Premiership

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

Tainton’s rap after collapse to Tigers

19 February 2017 2 comments

BRISTOL head coach Mark Tainton ordered his strugglers to have “hard look at ourselves” after this thumping. Bristol have not won since New Year’s Day […]

Mermoz joins party as Tigers regain mojo

12 February 2017 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY FRENCHMAN Maxime Mermoz notched his first Premiership try as rampant Leicester reignited their title hopes with a convincing bonus-point win. Gloucester huffed […]

Slater: We must scrap for everything

12 February 2017 0 comments

TIGERS lock Ed Slater urged his side to build on this performance On the day of his 100th Premiership appearance, Slater said: “It’s great to […]

Wasps aim to learn from thrashing to land their first win in Exeter fortress

12 February 2017 0 comments

By NICK VERDIER WASPS were thumped by Exeter in the Cup only two weeks ago but Ashley Johnson reckons they now know how to claim […]

Saracens given kicking by metronomic Mills

12 February 2017 1 comment

Saracens’ Matt Gallagher is tackled by Perry Humphreys Bootiful: Worcester’s Ryan Mills lands one of his penalties while PICTURE: Getty Images RYAN Mills kicked eight […]

‘It was vital we showed we care’

12 February 2017 2 comments

VICTORY was a bonus for Worcester’s interim boss Gary Gold. He said: “Today was all about showing the fans that we care. As long as […]

Priestland holds his nerve to end Saints jinx

12 February 2017 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW THE signing of former Wallaby centre Ben Tapuai is starting to look like a seriously canny piece of business by Bath director […]

Goneva’s hat-trick can’t prevent sloppy Sale from closing out tight game

12 February 2017 0 comments

By COLIN NEWBOULT Sale 26pts Tries: Solomona 32, McGuigan 40, Evans 51 Conversion: Addison 33 Penalties: Addison 7, 11, 75 Newcastle 24pts Tries: Socino 2, […]

Varndell’s record run in vain as Quins cruise it

12 February 2017 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING TOM Varndell broke the Premiership tryscoring record but it was the only positive Bristol could take on a miserable night for them. […]

High hopes for Henry Trinder after years of injury hell

10 February 2017 0 comments

Henry Trinder says he is physically and mentally ready to end 30 months of injury hell by delivering silverware for the Cherry & Whites. Named […]

Mapletoft defends Quins model as Test call-ups bite

9 February 2017 0 comments

Mark Mapletoft insists Harlequins remain committed to developing England-qualified players despite claiming his side’s trophy chances have been hammered by Test call-ups. The Rugby Paper […]

Bath can beat odds like I did says Robbie Fruean

2 February 2017 0 comments

Having twice defied the medics by battling back from heart surgery, inspirational centre Robbie Fruean is determined to reinforce his fighting qualities by leading Bath […]

Leicester are ‘suffering from loss of home stars’

26 January 2017 0 comments

Leicester stalwart Matt Smith fears the imperatives of winning are preventing Tigers from blooding academy stars and sticking with them. Smith, 31, is nearing his […]

Star names signing up to Joe Marchant’s fan club

20 January 2017 0 comments

Jamie Roberts is backing Harlequins starlet Joe Marchant to become the latest international centre sensation produced by England, who head into the defence of their […]

Hard sanctions on high tackles will suit Louis Picamoles

20 January 2017 0 comments

Teimana Harrison believes the new hard line on high tackles will make Northampton powerhouse Louis Picamoles an even more dangerous ball carrying threat this season. […]

Former Tiger Odogwu glad he jumped ship to Sharks

19 January 2017 0 comments

When Paolo Odogwu scored for Sale against Leicester in October it was a moment of personal satisfaction for the 19-year-old speedster who once cut a […]

Leicester urged to consider benefactor route

18 January 2017 0 comments

Leicester legend Louis Deacon claims his old club were wrong to sack Richard Cockerill and insists the Welford Road outfit must change their financial outlook […]

Ellis Genge – ‘I’m staying at Leicester’

18 January 2017 0 comments

Dynamic Ellis Genge has revealed why Leicester’s sacking of the man who helped salvage his career is unlikely to deter him from signing a new […]

How ‘Turnover King’ Will Hurrell turned it around

11 January 2017 0 comments

Bristol talisman Will Hurrell has credited Welsh internationals Gavin Henson and Dwayne Peel for turning him into this season’s Premiership surprise package. Former Leicester academy […]

RFU face revolt over Council numbers

10 January 2017 0 comments

Rugby Football Union bosses are facing a rebellion from furious Council members over proposals to slash their representation on the management board by at least […]

Thomas Young not quitting Wasps for Wales bid

5 January 2017 0 comments

In-form openside Thomas Young says he is at Wasps for the long haul and will not be swayed by Gatland‘s Law in a bid to […]

Best is yet to come after worst year in my life – Jonny May

24 December 2016 0 comments

Crackerjack England wing Jonny May has vowed to become “better than ever” as he looks to enhance his claims for a place on the summer […]

Mike Brown vows to step up in ‘Murderball’ funding battle

23 December 2016 0 comments

Combative England full-back Mike Brown has vowed to fight for wheelchair rugby the same way as he plays by helping to raise the £2m needed […]

Superstars will push Wasps up to the next level

22 December 2016 0 comments

Kurtley Beale’s instant impact and the impending arrival of Springbok superstar Willie le Roux can equip Wasps with the impetus they need to challenge Saracens‘ […]

Jack Clifford’s back to press his claim for a starring role

16 December 2016 0 comments

Jack Clifford believes he has returned stronger and fitter than ever following an eight-week injury lay off that forced him to watch his England team […]

