Premiership

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

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 […]

Guy Mercer’s rise from Rec super-fan to star man

7 October 2014 1 comment

Home-grown open side talks to Jon Newcombe about his brilliant start to the season.

Danny Cipriani’s high profile for the right reasons says Steve Diamond

2 October 2014 1 comment

Sale boss Steve Diamond tol hold contract talks with star fly-half at the end of next month.

Versatile Henry Slade can take Toby Flood path to top

27 September 2014 1 comment

Exeter backs coach Ali Hepher believes Slade’s ability to play anywhere in the backline can only enhance his Test prospects.

New-found grit puts Wasps in contention

26 September 2014 0 comments

Chris Bell insists his side are no longer push-overs with squad capable of slugging it out against the best.

Cranky Karl Dickson on fast-track to follow in Glen Jackson’s footsteps

24 September 2014 0 comments

Harlequins scrum-half reveals how he aims to follow the lead of Kiwi Glen Jackson by becoming a top class Test referee.

Will Skinner: Joe Marler’s the right man to captain Harlequins

19 September 2014 1 comment

Former Stoop skipper hails “an outstanding decision by Conor O’Shea”.

Chrysander Botha’s hoping for home advantage at Exeter

17 September 2014 0 comments

Namibian flyer reveals why he turned down offers from France to try his hand in the Premiership.

Worcester will fight Wasps plan to relocate

16 September 2014 0 comments

Warriors to lead a resistance against Wasps’ plans to relocate to the West Midlands.

It’s great to be a Northampton Saint after summer in solitary – Jon Fisher

12 September 2014 0 comments

Agonising summer training alone finished in joy with a “surreal” move to Premiership champions.

Luke Arscott: I’ll help Anthony Watson but No.15 jersey is up for grabs

11 September 2014 0 comments

Full-back thrilled about leadership role at new club to get the most out of its talented but youthful backline.

Why big bad Brad Thorn will be roaring at 40 for Leicester Tigers

9 September 2014 1 comment

All Black legend has the same hunger for the game.

Rejuvenated Sailosi Tagicakibau is hungry for new start

7 September 2014 0 comments

Revitalised wing has not joined Wasps to make up the numbers.

Chris Cusiter relishing Bryan Redpath link-up

6 September 2014 0 comments

Scotland scrum-half relishing opportunity to work with boyhood hero.

Watch out I’m raring to go says Alex Corbisiero

4 September 2014 0 comments

Northampton prop is fit, hungry and ready to stake a claim for an England place this autumn.

I’m no mercenary insists Piri Weepu

3 September 2014 0 comments

World Cup winner not here to top up his pension fund.

EXCLUSIVE: Clubs in threat to play during World Cup

27 August 2014 0 comments

Simmering tensions between Premiership Rugby and the RFU over World Cup compensation set to explode.

I can be the new Harlequins enforcer, says Charlie Matthews

23 August 2014 1 comment

Youngster looking to make the No.4 jersey his own in 2014-15.

Q&A with Toby Booth

21 August 2014 0 comments

You’ve been at Bath two years now – have you enjoyed it so far? The novelty is still here, which is important from an enthusiasm […]

Tom Varndell dazzled by Alapati Leiua stardust

21 August 2014 1 comment

Winger reckons club is on cusp of new golden era.

Q&A with Tony Rowe

16 August 2014 0 comments

The Exeter chairman on why localism and a global vision works for the Chiefs.

Club comes first for exiled Tom Court

16 August 2014 0 comments

Tom Court has revealed why joining London Irish means his Ireland career is over. But the 32-times capped loose-head prop believes missing next year’s World […]

Tyson Keats EXCLUSIVE – I felt like a black sheep but it wasn’t my fault

15 August 2014 2 comments

Scrum-half breaks silence over fake-passport affair that led to London Welsh’s relegation from Premiership.

Sing it out loud, Maro Itoje has a shot at the top

14 August 2014 0 comments

England U20s lock on the fast-track to the top.

So far it’s been so-so but David Sisi is set to soar

9 August 2014 1 comment

Giant back row ready to put two years of injury behind him and kick on at Bath.

Q&A with Richard Cockerill: Our attack is fine, Neil, it’s defence that cost us!

7 August 2014 0 comments

No trophies or finals last season – what’s your assessment of the campaign? I think we did some pretty good things, to be fair. Saints […]

Hamilton hopes to restore reputation by leaving French coast

1 August 2014 0 comments

Big lock lifts the lid on why he left France for Saracens and his remorse over leaving Gloucester for the money.

“We’re up for a fight,” Dorian West tells Richard Cockerill

31 July 2014 0 comments

Saints forwards coach rubbishes suggestions by Leicester boss that his side may lack hunger to defend their Premiership title next season.

Now Moody joins in those criticising Cockerill

30 July 2014 1 comment

Richard Cockerill under pressure as Lewis Moody joins critics of Tigers’ performances last season.

The Big Interview: A Q&A with Conor O’Shea

26 July 2014 0 comments

Neale Harvey sits down with the Harlequins boss and discusses preparation for the new season.

London Welsh announce 24th summer signing

23 July 2014 0 comments

London Welsh have signed Cardiff Blues second row James Down. Of the 24 signings the exiles have now made, Down will be a familiar face […]

Magnus Lund rejoins Sale

21 July 2014 0 comments

Sale Sharks have re-signed back row Magnus Lund from Biarritz. Lund, 31, returns to the club where he made his professional debut in 2002, displaying […]

London Irish recruit new skills coach

18 July 2014 0 comments

London Irish have added former Ireland assistant coach Mark Tainton to their backroom staff. The former Bristol fly-half joins as a skills and kicking coach having […]

Falcons sign Chiefs lock

17 July 2014 0 comments

Newcastle Falcons have signed second-row Kane Thompson from Super Rugby side The Chiefs. The Samoan international has 28 caps for the Pacific islanders and becomes […]