The Rugby Paper - October 06, 2024

In this issue

October 06, 2024

JVP 'better than ever' after his year of hell

ENGLAND head coach Steve Borthwick will see a new, improved Jack van Poortvliet when he pitches up at national training this week.

2 mins

Cowan-Dickie tipped for an England return

SALE Sharks boss Alex Sanderson has backed hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie to play a prominent part in England’s autumn, and stay in the Premiership as a result.

2 mins

Centurion Skinner out to join elite club

EVER since Harvey Skinner made his debut for Exeter eight years ago, players from the club have been capped in every position – except his own.

2 mins

England is still my target Spencer

BEN SPENCER will continue to put his best foot forward – either his left or his right, it makes no odds – in his bid to become England’s No.9 this autumn.

3 mins

I'd be happy to step up at 12 - Atkinson

GLOUCESTER’S Seb Atkinson aims to show he can be the solution to England’s problem at No.12.

2 mins

Time for Marcus and Ben to link up

THERE’S speculation that Alex Mitchell and George Ford are unlikely to feature for England in the early stages of the autumn internationals due to injuries, but usually you would look at the team that finished the last game for nearly all the starters.

4 mins

Second-best Bath trumped by Bears

BRILLIANT Bristol turned the formbook on its head with a statement win over their keenest rivals before a sell-out crowd at The Rec.

2 mins

Ace Smith has Saints back on right road

FIN Smith won the battle of the No.10s against namesake Marcus as the champions secured backto-back victories after their rocky start at Bath.

2 mins

Lively Reed lights the spark to ignite Sharks

AARON Reed proved to be Sale’s pivotal weapon, and the perfect foil in both attack and defence to ensure Sharks came out on the right side of a nine-try nailbiter on Friday.

2 mins

Borthwick should call up these young props

IT WAS surprising that neither of England’s U20 world champion props, Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale) or Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester), were in the England training squad going to Portugal ahead of the autumn series.

1 min

Following in father's footsteps ... but for how long?

CAST your minds back, those of you who are sufficiently long in the tooth, to Melbourne in late October 2003.

3 mins

Tuipulotu's power is too much for Cardiff

SCOTLAND star Sione Tuipulotu has been hailed as one of the best three 12s in the world following his player of the match display in this 13-try rollercoaster at the Arms Park.

1 min

Dupont & Co need to take on the very best

I THINK we established long ago that my admiration of Antoine Dupont knows no bounds, he is the best rugby player I have ever reported on or watched in the flesh, pipping Gareth Edwards by a short head, but there is no question that there is a gaping huge hole in his CV which many cite against him when the all-time lists are compiled and debated.

4 mins

I put in three good shots on Jonah Lomu

BACK in the day, when we first started in Leagues in 1987, we began in North East 2.

5 mins

Howdy! England pair saddle up to spread the word

JESS Breach and Ellie Kildunne have launched their new podcast Rugby Rodeo with one ambition in mind – to grow the profile of the women’s game.

3 mins

Sorry, Geoff, but let's not de-power scrums

EVERY week I can’t wait for Sunday to come around so that I can read The Rugby Paper and see what is really happening in our game.

3 mins

How London Welsh are working way back to top

William Gupwell goes down to south-west London to find a club out to rediscover itself

3 mins

Campese: Schmidt is wrong man for Aussies

DAVID Campese delivered a blunt message regarding Joe Schmidt’s position as Australia’s head coach, claiming the Kiwi isn’t right for the role because he doesn’t understand the Wallabies’ culture and history.

2 mins

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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.