Premiership

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

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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