Quit now George, says top brain doctor

14 December 2016 0 comments

George North must consider retiring rather than run further risk of brain damage, according to an expert on concussion. “George does have to make that […]

Hartley red piles more pressure on Mallinder

13 December 2016 0 comments

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is fighting to save his job. Mallinder, who was once tipped as a potential England coach, saw Saints anchored […]

Brown bids to save wheelchair rugby as funding cut to zero

13 December 2016 0 comments

England full-back Mike Brown has pledged his support to help save Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby after the organisation had their funding from UK Sport slashed […]

Alex Lozowski out to cap stellar rise from the Wasps bench

8 December 2016 0 comments

England fly-half hopeful Alex Lozowski is ready to turn up the heat on rivals George Ford and Owen Farrell as he targets a first cap […]

Billy will be back in even better shape says Brits

7 December 2016 0 comments

Schalk Brits is confident Billy Vunipola will come back an even stronger force thanks to the Saracens rehabilitation programme that has swung into action following […]

‘Tough guy’ Roko will only get stronger – Blackadder

6 December 2016 0 comments

Semesa Rokoduguni called on his Army discipline after the huge disappointment of being dropped by England head coach Eddie Jones last week. The giant Fiji-born, […]

Ed Slater on mission to show more for England

30 November 2016 0 comments

Ed Slater reckons he is in peak physical condition as he targets an elusive first England cap. An uncapped tourist to New Zealand in 2014, […]

Luther Burrell – I’m staying put to earn Test recall

25 November 2016 0 comments

Luther Burrell is aiming to rekindle his Test career with England after dismissing speculation linking him with a move to French giants Toulon. Toulon supremo […]

Carl Fearns – I’m looking to tear it up at Gloucester with Ross

24 November 2016 0 comments

Carl Fearns has revealed his ambition to form an aggressive new back row partnership with Ross Moriarty to help reawaken the sleeping giant of Gloucester. […]

Blackadder: We want Ford to stay and build a dynasty

23 November 2016 0 comments

Todd Blackadder would love George Ford to be the cornerstone of Bath‘s bid to dominate English and European rugby for many years to come. However, […]

Jackson Wray: Burger recipe can earn me Test call

4 November 2016 0 comments

Underrated Saracens back row Jackson Wray insists the disappointment of being overlooked by England has not diminished his desire to wear the Red Rose. In-form […]

Mesmeric Jonny May ready to step up for Red Rose

28 October 2016 0 comments

Jonny May‘s long-awaited return from injury will pay dividends for England, according to Gloucester backs coach Tim Taylor. May is stepping up his workload after […]

Wayward Mike Delany has Dave Walder’s confidence

23 October 2016 0 comments

Newcastle coach Dave Walder has backed Mike Delany to come good after the Kiwi’s disappointing start to the season in front of goal. Delany has […]

Kyle Sinckler ‘destined’ to topple old king Dan Cole

19 October 2016 0 comments

Rough and tumble tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler has the potential to knock Dan Cole from his lofty perch and dominate England’s No.3 jersey for years […]

This Wasps team can top lot – Danny Cipriani

18 October 2016 0 comments

Danny Cipriani has sounded a battle cry ahead of his side’s trip to Toulouse by declaring the current Wasps squad can be better than the […]

Space man Henry Slade backed to provide England lift-off

13 October 2016 0 comments

Henry Slade is primed and ready to resolve England‘s deepening midfield crisis, according to Exeter backs coach Ali Hepher. With summer hero Owen Farrell beset […]

Dan Robson: My battle with Joe Simpson can help Test bid

12 October 2016 0 comments

Rapidly-maturing Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson reckons his decision to quit Gloucester re-ignited his faltering career as he targets England‘s coveted No.9 jersey. Frustrated at playing […]

Stuart Lancaster: I’d like to end up coaching in the Premiership

11 October 2016 0 comments

Stuart Lancaster admits his ultimate aim is to coach in England again one day but for now his focus is on helping prepare Leinster for […]

Henry Thomas gunning to knock Dan Cole of his perch

8 October 2016 0 comments

Bath prop Henry Thomas believes he offers more than incumbent England tighthead Dan Cole, below – and will prove why he deserves another shot at […]

Self-belief gave Mako Vunipola strength to beat critics

7 October 2016 0 comments

Mako Vunipola is playing with the power and confidence of a man who has silenced his critics and believes there is even more to come […]

EPCR boss Simon Halliday demands changes to game laws

6 October 2016 0 comments

European rugby boss Simon Halliday has called for high tackles and the clearing out of stationary players to be “immediately” banned by World Rugby in […]

Richard Cockerill adamant that Manu Tuilagi will be back

5 October 2016 0 comments

Richard Cockerill has no doubt Manu Tuilagi will recover from his latest injury setback and will stick by him until he does. The powerful centre […]

Nathan Earle’s busy adding sting to his tail in Canterbury

4 October 2016 0 comments

Fresh from helping Canterbury capture New Zealand‘s historic Ranfurly Shield for the first time in six years, on-loan Saracens wing Nathan Earle has revealed why […]

Philanthropy at heart of Nigel Wray’s vision for Saracens

30 September 2016 0 comments

Nigel Wray’s business empire covers everything from the country’s favourite pizza company to high profile real estate, and he has been happy to sink tens […]

Don’t knock maul, it’s art, says Dai Young

29 September 2016 0 comments

Dai Young, the Wasps director of rugby, believes the driving maul will continue to be a potent try-scoring weapon despite fears that it is dominating […]

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