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• England squad depth is ‘giving me a headache’, says head coach Mitchell

  19-04-2025 22:41 via theguardian.com
  Red Roses made nine changes for win against Scotland‘There is plenty of competition in the England side’The England head coach, John Mitchell, admitted his team’s squad depth is creating a selection headache after his England side demolished Scotland in the Six Nations.The Red Roses made nine changes from their win in Ireland last Saturday, with one of those the wing Claudia MacDonald. She had a player of the match performance and scored two tries. Continue reading...
  
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• Wallabies blow with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to undergo surgery before Lions clash

  14-05-2025 07:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Australia star suffers fractured jaw after on-field collisionSuaalii may miss rest of NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby seasonJoseph-Aukuso Suaalii is in a race against time to be fit to face the British & Irish Lions, with the Wallabies star set to miss the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season with a fractured jaw.Suaalii will undergo surgery on a “small undisplaced fracture” he sustained in an accidental collision with a NSW Waratahs teammate against the Queensland Reds
  
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• Tom Curry given British and Irish Lions green light as major injury decision made

  13-05-2025 18:32 via express.co.uk
  Tom Curry is a leading hope for the British and Irish Lions but has had a torrid run with injuries.
  
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• Lions star tipped to become British Prime Minister and silence Donald Trump

  13-05-2025 17:01 via express.co.uk
  One Lions star has been tipped for the top of British politics.
  
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• The Breakdown | Rugby union’s bonus points barely change the Premiership table. Should we scrap them?

  13-05-2025 11:47 via theguardian.com
  Research shows they make a major difference to 2.28% of positions, while play-off semi-finals also look redundantThe business end of the domestic season has arrived and the Premiership and United Rugby Championship tables, as ever, are being carefully scrutinised. Two from Bristol, Sale and Saracens are now vying to make the Premiership playoffs with two games left while the race for the URC top eight will boil down to the final weekend.At which point some know-all will intone the well-worn mant
  
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• From Roman Roads to Rugby Fields: The Enduring Legacy of Cowbridge RFC

  13-05-2025 11:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  By Pete Ryan “Not the best place, but there’s diamonds in the mud.” Gerry Cinnamon’s lyrics capture the muddy, uncertain Welsh rugby landscape; even in the most demanding terrain, diamonds glint hidden in the grassroots clubs that keep the positivity alive across the nation. When discussing Wales‘ iconic rugby settlements, it’s easy to overlook Cowbridge. […]
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• Vaea Fifita’s commanding presence has Scarlets pushing for URC play-off spot

  13-05-2025 10:49 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  By Peter Ryan For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day. It has been a grim season for Welsh rugby this year.  From poor performances on the international stage to financial problems behind the scenes, fans haven’t […]
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• British and Irish Lions Watch: Caelan Doris confirmed to miss the tour with injury 

  12-05-2025 16:12 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  By Charlie Elliott The British and Irish Lions squad was announced on Thursday, with head coach Andy Farrell announcing the 38 players who are going to tour and confirming that two extra spots will be available.  Some players will have been surprised by the news that they were selected, and even those who fans saw as certainties […]
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• Leicester turn to Geoff Parling as head coach after hunt for Cheika’s successor

  12-05-2025 15:57 via theguardian.com
  Former lock will remain with Australia for Lions seriesLeinster confirm Caelan Doris out for four to six monthsGeoff Parling has been appointed as Leicester’s new head coach, bringing an end to a drawn out recruitment process to find Michael Cheika’s successor. Parling is currently employed as the Australia assistant coach but will return to Welford Road after this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour.The former second-row Parling, 41, spent six years at Leicester and will b
  
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• Geoff Parling appointed as new Leicester Tigers head coach on long-term deal

