Premiership

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

‘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 […]

Louis Picamoles can make Northampton great says Stephen Myler

28 September 2016 0 comments

Long-serving fly-half Stephen Myler reckons the instant impact of French No.8 Louis Picamoles has put Northampton in shape for double-trophy success. Myler, who is fast-approaching […]

Savvy Danny Cipriani showing who’s boss – but he is pernickety!

27 September 2016 0 comments

The second coming of Danny Cipriani is driving Wasps‘ surge for silverware according to Joe Simpson. Prodigal son Cipriani, 28, returned this summer after a […]

I’ve got my chance now Dean Ryan’s gone

23 September 2016 0 comments

Ryan Lamb is relishing his opportunity to lead Worcester‘s attack after being brought in from the cold following Dean Ryan’s departure. Free-spirited Lamb has always […]

World class George Ford tipped to drive era of success

16 September 2016 0 comments

Bath head coach Tabai Matson reckons fly-half George Ford is as good as any player he has worked with – including Kiwi superstar Dan Carter. […]

Power of six can inspire Exeter Chiefs says new boy Ollie Devoto

15 September 2016 0 comments

Exeter are banking on the Power of Six to bring them trophy success after centre Ollie Devoto revealed why being reunited with a bunch of […]

Ben Youngs relishing Aaron Mauger learning curve at Leicester

9 September 2016 0 comments

Ben Youngs hopes trophy success and renewed confidence at Leicester will underpin his claims to the England No.9 jersey while enhancing his chances of a […]

I’ve been beating my demons says Kurtley Beale

9 September 2016 0 comments

Watching Kurtley Beale, ball in hand, whizzing past defences at full speed is one of the most beautiful sights in the game so it is […]

With high risk of a charge-down, the drop-goal is now a dying art

3 September 2016 0 comments

Drop goals feature heavily on the showreel of rugby‘s greatest moments: Joel Stransky and Jonny Wilkinson won World Cups with them and Rugby Paper columnist […]

Wasps will feed off last year’s hurt

2 September 2016 0 comments

Now one of the richest clubs in Europe, Wasps have assembled a star-studded squad and go into the new campaign as one of the favourites […]

Luke Wallace’s out to prove he can play the Mr Nasty role

2 September 2016 0 comments

Harlequins flanker Luke Wallace is eager to bring more explosive aggression to his work around the breakdown in a bid to break into Eddie Jones‘s […]

Will king Louis Picamoles reign for Saints?

1 September 2016 0 comments

Time will soon tell but don’t be surprised if France No.8 Louis Picamoles proves the best signing for the forthcoming season. As Saints new skipper […]

Manu Tuilagi aims to roar for Leicester and catch the eye of Eddie Jones

1 September 2016 0 comments

Manu Tuilagi is convinced he is both physically and mentally ready to prove to Eddie Jones he deserves a place in his England side for […]

Joshua Chasinga chasing his dream at Newcastle Falcons

1 September 2016 0 comments

Music producer turned professional rugby player Joshua Chisanga is on track to become the first full Kenyan international to play in the Premiership. Chisanga caught […]

Guy Mercer will keep Bath honest

31 August 2016 0 comments

So here’s a question. You’ve just jetted in from New Zealand tasked with turning around the talented but clearly underperforming rugby beast that is Bath […]

Nick Easter: When you start thinking of retirement, you’re ready to retire

26 August 2016 0 comments

Not many players are fortunate enough to retire on their own terms – and knowing when to do it can be challenging – but Nick […]

Sean Maitland: Saracens made an offer I couldn’t refuse

25 August 2016 0 comments

Sean Maitland has described joining Saracens as “too good an opportunity to pass up” as he targets a repeat of last season’s double-winning success. Scotland […]

Louis Picamoles out to sink Premiership big guns

24 August 2016 0 comments

Louis Picamoles is only a few weeks into his new life in Northampton but already feels at home and can’t wait to sample life in […]

Captain Jack Lam vows to get mean in bid for survival

23 August 2016 0 comments

Rock solid new Bristol captain Jack Lam wants his side to get mean in their defence this season to avoid becoming one-hit wonders in the […]

Q&A with Gloucester DoR David Humphreys

20 August 2016 0 comments

David Humphreys is entering a defining third season as director of rugby at Gloucester. The Ulsterman tells NEALE HARVEY why it’s time for the Cherry […]

I’m not here for a holiday says new Chief Dave Dennis

20 August 2016 0 comments

Exeter marquee signing Dave Dennis reckons a stint in the Premiership will improve him as a player as he sets out on the silverware trail […]

Kyle Sinckler sets new goal to be world’s best tighthead

19 August 2016 0 comments

Kyle Sinckler is determined to leave his promising youngster tag behind and break into Eddie Jones‘ England team en route to becoming the best No.3 […]

Q&A with Pacific Rugby Players Welfare founder Dan Leo

18 August 2016 0 comments

Former Samoa, Wasps, London Irish, London Welsh and lock Dan Leo has founded Pacific Rugby Players Welfare and was recently appointed by the RPA to […]

Dan Leo’s crusade to improve deal for Pacific Islanders

17 August 2016 0 comments

Dan Leo, founder of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, reckons the contingent of England players with Island origins will rocket over the next decade. England’s latest […]

Q&A with Saracens backs coach Kevin Sorrell

13 August 2016 0 comments

Kevin Sorrell joined Saracens as a player in 1995 and has been their backs coach since 2012. He tells NEALE HARVEY how the club evolved […]

Geordan Murphy: Tigers glad to aid England but the club is first and foremost

12 August 2016 0 comments

Geordan Murphy reckons the selection of seven Leicester players in Eddie Jones’s new 45-man squad nails the myth that his club have no interest in […]

Marco Mama’s eyes fixed on England’s No.7 shirt

11 August 2016 0 comments

Marco Mama is on a mission this season to establish himself as Worcester‘s premier No.7 and push his case for England selection. Mama, 25, views […]

Q&A with Wasps forwards coach Andy Titterrell

7 August 2016 0 comments

Two years ago, you turned to strength and conditioning but now you’re a full-time forwards coach. Why the change of direction? It’s strange how things […]

Cooper Vuna relishing Sixways link with League buddy Ben Te’o

6 August 2016 0 comments

Worcester fans’ favourite Cooper Vuna reckons the arrival of his old Rugby League buddy Ben Te’o will fire the club’s top six ambitions. As 12-year-olds […]

Saracens primed to emulate Tigers’ long period of dominance

5 August 2016 0 comments

George Kruis is confident Saracens can create a long-lasting legacy by repeating last season’s heroics to become the first Premiership side since Leicester in 2002 […]

Jono Kitto: Watch out, Tigers’ new midfield will be tasty!

4 August 2016 0 comments

Manu Tuilagi‘s line-busting power, allied to the subtle skills of new signing Matt Toomua will give Leicester the cutting edge needed to win silverware, says […]

Premiership

Recent Posts

Search