Premiership

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

Anthony Watson will be star for England says Nick Abendanon

9 April 2014 0 comments

Nick Abendanon admits that Anthony Watson’s emergence proved a decisive factor in taking the plunge with European giants Clermont.

Size no problem for elusive Kyle Eastmond

3 April 2014 1 comment

Kyle Eastmond is confident size will not count against him as he targets a place in England’s increasingly congested midfield.

Apprentice Maro Itoje ready to replace the grand master

28 March 2014 0 comments

Maro Itoje could barely pluck up the courage to speak to Steve Borthwick when the pair first met at Saracens four years ago.

Top ten hit Owen Farrell has climbed up to No.3

27 March 2014 2 comments

Owen Farrell can be bracketed among the world’s top three fly-halves alongside Dan Carter and Jonny Sexton, according to Wasps and former England star Andy Goode.

Exeter aim to be Euro champs in five years

26 March 2014 0 comments

Matt Jess insists there are “no limits” to what Exeter Chiefs can achieve.

Bath want Gavin Henson to fight for his place

19 March 2014 2 comments

Bath head coach Mike Ford has revealed his desire to keep Gavin Henson as he looks to build one of Premiership rugby’s most exhilarating midfields.

Jim Mallinder staying to finish his Leicester hunt

14 March 2014 0 comments

Jim Mallinder has revealed how the desire to break Leicester Tigers’ hegemony and establish Northampton as domestic rugby’s leading force persuaded him to snub the chance of coaching England two years ago.

Jacques Burger: Rugby’s brutal so don’t play if you can’t take the pain

13 March 2014 0 comments

Jacques Burger, arguably Premiership Rugby’s toughest tackler, admits to being concerned over the long-term effects of professional rugby’s relentless brutality.

RFU face legal action over league restructure

12 March 2014 0 comments

The Rugby Football Union faces court action by lower league clubs unless controversial plans to restructure the National Leagues are dropped.

Newcastle sign second row

12 March 2014 0 comments

Newcastle have bolstered their second-row options with the signing of former Saracens and Plymouth Albion man Harry Spencer until the end of the season. The […]

Worcester Warriors are right for me says Sam Smith

6 March 2014 0 comments

Sam Smith has denied he was forced out of Harlequins to make room for Marland Yarde, revealing he turned down a new deal in favour of joining Worcester next season.

Let’s copy the NFL to help black coaches up the ladder

27 February 2014 0 comments

Collin Osborne, as skills chief at Harlequins the only black coach operating at the top end of English rugby, believes more should be done to increase ethnic diversity within the game.

Axe cap or risk losing out on TV bonanza, says Nigel Wray

27 February 2014 1 comment

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray believes greater success in Europe is critical if Premiership clubs are to maximise future TV revenue.

Sam Burgess will shake up centre play, says Henry Paul

26 February 2014 1 comment

Henry Paul believes the signing of Rugby League star Sam Burgess will take centre play in England onto a new level – even if the cross-code convert fails to make the highest grade.

Stephen Jones helps Joe Simpson put family heartbreak behind him

21 February 2014 0 comments

Joe Simpson is ready to put personal tragedy behind him and fight for a place on England’s summer tour to New Zealand.

Who ate all the pies? Not new-look James Johnston!

19 February 2014 0 comments

James Johnston admits that adapting to life at Saracens has been anything but smooth.

Electric Kyle Eastmond can put the frighteners on

12 February 2014 0 comments

Former England Sevens captain Rob Vickerman believes Kyle Eastmond can follow in the footsteps of Jason Robinson and “revolutionise” back play in Rugby Union.

Alex Waller was spurred on by England omissions

6 February 2014 0 comments

Snubbed by England through the age-groups, Alex Waller’s chance to pull on the Red Rose jersey was a long time coming.

Sale Sharks still expect bite from lock of ages Nathan Hines

30 January 2014 1 comment

Nathan Hines will be 39 by the time his newly-signed Sale contract finishes, but retirement is still far from the mind of the evergreen lock.

Marlan Yarde would be top signing says Tom Williams

29 January 2014 1 comment

Tom Williams says speculation linking Marland Yarde with a move to Harlequins is a positive sign of ambition and would welcome his arrival.

Worcester snap-up Gloucester duo

28 January 2014 0 comments

As revealed in The Rugby Paper last Sunday, Worcester have signed Matt Cox and Ryan Mills from Gloucester.

Saracens bait Adam ‘Hair Bear’Jones with £300k

21 January 2014 0 comments

Saracens have entered the bidding war for Wales and Lions star Adam Jones offering him £300,000 a season

Owen Williams ready to fight for Toby Flood’s No.10 shirt

17 January 2014 0 comments

Freddie Burns’ expected arrival at Welford Road has Tigers fans purring but he should not expect to walk into the No.10 shirt – at least not if Owen Williams has anything to do with it.

No excuses for failure at Warriors blasts Richard Hill

14 January 2014 2 comments

Worcester should be achieving far better results than they have managed under Dean Ryan, says former Sixways boss Richard Hill.

Sorry, but I’m happy on the wing says George North

3 January 2014 0 comments

George North is not planning on making his switch to the centres permanent any time soon – even if life on the wing restricts him to a career of cameos.

Sporting all-rounder Hayden Smith back ‘home’ at Saracens

2 January 2014 0 comments

He grew up playing basketball in Australia and discovered rugby in the USA. And now Hayden Smith has returned from a stint in the NFL to his spiritual home at Saracens.

Freddie Burns will replace Toby Flood at Leicester Tigers next season

31 December 2013 2 comments

Freddie Burns will be playing for Leicester next season as the Tigers’ goal-kicking successor to Toby Flood.

