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Neil Fissler

Neil Fissler is an experienced Fleet Street hack with the Daily Star Sunday and then the Sunday Express and has been breaking most of rugby's biggest transfer stories for over 20 years for Rugby Times, The Rugby Paper and now RugbyPass. A respected historian who has written over 20 books. 

Phil Dowson confirms worst fears over 'frustrating' Alex Mitchell injury

Mitchell suffered his latest injury last week during an England alignment camp, and it comes less than three months after he picke…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
26 May 2026, 7:41
Exclusive

Fissler Confidential: James Lowe on verge of shock Leinster exit

James Lowe, who is missing the Champions Cup Final against Bordeaux this weekend, looks set to leave Leinster, bringing an era to …

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
22 May 2026, 10:58

French veteran returns as Bordeaux go for back-to-back European titles

Yannick Bru has made one change to his Bordeaux-Begles starting line-up that beat Bath in their Investec Champions Cup semi-final …

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
22 May 2026, 5:03
Interview

Where Simon Zebo believes the Champions Cup final will be decided

Simon Zebo believes that Jamison Gibson-Park coming out on top of the scrum-half head-to-head with Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu will b…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
22 May 2026, 3:31

Ehren Painter makes decision over future after injury hell

Exeter Chiefs tighthead Ehren Painter is staying at Sandy Park next season after putting pen to paper on a new deal, after proving…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
21 May 2026, 8:28

England star and two Lions named in Montpellier squad for final

Former England No.8 Billy Vunipola will captain Montpellier in their Challenge Cup final date with destiny when they face Ulster i…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
21 May 2026, 5:08
Interview

'I didn't enjoy the game': Ferris' advice to this Ulster generation

Ulster will be hunting for their first trophy in 20 years tomorrow night in Bilbao, since they were crowned Celtic League champion…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
21 May 2026, 3:24

'Everything that happened with Saracens, I don't think would have happened if it wasn't for him'

Billy Vunipola has hailed the massive influence that Mark McCall has had on him as a person as the Saracens boss prepares to stand…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
20 May 2026, 9:06
Exclusive

Fissler Extra: Umaga empire grows in pro rugby, Bulls eye coaching addition

Caylen Umaga, the highly rated fly-half, son of former Rotherham and Samoa international Mike, will start his professional career …

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
20 May 2026, 6:50
Interview

Billy Vunipola still battling to win over sceptical Montpellier team-mates

Billy Vunipola might have won 73 England caps, but he admits that he had to prove to a sceptical Montpellier dressing room that he…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
19 May 2026, 11:30

'Don't get me started': Exeter's Ikitau makes feelings clear on England selection

Henry Slade is spending this week in camp with England, who have only used him once this season when he scored a try in England’…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
19 May 2026, 6:08

Death occurs of last of his kind dual-international Mike 'MJK' Smith

The death has been announced of Mike Smith, better known by his initials MJK, the last dual international to play rugby and cricke…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
18 May 2026, 9:23
Exclusive

Exeter Chiefs move to slash red tape over takeover bid

Exeter Chiefs have moved to slash the red tape surrounding their takeover by Bill Foley’s Black Knight Sports and Entertainment …

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
18 May 2026, 6:16
Exclusive

Fissler Confidential: Pat Lam battling for his Bristol future

Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam is battling for his future despite having another two years left on his contract with the club, who loo…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
16 May 2026, 2:46
Exclusive

'That's why I applaud them': Ex-Bok coach hails All Blacks' call as 'masterstroke'

Former Springbok World Cup-winning coach Jake White has hailed the All Blacks appointing Sir Graham Henry to Dave Rennie’s new-l…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
15 May 2026, 3:22

'Hopefully, this isn’t the end': Len Ikitau adds to growing speculation

Wallabies superstar Len Ikitau has confirmed that his agent has opened talks with Exeter Chiefs for a second spell at Sandy Park w…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
14 May 2026, 8:30

'I think he can genuinely be the best left-side winger in the country'

Harlequins boss Jason Gilmore believes that Cadan Murley can become the best winger in the country after moving alongside Mike Bro…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
14 May 2026, 2:17

Sale Sharks won't let Luke Cowan-Dickie join rivals without a fight

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson is ready to fight any attempts from Bristol Bears to take England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie back to…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
13 May 2026, 7:58

What concerns Rob Baxter about Kane James’ Wales call-up

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter is heading on a collision course with Wales over No.8 Kane James, who only this week received his fi…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
13 May 2026, 1:33

Sale ready to unleash England duo on Leicester after long wait

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson is set for a welcome boost with the news that England internationals Tom Curry and Raffi Quirke ar…

Neil Fissler
Neil Fissler
12 May 2026, 10:12
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