Premiership

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Premiership news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

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There’s plenty of talent on its way through – Skivington

3 March 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS George Skivington insists the future is bright in terms of the talent coming through within the English rugby set-up. Handed the perfect […]

Andre’s heading home

3 March 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Andre Esterhuizen will leave Harlequins at the end of the 2023/24 season and return to South Africa for family reasons. The Springboks […]

Bristol go on the rampage

3 March 2024 0 comments

Bedford Blues….. 33pts Bristol Bears……. 54pts BRISTOL Bears ran in eight tries as they put on show at Goldington Road on Friday night. There were […]

Every time my name is called out, I get excited

3 March 2024 0 comments

Jon Newcombe catches up with Northampton’s Sam Graham as the Saints look to keep hold of top spot in the Premiership FOR industrious back row […]

“Time feels right” to make Racing move – Farrell

28 February 2024 0 comments

Owen Farrell admits that leaving Saracens was a “difficult decision” but that he is ready to “experience something different” by moving to Racing 92. Farrell‘s […]

End of an era as Lawes commits to Brive

25 February 2024 0 comments

Courtney Lawes will leave Northampton this summer to join ProD2 side Brive after 17 seasons at Franklin’s Gardens. Lawes said Northampton did “everything they could” […]

Mercer: I’m focused on Gloucester

25 February 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES If desire to play for England was a factor in selection, Zach Mercer would be one of the first names on the […]

Van Graan banking on Russell to hit the target

25 February 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Johann van Graan has every faith that Finn Russell can transfer his goal-kicking form for Scotland to Bath if needed in clutch […]

Yet again, Ealing prove they have what it takes

25 February 2024 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK Ealing Trailfinders’ narrow defeat by Leicester in the Premiership Cup semi-final last weekend has blown most of […]

Munster have edge on Quins

25 February 2024 0 comments

By TOM EVANS Harlequins ……. 35pts Tries: Walker 23, Edwards 37, Hammond 42, Bradley 69, Zheng 76 Conversions: Edwards 24, 38, 43; Slevin 70, 77 […]

Double for McFarland as Saracens find feet

25 February 2024 0 comments

By PAUL CLEMENCE Saracens ……31pts Tries: Tizard 2, McFarland 8, 15; Lewington 28, Hallett 70 Conversions: Vunipola 3, 9, 70 Leinster…… 19pts Tries: Jenkins 45, […]

Ealing showed they are worthy

25 February 2024 0 comments

Ealing Trailfinders knew it was a big day and they gave it a proper lash. A single point behind Leicester with 90 seconds left on […]

Rugby’s stuck in the ice age. It needs to open up

25 February 2024 0 comments

Ben Jaycock talks to Freddie Burns about life in Japan and what he thinks the sport must do to attract the youngsters FREDDIE Burns is […]

Mercer on a mission

18 February 2024 0 comments

Gloucester booked their place in the Premiership Cup final with Zach Mercer, pictured, leading the way with the first try and a hand in both […]

Baxter expecting decision on Slade future soon

18 February 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Exeter expect to know “very shortly’ whether England centre Henry Slade will be extending his 13-year stay at Sandy Park. The 30-year […]

Dowson hoping Lawes will stay

18 February 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson still harbours some hope that Courtney Lawes has a future at Franklin’s Gardens beyond the end […]

Magnificent Mercer takes no prisoners

18 February 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Gloucester …………………… 17pts Tries: Mercer 6, Llewellyn 11, Hathaway 31 Conversions: Tries: Barton 12 Exeter Chiefs ……………….14pts Vermeulen 60, Vintcent 68 Conversions: […]

‘If England happens, then it happens’

18 February 2024 0 comments

ZACH Mercer said his man-of-the-match performance was down to his desire to prove himself with Gloucester, not a response to being overlooked by England. The […]

Tigers keen to make it a day to remember

18 February 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Ealing v Leicester Today. Kick-off 3pm, Trailfinders Sports Ground LEICESTER scrumhalf Tom Whiteley wants to give Hanro Liebenberg a day to […]

We want to create some more history, says Ward

18 February 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK No fear: Coach Ben Ward EALING Trailfinders finished top of Pool D following a clean sweep of victories at home to Northampton […]

Hendrickson enjoying his new life in Japan

18 February 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Tom Hendrickson is settling well to life in the Far East having swapped the Premiership for that of Japanese Rugby League One. […]

