Premiership

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

Long-shot Joe Simpson looking to close gap on No.9 rivals

8 May 2015 0 comments

Wasps scrum-half believes his ability to be a game-changing ‘super sub’ is the point of difference that will propel him into England’s World Cup squad.

Newcastle defiant despite Premiership clubs’ deficit nearing £25m

6 May 2015 1 comment

Newcastle managing director confident Falcons can become Premiership force despite incurring huge losses for a second successive year.

Exodus of stars at Leicester Tigers is alarming says Neil Back

5 May 2015 0 comments

Leicester legend accuses old club of standing still and fears they will fall even further behind their rivals if top players continue to leave.

Ben Youngs is confident that Leicester ‘culture’ won’t be diluted by foreign recruits

2 May 2015 0 comments

The Tigers announced the capture of six players and only one is English-born.

“I rejected big money move for England,” says Nick Easter

1 May 2015 2 comments

Steffon Armitage’s decision to play in France should preclude him from an England call up, according to Harlequins back-rower.

Tony Spreadbury: I got it wrong… but give young refs a break

29 April 2015 0 comments

RFU referees supremo still intends giving up-and-coming whistlers a chance.

Buccaneer Sam Burgess tailor-made for No.6 – Francois Louw

25 April 2015 0 comments

Sam Burgess‘s future lies on the blindside flank, according to Bath openside Francois Louw, who was hugely impressed with the former Rugby League man after […]

‘Kick up the bum’ puts Marland Yarde back on track

24 April 2015 0 comments

harlequins wing will leave no stone unturned to regain his England place.

Thomas Waldrom is on target to outgun the wing men

21 April 2015 0 comments

‘The Tank’ is on course to become the first forward to top the Premiership scoring charts since former England flanker Neil Back in 1998-99.

Forget Steffon Armitage, Red Rose needs Matt Kvesic

17 April 2015 0 comments

Matt Kvesic is overdue an England call-up, according to Gloucester legend Andy Hazell, who believes the in-form openside has the potential to displace captain Chris […]

Red-hot Freddie Burns targets World Cup warm-ups

15 April 2015 0 comments

Fly-half believes he could yet earn him a place in England’s World Cup training squad – if he can steer Leicester to a shock Premiership title.

Neil De Kock is backing Ben Spencer for the top

3 April 2015 1 comment

Cup hero is well on the way to becoming “world class” according to fellow Saracens scrum-half.

Quins continue revamping of squad with addition of Visser

30 March 2015 1 comment

Harlequins have confirmed the signing of Scotland international Tim Visser bringing to an end his six-year connection with Edinburgh. The deal continues Quins’ recent trait […]

Frustrated fans deserve more action says Wayne Barnes

11 March 2015 1 comment

Top referee Wayne Barnes is receptive to the idea of stopping the clock at scrums, lineouts and when tries are scored in order to prevent […]

Sort out the scrum cheats blasts angry Marcos Ayerza

6 March 2015 1 comment

Leicester loosehead believes better education and TMOs would help referees eliminate scrum cheats and restore the set-piece to its former glory.

Runaway train Sinoti Sinoti is not slowing down

5 March 2015 0 comments

Sinoti Sinoti, he’s so good they named him twice. It’s a line used before but has never been more apt. Newcastle‘s Samoan winger has had […]

Saints braced to take on Wasps at Franklin’s Gardens

4 March 2015 1 comment

With the Six Nations in full swing, there’s no rest for the wicked as the top talents in the Rugby Union brace themselves for the […]

London Irish failed to match my ambition says Tom Homer

28 February 2015 24 comments

London Irish’s lack of success made it impossible for full-back to resist the lure of a fresh start at Bath.

Northampton Saints still in market to find the next Samu Manoa says Dorian West

26 February 2015 2 comments

East Midlands outfit still in the market for more top recruits to cover Samu Manoa.

Danny Cipriani: I’ve stayed with Sale Sharks because of England

24 February 2015 1 comment

Fly-half turned down the Toulon treasure and stayed at Sale Sharks to pursue England dream.

