Premiership

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

Johann van Graan: That was a match of quality

20 October 2024 0 comments

Bath head coach Johann van Graan was impressed with what he saw. “What a rugby game,” he said. “A very high-quality rugby game – two […]

Versatile Tommy Freeman in control for Northampton Saints

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Northampton Saints ….. 47pts Tries: Freeman 3, Furbank 7, Sleightholme 20, 26; James 23, Hendy 36, Ramm 60 Conversions: F Smith 8, […]

Alex Sanderson: You can’t play loose against an angry team

20 October 2024 0 comments

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson feared his side would face a Northampton backlash after their defeat to Leicester and he was proved right. Sanderson’s […]

At last! Newcastle Falcons end record losing streak

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Luke Jarmyn Newcastle …………………… 24pts Tries: van der Walt 17, Blamire 29, 54 Conversions: Grayson 18, 30, 55 Drop goal: Grayson 68 Exeter ……………………………18pts […]

Rob Baxter: We are missing a little belief

20 October 2024 0 comments

Exeter boss Rob Baxter looked perplexed after seeing his side suffer the ignominy of falling to the basement boys of the Premiership table. With the […]

No rest for Leicester Tigers as Michael Cheika puts foot down

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Match Preview Leicester v Gloucester Today. Kick-off 3pm, Welford Road Leicester boss Michael Cheika has shelved thoughts of resting players early on […]

Caolan Englefield: We need to be more aggressive in defence

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald Caolan Englefield remains confident Gloucester can plug sufficient holes in their leaky defence to stun the Tigers again in their Welford Road […]

Brave Will Green does game huge service

20 October 2024 0 comments

Will Green is owed a significant debt by rugby union in England – and further afield – for his courage and unshakeable determination to tell […]

I’m calmer than I’ve ever been – Beno Obano

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Beno Obano has credited the calming influence of Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan for one of his most consistent runs […]

Robbie Smith determined to be in contention for Scotland

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Robbie Smith’s patience paid off in the summer when he made his debut for Scotland and the Northampton hooker hopes that making […]

Titi Lamositele’s happy to do his talking on the pitch

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Titi Lamositele is happy at being the quiet achiever at Harlequins having moved to a club full of big characters from Montpellier […]

Jacques Vermeulen keen to join the fight

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens When push comes to shove, Exeter Chiefs forward Jacques Vermeulen is not one to shy away from the heat of battle. Sidelined […]

Joe Batley sets sights on reaching top

20 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Joe Batley has two remaining targets in a career that started at Gloucester 10 years ago – help Bristol win the Premiership […]

Five Key Things to Look Out for in the Premiership this weekend

18 October 2024 0 comments

By Charlie Elliott The Premiership goes into the fifth round with fixtures as varied as they come, with the top two teams facing each other and the bottom two […]

Rob Baxter’s praise for ‘fantastic’ Olly Woodburn

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Olly Woodburn is excited to be ‘centre of attention’ at Exeter Chiefs this season. With Rob Baxter’s options for personnel in the […]

Steven Luatua: I’d be happy to move up to lock

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Given the way that Bristol love to run the ball from deep and play at high tempo, their game plan is more […]

I’m enjoying the buzz of Bath, says Ross Molony

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Gary Fitzgerald European glory days came thick and fast for Ross Molony during his love affair with his boyhood club Leinster. Yet, despite making […]

Ben Spencer’s class puts Bath on right path

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Gloucester …………………… 31pts Tries: Llewellyn 8, Williams 20, C Atkinson 23, Thorley 68 Conversions: Carreras 9, 21, 24; Barton 69 Penalty: Carreras […]

Hat-trick for Gabriel Ibitoye seals Bristol Bears revival

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens Exeter Chiefs ……………… 35pts Tries: Brown-Bampoe 19, 57; Feyi-Waboso 39, 62 Conversions: Hodge 40, 58, 63 Penalties: Hodge 10, 45, 75 Bristol […]

Rob Baxter: We’ll be scarred by this

13 October 2024 0 comments

Exeter DoR Rob Baxter was at a loss to explain the way his side imploded. “It felt like we were finally finding our feet,” he […]

Ollie Chessum leads the Leicester Tigers’ power pack

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Rob Wildman Leicester Tigers ………… 24pts Tries: Steward 2, Cracknell 54, Chessum 61 Conversions: Pollard 2, 54, 62 Penalty: Pollard 23 Northampton Saints ……..8pts […]

Sam Graham injury a blow for Phil Dowson

13 October 2024 0 comments

Northampton boss Phil Dowson described Sam Graham’s first-half knee injury as “pretty nasty” on a tough night for the champions. The No.8 was injured in […]

Rob Du Preez in charge as Sale Sharks dominate

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Luke Jarmyn Sale Sharks ………………… 43pts Tries: Reed 4, 21; Penalty 28, Addison 35, Roebuck 44, 71 Conversions: R du Preez 5, 22, 36, […]

Newcastle Falcons beaten ‘all over the shop’

13 October 2024 0 comments

Newcastle boss Steve Diamond seemed out of answers on how Newcastle can end their Premiership losing streak and shake-off being the league’s whipping boys. Diamond […]

Danny Wilson: Harlequins determined to put on a show

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Harlequins v Saracens – Match Preview Kick-off 3pm, Twickenham Stoop Harlequins have not beaten Saracens in the Premiership for almost five years […]

