Premiership

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

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Premiership previews: Round ten

29 December 2023 0 comments

Round 10 of the Premiership promises to deliver riveting clashes amidst an electric festive atmosphere. Bristol look set for their biggest crowd of the season […]

Agree new PGP deal quickly, urge DoRs

24 December 2023 1 comment

By PAUL REES Premiership clubs expect the details of the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP) with the RFU to be agreed early in the new […]

Gloucester close in on deal for Atkinson

24 December 2023 0 comments

By NEIL FISSLER Gloucester are in talks to do a deal that will see them sign former Wasps fly-half Charlie Atkinson from Premiership rivals Leicester […]

Warr: It’s special to learn from the best

24 December 2023 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Sale Sharks Gus Warr believes that time spent rubbing shoulders and working with the likes of double World Cup winner Faf de […]

Unlucky Quirke ruled out with foot injury

24 December 2023 0 comments

Raffi Quirke’s dismal luck with injuries continued when a foot injury he picked up at Leinster last weekend that was initially thought to be minor […]

Big Game is next in line for upbeat Dombrandt

24 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Alex Dombrandt will enjoy a rare break over Christmas before returning to drive Harlequins’ twin assaults on the Premiership and the Champions […]

Codling: This is the toughest run I have had as a coach

24 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Newcastle may have had a challenging start to the season, but Alex Codling believes there are several reasons why England’s coaches should […]

Dowson praise for Radford turnaround

24 December 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson has paid tribute to new defence coach Lee Radford and his players for the remarkable turnaround […]

Chiefs ace Tom set for Hanazono

24 December 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Tom Hendrickson has signed a deal with Osaka-based Japanese League One side Hanazono Kintetsu Liners after leaving Exeter Chiefs […]

Saracens in hunt for big name wing

24 December 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Saracens have held informal talks with England wingers Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga about a move to London at […]

Quins offer Care new contract

24 December 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Danny Care has been offered the chance to extend his contract with Harlequins until after his 38th birthday with […]

Cokanasiga shows his England quality

24 December 2023 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Bath ……………………………… 25pts Tries: Cokanasiga 1, 47; Stooke 42, Reid 74 Conversion: Russell 49 Penalties: Russell 33 Harlequins …………………… 17pts Tries: Smith […]

‘There’s more to come from Joe’

24 December 2023 0 comments

Johann van Graan, the Bath head coach, revealed Steve Borthwick has been keeping an eye on Joe Cokanasiga and insists there is more to come […]

Leicester suffer as Chiefs put on a show

24 December 2023 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Exeter Chiefs ……………… 29pts Tries: Vermeulen 7, Penalty 10, Slade 39, Tuima 80 Conversions: Slade 7, 40 Penalty: Slade 51 Leicester Tigers […]

McKellar unhappy with poor first half

24 December 2023 0 comments

LEICESTER head coach Dan McKellar bemoaned a dismal first half that saw the visitors trail 21-0. “It was a poor start from us,” he said. […]

Agony for Hastings as Saints hold on

24 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Gloucester ………………….. 29pts Tries: Clarke 27, Harris 40, Alemanno 47, Carreras 52 Conversions: Hastings, 28, 40, 53 Penalties: Hastings 59 Northampton Saints……31pts […]

A good win but not a great performance, says Dowson

24 December 2023 0 comments

NORTHAMPTON moved to third in the table with a sixth Premiership victory in seven, but director of rugby Phil Dowson was far from satisfied. “It […]

Sharks keep it tight to hold off Saracens

24 December 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Sale Sharks ………………… 22pts Tries: Creevy 17, Roebuck 43, Cowan-Dickie 48 Conversions: Ford 18, 48 Penalty: Ford 64 Saracens ………………………20pts Tries: Van […]

Tuilagi injury worry for Sale

24 December 2023 0 comments

ALEX Sanderson, with concerns about Manu Tuilagi’s first-half exit, hailed his pack’s performance for giving his side the edge. “Our set-piece was phenomenal and that’s […]

Energetic Vakatawa puts Bears in charge

24 December 2023 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Newcastle Falcons…….. 13pts Tries: McCallum 80+2 Conversions: Jennings 80+3 Penalties: Johnson 40+2, Jennings 48 Bristol Bears ……………….. 21pts Tries: Ibitoye 17, Vakatawa […]

Codling delighted by crowd support

24 December 2023 0 comments

DESPITE suffering an 11th straight defeat in all competitions, Newcastle boss Alex Codling praised his side’s effort and the Falcons’ hard going faithful. Codling said: […]

It’s been incredible to be here for so long

24 December 2023 0 comments

Jon Newcombe catches up with Saracens DoR Mark McCall, who has been the boss since 2011 With his 13th calendar year as director of rugby […]

