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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Van Zyl set for spicy clash with Harlequins

19 March 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Ivan van Zyl is bracing himself for another extra “spicy” confrontation with Harlequins in front of a large and noisy Tottenham crowd […]

Carpenter loving life as a predatory Shark

12 March 2023 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE Strong running and as game as they come, 21-year-old Joe Carpenter looks certain to challenge Freddie Steward for the England full-back jersey […]

Saints set to swoop for Falcon Davison

12 March 2023 2 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Northampton have lined up former England prop Trevor Davison as a replacement for Exeter-bound Ehren Painter. The Rugby Paper understands that Saints […]

Coetzee weighing up return to Premiership

12 March 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE Former Bath prop Aranos Coetzee is mulling over a move to the Premiership again this summer when his deal with the Cheetahs […]

Little to enjoy as Chiefs stay in race

12 March 2023 1 comment

By ROGER PANTING Exeter ………………………….. 24pts Tries: Frost 24, Nowell 57, Penalty 62, S Simmonds 72 Conversions: Skinner 57 Newcastle………………………5pts Tries: Carreras 21 Earlier in […]

Ward: We were left chasing the game

12 March 2023 0 comments

Newcastle forwards coach Micky Ward was left to rue Falcons’ inability to take their scoring chances. Ward said: “I’m disappointed in some respects but pleased […]

Dowson has Saints back on right track

12 March 2023 2 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Northampton………………. 45pts Tries: R Smith 13, 53; Augustus 19, Scott-Young 46, Collins 68, Grayson 77 Conversions: F Smith 14, 54, 20, 47, […]

We are playing catch-up too often, says coach van Graan

12 March 2023 1 comment

BATH boss Johann van Graan will be ordering his players to take a breather for a few days as their search for a first win […]

Ashton Gate is field of dreams for Chisholm

12 March 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Bristol v Quins Today. Kick-off 3pm, Ashton Gate Big moment: James Chisholm scores in Quins semi-final victory in 2021 JAMES Chisholm […]

Exiles on red alert for Sharks onslaught

12 March 2023 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… London Irish v Sale Today. Kick-off 1pm, Brentford Community Stadium THE Premiership’s two most in-form teams meet in Brentford today but […]

Gloucester ready for dogfight with Tigers to lift Ed Slater Cup

12 March 2023 2 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Gloucester v Leicester Today. Kick-off 1pm, Kingsholm GEORGE Skivington has told his players to be prepared for a dogfight when they […]

Care: Best defence will win the title

12 March 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Still going: Danny Care in action for Quins Harlequins may have rediscovered their attacking mojo but Danny Care claims “the best defence […]

Care puts his faith in Smith to return

5 March 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Danny Care is backing Marcus Smith to win his England place back and help the side become successful in the coming years. […]

Smith is the star as Chiefs crushed

5 March 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Harlequins ………………….. 40pts Tries: Murley 10, Bassett 23, Riley 28, Marchant 31, 56; Lewies 65 Conversions: Smith 11, 24, 32, 58, 66 […]

I’m sure Marcus will be back with England soon – Matson

5 March 2023 1 comment

Tabai Matson backed Marcus Smith to quickly regain his England spot after breathing fresh life into Quins’ play-off bid with victory over Exeter. “He can […]

Pollard calls the shots to put Tigers in charge

5 March 2023 1 comment

By ROB WILDMAN Leicester …………………….. 48pts Tries: Potter 16, Pollard 23, Montoya 26, 66; Liebenberg 38, Wells 72 Conversions: Pollard 16, 23, 26, 38, 66; […]

Barbeary suffers serious leg injury

5 March 2023 2 comments

Bath boss Johann van Graan confirmed that Alfie Barbeary had sustained a serious leg injury on his debut. “I don’t want to speculate but the […]

Rock stars on fire as Bears run riot

5 March 2023 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bristol………………………….. 62pts Tries: Randall 20, 34; Thacker 25, Lloyd 40, 43; Vui 51, Kloska 60, Harding 68, Heenan 74 Conversions: MacGinty 20, […]

Dowson: I didn’t see that coming

5 March 2023 1 comment

Northampton director of rugby, a shellshocked, Phil Dowson, admitted that he hadn’t countenanced such a heavy defeat to Bristol Bears. He said: “The league throws […]

Gloves off as big two get set for showdown

5 March 2023 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Sale v Saracens Today. Kick-off 3pm, AJ Bell Stadium Certain opponents merit special treatment and Sale Sharks’ preparation for the visit […]

We’re preparing to feel Sharks at full force, says Dan

5 March 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Theo Dan and his Saracens team-mates are bracing themselves to feel the full force of a revenge-fuelled Sharks pack which has sharpened […]

Schoeman: Fight until dying breath

5 March 2023 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Newcastle v London Irish Today. Kick-off 3pm, Kingston Park Playmaker: Tian Schoeman in action for Newcastle PICTURES: Getty Images Newcastle playmaker […]

We can’t afford any slip ups in final matches, says Simmons

5 March 2023 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD On the attack: Rob Simmons going forward for Irish LONDON Irish face a crunch month in their desire for success and silverware […]

Rees-Zammit won’t have to opt for club or country

5 March 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES George Skivington does not believe Wales reducing the cap threshold from 60 to 25 for players leaving the country without making themselves […]

Gopperth has plenty more gas in the tank

5 March 2023 2 comments

By PAUL REES Jimmy Gopperth will be 40 in June but intends to carry on playing next season, crediting his interests off the field for […]

