The Rugby Paper Magazine - January 19, 2025

In this issue

January 19, 2025

Lawrence and Slade can work - Barritt

BRAD Barritt backs the misfiring duo of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence to continue together in midfield for England, stressing the importance of familiarity in centre partnerships.

2 mins

Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down

STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.

4 mins

Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain

AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.

3 mins

Tshiunza: There's no panic at Chiefs

AS Christ Tshiunza reflected on what has been a frustrating season for the Wales forward, he recalled a recent conversation he had with England wing Manny Feyi-Waboso.

3 mins

Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle

ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.

3 mins

Williams is poised to shift up a gear

TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.

2 mins

'Life without my brother is weird'

SALE stalwart Luke James admits his first season apart from older brother Sam has been \"very weird\".

3 mins

Borthwick must put faith in his players

THE change of England captaincy that was discussed in last week's column has become reality with Maro Itoje taking over from Jamie George, and leading the side into the Six Nations.

4 mins

Obano red ends Bath hope of an upset win

BATH gave it a determined rattle at the Aviva for an hour but eventually succumbed to Leinster's sheer abundance of quality players and strength off the bench.

2 mins

Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller

A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.

2 mins

Izuchukwu treble as Chiefs sent crashing

THE Exeter Chiefs' season hit an ominous nadir in Belfast, the city synonymous ill-fated Titanic.

3 mins

Battling Bears suffer injury-time heartache

PAT Lam and his Bears were left wondering what might I have been following an agonising European exit in France.

2 mins

Chandler and Co cook up a tasty performance

HARLEQUINS cured setheir place in the Champions Cup knockout stages as they dented Glasgow's hopes of a higher seeding for their home tie in the last 16.

2 mins

Leicester gunning to take down a legend

MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.

2 mins

Barritt backing the new boys

BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.

2 mins

Banahan tribute to 'superb' Watson

FORMER England international Matt Banahan has hailed Anthony Watson as the 'ultimate team man' and a 'true professional' who had an unparalleled ability to beat defenders oneon-one.

3 mins

Fisilau is following in father's footsteps

IN what has been a challenging campaign for the Exeter Chiefs, Greg Fisilau has emerged as a rare shining light.

3 mins

Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy

CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.

1 min

Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart

A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.

2 mins

Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance

A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.

2 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.