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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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, […]