Tobias Elliott has been on fire for Saracens, says Ivan van Zyl

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Saracens scrum-half Ivan van Zyl knew Tobias Elliott was the real deal when the young wing was ripping the first team to […]

10k run to training pays off for Temo Mayanavanua

13 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Every time Temo Mayanavanua sits down to watch the children’s TV show Cocomelon with his young son Elnathan, the Northampton lock is […]

Premiership Rugby plays down talk of a British and Irish or Anglo-Welsh league

10 October 2024 0 comments

Premiership Rugby appears to have killed off proposals for a British and Irish or Anglo-Welsh league in favour of retaining a 10-team domestic competition. Chief […]

Michael Cheika says ban for disrespecting doctor ‘hurts my reputation’

7 October 2024 0 comments

Leicester boss Michael Cheika insists the disciplinary process that resulted in a two-match ban for disrespecting an independent match-day doctor (IMDD) left him questioning whether […]

Bristol Bears rule in Bath’s back yard

6 October 2024 0 comments

Bristol inflicted a first defeat of the season on Bath yesterday at a sold-out Rec. The Bears raced to a 19-point lead with tries from […]

Jack van Poortvliet ‘better than ever’ after his year of hell

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway England head coach Steve Borthwick will see a new, improved Jack van Poortvliet when he pitches up at national training this week. […]

Tom Willis: Ben Earl is an inspiration to all

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Saracens No.8 Tom Willis will be taking inspiration from clubmate Ben Earl when he heads into England training camp. Willis is back […]

Centurion Harvey Skinner out to join elite club

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Paul Rees Ever since Harvey Skinner made his debut for Exeter eight years ago, players from the club have been capped in every position […]

Fit-again Curtis Langdon chasing international honours

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Curtis Langdon is desperate for another crack with England having missed the summer tour after injuring his shoulder in the Premiership final […]

England is still my target – Ben Spencer

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe Ben Spencer will continue to put his best foot forward – either his left or his right, it makes no odds – […]

Danny Wilson credits Jason Gilmore with improving Quins’ defence

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Adam Hathaway Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson has zeroed in on the influence of Jason Gilmore as the Londoners bid to shed their reputation […]

Omar Mouneimne beefs up Exeter Chiefs defence

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Mark Stevens In a rugby world where there is plenty of chatter around different aspects of attack, Omar Mouneimne is happy to state his […]

Second-best Bath trumped by Bristol Bears

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Roger Panting Bath ……………………………… 26pts Tries: Harris 11, Butt 55, Molony 58, Lawrence 76 Conversions: Russell 11, 55, 58 Bristol Bears ………………. 36pts Tries: […]

Pat Lam: We were heroic in defence

6 October 2024 0 comments

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam says doing their best against Bath is “not negotiable as it’s all about the community and supporters”. “Since I’ve […]

Leicester Tigers too strong for floundering Newcastle Falcons

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Brendan Gallagher Newcastle Falcons …….. 10pts Try: Chick 51 Conversion: Grayson 52 Penalty: Grayson 7 Leicester Tigers ………… 42pts Tries: Hassell-Colliins 17 Watson 23, […]

Ollie Chessum: We were ruthless out there

6 October 2024 0 comments

Leicester skipper Ollie Chessum was proud of his team after last week’s home defeat to Bath. “We said we wanted to make a bit of […]

Ace Fin Smith has Northampton Saints back on right road

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Northampton Saints ….. 33pts Tries: Iyogun 4, Sleightholme 22, 62; Penalty 42, Graham 55 Conversions: Smith 5, 23, 55 Harlequins ………………….. 29pts […]

We were just blown away in second half, admits Danny Wilson

6 October 2024 0 comments

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson was disappointed that his side let their eight-point half-time lead slip. He said: “First half we were frustrated at what […]

Lively Arron Reed lights the spark to ignite Sale Sharks

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Luke Jarmyn Sale Sharks …………………. 31pts Tries: Roebuck 18, 47, Warr 36, Cowan-Dickie 63, 71 Conversions: R du Preez 19, 37, 72 Gloucester ………………….. […]

This was acid test, admits George Skivington

6 October 2024 0 comments

Gloucester boss George Skivington defended his side’s attack minded game-plan, labelling this an “acid-test”. He said: “It was always going to be a challenge. You […]

There’s no team we’d rather beat, says Rob Baxter

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Jon Newcombe PREVIEW… Saracens v Exeter Chiefs Today. Kick-off 3pm, StoneX Stadium Players may have come and gone but the big-game rivalry between Exeter […]

Andy Onyeama-Christie’s explosive start has Saracens motoring

6 October 2024 0 comments

By Sam Jackson Andy Onyeama-Christie’s explosive start to the season has seen him nominated for Premiership player of the month. The back rower played a […]

Leicester Tigers criticise RFU following Michael Cheika’s ban for being ‘disrespectful’

3 October 2024 0 comments

Leicester have hit out at the Rugby Football Union after their head coach Michael Cheika was found guilty of disrespecting an independent match-day doctor and […]

Premiership Rugby extends free-to-air TV deal with ITV

30 September 2024 0 comments

Premiership Rugby and ITV have agreed a two-year extension to the rights deal which sees seven Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches, including the Final, broadcast free-to-air. […]