
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• Smith’s play-off hopes on line

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Preview ■By BEN JAYCOCK LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning’s play-off hopes will go on the line when they host Saracens in their final PWR fixture of the regular season. Nathan Smith’s side remain in the hunt for a top-four finish and know a victory could take their play-off challenge down to the final round. The hosts are boosted […]
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• Semi-finals showed quality of Tier Two

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  LAST weekend was a fine advert for the Champ and I must say I was thrilled by Worcester’s victory over Ealing. You could see it meant so much to the players and supporters. Matt Everard has done an oustanding job this season putting together a brand new team that came up with the good against […]
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• Scottish relegation completes picture for 2026-27

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  EXTRA NEWS ■By BEN JAYCOCK BLACKHEATH’S resounding victory over London Scottish last week to book their place in the Champ completed this season’s promotion and relegation story. Rotherham Titans had already secured automatic promotion to the Champ, with Scottish relegated to National 1. The third tier’s bottom three Clifton (West), Sedgley Park (North) and Leicester […]
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• Saracens 26-12 Harlequins: Sarries get set for an Exeter Chiefs shootout

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Saracens secured the all-important five points against Harlequins ahead of their Sandy Park showdown with playoff rivals Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
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• Robinson leads the way as Exeter take charge

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By RORY MORROW EXETER excelled at Shaftesbury Park, embarrassing Bristol with an emphatic away win. Chiefs were on it from the get-go, scoring inside two minutes. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald intercepted a stray Bristol pass and screeched clear to dot down a try, which Alex Tessier converted. Maisy Allen quickly added the second, again converted by Tessier, […]
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• Powell puts Harlequins into cruise control

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■By FRANKIE DRAPER HARLEQUINS secured a bonus-point victory over Leicester Tigers in their final league game of the season to send Jade Konkel and Laura Delgado into retirement in the best way possible. Quins miss out on the play-offs, sitting fifth in the table. A fast start saw Lucy Packer race over after the backs […]
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• Peter Jackson: Applaud the Chapman family’s lasting legacy

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  The heavenly grapevine has been abuzz all week with rumours of a dearly departed RFU president dancing in the celestial streets over Arsenal’s coronation as Premier League champions.
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• Paul Rees: Ireland’s big boys must stand up after European heartache

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Paul Rees says last weekend’s ‘European’ finals proved a chastening experience for Leinster and Ulster.
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• Northampton Saints 36-32 Gloucester: George Furbank’s on hand to snatch it for Saints

  31-05-2026 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  Phil Dowson heaped praise on George Furbank after the full-back “saved” Northampton Saints with a dramatic last-minute try against Gloucester to seal a home play-off.
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