Premiership

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

Dai Young – I like a scrum but just look at my Wasps fly!

10 February 2016 0 comments

As a proud tighthead prop, Dai Young will always have a soft spot for a pushover try – but the Wasps boss admits these days […]

Exeter still Ali Hepher’s focus despite link to England

5 February 2016 0 comments

Ali Hepher, the highly-rated strategist behind Premiership Rugby’s deadliest attack, refused to rule himself out of coaching England but insists his mind is focused on […]

Nigel Wray: Saracens ‘punished’ for producing England stars

4 February 2016 0 comments

Chairman Nigel Wray has described the compensation system for producing England players as “a complete nonsense” after revealing Saracens are set to be denied upwards […]

I was never captaincy material but honoured to do it – Joe Marler

27 January 2016 0 comments

Joe Marler has revealed why he should never have accepted the Harlequins captaincy last season and conceded how fortunate he feels now to have been […]

‘Best hooker’ Tom Youngs will be back predicts Louis Deacon

23 January 2016 0 comments

Louis Deacon insists Tom Youngs has been poorly treated after being dumped by England but reckons the “best hooker in England” will bounce back. Leicester […]

Leicester Tigers roar opposition to a 14-team Premiership

21 January 2016 0 comments

Simon Cohen, Leicester chief executive, insists plans for a 14-team Premiership must be shelved until there is a root and branch review of season structure […]

‘Madcap’ Joe Marler best when he’s horrible! – Adam Jones

19 January 2016 0 comments

Joe Marler will be back at his snarling, aggressive best for the Six Nations according to Adam Jones, who believes his Harlequins prop partner deserves […]

Richard Wigglesworth: Schalk Burger can be fantastic, like John Smit

15 January 2016 0 comments

Schalk Burger will be a huge hit at Saracens and a positive influence on the young forwards at the club according to Richard Wigglesworth. Flanker […]

Big names have added to buzz at Harlequins

14 January 2016 0 comments

Harlequins flyer Ross Chisholm reckons Lions star Jamie Roberts and the club’s other experienced new signings have transformed the outlook at the Stoop. Conor O’Shea’s […]

Dan Cole’s paid a price for playing fair – Marcos Ayerza

13 January 2016 0 comments

England prop will beat the scrum cheats and remain one of the world’s premier tightheads during the Six Nations, according to Leicester colleague.

Watch out Billy, Nathan Hughes wants both your shirts!

12 January 2016 0 comments

Wasps juggernaut Nathan Hughes has already made Billy Vunipola‘s No.8 jersey his own at club level and now says he feels ready to do the […]

Whizzkid Johnny Williams all set for stardom says Chris Noakes

9 January 2016 0 comments

Teenage centre sensation Johnny Williams has what it takes to go all the way according to London Irish playmaker Chris Noakes. Five tries in his […]

Will Chudley has the way to break into England’s top No.9s

8 January 2016 0 comments

Exeter scrum-half Will Chudley is more than capable of stepping up into international rugby according to the club’s skills coach Ricky Pellow. Chudley, who represented […]

Union chief Christian Day warns players over drug abuse

7 January 2016 0 comments

Christian Day, chairman of the Rugby Players’ Association, believes Rugby Union must remain vigilant following a surge in cases of sportsmen and women becoming hooked […]

Peter Betham: Manu Tuilagi should pay me for doing his dirty work!

5 January 2016 0 comments

Peter Betham reckons Manu Tuilagi owes him a hefty slice of his wages for shoring up Leicester‘s midfield during the England man’s long injury absence. […]

Watch out for a George North try-spree warns Ben Foden

1 January 2016 0 comments

Try-starved George North is set for a New Year scoring spree according to Saints teammate Ben Foden, who believes recent criticism of the Wales winger […]

Tale of the tape can help win Semesa Rokoduguni recall

31 December 2015 0 comments

Flying Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni is targeting an England recall for the Six Nations despite his club’s recent run of poor form. Three defeats in […]

Get Manu Tuilagi outside me and watch Tigers go!

17 December 2015 0 comments

Forgotten England fly-half Freddie Burns is relishing the opportunity of teaming up with Manu Tuilagi in a bid to impress new Red Rose boss Eddie […]

Just £25k would have stopped Bath signing Taulupe Faletau

15 December 2015 0 comments

Bath would have missed out on Taulupe Faletau had the Welsh Rugby Union been willing to pay an extra £25,000-a-year. Newport Gwent Dragons believe they […]

Tapping up is routine, admits RPA boos Damian Hopley

5 December 2015 0 comments

Players’ boss Damian Hopley insists the tapping-up of Premiership stars is rife and describes the current six-month rule relating to approaches as “a nonsense”. Premiership […]

Why Ben Franks joined London Irish

4 December 2015 0 comments

Double World Cup-winning prop Ben Franks has revealed how former New Zealand teammate Brad Thorn persuaded him to ignore the riches of France in favour […]

I’m out to stop the new cheats, vows Donncha O’Callaghan

3 December 2015 0 comments

Worcester lock Donncha O’Callaghan fears football-style cheating is infiltrating rugby and believes it is up to veteran stars like himself to stamp it out. Players […]

New-style Leicester Tigers make Mathew Tait glad he said ‘Non’

2 December 2015 0 comments

Mathew Tait refuses to rule out the possibility of adding to his 38 England caps – if new boss Eddie Jones cares to look his […]

