Our History

Two years after arguably the most successful on-field cross code venture of all-time with the signing of Jason Robinson by Sale Sharks, League Publications Ltd [LPL] decided to break down a few barriers of their own by adding a rugby union title to their portfolio of rugby league titles, that include the weekly Rugby Leaguer & League Express and the glossy monthly, Rugby League World.

Whereas the unfashionable West Yorkshire town of Brighouse had previously only been known in rugby union circles for staging northern-based RFU disciplinary hearings, it suddenly became home to the world's largest rugby publishing company.
Rugby Times first hit the news stands a few weeks into the 2002/03 season, and had quickly become established as a ground-breaking title by the time England won the World Cup just over a year later.
"We were exploring the possibility of getting into other sports and Ice Hockey came under consideration," recalled company chairman Martyn Sadler.
"But we felt that with the continued growth in the club game, as well as the traditionally strong international scene, rugby union would be a better bet."
England's win in Australia in 2003 was an obvious boon to all facets of the sport, publishing included.
As with any publication Rugby Times has seen a number of changes over the years, changing from a match report based paper in its first year that came out on a Thursday, to one that previews the weekend's action with in-depth statistical breakdowns from the previous weekend's matches.
"Rugby union is becoming more about being involved in an 'event', and we felt that it would be easier to get a foothold in the rugby union market by becoming an essential part of the build up to the weekend's action," explained Jon Newcombe, who has been editor since its inception.
"Also, by the time we came out on a Thursday the reports of matches had become 'old hat', and it was decided that a new approach was needed where Rugby Times would be able to provide something that no other outlet, either in print or on the web provided."
One area where Rugby Times has consistently ticked the right boxes is with its transfer gossip page, 'In The Loop'.
The scourge of directors of rugby everywhere by breaking stories on player signings that would otherwise be kept 'under wraps', the column is begrudgingly viewed as essential reading for those who want to be in the know. One Premiership boss calls it his 'Friday morning bible' and on away trips a copy of the paper has become as essential to players as an iPod or DVD movie for passing the long hours on the road.
Rugby Times has also carved out a niche for itself with its in-depth coverage of the National Leagues, with news and features on all the clubs immediately below the top tier.
The title celebrated its 200th issue in October 2007, the day before England lost the Webb Ellis Trophy, and has deservedly become the trade paper for rugby.
"It is a comprehensive must-read publication that covers all levels of the game," concludes respected BBC rugby front man John Inverdale.