England returnees in as Quins face Exeter in delayed Big Game

3 March 2023 0 comments

Marcus Smith, Cadan Murley and Joe Marchant have all been named to start for Harlequins as they host Exeter Chiefs in the 14th edition of […]

Baxter calls for overhaul on loans

26 February 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Rob Baxter believes an overhaul of the loan system would raise standards and interest in the Championship. Both the Rugby Football Union […]

Randall shows Lam his fighting spirit

26 February 2023 1 comment

By PAUL REES Pat Lam knew Harry Randall was ready to join Bristol’s leadership group when the tiny No.9 squared up to Ellis Genge in […]

Barbeary close to full recovery

26 February 2023 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Alfie Barbeary is poised to make a battering-ram return to Premiership action after going “full hog” in training for the first time […]

Ramm in control as Saints hit top gear

26 February 2023 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Northampton ………………..41pts Tries: A Waller 22, Braley 43, Moon 51, Graham 55, Freeman 59, Dingwall 68 Conversions: Grayson 22, 43, 55, 68 […]

Skivington: We struggled until bench came to our rescue

26 February 2023 1 comment

GLOUCESTER boss George Skivington thanked his substitutes for rescuing his team’s pride. “Our bench really injected something into the match and we got those two […]

Blackett favourite for Edinburgh

26 February 2023 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler FORMER Wasps boss Lee Blackett is the favourite to replace Mike Blair, whose shock departure […]

Exeter line up Painter move

26 February 2023 1 comment

With Harry Williams on his way to France at the end of the summer, Exeter have turned to Ehren Painter to help fill the gap […]

Chawatama takes long route to top

26 February 2023 1 comment

By PAUL REES Lovejoy Chawatama is enjoying every day of his career as a professional rugby player having made sacrifices as a student to get […]

Tigers on the up as Pollard floors Irish

26 February 2023 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD London Irish ……………….. 22pts Tries: Pearson 5, Powell 9, Cunningham-South 63 Conversions: Jackson 6, 9 Penalties: Jackson 25 Leicester …………………….. 25pts Tries: […]

‘Battle for top two spots so tight’

26 February 2023 0 comments

LECESTER head coach Richard Wigglesworth was pleased he had some experienced heads on the field to close out the win. “It was basketball at the […]

We took our foot off the gas, says McCall

26 February 2023 2 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Saracens …………………….. 29pts Tries: Mawi 1, Lewington 15, 22; van Zyl 30, Dan 38 Conversions: Goode 31, 39 Newcastle…………………… 23pts Tries: van […]

Falcons pleased to grab a point

26 February 2023 0 comments

CALLUM Chick was proud of the way Falcons showed plenty of “dog” at StoneX Stadium to salvage a losing bonus point. The visitors played for […]

Radradra shines as Bath let it slip again

26 February 2023 1 comment

By TOM BRADSHAW Bath ……………………………….13pts Tries: Reid 33 Conversions: Francis 34 Penalties: Francis 38, 54 Bristol……………………………15pts Tries: Williams 19, Naulago 42 Conversions: MacGinty 20 Penalties: […]

We failed to take chances – van Graan

26 February 2023 2 comments

BATH boss Johann van Graan admitted the outcome was grimly familiar for the home supporters. “We had enough opportunities to win the game and we […]

Sanderson prepares for ‘last dance’

26 February 2023 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Exeter v Sale Today. Kick-off 1pm, Sandy Park REFEREE: Familiar territory: Sale’s former Chief Jonny Hill PICTURES: Getty Images ALEX Sanderson […]

Skinner: We want to finish season on a high

26 February 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Battle: Harvey Skinner HARVEY Skinner has warned Sale, today’s visitors to Sandy Park, that the Chiefs have their sights set on not […]

Saints switch paying off for hooker Smith

26 February 2023 1 comment

By PAUL REES On the ball: Northampton hooker Robbie Smith Robbie Smith joined Northampton from Newcastle last summer because he wanted to spend more time […]

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson

Sanderson tips Ford and Curry to get England call

19 February 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Alex Sanderson expects Tom Curry and George Ford to be recalled by England once they have proved their fitness. Flanker Curry, England’s […]

Wiese reckons Tigers close to getting it right

19 February 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Jasper Wiese feels Leicester are just a bounce of the ball away from putting a winning run together and making the play-offs […]

Saints stun Sharks after Tuilagi’s red

19 February 2023 0 comments

By PAUL REES Northampton ………………. 38pts Tries: James 23, Freeman 48, Proctor 56, Penalty 65, Braley 73, Dingwall 76 Conversions: Smith 24, 49; Hutchinson 74 […]

‘Ref was correct to send Manu off’

19 February 2023 0 comments

Alex Sanderson said he had no complaints about Manu Tuilagi’s red card for a forearm smash, but questioned the two yellows his side received in […]

Pragmatic Irish are looking in the mood

19 February 2023 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Bath ………………………………. 10pts Tries: Bayliss 21 Conversions: Spencer 21 Penalties: Spencer 28 London Irish ……………….. 25pts Tries: Jackson 23, White 39, Van […]

Tough Bristol test next for Bath

19 February 2023 1 comment

Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan is demanding a big improvement next week against Bristol. He said: “I have no issue with my team’s […]

Carreras artistry too much for Quins

19 February 2023 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Gloucester ………………….. 28pts Tries: Blake 5, Thorley 18, Carreras 72, Rees-Zammit 74 Conversions: Carreras 6, 18, 73, 75 Harlequins ………………….. 26pts Tries: […]

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