  12-05-2025 15:37 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  By Charlie Elliott Geoff Parling has officially put an end to Leicester Tigers’ search for a new head coach to replace Michael Cheika next season, with the former British and Irish Lion and Tigers player being announced as Cheika’s successor today.  A lock in his playing days, he already knows the club well, given that […]
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• From the Shadows to the Spotlight: Greece’s Unyielding Pursuit of Rugby Excellence

  12-05-2025 14:24 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  In a country where football stadiums are filled to capacity and basketball arenas echo with passionate chants, another oval-shaped ball is making its presence quietly but persistently known. Rugby, which was all but unknown in Greece a short time ago, has been on a consistent trajectory from obscurity to recognition these past few decades. It […]
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• Joe Marler 'called up for Lions role' days after squad announced

  12-05-2025 14:07 via express.co.uk
  Joe Marler is set to be front and centre as the British & Irish Lions tour Australia.
  
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• Rugby’s Social Media Moments of the Week: Bristol Bears produce two monster tackles in plus British and Irish Lions squad reaction 

  12-05-2025 13:56 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  By Charlie Elliott Rugby saw plenty happen over the weekend, with leagues across the world coming up with some great moments.  Social media managed to keep tabs on everything that happened, offering a perspective and opinion on every moment, big or small.  With the Premiership and Top 14 reaching crunch time, fans of those leagues, especially, were on the edge of their […]
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• Premiership Round 16 Team of the Week: Leicester Tigers trio star in huge win over Sale Sharks

  12-05-2025 13:14 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  By Charlie Elliott Round 16 of the Premiership saw plenty of changes to both the table and the optimism of some fans, as now the race for the top four is heating up.  Leicester Tigers produced a stunning second-half performance to beat Sale Sharks 44-24 at Welford Road and all but secure their spot in the top […]
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• Paralyzed to Powerful: how college rugby star Robert Paylor fought back from a broken neck

  12-05-2025 12:00 via theguardian.com
  Catastrophically injured, the Cal lock was told he would not walk again. Refusing to accept defeat, he is now an author and speaker, still in love with his sportIn another world, Robert Paylor might have been playing in Major League Rugby, in his prime at 28, preparing for a US Eagles summer including England in Washington and World Cup qualification.“When I was an athlete, that was my purpose in life,” he says. “I wanted to be the best rugby player I could be. And in a lot of
  
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• Door open for overseas Wallabies to take on the Lions, says Australia coach Joe Schmidt

  12-05-2025 08:26 via theguardian.com
  Players like Samu Kerevi, Pete Samu and Will Skelton in frameSquad of up to 40 players to be picked before first Test in BrisbaneSuch is the magnitude of the challenge and occasion that Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is set to ditch his no overseas-based players selection strategy for the blockbuster series against the touring British and Irish Lions.While not picking talent from outside of Australia is not strictly a set-in-stone policy, Schmidt has made clear his preference to mostly overlook Wal
  
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• Skinner helps Exeter defeat second-string Saints but Baxter issues warning

  11-05-2025 20:40 via theguardian.com
  Exeter 42-14 Northampton‘We have a lot to work on,’ admits Chiefs directorSometimes there is just one acceptable outcome and, from Exeter’s perspective, this victory was the absolute minimum requirement. Had they been beaten by what was almost Northampton’s third team, having folded embarrassingly at Gloucester last time out, the sound of teeth being gnashed would have been heard from Totnes to Tiverton.Not that Rob Baxter, now back in a more hands-on role following the r
  
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• Former Lions and Scotland head coach Sir Ian McGeechan diagnosed with prostate cancer

  11-05-2025 11:43 via express.co.uk
  Sir Ian McGeechan provided an update on his condition after sharing the sad news.
  
