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Maro Itoje is missing once again as England named an enlarged squad to resume preparations for a summer schedule that be...
16/06/2026

Maro Itoje is missing once again as England named an enlarged squad to resume preparations for a summer schedule that begins with a non-cap international against France on Friday.

Itoje could be rested for all or part of the July tour and the prospect of the England captain being stood down for the Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina moved a step closer following his omission from the 33-man group named by Steve Borthwick.

Players from losing Gallagher Prem semi-finalists Bath and Leicester have become available following the weekend’s action, resulting in the addition to the squad of Itoje’s fellow second rows Ollie Chessum, George Martin and Charlie Ewels.

It gives Borthwick options in the position, providing the scope to rest Itoje if it is felt he would benefit from having the summer off. Only Northampton’s Alex Coles of England’s front line locks remains in Prem action.

Read the full report below ⤵️

🔗 https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/world/international-rugby-union/487404/maro-itoje-again-left-out-of-steve-borthwicks-england-squad/

The Rugby Paper’s analysis of attendances across Europe’s three main league competitions shows three of the four Welsh r...
16/06/2026

The Rugby Paper’s analysis of attendances across Europe’s three main league competitions shows three of the four Welsh regions near the bottom of the pile – Scarlets 33rd out of 40, Dragons 36th, Ospreys 38th.

Put together their combined average attendances barely amounts to half of Bordeaux’s.

Ospreys say ‘the region is looking forward to continuing its proud history as a key player in Welsh rugby’.

The best way of ensuring that is to sell the new St Helen’s out on a regular basis and secure Swansea’s place in the rugby sun by popular demand.

A sporting city which witnessed a team composed almost entirely of local cricketers beat Australia, not once but twice in the space of four years, has suffered enough.

Read Peter Jackson's full column below ⤵️

🔗 https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/all/columnists/peter-jackson/487119/from-death-row-to-a-born-again-belief/

ICYMI 👀James Ramm is returning to Australia at the end of the season after four years with Northampton Saints to put him...
16/06/2026

ICYMI 👀

James Ramm is returning to Australia at the end of the season after four years with Northampton Saints to put himself in contention for next year’s Rugby World Cup.

The 28-year old back three player was part of the title winning squad two seasons ago and started the Champions Cup final against Bordeaux-Begles last year.

“The end of my time here is becoming more real,” said Ramm, who is joining Western Force.

“It was a tough decision to leave.”

He added: “I have played in some cool stadiums and made connections with the boys here, something that differentiates Saints from a lot of other teams.

“My wife and I talked about what we wanted from the next chapter. We were always going to go back to Australia, it was merely a case of when.

“The pull of a home World Cup was a big factor in the decision. I felt that if I did not throw everything into it, I would regret it.

Read the full column below ⤵️

I can’t claim to have studied the bottom of the Premiership table much this season. Why would you? Nothing at stake, zer...
16/06/2026

I can’t claim to have studied the bottom of the Premiership table much this season. Why would you? Nothing at stake, zero jeopardy, no relevance.

But old professional habits die hard so I did take one last lingering look at the table this week to lodge it in my shell for recall if needed before consigning this season to history. And I was immediately struck yet again by the absurdity of the try bonus system.

Take Quins who finished in ninth place – or second to bottom to be brutally objective about it.

Now by their own admission Quins have endured a pretty miserable season but, despite being the author of their official history a few years back, I don’t think I can be accused of undue bias when I point out that they won more games than either Gloucester and Sale who both finished above them.

Quins won six games yet Sale, who managed five victories, finished a ridiculous five points ahead of them in the Premiership table in seventh place which is due to Alex Sanderson’s team accruing 16 bonus points – 10 TB and six LB – compared with Quins six try bonus points and solitary losing bonus.

This is just nonsense. The whole essence of sport is to adequately reward the winner, especially in team sports and their associated leagues.

Winning is everything, it’s why we keep the score for heaven’s sake and it has to mean more. Distorting the League table with these frivolous add ons is the equivalent of awarding extra points for artistic impression.