Quins are in strong position, says Joe

24 December 2023 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Harlequins lock Joe Launchbury feels it’s crucial his team display strong form over the festive period as they strive to adapt their […]

Premiership previews: Round nine

22 December 2023 0 comments

After an enthralling fortnight of European rugby that showcased exceptional performances by English clubs, the Gallagher Premiership roars back into action. Round nine promises gripping […]

Series 3, Episode 19: Champions Cup recap and Big Game preview with Joe Launchbury

20 December 2023 0 comments

The Rugby Paper Podcast’s final episode of 2023 looks back at two thrilling weekends of Champions Cup action as well as looking ahead to the […]

Sanderson: Ford and Tuilagi will stay at Sale

17 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Alex Sanderson is confident England outside-half George Ford will be at Sale next season, along with Manu Tuilagi. Ford is in his […]

Chief Yeandle still has a lot more to offer

17 December 2023 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to one of Exeter’s elder statesmen When it comes to Exeter’s biggest triumphs, he’s the Chief often front and centre in all […]

Hastings close to Gloucester return

17 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Adam Hastings is close to a return for Gloucester after an injury-plagued 2023 that has seen the Scotland outside-half make just three […]

Caulfield loving life back with the Bears

17 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Josh Caulfield grew up supporting Bristol and the second row’s despair in the summer when London Irish collapsed turned to elation when […]

Russell: I’ve come here to win titles

17 December 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE While Henry Arundell has chosen to stay at Racing 92 and turn down a move to Bath, Finn Russell is in no […]

Freeman’s switch to 13 has sparked Borthwick’s interest

17 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Northampton’s decision to turn Tommy Freeman into a 13 this season has been far from unlucky for the 22-year old who had […]

Ewers happy to take on new challenge

17 December 2023 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS For years the imposing figure of Dave Ewers made a habit of steamrollering his way around Premiership pitches up and down the […]

Setting the agenda for rugby

17 December 2023 1 comment

Paul Rees looks ahead to the issues that will be addressed in this week’s meeting of the Premiership’s top men The 10 Premiership directors of […]

Gloucester want Wales’ Sheedy at ten

17 December 2023 0 comments

Gloucester are shopping for a new fly-half for next season and have cast their eye on Bristol Bears’ Wales No.10 Callum Sheedy. It could mean […]

Varndell pushes for better governance to support Falcons

15 December 2023 0 comments

Former Premiership top try scorer Tom Varndell has been “sad” to witness Newcastle’s form at the start of the season and feels the league must […]

Bears set to splash cash for Lovejoy

10 December 2023 0 comments

By NEIL FISSLER Bristol have launched a massive recruitment drive for next season, with Harlequins tighthead Lovejoy Chawatama set to become their first recruit. The […]

Reed is making his mark at Sale

10 December 2023 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN A new tattoo and a special changing room rapport between Sale Sharks’ Arron Reed and director of rugby Alex Sanderson has been […]

Vermeulen confident Chiefs will return to top

10 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Jacques Vermeulen is one of the old hands at Exeter following his arrival from South Africa in 2019 and after a summer […]

Dynamic duo put life back into Bath

10 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Ben Spencer has partnered two of the leading outside halves of their generation, Owen Farrell and Finn Russell, and although they have […]

Bristol looking to kick on

10 December 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES What a difference a win makes. Bristol’s frustrating run of five successive Premiership defeats, four by single figure margins, ended last weekend […]

George set to carry on at Saracens

10 December 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER England and Lions hooker Jamie George is ready to turn don a lucrative move to French outfit Lyon and […]

Cokanasiga a target for Gloucester

10 December 2023 0 comments

Gloucester are understood to have put England winger Joe Cokanasiga on the list of potential replacements for Wales superstar Louis Rees-Zammit, who is out of […]

Baxter braced for more to leave

10 December 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter, above, is bracing himself for more departures from Sandy Park at the end of this […]

The Viking will put steel back into Bath

10 December 2023 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK THE Viking – a.k.a. RG Snyman – is expected to arrive in Bath this summer, and given […]

Rocketing ticket prices proving tough on fans

10 December 2023 0 comments

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock surveys the top two divisions to find out which clubs charge the most – and where you could find a bargain […]

Race for the top is going to be close

10 December 2023 0 comments

The Premiership is taking a short rest after eight rounds and by Christmas will have reached the halfway stage. It is a consequence of a […]

Reffell hat-trick inspires big win for Tigers

3 December 2023 0 comments

BY TOM JEFFREYS Leicester Tigers………………..47 Tries: Reffell 15, 34, 53; Scott 30, Wiese 43, Hassell-Collins 65, Brown 80+1 Conversions: Pollard 16, 31, 44, 54; Shillock […]