Premiership

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

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, […]

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 […]

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