CATEGORIES

Gibson: Blooding kids didn't devalue league

EXETER Chiefs academy manager Rob Gibson has staunchly defended his club’s decision to blood 11 young homegrown players since the Premiership restarted in August.

Breakdown king Ben puts Bears on track for first-ever Euro crown

BRISTOL – as cool and canny after the break as they were frenetic before it – claimed a magnificent first European title with this win that has huge connotations for the club.

Bedford were original ‘Red Army' of rugby

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby”s great schools

Chiefs will need all their teamwork to win a cracker

HAVING the European Cup final at Ashton Gate in south-west England is helpful for Exeter, because logistically it’s much simpler for them than their French opponents, Racing 92.

Red hot atmosphere in the concrete fridge

Brendan Gallagher delves into some of rugby’s most enduring images, their story and why they are still so impactful

Uren: Toulon will be class but we have Radradra!

AS a youngster, Andy Uren stood on the terraces at the Memorial Ground watching the likes of “the unbelievable” Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi strut their stuff.

Women's game can point way for restart

As we finally come to the end of what has been the most disrupted season of rugby since the war, it’s going to be interesting to see what we have learned.

The online trolls are unfair on Diamond

No party time: Sale after their Premiership Cup victory over Harlequins

New-look Nicky aims to munch France

NICKY Smith has eaten his way back into the Wales squad by piling on the pounds in a bid to return to the international stage bigger, better and stronger.

Parling helps develop Wallabies' dark side

AFTER establishing his top-flight coaching credentials with the Melbourne Rebels, former England and Lions star Geoff Parling has set the bar higher still by vowing to kick-start an Aussie revival when the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championships starts next month.

Diamond amazed by Wales snub to WillGriff

SALE Sharks say they are ‘astounded’ by WillGriff John’s exclusion from the Wales squad following his selection before the Six Nations went into lockdown.

Cancellation benefits Bath, Robshaw ends a winner

Winner: Quins captain Chris Robshaw bids farewell

Brash? Yes, I don't want to be boring!

ADAM ELLIS talks to England flanker turned author James Haskell

Clubs Must Help Save Themselves With Cuts

I sometimes wonder whether the Premiership and its clubs are living in a parallel universe.

Russell Has A Box Of Tricks But May Be Risk For Lions

Finn Russell demonstrated in last weekend’s European Cup semi-final victory over Saracens in Paris that playing in a high-powered highly talented team like Racing 92, he gets the chance to express himself even more than before.

PRO12 winner Heenan hungry for another title

REGARDLESS of the shenanigans at Sale, Bristol flanker Jake Heenan insists nothing changes for his side as they aim for a five-point win and tilt at the Premiership title.

Don't kill Cheetahs off for the ‘Big Four'

There will be a big decision to be made in South Africa this week when a vote is taken on the playing future of their four now former Super Rugby teams – Lions, Sharks, Bulls and Stormers – and the Cheetahs.

Watkin won't be satisfied until he hits Test century

OWEN Watkin is eager to establish himself as a Test starter this autumn following Hadleigh Parkes’ exit – and then kick on to make a big name for himself.

Tiger Reffell raring to rip into Robshaw

RISING star Tommy Reffell goes into battle against Premiership legend Chris Robshaw today looking to enhance his burgeoning reputation.

Penberthy quits Reds to become boy in blue

AARON PENBERTHY has swapped the playbook for the lawbook as he begins a new career in the State of Jersey Police.

Lam: Job done but far too many errors

BRISTOL kept their play-off bid on track with a bonus-point win over Leicester.

Creevy try settles see-saw struggle

LONDON Irish recorded their first win over the Chiefs since 2015 with veteran hooker Agustin Creevy grabbing the winning try.

Diamond backs James brothers for England run

STEVE Diamond has backed Luke James and Sam James to become the latest set of brothers to play for England.

Diamond Rallies Troops With Half-Time Roasting

Faf De Klerk revealed a half-time roasting from Steve Diamond inspired Sale to victory over Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup final.

Stick with Undercurry and Billy says Moody

FORMER England captain Lewis Moody believes Eddie Jones should stick with his tried and tested back row trio despite being blessed with an embarrassment of riches in the loose forwards.

Why can I mingle in a shop but not at rugby?

WITH professional and amateur community Rugby Union clubs teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and closure due to the lockdown there are elements of the British government’s handling of the Covid regulations regarding sport that appear to be contradictory or badly out of step with those that apply to the rest of society.

Ring-fence and cut wage bills to attract state aid

During the week, Premiership Rugby, issued a statement confirming that they had met with Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to seek a rescue package to help the clubs survive. Since then, in a concerted PR effort, a number of clubs have gone public on how dire the situation is.

World Cup winners will bring box office appeal

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE... EVERY WEEK

Tom gives Tens a go to get fit for Tokyo

ENGLAND Sevens star Tom Mitchell aims to grab a rugby lifeline next month as part of a trailblazing World Tens Series slated to take place in Bermuda.

French had a rule: ‘When at home you never lose.' They did!

The picture of Serge Blanco and Jon Webb at the end of the ‘91 World Cup quarter-final that was in last week’s Rugby Paper brought back so many great memories of my seven matches (we won six) against les Bleus.