Read Brendan Gallagher's full column below ⤵️

Dogos stamped their ticket to the Super Rugby Americas final with a dominant 35-13 victory over Tarucas. The Córdoba-bas...
16/06/2026

Dogos stamped their ticket to the Super Rugby Americas final with a dominant 35-13 victory over Tarucas. The Córdoba-based side are now just one win away from regaining the title they won in 2024.

Dogos were at their ruthless best and will head into Friday’s home final as strong favourites. Remarkably, the Córdoba-based side will contest their fourth consecutive final, and will be desperate to become champions for the second time in their history.

Tarucas deserve huge credit for reaching the semifinals, especially given the mid-season blip they suffered. This game was a step too far for them, however, and they were outclassed throughout. The Tucumán franchise have made great progress this season, both on and off the pitch, and have garnered the largest fanbase in the competition to date.

Pampas overcame a stern test from Capibaras to triumph 19-11 in the second semifinal in Buenos Aires. The victory sets up a repeat of the 2024 final on Friday.

Read the full report below ⤵️

ICYMI 👀🗣️ “It’s such an honour and privilege to play for your county. I wish there were more teams involved.“Kent strugg...
16/06/2026

ICYMI 👀

🗣️ “It’s such an honour and privilege to play for your county. I wish there were more teams involved.

“Kent struggled this year because Blackheath had play-off games and couldn’t release players.

“We played one of the poorest Kent teams there’s been for quite a few years.

“I really hope the counties and the RFU can come to some sort of agreement financially to make county rugby stronger again because it is such a key part of rugby.

“It’s a privilege to play for your county and I’d hate to see that disappear.

“Once county rugby is gone you’ve only really got club rugby and professional rugby left.

“We won’t get back to the days when Cornwall were playing in front of 60,000 people at Twickenham in 1991, but I’d love to see six or seven counties battling it out and making it a really strong competition again...

🏆 📣 Cornwall's Kyle Moyle signed off by lifting the Bill Beaumont Division 1 title at Twickenham – and urging the RFU to protect the future of county rugby.

Read the full column below ⤵️

📰🏉 Tackle Father's Day head-on with a subscription to The Rugby Paper: https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptions 🗞️🎁...
16/06/2026

📰🏉 Tackle Father's Day head-on with a subscription to The Rugby Paper: https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptions 🗞️🎁 Convert him into the ultimate rugby fanatic with captivating coverage, hard-hitting match reports & exclusive insight ⚡️

ICYMI 👀🗣️ “It is a much tougher tour than ever before, certainly in the time I’ve been coach.“Not only with the travel, ...
16/06/2026

ICYMI 👀

🗣️ “It is a much tougher tour than ever before, certainly in the time I’ve been coach.

“Not only with the travel, but the opposition.

“Three teams in the top eight in the world and one being the number one team in the world.

“We feel as strong a team as possible will give us the best chance of winning.

“But also we’re going to get a lot of learning from these games to take into next season...

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Gregor Townsend has named two uncapped hookers in Scotland’s squad for this summer’s Nations Championship.

Read the full column below ⤵️

ICYMI 👀🗣️ “Leaving Leicester was a tough decision and it came down to the length of contract which was important given m...
15/06/2026

ICYMI 👀

🗣️ “Leaving Leicester was a tough decision and it came down to the length of contract which was important given my age.

“My family live in Wales and I have to make sure we have a stable income for as long as possible.

“I love playing for Leicester but Sale was an opportunity I could not turn down.

“I know that I made the right decision...

🐯 ➡️ 🦈 Nicky Smith is bidding a reluctant farewell to Leicester Tigers at the end of the month having agreed a move to The Sale Sharks for the benefit of his family.



Read the full column below ⤵️

ICYMI 👀🗣️ “Kevin’s commitment to others sets an incredible example for all of us.“Having seen the impact of his challeng...
15/06/2026

ICYMI 👀

🗣️ “Kevin’s commitment to others sets an incredible example for all of us.

“Having seen the impact of his challenges first-hand, I know the difference he makes to people and communities.

“No one is more deserving of this recognition...

👏 Steve Borthwick led the congratulations for Kevin Sinfield after the England defence coach was awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Read the full column below ⤵️

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