Premiership

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

Owen Farrell worried players have to tread ‘very fine line’ when making tackles

13 June 2022 0 comments

Owen Farrell insists players are forced to tread a “very fine line” when tackling after Saracens secured their place in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final despite […]

I thought my career was over, says May

12 June 2022 1 comment

By ADAM HATHAWAY JONNY May feared he would never be up to speed for top class rugby when he was sitting with a knee injury […]

Boyd’s men let it slip as Ford opens door to final

12 June 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Leicester ……….27pts Tries: Ford 52, Steward 69 Conversions: Ford 52 Penalties: Ford 22, 33, 64, 79 Drop goals: Ford 77 Northampton ..14pts […]

Borthwick: It wasn’t pretty but the guys worked their way through it all

12 June 2022 0 comments

LEICESTER head coach Steve Borthwick admitted it was a tough match but was glad his team are now heading for a Twickenham final next Saturday. […]

Saracens back at the top table as Earl hat-trick sees off Quins

12 June 2022 2 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Saracens ……….34pts Tries: Earl 21 41 80, Tompkins 35, Davies 52 Conversions: Farrell 35, 41, 80 Penalties: Farrell 8 Harlequins ……..17pts Tries: […]

Matson: We did not nail our stuff

12 June 2022 0 comments

TABAI Matson admitted his crestfallen Harlequins stars will not enjoy their summer holidays after failing to secure the chance of retaining their title at Twickenham. […]

Sarries stars return for London derby semi-final

10 June 2022 0 comments

Maro Itoje makes his 150th club appearance as Saracens have reverted to naming their strongest possible side to face champions Harlequins in Saturday’s semi-final at […]

Genge and Ford set for Welford Road farewell in Premiership semi-final

10 June 2022 0 comments

Leicester Tigers captain Ellis Genge and fly-half George Ford start their final home game as they bid farewell to Welford Road against Northampton Saints in […]

Breakthrough star Henry Arundell pens long-term contract at London Irish

10 June 2022 0 comments

Exciting full-back Henry Arundell has penned a new long-term contract at London Irish. Arundell has had a breakthrough season with the Exiles, scoring seven tries […]

Italy prop Danilo Fischetti signs for London Irish

8 June 2022 0 comments

Italy prop Danilo Fischetti from Zebre Parma will join London Irish from next season. The 24-year-old has spent the last four seasons in Parma and […]

Coaching a ‘fresh start’ for Mark Wilson

8 June 2022 0 comments

Newcastle Falcons legend Mark Wilson is looking forward to a ‘fresh start’ with Newcastle Falcons after returning as part of the first-team coaching staff. The […]

Saracens flanker Ben Earl crowned Premiership player of the season

8 June 2022 105 comments

Saracens flanker Ben Earl has been crowned Gallagher Premiership player of the season following his outstanding contribution to his club’s title challenge this season. Earl […]

Newcastle Falcons sign Coventry scrum-half Josh Barton

7 June 2022 1 comment

Coventry scrum-half Josh Barton will make the step up to the Premiership after signing a two-year deal with Newcastle Falcons. Having played 26 games in […]

Northampton looking to put Leicester hidings firmly behind them – Phil Dowson

7 June 2022 0 comments

Phil Dowson admits that Northampton endured two “chastening experiences” against East Midlands rivals Leicester in the Gallagher Premiership this season. But Saints have an opportunity […]

‘Owen’s everything’ – Jamie George compares Farrell to NBA great Michael Jordan

7 June 2022 3 comments

Jamie George says Saracens are being inspired in their Gallagher Premiership title quest by their own version of Michael Jordan. George sees striking similarities between […]

Steve Borthwick not getting ahead of himself in Leicester’s title bid

7 June 2022 0 comments

Steve Borthwick insists Leicester are “still very early in the journey” as his table-topping side seek to cap a remarkable turnaround with Gallagher Premiership glory. […]

Big-game experience invaluable for Saracens – Andy Christie

6 June 2022 0 comments

Andy Christie feels Saracens‘ big-game experience is invaluable ahead of Harlequins‘ visit in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership semi-final. Speaking to The Rugby Paper Podcast, the Scotland […]

Best yet to come for Saracens – Malins

5 June 2022 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY MAX Malins rapped out a warning to the Premiership, claiming the best is yet to come from fallen champions Saracens as the […]

Ford: Tiger cub Jack has a big future ahead

5 June 2022 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE GEORGE Ford sees a bright future for half-back partner Jack van Poortvliet after the young Tigers ace was named in England’s latest […]

Ten-try Saints have Tigers in their sights

5 June 2022 1 comment

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Northampton ..65pts Tries: Matavesi 9, 23; Cole 18, Mitchell 32, Freeman 40+1, 63, 68; Hutchinson 59, Skosan 73, Ludlam 79 Conversions: Biggar […]

Boyd so proud of battling players

5 June 2022 0 comments

NORTHAMPTON director of rugby Chris Boyd is proud of how players turned their poor season around. “A couple of months ago we were sitting eighth […]

Borthwick left with questions to answer

5 June 2022 1 comment

By ROB WILDMAN Leicester ……….20pts Tries: G Porter 2, Steward 61 Conversions: Ford 2, 61 Penalties: Ford 67, 73 Wasps …………….10pts Tries: W Porter 68 […]

Blackett: We had chances to win

5 June 2022 0 comments

WASPS boss Lee Blackett admitted his team had missed out on a chance of victory. “We just had to find a bit more confidence with […]

Gloucester left to rue what might have been

5 June 2022 0 comments

By PAUL REES Gloucester……..54pts Tries: Singleton 8, 44; Reid 18, Carreras 34, Thorley 49, Socino 57, Rees-Zammit 68, Clement 71 Conversions: Hastings 9, 19, 35, […]

