![European elite keen to exclude outsiders](https://cdn.magzter.com/1351005036/1720927936/articles/yoIHsfVmq1721127849657/EUROPEAN-ELITE-KEEN-TO-EXCLUDE-OUTSIDERS.jpg)
On July 6 in Dallas - we're taking our bearings from the British calendar here, not the Texan onethe nation's footballers spot-kicked their way past Venezuela in front of 51,000 supporters and found themselves in the semi-finals of the Copa America tournament at the first time of asking.
A little later in Ottawa, life wasn't nearly so much fun. Canada's rugby players, quite the source of pride from Vancouver Island to the Gulf of St Lawrence when they were asking tough questions of the All Blacks and the Springboks at consecutive World Cups in the 1990s, leaked 73 points to a Scotland side so light on big names and star quality, not even Gregor Townsend could be sure of recognising his starting XV as they gathered in the hotel lobby.
As the answer to the question is so blindingly obvious, please don't bother to ask yourselves where the gaze of the country's population is likely to be fixed when there's no ice hockey on the telly. Football, the sporting opium of most of the people most of the time, is doing a proper job on rugby in parts of the planet where rugby was once stronger than football - a fact that might give the governing class of the union code food for thought.
Esta historia es de la edición July 14, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 14, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![Six-try Fiji prove too strong for Samoa](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/AE-VunrL71724698449695/SIXTRY-FIJI-PROVE-TOO-STRONG-FOR-SAMOA.jpg)
Six-try Fiji prove too strong for Samoa
FIJI started their bid for a sixth Pacific Nations Cup title with a 42-16, six-try win over arch rivals Samoa in Suva on Friday
![James will prove to be a star at Racing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/y1ZzGe-s_1724698268825/JAMES-WILL-PROVE-TO-BE-A-STAR-AT-RACING.jpg)
James will prove to be a star at Racing
HERE'S a little prediction that will either leave me with egg on my face or looking like Nostradamus come next June.
![BBC will be covering all 32 World Cup games](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/wxvi2Xy1r1724698183747/BBC-WILL-BE-COVERING-ALL-32-WORLD-CUP-GAMES.jpg)
BBC will be covering all 32 World Cup games
WORLD Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin believes a groundbreaking partnership with the BBC will ensure a 'generational moment' for women's rugby is seized at next summer's World Cup.
![Youngsters were quick to take their chances](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/43Su3BuMm1724698059035/YOUNGSTERS-WERE-QUICK-TO-TAKE-THEIR-CHANCES.jpg)
Youngsters were quick to take their chances
Ben Jaycock caught up with England U18s assistant and backs coach Will Parkin
![Rae: Good to see promotion back](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/KpPwMeZW41724697813735/RAE-GOOD-TO-SEE-PROMOTION-BACK.jpg)
Rae: Good to see promotion back
WITH promotion a realistic possibility for Championship clubs heading into the new season it has created renewed excitement levels across the league.
![Boulton's respect for game he loves](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/axN2fPlym1724697570761/BOULTONS-RESPECT-FOR-GAME-HE-LOVES.jpg)
Boulton's respect for game he loves
COLIN Boulton of Derby County stands astride the Himalayan peaks of Football League champions, the only uncapped goalkeeper to have been a permanent fixture throughout two triumphant campaigns.
![Robertson needs to redress the balance](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/18N3O-qPs1724697162831/ROBERTSON-NEEDS-TO-REDRESS-THE-BALANCE.jpg)
Robertson needs to redress the balance
IT WAS a cheap shot, admittedly, but only a pacifist or a fool would spurn the opportunity to kick the New Zealanders when they're down. \"What's the difference between the All Blacks and an arsonist?\" your columnist asked a radio host during a breakfast broadcast in 1998, eventually breaking an unnervingly long silence with the punchline: \"No arsonist would lose his last five matches.\"
![Ospreys are improving every season - Booth](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/uE7ZPAH-U1724696792851/OSPREYS-ARE-IMPROVING-EVERY-SEASON-BOOTH.jpg)
Ospreys are improving every season - Booth
TOBY Booth has his eyes on a prize for his ever-improving Ospreys this season and if he achieves his ambitious goal it will scratch an itch that has been with him for almost 20 years.
![Rosslyn Park show Barnes how it's done](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/0XIWm2R8j1724696507639/ROSSLYN-PARK-SHOW-BARNES-HOW-ITS-DONE.jpg)
Rosslyn Park show Barnes how it's done
NATIONAL One Rosslyn Park illustrated their league superiority by dispatching their London rivals Barnes 52-12.
![Move to Glasgow suits Schickerling](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1810203/NnVrmHkRE1724696327289/MOVE-TO-GLASGOW-SUITS-SCHICKERLING.jpg)
Move to Glasgow suits Schickerling
IT wasn't all that long ago that Patrick Schickerling was being ear-marked as a potential England bolter, a player who was set for an exciting and dazzling career on the international stage.