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_id] => 1 [season_name] => Premiership Regular Season [season_slug] => premiership-regular-season [season_start] => 2022 [season_end] => 2023 [wp_league_id] => 77 [status] => 1 )

Dombrandt: We don’t fear anyone

22 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Harlequins v Exeter Today. Kick-off 3pm, Twickenham Stoop ALEX Dombrandt is not feeling sorry for himself after missing out on the […]

We’re happy to play without the pressure, says Skinner

22 October 2023 0 comments

EXETER’S supposed season of rebuilding started with the demolition of champions Saracens last weekend and the Chiefs intend to keep on proving their doubters wrong. […]

Aged 24, Harding keen to lead from the front at Bears

22 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Fitz Harding is looking for Bristol to develop a harder edge this season after becoming the second youngest player to be appointed […]

Coles out to prove himself for Saints

22 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES When Alex Coles sat down to watch England’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa last night, he thought about the day 11 […]

Premiership Rugby weekly previews: Round Two

20 October 2023 0 comments

While England’s upcoming World Cup semi-final showdown with the Springboks holds a prominent place in the minds of English rugby fans, the second week of […]

Defensive dominance gives Sale winning start

15 October 2023 0 comments

By Tom Jeffreys Sale Sharks…………………20 Tries: Roebuck 6, O’Flaherty 12, Caine 38 Cons: R Du Preez 7 Pens: R Du Preez 36 Northampton Saints………………15 Tries: […]

England’s big names to get new offer

15 October 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER England stars are poised to be offered guaranteed payments of between £100,000 to £150,000 by the RFU in an […]

After Ribbans, Toulon set their sights on Ludlam

15 October 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Toulon are eyeing a move for England and Northampton back row Lewis Ludlam – who is out of contract at the end […]

Skivington looks ahead

15 October 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Gloucester boss George Skivington has already started shopping for the 2024/2025 campaign despite this new season only getting underway. The Cherry and […]

Russell already one of the family – Blackett

15 October 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Lee Blackett has revealed how Finn Russell’s meticulous preparation has already made him part of the Bath family. Russell’s involvement with Scotland […]

Hodge: I’m ready to step up

15 October 2023 0 comments

Exeter full-back Josh Hodge is ready to step up and fill the void left by Stuart Hogg who retired in the summer. “I’ve learned off […]

Hodge leads the demolition squad

15 October 2023 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Exeter ………………………….. 65pts Tries: Feyi-Waboso 2, Fisilau 9, Roots 13, Hendrickson 17, Slade 23, Hodge 30, 36, 56; Tuima 60, Vintcent 73, […]

McCall: A tough pill to swallow

15 October 2023 0 comments

Saracens DoR Mark McCall said he and his side would have to ‘lick their wounds’ in the wake of their record Premiership defeat away to […]

Gloucester score late to snatch it in a thriller

15 October 2023 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Gloucester ………………….. 29pts Tries: Clark 20, McGuigan 24, Ludlow 58, Ford-Robinson 80 Conversions: Barton 20, 54, 58 Penalties: Barton 28 Harlequins ………………….. […]

Skivington: Pleased with the way we stayed in the fight

15 October 2023 0 comments

Despite a morale-boosting victory against Harlequins, Gloucester head coach George Skivington accepted that his side were not at their best. “It was not our greatest […]

Spencer treble gives Bath a battling start

15 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Bath ……………………………… 34pts Tries: Barbeary 12, Spencer 22, 39, 47; Redpath 31, Muir 72 Conversions: Tries: Spencer 32, 41 Newcastle…………………… 26pts Tries: […]

Russell enjoys opening night

15 October 2023 0 comments

Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan was pleased with his new fly-half Finn Russell’s debut and to secure the club’s first opening round victory […]

Ibitoye in control as Bristol get going

15 October 2023 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bristol ………………………….. 25pts Tries: Ibitoye 2, 22; Thacker 20 Conversions: MacGinty 20, 22 Penalties: Williams 38, 43 Leicester ………………………14pts Tries: Kelly 51, […]

Lam: We should have gone for bonus point

15 October 2023 0 comments

Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, was disappointed that his side could not pick up a bonus-point by failing to score a fourth try on […]

Saints getting beefed up for new season

15 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Sale v Northampton Today. Kick-off 1.30pm, AJ Bell Stadium NORTHAMPTON are aiming to be bigger and better this season and Fin […]

Sanderson: To improve, we need to dare players to fail

15 October 2023 0 comments

ALEX Sanderson believes Sale will need to show more in attack if they are to go one better than last season and win the Premiership. […]

Hawkins can’t wait to get going

15 October 2023 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS As one of Exeter’s new kids on the block, Joe Hawkins says the Chiefs are bang on track as they ready themselves […]

Day: It’s right time to ban Tramadol

15 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN HART Danny Cipriani called it a magic pill, but RPA General Secretary Christian Day says the time is right for addictive painkiller Tramadol […]

Williams keen to see Vakatawa in action

15 October 2023 0 comments

James Williams is excited to see what sort of impact Virimi Vakatawa can have on Bristol and the Premiership. Vakatawa has been granted clearance to […]

Premiership Rugby 2023/24 weekly previews: Round One

12 October 2023 0 comments

England are not out of the World Cup yet, but the country’s domestic league gets underway this Friday with Bristol Bears hosting Leicester Tigers in […]

Sweeney backing for a strong second tier

8 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Bill Sweeney has pledged Twickenham’s support for the Championship but said the level of funding for the second tier, which will be […]

