Premiership

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

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 […]

Diamond: We just weren’t up to it

26 February 2017 0 comments

STEVE Diamond was in a light-hearted, smiling mood for once despite the defeat. Having spent a rare match perched in a seat away from his […]

It’ll be furious from the start as derby fervour

26 February 2017 0 comments

By NICK VERDIER NICK FENTON-WELLS has no doubt Bristol can avoid relegation but time is running out and he knows a return to winning ways […]

their teeth to tear apart Quins’ proud home record

26 February 2017 0 comments

Tigers show By NICK VERDIER LEICESTER, despite all their troubles this season, are again in contention for the playoffs after forcing Quins to surrender their […]

Bath reap benefits from Cheika snub with Ben Tapuai

23 February 2017 0 comments

Ben Tapuai admits leaving Australia left him “scared” but says a fresh start was necessary after being snubbed by Wallabies boss Michael Cheika. Talented Tapuai, […]

EXCLUSIVE: Why Maxime Mermoz left French rugby behind

22 February 2017 0 comments

The sea, the sun, the trophies, Maxime Mermoz appeared to have it all. But underneath all that glitter it was a different story and he […]

Problem areas are all fixable says Gold

19 February 2017 0 comments

ROB Baxter was delighted with an 80-minute effort from his Chiefs. “We maintained our intensity throughout and there was a momentum change even before the […]

Addison backs prolific Solomona to shine if

19 February 2017 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE STAND-IN Sale captain Will Addison has backed Denny Solomona to take his prolific try-scoring form to the next level if England or […]

Gloucester go back to Italy call roots for dogged win

19 February 2017 1 comment

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER GLOUCESTER dispelled memories of last week’s abject defeat at Leicester with an old-style victory at a roaring Kingsholm against a Saracens team […]

McCall: Vunipola ready for Italy call

19 February 2017 1 comment

SARACENS boss Mark McCall believes prop Mako Vunipola will play some part in the Italy game for England on Sunday after a going well for […]

O’Driscoll is on the case to find any Kiwi flaws

19 February 2017 0 comments

When it comes to the lengths New Zealand will go to turn over the Lions there are none with better first-hand knowledge than Brian O’Driscoll. […]

Quins suffer mauling as Bath begin to flow

19 February 2017 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER BATH maintained their push for a playoff place by pulling away from a dogged and resilient Harlequins side in the final quarter […]

Kingston: One little mistake was costly

19 February 2017 0 comments

HARLEQUINS coach John Kingston is still mystified how his side managed to leave the Rec empty handed last night. “I am absolutely gutted given the […]

Enforcer Latu raring to be let off the leash

19 February 2017 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Today. Kick-off 3pm, Kingston Park Newcastle v Northampton HAVING fought back from a career-threatening knee injury, Newcastle’s back row enforcer Nili […]

JP sentences Bristol to an eight-try lashing

19 February 2017 2 comments

Going over: Pat Cilliers scores Leicester’s first try PICTURES: Getty Images Well done, pal: Owen Williams congratulates Brendon O’Connor, left, after he scores Leicester’s sixth […]

after seven-month injury lay-off

19 February 2017 2 comments

Until making his seasonal bow off the bench against Bath in the Anglo- Welsh Cup a fortnight ago, followed by another half an hour against […]

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 […]

Worcester suffer Short circuit after yellow card for Faosiliva

19 February 2017 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING JAMES Short scored an explosive hat-trick to maintain Exeter’s unbeaten record over Worcester in the Premiership. It was a tenth consecutive success […]

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 […]

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