Ross Moriarty: I control myself better now

28 November 2015 0 comments

Gloucester flanker Ross Moriarty says he has no intention of toning down the confrontational style that persuaded Wales boss Warren Gatland to hand him a […]

Joe Trayfoot out to beat his diabetes fright

27 November 2015 0 comments

London Irish flanker Joe Trayfoot says he is determined not to allow the onset of diabetes to ruin his chances of making an impact at […]

Chris Robshaw’s ‘great strengths should not be jettisoned’

26 November 2015 0 comments

England‘s new head coach has been warned to think long and hard before ditching Chris Robshaw as either captain or openside flanker. Robshaw, who last […]

Manu Tuilagi will be offered £1.6m by Worcester

24 November 2015 0 comments

Centre will be paid a world record £750,000 next season if he agrees to make the switch to Warriors.

Dave Denton ‘can cure Bath’s hangover’ from Sam Burgess

21 November 2015 0 comments

Bath‘s new back row signing David Denton will make a huge impact at the Rec according to first team coach Toby Booth, who admits he […]

Rhys Priestland: Kyle Eastmond’s style is dangerous

19 November 2015 0 comments

Bath new boy Rhys Priestland believes England can put their inside centre headache behind them by selecting club-mate Kyle Eastmond for the Six Nations. Having […]

Dave Ewers aiming to show he has real six appeal

18 November 2015 0 comments

Dave Ewers insists he feels no bitterness towards England after his World Cup snub – but is hungrier than ever to prove himself ahead of […]

Evans named Premiership Player of the Month

10 November 2015 0 comments

Top points scorer wins monthly accolade after unerring performance with boot for Quins

Jones believes strong start to the season is a sign of things to come for Quins

10 November 2015 0 comments

Adam Jones may be a softly spoken, modest character when sat down in an interview but the forward has much to show off and showcase […]

James Haskell is like an 18-year-old all over again

5 November 2015 0 comments

James Haskell may not be the young buck he once was but his teammates can be forgiven for thinking so watching him train alongside new […]

Jimmy Gopperth backs Alex Lozowski to be best 10 of the lot

30 October 2015 0 comments

Wasps fly-half is destined for stardom according to club colleague.

Marco Mama hoping to make good on his promise

29 October 2015 0 comments

Striking the balance between loyalty and ambition can be a tricky affair for today’s professional players.

Henry Thomas: I’ll state case for England

28 October 2015 0 comments

Overlooked England tighthead has his sights firmly set on a Six Nations recall following the national side’s troubles at the scrum.

Elliot Daly’s looking to put hand up for England

22 October 2015 0 comments

Wasps centre believes another stellar club season can boost his international claims after overcoming the disappointment of England rejection.

Sam Burgess challenge spurs England hopeful Matt Garvey

21 October 2015 0 comments

Flanker Matt Garvey concedes that the presence of ex-Rugby League man Sam Burgess in Bath‘s back-row has stymied his own international ambitions. However, the bullish […]

EXCLUSIVE: Jean de Villiers close to signing for Leicester Tigers

20 October 2015 0 comments

Tigers set to announce arrival of former Springboks captain before the weekend.

Mental battle is last hurdle for ambitious Saint Ben Foden

10 October 2015 0 comments

Northampton full- back is targeting silverware, an England recall and a place on the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand as he steps up his recovery from injury.

EXCLUSIVE: Salary cap cheats will be hammered to protect league’s integrity

6 October 2015 0 comments

Two Premiership clubs set to be fined and deducted points for the 2015-16 campaign.

Relegation fight? I don’t care what you media think says Tom Coventry

3 October 2015 0 comments

Kiwi did not fly half-way around the globe to read predictions putting London Irish at the bottom of the Premiership.

Fallen Northampton Saints will be seeking redemption

30 September 2015 0 comments

Lee Dickson has vowed to scrap his way back into England contention after revealing his deep disappointment at being omitted from the World Cup squad. […]

Julian Salvi is happy to be let off leash

24 September 2015 0 comments

Flanker will relish playing with greater freedom at Exeter after his acrimonious departure from Leicester.

Luke Wallace expects hard work to pay dividends for Harlequins

18 September 2015 0 comments

Harlequins are ready to put their worst season in recent years behind them with Luke Wallace vowing they will be fitter than ever when the […]

Jonathan Thomas statement

15 September 2015 0 comments

After announcing his retirement from rugby, Wales international Jonathan Thomas has released the following statement: “It’s with real sadness I have to announce my retirement […]

EXCLUSIVE: Salary Cap battle resumes as Bruce Craig steps down

15 September 2015 0 comments

Cheats could still face action following a stormy board meeting last week.

Saracens forgotten man Will Fraser nearing return says Mark McCall

11 September 2015 0 comments

Champions Saracens have received a boost ahead of the new campaign by Will Fraser’s return from injury. Openside Fraser was on England‘s radar but missed […]

Premiership plans to expand top flight could be ‘dead’ forever

2 September 2015 0 comments

Proposals for a 14-team Premiership and a moratorium on promotion and relegation from season 2016-17 are dead. The Rugby Paper can reveal that opposition from […]

Ashley Johnson is hooking up to a whole new ball game

28 August 2015 1 comment

Barnstorming South African will not settle for the No.16 shirt.

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