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• Lions stars had pub lock-in and cancelled training session as legend reveals all

  11-05-2025 11:30 via express.co.uk
  Exclusive: Lions legend and Welsh rugby icon Jamie Roberts has revealed a surprising coaching move involving a night out in the pub
  
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• Former Scotland and Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan says he has prostate cancer

  11-05-2025 10:07 via theguardian.com
  78-year-old says he has recently undergone radiotherapyMcGeechan led four British & Irish Lions toursSir Ian McGeechan, the former head coach of Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, has urged rugby players and all younger men to get themselves tested after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.The 78-year-old, who is the consultant director of rugby at the Championship club Doncaster, led Scotland to the grand slam in the 1990 Five Nations. McGeechan oversaw four series as the Lions he
  
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• Wales legend shares true thoughts on Maro Itoje being named Lions captain

  11-05-2025 09:30 via express.co.uk
  Exclusive: Jamie Roberts has given his opinion on Maro Itoje being named the new Lions captain
  
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• From reject to a Lion: Freeman’s stellar rise

  11-05-2025 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  ■ By ADAM HATHAWAY TOMMY Freeman has gone from being a Leicester reject to becoming a Lion, thanks to his recent try-scoring exploits. The flying winger has touched down 15 times in his last 10 games, bagging five in five for England in the Six Nations and a hat-trick in Northampton’s epic 37-34 Champions Cup […]
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• From Leicester reject to a British and Irish Lion: Tommy Freeman’s stellar rise

  11-05-2025 05:00 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By Adam Hathway Tommy Freeman has gone from being a Leicester reject to becoming a Lion, thanks to his recent try-scoring exploits. The flying winger has touched down 15 times in his last 10 games, bagging five in five for England in the Six Nations and a hat-trick in Northampton’s epic 37-34 Champions Cup win […]
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• When statistics + analysis = oh no!

  11-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  DID you know that in round 15 of the United Rugby Championship – which, for the avoidance of doubt, was the one before round 16, which has been unfolding over this current weekend – the Newport-based Dragons made 1.1 post-contact metres per carry with a 48.4 gainline success rate? Crikey, who’d have thought it? You […]
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• ‘We were distinctly average out there’

  11-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  GEORGE Skivington admitted his team were second best and that the manner of defeat was painful. “I’m disappointed, we were distinctly average from minute one to minute 80,” said the Gloucester director of rugby. “We didn’t fire many shots and our decision-making was poor. “We knew the threats they would pose but from minute one […]
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• We need to come together – Josh Hodge

  11-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  By Paul Rees Josh Hodge has been the rainbow in what has been a stormy season for Exeter. Even in the 79-17 defeat at Gloucester in the last round, a chastening experience that led to two coaches being relieved of their duties, the full-back made his mark. Hodge’s displays as an attacking full-back who is […]
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• We need to come together – Hodge

  11-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By PAUL REES JOSH Hodge has been the rainbow in what has been a stormy season for Exeter. Even in the 79-17 defeat at Gloucester in the last round, a chastening experience that led to two coaches being relieved of their duties, the full-back made his mark. Hodge’s displays as an attacking full-back who is […]
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• We can do something special, says Itoje

  11-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 8-PAGE PULLOUT ■By ADAM HATHAWAY MARO Itoje took tips on captaincy from two-time Lions skipper Martin Johnson the day before he was announced as the leader for this summer’s tour to Australia. On Thursday Itoje detailed his whirlwind week which ended with him on stage at London’s O2 Arena as the […]
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• warrior, admits Kolisi

  11-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  Cardiff.................................21pts Tries: Mann 46, Williams 72, Hamer-Webb 76 Conversions: Thomas 47, 73, 77 Late surge: Gabriel Hamer-Webb goes for the line PICTURE: Getty Images ity side like the Bulls too much possession and too much momentum, it’s going to be a very hard game to come back from. “We will look at this performance because […]
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• Touring Japan with Wales is my goal says Dan Edwards

  11-05-2025 04:59 via therugbypaper.co.uk
  
  By Simon Thomas Having had a first taste of international rugby this season, Dan Edwards is now eager for more as he sets his sights on Wales’ summer tour of Japan. The Ospreys fly-half made his Test debut as a replacement away to France in the Six Nations opener and then came on for a […]
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