The Rugby Paper Magazine - March 31, 2024

In this issue

March 31, 2024

Halliday: New deal is within our reach

CALLS for a further relaxation of Premiership ground capacity rules appear to be gathering momentum as the protracted discussions over the new Professional Game Partnership agreement (PGP) continue.

2 mins

Lam: I understand Sinckler decision

PAT Lam understands Kyle Sinckler’s decision to turn his back on England and join the exodus to France next season.

2 mins

I've loved my time at Bath Gallagher

MATT Gallagher admits it will be a wrench to leave Bath at the end of the season and is doing so to pursue his dream of playing international rugby.

3 mins

Dingwall has his eye on All Blacks

FRASER Dingwall is set on helping Northampton finish the season on a high and putting himself in contention for England’s summer tour to Japan and New Zealand.

3 mins

Exeter flyer on the fast track to top

ROB Baxter has warned opposition defences that England sensation Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will only get better with time after impressing for both club and country this season.

2 mins

Slade: I'm happy to stay a Chief

HENRY Slade is set to reject the advances of clubs on the other side of the English Channel and pledge his future to the Exeter Chiefs.

3 mins

Bath will have to go full metal jacket all the way

BATH have got a very good shout of winning the Premiership for the first time in almost 30 years, for all the reasons we've seen this season - and which were on display again against Sale at The Rec last weekend.

5 mins

Bath fume at Irne's short time in the bin

MARCUS Smith and Harlequins just edged this crazy game and moved into the play-off spots but there could be repercussions following a yellow card storm.

2 mins

Sharp Smith gives Saints extra edge

AN assured display from Fin Smith helped Northampton to maintain their play-off push after that 52-21 thrashing at Bristol last week.

2 mins

O'Flaherty: We need to learn from our inquest

SALE’S players had good old northern, say it how it is, conversations with one another earlier this week as the inquest into yet another defeat took place at Carrington.

3 mins

Time for club owners to come clean on plans

SEETHING financial undercurrents are undermining the main pillars of the game in England, with the professional club top tier increasingly in peril-mostly due to the consistent administrative failings which have led to a broken Premiership structure.

3 mins

Eight-try England turn on the style

ENGLAND’S quest for a sixth successive title rolls on after blowing winless Wales away once more, in front of the Red Roses’ largest home crowd for a fixture away from Twickenham.

3 mins

Schreuder happy to be Spencer's back-up

LOUIS Schreuder wasn’t the only South African scrum-half smiling when it was announced at the end of February that he would be staying on at Bath for at least another year.

2 mins

Japan rugby full of talent, warns Savea

ARDIE Savea has issued a warning to England not to underestimate Japan in the two side’s first ever meeting in Tokyo this summer.

3 mins

'I'm playing again after near death experience'

HENLEY Hawks forward Morgan Macrae has fulfilled his goal of playing again just seven months after nearly dying from a cardiac arrest.

3 mins

Putting 50 points on the Aussies was a highlight

IT was only through an accident of birth that I was born in England (in Northampton) while my dad was travelling around the country working in the oil industry.

6 mins

Bazalgette dreaming of shot at big time

HARTPURY playmaker Harry Bazalgette believes he’s put himself in the shop window for Premiership outfits as he aims to follow in his fore fathers’ footsteps and make the grade at the highest level.

2 mins

Esher set to bounce back to third tier

AS the National Leagues take a pause over Easter, Peter Winterbottom’s Esher are looking on course to earn promotion back to the third tier.

2 mins

McNicholl at double as Crusaders break duck

FORMER Wales wing Johnny McNicholl scored a try in each half to help Crusaders coach Scott Penny secure his long-awaited first win in charge.

4 mins

Rebel life is just the thing for Maunder

JACK Maunder had always been a name synonymous with Exeter Chiefs. Born and raised in the heart of Devon, rugby ran through his veins like the nearby River Exe carving its path through familiar landscapes.

2 mins

Latsha is just loving her life at Harlequins

HARLEQUINS prop Babalwa Latsha is relishing the opportunity to play in the Women's Premiership and hopes to transfer her skills and knowledge to her international side, South Africa.

2 mins

Newport take over at the top

NEWPORT are the new leaders in the Welsh Premiership after they toppled Llandovery 24-6 to go four points clear.

3 mins

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The Rugby Paper Magazine Description:

The Rugby Paper, the UK's number 1 selling rugby title, brings you exclusive stories, reports and features on your device, published in exceptional clarity. It contains renowned journalists such as Nick Cain and Peter Jackson, and famous former players as columnists including Jeremy Guscott and Jeff Probyn. Published every Sunday, The Rugby Paper covers Rugby Union from national teams and Premiership / Rabo Direct down to grass roots.