Short-term contract takes Grace to Bath

18 February 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Former Wales rugby league star Regan Grace has signed a short-term contract with Bath. The 27-year-old switched to rugby union and joined […]

Rebel Kemeny on his way to Northampton

18 February 2024 0 comments

AUSTRALIA back row Josh Kemeny will join Northampton from Melbourne Rebels ahead of next season. The 25-year-old flanker has made 27 Super Rugby appearances for […]

Young Guns: England U20s and Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour

18 February 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK With an ageing front row, England are crying out for youthful props who can go toe to toe with the world’s best […]

Norey working hard to grab his Prem chance

18 February 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Max Norey made his Exeter debut in 2019 but has had to wait until this season to nail down a regular place […]

Anglo-Welsh league ‘depends on money’

11 February 2024 1 comment

By PAUL REES Premiership coaches have given their backing to Warren Gatland’s call for an Anglo-Welsh league – as long as the finances add up. […]

High five as Nottingham put on show at Lady Bay

11 February 2024 0 comments

FRIENDLIES By ROB WILDMAN Nottingham……27pts Tries: Dickinson 8, Graham 47, Shine 65, J Olowofela 70, Green 75 Conversion: Annand 75 Leicester ………… 0pts A TRIUMPHANT […]

Crusaders make it tough for Bears as lively crowd enjoy fright night

11 February 2024 0 comments

FRIENDLIES By ROGER PANTING Bristol……………………… 14pts Tries: Davies 27, Marmion 56 Conversions: MacGinty 27, 56 Crusaders……………….. 31pts Tries: Springer 39, 51; Aumua 62, 66; Hotham […]

Norey’s treble helps Exeter run riot to leave Scarlets on the floor

11 February 2024 0 comments

Friendlies By MARK STEVENS Exeter …………. 57pts Tries: Norey 9, 48, 61; Rigg 14, 23; Hodge 21, Pearson 63, Yeandle 78, 80 Conversions: Hodge 15, […]

Quins get in the mood for Munster challenge

11 February 2024 0 comments

FRIENDLIES By MO SHER L Scottish ………12pts Tries: Nutton 35, Mehson 69 Conversion: Sheppard 70 Harlequins …….22pts Tries: Jibulu 5, 38; Anyanwu 21, Lawday 40 […]

Sleightholme out to follow his pals

11 February 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Ollie Sleightholme takes huge encouragement from seeing his Saints mates get England recognition as he looks to further his own international ambitions. […]

Ludlam has his sights set on Toulon

11 February 2024 0 comments

ENGLAND flanker Lewis Ludlam will leave Northampton at the end of the season, with Toulon understood to be his destination. The 28-year-old Saints captain, who […]

Hodge to hit the ground running

11 February 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Josh Hodge insists he’s looking to make up for lost time after making his return to first team action at Exeter Chiefs. […]

Young Guns: Bristol wing Louis Nancekivell

11 February 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Louis Nancekivell didn’t go down the traditional route entering rugby and has only played for one club so far in his career […]

Sale put pressure on Saints to deliver

11 February 2024 0 comments

ACADEMY ROUND-UP By TOM JEFFREYS The penultimate round of group stage action in the Premiership U18 Academy league has left it all to play for […]

Ene sets his sights high after signing Sale deal

11 February 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Proud Yorkshireman Obi Ene is hungry to achieve everything there is in the game after signing a three-year contract with northern rugby’s […]

Ludlam confirms Saints departure

5 February 2024 0 comments

Lewis Ludlam has confirmed he has made the “extremely tough decision” to leave Northampton Saints at the end of the season. The 28-year-old has been […]

University helps lift Exeter’s challenge

4 February 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS When Rob Baxter outlined his vision for the future of Exeter Chiefs, the director of rugby made no secret of the fact […]

Brive line up move for Lawes

4 February 2024 0 comments

Courtney Lawes is set to leave Northampton this summer to join Brive. According to reports in France, the former England back row has agreed a […]

Lovejoy on his way to Bristol

4 February 2024 0 comments

Bristol Bears have signed Harlequins tighthead prop Lovejoy Chawatama. Chawatama opted to sign for Harlequins after the demise of his former club London Irish but […]

Diamond’s dual role can’t be right

4 February 2024 0 comments

The Twickenham suits are also not averse to turning a blind eye when a conflict-of-interests is involved. Perhaps the RFU’s performance director, Conor O’Shea, can […]