Premiership

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

stdClass Object ( [id] => 1 [league_name] => Premiership [league_logo_id] => 0 [league_logo_url] => [parent_league_id] => 0 [wp_league_id] => 77 )

Bath

Bristol

Exeter

Gloucester

Harlequins

Leicester

London Irish

Newcastle

Northampton

Sale

Saracens

Wasps

Worcester

No frills as Dave Attwood batters his way back

15 August 2013 1 comment

Stuart Lancaster is regarded as a coach of considerable subtlety, but his advice to the recalled Dave Attwood has no frills: “Bash holes in people.” […]

Nine or ten? Northampton Saints can count on me, says Kahn Fotuali’i

14 August 2013 1 comment

Northampton new boy Kahn Fotuali’i admits he will not be the fly-half that Saints fans have craved ever since Carlos Spencer’s departure – but that […]

Mike Forshaw talks tough to Danny Cipriani and Co

9 August 2013 0 comments

As a Rugby League international as well as former Iron Man competitor, Sale‘s new defence coach Mike Forshaw is clearly not to be messed with. […]

Alex Corbisiero: I had to leave London Irish to achieve my goals

8 August 2013 1 comment

George North will light up the Premiership with Northampton Saints this season, according to Lions colleague Alex Corbisiero. The pair clock on for duty at […]

Tim Stimpson rates the new Matthew Tait No.1 at 15

7 August 2013 0 comments

He’s back in the England fold after a three-year absence and it should be just a matter of time before Mathew Tait is back in […]

Premiership clubs link up with USA giants of grid-iron

6 August 2013 0 comments

England‘s Premiership clubs have opened talks with four American football franchises over a ground-breaking trans- Atlantic venture. In an ambitious attempt to push back the […]

No frills on Jon Mills as he swims with the Sale Sharks

27 July 2013 1 comment

In his heart he’ll always be a Dragon, but Jon Mills is now prepared to do whatever it takes to stoke the fires at his […]

‘Nerd’ Dom Barrow has passion to learn with Newcastle Falcons

26 July 2013 0 comments

He might have been one of the most sought-after players in the Championship but Newcastle Falcons new boy Dom Barrow is already well aware of […]

Mike Catt input can steer me to top says Luther Burrell

25 July 2013 0 comments

Luther Burrell racked up a Premiership final appearance and an England debut in his first season with Northampton – but the centre insists working with […]

Tiger Niall Morris aiming to be an Irish Wolfhound

23 July 2013 1 comment

Niall Morris, having impressed with Emerging Ireland in Georgia this summer, hopes to get another crack at international rugby. Leicester winger Morris was called up […]

Mike Ford puts his focus on reviving up Bath attack

19 July 2013 1 comment

He’s masterminded the defence for the Lions, England and Ireland, not to mention Premiership clubs. But now newly-promoted Bath coach Mike Ford is looking forward […]

Andy Goode: I’m here to help make Wasps great again

18 July 2013 0 comments

Fly-half Andy Goode is out to prove there is life in the old dog yet by marshalling Wasps young guns into the Heineken Cup. When […]

“I feel a bit sorry for Gavin,” says Bath legend Duncan Bell

17 July 2013 3 comments

Bath legend Duncan Bell says he “feels sorry” for Gavin Henson following the storm surrounding his public bust up with team-mate Carl Fearns on a […]

Matt Banahan sets his sights on main prize

12 July 2013 1 comment

Matt Banahan refuses to give up on his England dream but knows a successful season with Bath is non-negotiable if he is to force his […]

Chris Robshaw may have to switch to six says Nick Evans

11 July 2013 0 comments

Luke Wallace’s all-action displays in the Quins No.7 shirt last season will force England captain Chris Robshaw to move to blindside in the near future. […]

