Premiership

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

Bath finally run hot with general Ford in command

9 April 2017 0 comments

Bath…27pts Tries: Joseph 21, Watson 67, 71 Conversions: Ford 22, 68 Penalties: Ford 27, 49, 68, 72 Leicester …21pts Tries: O’Connor 5, Veainu 12 Conversion: […]

Blackadder proud his boys passed the character test

9 April 2017 1 comment

BATH had to come from behind to beat Leicester yesterday and Director of rugby Todd Blackadder couldn’t have been happier. He said: “I am just […]

‘I was close to being an LA drop-out’

8 April 2017 0 comments

Monster hooker Joe Taufete’e has been a massive hit at Sixways but it was not so long ago that the huge American with Samoan heritage […]

Cohen comes out fighting in defence of Mauger axe

7 April 2017 0 comments

Leicester chief executive Simon Cohen has defended the sackings of Richard Cockerill and Aaron Mauger, claiming both decisions were “robust” and revealing that players had […]

Frustrated Fisher tells Gloucester to get real

4 April 2017 0 comments

Laurie Fisher says Gloucester have a long way to go before they can be considered a powerhouse of English rugby after revealing his deep disappointment […]

Pressure almost led me to suicide admits Leicester star

30 March 2017 0 comments

Leicester scrum-half Jono Kitto is spearheading a campaign aimed at persuading players to open up about mental health issues after revealing how his quest for […]

Tigers find a Mauger performance at last

26 March 2017 0 comments

By NICK CAIN LEICESTER said they were determined to send Aaron Mauger into the sunset on a winning note. And they delivered thanks to a […]

Williams: This one was for Aaron

26 March 2017 1 comment

MATCH-WINNING marksman Owen Williams said Leicester wanted to give departing coach Aaron Mauger a winning send-off. “He’s a lovely bloke and a great coach, and […]

Robshaw’s back and firing for his Lions selection

26 March 2017 1 comment

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Harlequins 53pts Tries: Buchanan 14, Brown 21, Marchant 40, Yarde 42, Luamanu 48, Care 55, Swiel 77 Conversions: Evans 15, 22, 40, […]

Deano: Yes, put Chris on the plane

26 March 2017 0 comments

RIVAL coaches John Kingston and Dean Richards were united in respectfully suggesting Warren Gatland seriously considers Chris Robshaw for the Lions tour to New Zealand […]

We wanted it too easy, Baxter raps his Chiefs

26 March 2017 0 comments

By MIKE SINCLAIR Exeter 30pts Tries: Horstmann 25, Cowan-Dickie 38, Woodburn 46, Armand 67 Conversions: Slade 38, 67 4Penalties: Slade 50, 76 Sale Sharks 25pts […]

Diamond let down after fine first half

26 March 2017 0 comments

SALE boss Steve Diamond reckoned his side could have won after going 19-5 up in the first half. He admitted: “I’m a bit disappointed by […]

Time running out as Bristol let chance slip

26 March 2017 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bristol 14pts Tries: Crumpton 78 Penalties: Searle 11, 39, 53 Gloucester 32pts Tries: Sharples 13, Burns 56, Ludlow 69, May 80 Conversions: […]

Gloucs’ effort satisfies boss Bell

26 March 2017 1 comment

IN HIS first match in charge of Gloucester, following the departure of Laurie Fisher, head coach Jonny Bell, said: “We showed a huge amount of […]

Rhodes welcomes back heavy brigade

26 March 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY WITH their England contingent back and showing no ill-effects from last week’s Grand Slam defeat in Ireland, back rower Michael Rhodes reckons […]

Ton-up Louw hopes to do a number on Sarries

26 March 2017 2 comments

BATH are challenging strongly for a return to the Premiership play-offs and Francois Louw has urged his teammates not to let such an opportunity slip […]

Saracens v Bath

26 March 2017 1 comment

Today. Kick-off 3pm. Allianz Park PREVIEW… SARACENS are poised for yet another Premiership semi-final but they’ll be desperate to see off Exeter for second place […]

O’Connor had better watch his back

26 March 2017 4 comments

The knives are out at Welford Road – again – with Matt O’Connor on his way back in as Leicester’s head coach and Aaron Mauger […]

The French farce could have ended so much earlier

26 March 2017 1 comment

THE farce that unfolded in Paris last Saturday, culminating in almost 20 minutes of added time was a perfect storm. It combined skulduggery by coaches […]

Cipriani: We can match glory days

26 March 2017 1 comment

On the move: Danny Cipriani knows when to kick or run PICTURE: Getty Images By NICK VERDIER DELIVERING Wasps’ first trophy in nine years will […]

In-form Worcester aiming to shock Wasps

26 March 2017 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON WORCESTER went a long way to securing their Premiership safety last time out but flanker Sam Lewis insists there is no chance […]

Wasps v Worcester

26 March 2017 1 comment

Today. Kick-off 2.30pm, Ricoh Arena PREVIEW… WASPS had been favourites to reach the semi-finals before the season even started given their stellar squad – and […]

Worcester rejuvenated after Gold makeover

24 March 2017 0 comments

Gary Gold has revealed he discovered a Worcester squad training poorly and unprepared for the physical intensity of the Premiership when he was parachuted into […]

Beale determined to deliver the goods at Wasps before departing

22 March 2017 0 comments

Kurtley Beale reckons the addition of Springbok superstar Willie Le Roux to an already electrifying backline has given Wasps the extra edge they need to […]