Slade out to inspire the next generation

8 October 2023 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Henry Slade says he will use the heartbreak of missing out on selection for this year’s Rugby World Cup as the driver […]

Spencer keeps the armband at Bath

8 October 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Ben Spencer says it is “a huge privilege” to lead Bath into a second season, and is grateful to have Charlie Ewels […]

Codling’s happy to keep faith with youth

8 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Alex Codling has given his young players exposure in the Premiership Cup and that trend will continue when the Falcons’ league campaign […]

Itoje is too expensive for French

8 October 2023 0 comments

French clubs have gone cold on signing England and Lions lock Maro Itoje when his contract with Premiership champions Saracens runs out at the end […]

Racing 92 will fight to keep Arundell

8 October 2023 0 comments

BY NEIL FISSLER Racing 92 will fight any attempts by Gloucester and Bath to lure England international Henry Arundell back to the Premiership after the […]

Leicester’s new launch

8 October 2023 0 comments

Leicester have announced that they will launch their first-ever Down Syndrome rugby team later this month to mark awareness month for the genetic disorder. Tigers […]

Saracens go on rampage to cut down Hartpury

8 October 2023 0 comments

By MO SHER Saracens ……….68pts Tries: Segun 16, 32; Hartley 47, Adejimi 51, 58, Davies 54, Knight 61, 78; Stonham 73, Parton 80 Conversions: Lozowski […]

Impressive Bath start to show their worth

8 October 2023 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Bath ……………………………. 34pts Tries: Annett 4, De Glanville 15, Francis 36, Muir 39, Ojomoh 76 Conversions: Francis 5, 15, 40 Penalties: Francis […]

Anderson hits the heights to steer Quins home

8 October 2023 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Nottingham…… 21pts Tries: Valentine 26, Tiueti 38, Stronge 41 Conversions: Hollingsworth 27, 39, 42 Harlequins …… 45pts Tries: Browne 2, White 11, […]

Blues tame the Tigers for first time in over 40 years

8 October 2023 0 comments

By DAVID THOMPSON Bedford ………… 47pts Tries: Litchfield 3, Howard 13, Adamson 47, Worley 49, King 60, Conway 70, French 80 Conversions: Maisey 4, 48, […]

We need to hit ground running, says Waller

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK PREVIEW… Northampton Saints v Doncaster Knights Today. Kick-off 2.15pm, Franklin’s Gardens Hard work ahead: Northampton prop Ethan Waller NORTHAMPTON Saints have made […]

Clinical Pirates are too strong for Scottish

8 October 2023 0 comments

By MO SHER London Scots ..14pts Tries: Mehson 61, Panday 77 Conversions: Haydon 62, 78 Cornish P ……….50pts Tries: Dugmore 8, Evans 11, Trewin 18, […]

Sharks pack just has too much bite for battling Mob

8 October 2023 0 comments

By KEVIN MILLER Sale ………………. 64pts Tries: James 2, Dugdale 11, 24, 30, 61, Taylor 15, Bedlow 40, 67, Carpenter 69, Roebuck 75 Conversions: R […]

Galloping Reeves races in to steal it for Gloucester

8 October 2023 0 comments

By PAUL SMITH Gloucester ……………………32pts Tries: Hillmann-Cooper 7, Hearle 14, Clement 34, 58; Reeves 79 Conversions: Hastings 14, Barton 58 Penalties: Barton 56 Coventry ………………………. […]

16-try Bristol go on a spree to demolish Cambridge

8 October 2023 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bristol …………….98pts Tries: Thacker 4, 19, 35, Lane 10, 47, Bradbury 12, Caulfied 15, Thomas 24, 51, 60, 72, Harding 41, Marmion […]

Falcons call up young guns for Caldy clash

8 October 2023 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK PREVIEW… Newcastle v Caldy Today. Kick-off 2.30pm, Kingston Park Ready to go: Ben Douglas makes his first start OLIVER Spencer makes his […]

Bunker system may expand to other contests

8 October 2023 0 comments

It was always going to be a World Cup in which discipline would be crucial with a zero tolerance on head high tackles which lacked […]

Bath bank on Russell class

8 October 2023 0 comments

Premiership team-by-team previews: Bath Bath finished last season with four consecutive victories, their best run for three years. They scored 175 points and 24 tries […]

Lam puts his faith in Vakatawa to fire Bears

8 October 2023 0 comments

Premiership team-by-team previews: Bristol Bears HOW do you replace Semi Radradra? By signing Virimi Vakatawa, the France centre who was forced to retire from rugby […]

Baxter out to rebuild again

8 October 2023 0 comments

Premiership team-by-team previews: Exeter Chiefs The summer marked a reset for Exeter following the departure of a number of players who were instrumental in their […]

Mercer the man to power Gloucester

8 October 2023 0 comments

Premiership team-by-team previews: Gloucester Gloucester started last season in the fast lane and finished it spluttering along in the hard shoulder after being decimated by […]

Quins hope to keep it smooth

8 October 2023 0 comments

Premiership team-by-team previews: Harlequins When Quins won the title in 2020-21, they finished the season strongly to make up for a slow start and took […]

McKellar’s putting pieces into place

8 October 2023 0 comments

Premiership team-by-team previews: Leicester Tigers The Tigers did well to reach the play-offs last season after losing head coach Steve Borthwick and his right-hand man […]

Codling knows it will be tough

8 October 2023 0 comments

Premiership team-by-team previews: Newcastle Falcons ALEX Codling knew what he was taking on when he agreed to become Newcastle’s third director of rugby in little […]

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