No Cockerill, no problem for well-drilled Tigers says Anthony Allen

10 July 2013 0 comments

Anthony Allen has played down the significance of Richard Cockerill’s impending nine-week ban, insisting it will make little difference to Leicester‘s experienced squad. An RFU […]

Mako Vunipola will be best prop in world says Saracens coach

9 July 2013 1 comment

Public opinion might suggest Mako Vunipola was taught a lesson in Melbourne, but Saracens forwards coach Alex Sanderson is adamant that the quick-learning prop passed […]

Young guns can fire us into top two – Mike Tindall

5 July 2013 0 comments

Gloucester player-coach Mike Tindall believes that the Cherry & Whites’ young guns should train their sights on a top-two finish in the Premiership this season. […]

2013-2014 Aviva Premiership fixtures revealed

4 July 2013 2 comments

Premiership Rugby today confirmed that Aviva Premiership Rugby champions Leicester Tigers will start the defence of their title at home to Dean Ryan’s Worcester Warriors. […]

“I’ve lost all respect for Cockerill,” says Martin Castrogiovanni

3 July 2013 1 comment

Martin Castrogiovanni, shaggy-haired prop who has just joined Toulon, has delivered a scathing verdict on the Leicester bosses he left behind. He won a drawn-out […]

Olly Morgan gives his career one more shot

2 July 2013 0 comments

Olly Morgan is making a final attempt to save his career and avoid joining a long list of international players forced to quit over the […]

‘Outstanding’ Steve Borthwick to be top coach says Eddie Jones

26 June 2013 1 comment

Saracens skipper Steve Borthwick will become an outstanding coach after his playing days are over, according to Japan head coach Eddie Jones. Borthwick, 33, has […]

George North will be a Saints idol ‘with Stephen Myler’s help’

20 June 2013 1 comment

Former Northampton star winger Jon Sleightholme has backed Stephen Myler to load the bullets for George North to fire in the Premiership when the Lions […]

Geordan Murphy’s nerves not calmed by title haul

14 June 2013 0 comments

Geordan Murphy admits he is “scared” by the prospect of coaching Leicester. Despite making more than 300 appearances for the Tigers in a 16-year professional […]

Water boy Jordan Crane just happy to make splash

7 June 2013 0 comments

Jordan Crane, having gone from water boy to Premiership winner in the space of 12 months, is grateful for what he has rather than what […]

Newcastle Falcons strengthen to avoid a Premiership dogfight

7 June 2013 2 comments

Dean Richards is working on building a star team rather than a team of stars as he looks to put Newcastle back on the Premiership […]

Northampton Saints to meet Leicester in Premiership final

12 May 2013 0 comments

Their will be a taste of the East Midlands at Twickenham in two weeks as Northampton Saints will face Leicester Tigers in the Premiership final […]

Andy Saull: Newcastle Falcons won’t stifle me like Saracens

10 May 2013 0 comments

Flanker Andy Saull admits he signed for Newcastle to stop his career stagnating in Saracens‘ regimented environment. Long seen as the nearest thing England have […]

Leicester Tigers and Tom Youngs headline Premiership awards

9 May 2013 0 comments

Tom Youngs was voted the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year last night. The Leicester hooker has been in superb form all season wether it […]

Those Semesa Rokodoguni back-flips are helping our heroes

9 May 2013 0 comments

After undergoing a six-month tour of Helmand province, it is no surprise that Fijian flyer Semesa Rokoduguni is un- daunted by whatever he faces on […]

Wigan have winner in Andy Powell, says Scott Quinnell

3 May 2013 1 comment

Scott Quinnell has tipped Andy Powell to be a big hit in Rugby League following his decision to cross codes and sign a three-year deal […]

Mike Tindall ‘better than four years ago’ says Nigel Davies

2 May 2013 0 comments

Mike Tindall is close to putting pen to paper on a deal to remain player-coach at Gloucester, according to Cherry & Whites boss Nigel Davies. […]

Elliot Daly benefits from 15-love at first sight

1 May 2013 2 comments

It has not always been the smoothest of transitions for Elliot Daly at full-back this season but according to Wasps backs coach Shane Howarth it […]

Youngs brothers at heart of it in Leicester’s charge

26 April 2013 37 comments

Ben Youngs has hailed the contribution of brother Tom as Leicester close in on a ninth straight Premiership final appearance. Hooker Tom this week received […]

Alex Gray in numbers: from No.8 to 7s, and then to 13 in 15s!