Sorry to miss out on top 4 -Skiv

5 June 2022 2 comments

GEORGE Skivington welcomed back England wing Jonny May after five months out with injury and believes more of his players are set for international call-ups. […]

Simmonds in charge as Chiefs snatch it

5 June 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Exeter …………….47pts Tries: Gray 19, Hogg 24, Simmonds 38, Whitten 47, Nowell 55, Street 69, Maunder 79 Conversions: Simmonds 19, 24, 47, […]

Chuffed we fought right to the end, says coach Hepher

5 June 2022 0 comments

EXETER head coach Ali Hepher offered an explanation as to why Chiefs have missed out on a play-off for the first time since 2015. “We’ve […]

De Klerk bows out with a final flourish

5 June 2022 0 comments

By ROSS HEPPENSTALL Sale ………………..42pts Tries: Roebuck 7, Van der Merwe 15, Wiese 22, 40, D Du Preez 63, Reed 69 Conversions: R Du Preez […]

Injury to Rodd ‘is not serious’

5 June 2022 0 comments

BEVAN Rodd was replaced as a “precaution” during half-time but boss Alex Sanderson dismissed fears of a serious injury. The highly-rated prop is hoping to […]

Horror show for Bath as they finish bottom

5 June 2022 1 comment

By TOM BRADSHAW Worcester ……..43pts Tries: Hatherell 4, Simpson 44, Shillcock 52, 55, 76; Batley 61 Conversions: Smith 5, 45, 53, 56, 78 Penalties: Smith […]

Diamond delight after fightback

5 June 2022 0 comments

STEVE Diamond hailed his Worcester side’s resolve having been on the ropes at the break. “We had a chat at halftime about the psychology of […]

Sam Lewis departs Worcester Warriors

1 June 2022 0 comments

Worcester Warriors flanker Sam Lewis will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. The Welsh openside flanker, 31, was […]

Jack Nowell among Exeter trio tipped to be fit for England tour

1 June 2022 2 comments

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has provided Eddie Jones with a triple boost ahead of England’s tour to Australia. Baxter confirmed that Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie […]

Gloucester will ‘rip into it and see what happens’ in crucial Saracens clash

1 June 2022 2 comments

George Skivington has vowed that Gloucester will “rip into it and see what happens” in their quest for a Gallagher Premiership play-off place on Saturday. […]

Skipper Lewis Ludlam could make Northampton return against Newcastle

31 May 2022 0 comments

Northampton captain Lewis Ludlam could be available for the key Gallagher Premiership clash against Newcastle on Saturday after missing England‘s recent training camp due to […]

Northampton sign trialist Aaron Hinkley and Alfie Petch from Exeter

31 May 2022 1 comment

Northampton Saints have signed trialist Aaron Hinkley and Alfie Petch from Exeter Chiefs. The former England age group internationals have signed ahead of the 2022/23 […]

Former England flanker Tom Wood announces retirement from rugby

30 May 2022 0 comments

Former England flanker Tom Wood has announced he will retire from professional rugby next month following 12 seasons at Northampton. Wood won 50 England caps, […]

Andre Esterhuizen honoured to win players’ player of the year award

26 May 2022 0 comments

Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen has won the Rugby Players’ Association players’ player of the year award. Esterhuizen polled the highest number of votes from his […]

Ed Griffiths leaves role as Bath chairman as club confirm structural reset

25 May 2022 2 comments

Bath chairman Edward Griffiths has left his role after less than six months in post as the club confirms a new rugby structure for the […]

Nathan Hines: “Road to Twickenham” Cycle Challenge

25 May 2022 0 comments

Nathan Hines is enjoying his new role as business development director at Gallagher as he embarks alongside rugby legends on the mammoth ‘Road to Twickenham‘ […]

Nine players to depart Northampton Saints

25 May 2022 0 comments

Northampton Saints have announced that nine players will depart the club on the expiry of their contracts at the end of the season. Hooker Reece […]

London Irish back row Tom Pearson signs first professional contract

25 May 2022 1 comment

Young London Irish back-row Tom Pearson has signed his first professional contract. The Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate has made 18 appearances in his first season […]

George Skivington signs long-term contract with Gloucester

24 May 2022 1 comment

Gloucester head coach George Skivington has signed a long-term contract extension at Kingsholm. The Cherry and Whites sit fifth in the Premiership table and need […]

Christian Wade considering return to rugby union following release from NFL

24 May 2022 0 comments

Christian Wade says he is considering a return to rugby union after being released by the NFL‘s Buffalo Bills. The former Wasps and England winger […]

London Irish prop Will Goodrick-Clarke signs new contract

23 May 2022 1 comment

London Irish prop Will Goodrick-Clarke has signed a new contract with the Exiles. His impressive performances this season have been rewarded with a call up […]

Dombrandt driven to prove success last season was no fluke

22 May 2022 1 comment

By ADAM HATHAWAY ALEX Dombrandt believes Harlequins have already made a statement and shown last season’s title was no flash in the pan but warned […]

Marchant seals it for the comeback kings

22 May 2022 1 comment

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Harlequins ……..28pts Tries: Dombrandt 17, Marchant 49, 60; Murley 70 Conversions: Smith 18, 50, 60, 70 Gloucester……..24pts Tries: Morgan 11, Clarke 19, […]

Matson glad to survive ambush

22 May 2022 1 comment

HARLEQUINS senior coach Tabai Matson was impressed by side’s second half display. “Gloucester were way too good for us in the first half,” he said. […]

Saracens and Saints set fair for semis

22 May 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Saracens ……….42pts Tries: Tompkins 41, Lewington 45, McFarland 50, 60; Goode 68 Conversions: Farrell 41, 45, 60, 68 Penalties: Farrell 2, 13, […]