Max Lahiff can add even more muscle to the Bath pack

12 February 2015 0 comments

‘The Beef’ will help the club bring home the bacon – Neal Hatley

Why Maro Itoje’s rugby is improving by degree

5 February 2015 1 comment

Saracens lock determined to finish full-time degree besides making his way into professional rugby.

I’m No1 at Wasps, Joe Simpson warns Dan Robson

30 January 2015 0 comments

Incumbent Simpson warns incoming Robson that he intends to remain top dog at Wasps.

Freddie Burns won’t blame Leicester Tigers switch for England axe

28 January 2015 0 comments

Fly-half confident the long-term gain of moving will reignite his international claims.

Joe Schmidt’s steer put Exiles on Tom Coventry’s trail

21 January 2015 1 comment

Exiles chairman reveals appointment came on the recommendation of Ireland boss.

Dai Young said ‘no’ to national job to stay at Wasps

20 January 2015 0 comments

DoR turned down an international coaching offer before re-signing with Wasps to run their Coventry revolution.

Matt Banahan’s backing Bath masterplan

15 January 2015 0 comments

Winger is adamant Sam Burgess’s Union integration will not detract from Bath’s charge for silverware.

EXCLUSIVE: Tom Coventry to be handed London Irish job

13 January 2015 0 comments

Chiefs (NZ) assistant coach to join on three-year deal after Super Rugby season.

Dylan Hartley banned for three weeks

24 December 2014 0 comments

Hooker to miss Premiership games but will return for Champions Cup and Six Nations.

Christian Day demands consistency over concussion protocols

4 December 2014 0 comments

RPA chairman brands inconsistencies in application of concussion protocols at pro level as “stupid”.

Justin Burnell beginning to feel the heat at winless London Welsh

27 November 2014 0 comments

Head coach admits to sleepless nights and concedes his job is under threat.

All Blacks masterclass for quick-learner Tom Smallbone

25 November 2014 0 comments

London Irish loosehead spent three months with Franks brothers in New Zealand over the summer.

Rucks or rubbish, I’ll clean up – Calum Green

13 November 2014 0 comments

In-form Newcastle lock finds clearing up rucks much more enjoyable than tidying up after his landlord, England prop Kieran Brookes.

All Blacks called but I’m a proud Samoan – Alapati Leiua

12 November 2014 0 comments

Brotherly love caused Wasps star to knock back New Zealand in favour of a Test career with Samoa.

Sam Burgess ‘will bring the best out of youngsters’ – Neale Hatley

8 November 2014 1 comment

Bath forwards coach hopes star signing will raise the standards of his entire squad.

Look after players or they could strike – Christian Day

4 November 2014 1 comment

Players’ union boss warns industrial action is possible if concerns are not adequately addressed.

Dean Richards: Newcastle Falcons were never in danger

25 October 2014 1 comment

Falcons boss has never been looking over his shoulder despite third longest losing run in Premiership history.

Topsy Ojo left feeling frustrated by London Irish near-misses

24 October 2014 0 comments

Winger frustrated to pick up only losing bonus points against Saracens and Northampton.

‘I’d be stuffed’ without my insurance warns James Simpson-Daniel

23 October 2014 1 comment

Former Gloucester wing warns of a ticking time-bomb over player insurance.

EXCLUSIVE: London Welsh may sue Premiership Rugby over giant gap in funding

21 October 2014 0 comments

Exiles to receive a total of around £1.5m while others will receive more than £4m.

Rob Baxter: Plastic pitches bad for player welfare

18 October 2014 1 comment

Exeter coach questions the long-term future of artificial pitches.

I learned so much from that All Blacks nightmare says Kyle Eastmond

15 October 2014 2 comments

Plenty more to come from his burgeoning midfield partnership with Jonathan Joseph

Protesting fans urged to back Wasps FC

14 October 2014 1 comment

Former Wasps academy manager has urged the club’s fans to turn their back on Coventry and support the amateur side.

Dan Robson: I must get past Greig Laidlaw to earn Test call

11 October 2014 0 comments

Youngster ready to fight for Cherry and Whites No.9 jersey in Test bid.

Wasps move to Coventry confirmed

7 October 2014 0 comments

Wasps move to Coventry has tonight been confirmed with the news that the Coventry council have unanimously approved the sale of their shares of the […]