25 April 2013 0 comments

Alex Gray intends following Tom Croft and James Haskell by using England Sevens as a route to international stardom. Gray’s surprising switch to Sevens has […]

Second tier expect end to ‘cartel’ of Premiership

23 April 2013 1 comment

The Championship expect a deal to be thrashed out soon that will put promoted clubs on equal central funding with the existing Premiership elite. The […]

Exeter Chiefs beat London Wasps and look set for Heineken Cup

21 April 2013 2 comments

Exeter Chiefs are in prime position to qualify for the Heineken Cup next season after a 37-24 bonus-point win against London Wasps at Adams Park. […]

James Johnston: “Don’t call me Judas for putting my family first”

19 April 2013 4 comments

Harlequins prop James Johnston has been hurt by abusive fans branding him a ‘Judas’ following his decision, announced in January, to accept a big-money move […]

Money man Kelvin Bryon pulls plug on London Welsh hopes

16 April 2013 1 comment

London Welsh are facing fresh turmoil after the club’s majority shareholder, Kelvin Bryon, revealed he is pulling out at the end of the season. Bryon, […]

Just get rid of the hit-squad to solve this scrum farce

12 April 2013 3 comments

Scrum guru Phil Keith-Roach claims the chaos and controversy surrounding the set-piece would be gone within a month if the IRB removed one sentence from […]

When Halani ‘Aulika stopped being a waisted talent

11 April 2013 0 comments

London Irish prop sensation Halani Aulika would have been lost to the game had it not been for a chance meeting on an Auckland petrol […]

London Wasps saved as £500k tax bill is paid

10 April 2013 0 comments

New Wasps owner Derek Richardson had to settle an outstanding tax bill of £500,000 before completing the long-awaited takeover of the London club on Friday.

George North joins Northampton

9 April 2013 1 comment

The Scarlets announced today they have agreed to release the 20-year-old winger on his request so he could sign a three-year deal with the East Midlands side.

Nigel Wray backs move for Welsh to join Aviva Premiership

9 April 2013 2 comments

England’s Premiership clubs plan to strike a deal with the four Welsh regions which could change the landscape of European competition.

George North is urged to get Test clearance

3 April 2013 1 comment

Wales have asked George North to ensure he protects his international future before completing his proposed £250,000 transfer to Northampton. WRU officials have advised the […]

Top English clubs would ‘welcome’ Welsh tie-up

2 April 2013 2 comments

A senior Welsh official last night claimed that some English clubs would welcome reviving Anglo-Welsh competition – and even the idea of Wales‘ four regional […]

London Irish and Sale almost safe after entertaining draw

31 March 2013 1 comment

London Irish and Sale have almost secured their place in the Premiership as they drew 33-33 in a very entertaining game at the Madjeski Stadium […]

The inside story on fearsome Maurie Fa’asavalu

28 March 2013 0 comments

When flanker Maurie Fa’asavalu signed for Harlequins in 2010, director of rugby Conor O’Shea knew what he was getting: a hard man, an enforcer, someone […]

Northampton Saints will pay £250k to sign big George North

27 March 2013 0 comments

Northampton Saints have offered the Scarlets £250,000 for George North and the deal could be completed within the next seven days. It would be the […]

London Welsh fail appeal

26 March 2013 1 comment

London Welsh have failed their appeal against the five-point deduction and £15,000 fine they received for fielding an eligible player. They were found guilty earlier […]