Top clubs vie to lure Brown from Harlequins

7 March 2017 0 comments

Harlequins face the prospect of losing star full-back Mike Brown in the summer. And Brown’s fellow England international, scrum-half Danny Care, is also said to […]

Olivier backs Warriors to win their ‘Test’

5 March 2017 2 comments

THE Six Nations might be on a break this weekend but Worcester’s World Cupwinning centre Wynand Olivier reckons there will be a Test match feeling […]

PREVIEW… Newcastle v Saracens

5 March 2017 0 comments

Today. Kick-off 2pm NEWCASTLE are within touching distance of booking a place in the Champions Cup for next season and beating Saracens for the first […]

Brilliant Beale keeps Wasps buzzing on top

5 March 2017 1 comment

By NICK CAIN Bamboozled: Wasps’ star man Kurtley Beale terrorises the Bath defence PICTURE: Getty Images KURTLEY Beale may have cost Wasps a king’s ransom, […]

Sarries in Falcons’ sights as they eye Top Six

5 March 2017 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Falcon soars: Calum Green wins a lineout for Newcastle against Wasps PICTURE: Getty Images CALUM GREEN is confident Newcastle can mark his […]

CLOSE-UP

5 March 2017 0 comments

ANTHONY WATSON CHRISTIAN WADE Wasps wing Wasps wing Watson was released from England camp to get much-needed match practice but it was Wade who stole […]

Taylor thrilled to be on the long road back

5 March 2017 0 comments

By CHRIS JONES A YEAR ago Saracens centre Duncan Taylor was putting together a string of outstanding performances for Scotland that earned him inclusion in […]

Young: We want Kurtley to stay

5 March 2017 2 comments

WASPS two-try hero Kurtley Beale paid tribute to his teammates after their emphatic win at the Rec. “Full credit to our boys for putting in […]

Lang puts boot in to complete Gloucester collapse

5 March 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY HARLEQUINS supremo John Kingston saluted his side’s character after James Lang’s last gasp penalty completed a remarkable late comeback. Trailing 27-15 with […]

CLOSE-UP

5 March 2017 0 comments

MATT SCOTT Gloucester outside-centre JOE MARCHANT Quins outside-centre Marchant showed his England potential with an excellent first half in which his footwork and ball skills […]

Anger over 8 minutes of chaos

5 March 2017 1 comment

GLOUCESTER director of rugby David Humphreys slammed his side after their late capitulation. “It’s almost impossible to sum up that last eight minutes – chaos, […]

Tigers’ revival hope is scalped by the Chiefs

5 March 2017 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER EXETER Chiefs’ march to the play-offs – possibly even topping the table – continued apace with this comprehensive dismantling of a Tigers […]

CLOSE-UP

5 March 2017 0 comments

TOM CROFT Leicester blindside DON ARMAND Exeter blindside While it was great to see Croft making only his second Premiership start this season the England […]

Baxter: Now we want to win title

5 March 2017 1 comment

EXETER Chiefs coach Rob Baxter said: “We are still a relatively new Premiership club but if you finish second as we did and you are […]

Myler magic keeps Saints marching on

5 March 2017 1 comment

By COLIN NEWBOULT Barreling over: Northampton hooker Mikey Haywood powers his way over to score. PICTURES: Getty Images JUDGED on this performance, you wonder why […]

CLOSE-UP

5 March 2017 0 comments

JOSH BEAUMONT TEIMANA HARRISON Sale No.8 Northampton No.8 Beaumont did not play badly and was a presence in the loose, but Northampton controlled the breakdown […]

Diamond: They put their cues in the rack

5 March 2017 1 comment

SALE boss Steve Diamond was angry with his side’s performance and criticised some of their lacklustre individuals. “That may be a problem with three or […]

PREVIEW… Worcester v Bristol

5 March 2017 0 comments

Today. Sixways, kick-off 3pm As much as both sides want to downplay the importance of this match, it is a must-win for both Worcester and […]

Mathewson is on alert over old foe Hougaard

5 March 2017 2 comments

By NICK VERDIER THEY are used to locking horns in Super Rugby but today scrum-halves Alby Mathewson and Francois Hougaard will take on each other […]

Dai Young on coaching his son at Wasps

3 March 2017 0 comments

The raw emotion Olly Robinson expressed when his father Andy was sacked as Bristol director of rugby earlier this season revealed just how complicated rugby […]

Dom Waldouck weighing up the option of sabbatical

2 March 2017 0 comments

Eco-friendly centre Dominic Waldouck is unsure what role he will play for new-age Newcastle next season, if any, but appearing in the Varsity Match while […]

Where was tribute to Grand Slam commander Gwilliam?

26 February 2017 1 comment

JOHN Gwilliam has been unique among Wales captains for the last 65 years and he will remain so for as long as it takes someone […]

Put the fire back into Edinburgh, Cockers, but try to avoid any nose rubbing

26 February 2017 0 comments

IN the pecking order for the PRO12 title, Edinburgh are in an all too familiar position. They are nowhere – but then it’s been a […]

Champions kick-start their bid for top spot

26 February 2017 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD MARK McCall breathed a huge sigh of relief after his champions rediscovered the art of winning by sweeping Sharks aside at Allianz […]

CLOSE-UP

26 February 2017 1 comment

NATHAN EARLE DENNY SOLOMONA Denny Solomona has been the talk of the Premiership of late for varying reasons, but mainly due to his skilful running […]