Welsh will be safe from Aviva Premiership relegation

30 December 2013 2 comments

The Welsh regions have struck a deal guaranteeing three of their four teams immunity from relegation as a condition of joining the English Premiership.

Gamble on Leicester Tigers exit has paid off says George Ford

26 December 2013 3 comments

It is hard to avoid drawing comparisons between George Ford and Owen Farrell – two of the brightest young things in England at present.

‘Class act’ James O’Connor can inspire Irish return to top

25 December 2013 0 comments

Mick Crossan, leader of the consortium who own London Irish, wants Australian star James O’Connor to be the talisman for a return to the forefront of domestic and European rugby.

Steve Meehan fears for Bath after Gary Gold’s shock exit

19 December 2013 0 comments

Former Bath head coach Steve Meehan fears the club could be in danger of being “sent off the rails” unless its management settles on a coaching team and gives it time to deliver.

Freddie Burns: Doubt over my future is getting to me

18 December 2013 1 comment

Freddie Burns has revealed the full extent of the emotional turmoil he is enduring as he grapples with deciding whether to stay at Gloucester, his club of six years, or join a higher-placed Premiership rival in the hope of furthering his career.

I can change Saracens’ luck at 13 says Marcelo Bosch

12 December 2013 1 comment

Argentina’s Marcelo Bosch aims to be the perfect replacement for Joel Tomkins at Saracens after the England centre was sidelined with a knee injury that is likely to keep him out of the Six Nations.

Now Welsh regions can join the Aviva Premiership says Nigel Wray

4 December 2013 9 comments

Saracens chairman Nigel Wray claims that the embattled Welsh regions want to join the English Premiership as a move towards long-term salvation.

Dave Attwood has done it all himself, says Danny Grewcock

22 November 2013 0 comments

As a bruising second row with a CV that features one or two misdemeanours, Dave Attwood has often been compared to former Bath lock Danny Grewcock.

Francois Louw: I’m happy to split Bath with Springboks

24 October 2013 1 comment

Just seven days after playing for the Springboks in a pulsating Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand, Francois Louw was not only running out for Bath in Bordeaux but wearing the captain’s armband for the full 80 minutes.

Jacques Burger gives the credit to Billy Vunipola for flying start

23 October 2013 2 comments

He has been called the best ‘signing’ of the summer after putting two years of injury hell behind him – but Jacques Burger claims he cannot compare to wrecking-ball clubmate Billy Vunipola.

Dave Ewers follows David Pocock in beating pain of exile

9 October 2013 2 comments

At first glance, Exeter’s powerhouse No.8 Dave Ewers does not appear to have much in common with Australia’s David Pocock. But scratch beneath the surface and both have similar tales to tell.

New coffee-shop owner Chris Robshaw determined not to become a has-bean

25 September 2013 3 comments

For Chris Robshaw, the coffee entrepreneur, it’s a case of better latte than never.

Nick Wood to know his fate tomorrow

17 September 2013 0 comments

Nick Wood will appear in front of a RFU hearing panel tomorrow (Wednesday) following his sending off against Saracens on Sunday. The Gloucester prop was […]

“I had to quit Irish to stay in the picture with England” – Jonathan Joseph

12 September 2013 0 comments

Jonathan Joseph believes any hopes he had of cementing his England spot were on a hiding to nothing as long as he stayed at London Irish.

Referees in quit threat over RFU’s ‘Big Brother’ plan

10 September 2013 0 comments

Premiership Rugby’s desire to exert increasing influence over referees was behind Ed Morrison’s shock decision to quit his post as head of elite refereeing on the eve of the new season, The Rugby Paper can reveal.

Henry Thomas got his shot in the dark now he’s ready to shine for Sale

5 September 2013 1 comment

Henry Thomas, as one of the few beacons of light in a dark season for Sale, has been forced to learn his trade on the job – but England’s latest prop idol would have it no other way.

“… and I’m after your club shirt,” warns Luke Wallace

4 September 2013 0 comments

Luke Wallace has promised to repay Stuart Lancaster‘s faith in him – by ousting England captain Chris Robshaw from the Harlequins No.7 shirt. Despite missing […]

Ambitious Nick Kennedy has Stooped to conquer

29 August 2013 3 comments

Turning your back on the superstar lifestyle at galactico-laden Toulon might appear to be mad. But Nick Kennedy insists he is comfortable with his decision […]

Craig Mitchell: Shame of my ‘Lions’ punch-up

28 August 2013 0 comments

Craig Mitchell has spoken candidly about the horrific long-haul flight home from Australia in June when he feared his rugby career might be over. The […]

Nigel Melville in talks over US-based Premiership games

27 August 2013 0 comments

England‘s Premiership clubs are to hold imminent talks with American power-brokers aimed at ‘opening up’ the trans-Atlantic market. USA Rugby‘s top man, former England scrum-half […]

Shane Geraghty: London Irish can confound runaways and bid for Top6

22 August 2013 2 comments

Shane Geraghty admits to understanding why a string of top players opted to quit London Irish. But the bullish Exiles playmaker is convinced the club […]

Alex King hopes to turn his new Northampton Saints into kings

21 August 2013 0 comments

George North‘s unveiling at Northampton was close to rock star status – but the man who could prove to be Saints’ most significant signing of […]

Mike Blair keen to make his mark in Premiership

16 August 2013 1 comment

Mike Blair is counting down the days until he samples Premiership rugby at first hand for the first time with Newcastle. Unlike his brother David, […]

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