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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Worcester

Hatley: We can’t go any lower

23 January 2022 0 comments

BATH head coach Neal Hatley said his side could never get any lower after this ten-try home hammering. Hatley revealed the Bath dressing room was […]

It’s time to rethink a British and Irish League

23 January 2022 1 comment

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST The best we can say for the United Rugby Championship is that the revamped tournament is having a near-life experience: eyes […]

Stuart Hooper to continue as Bath’s Director of Rugby

18 January 2022 0 comments

Stuart Hooper will continue his role as Bath‘s Director of Rugby when Johann Van Graan becomes Head Coach next season. Van Graan will join ahead […]

Phil Dowson to succeed Chris Boyd as Northampton Director of Rugby

12 January 2022 0 comments

Northampton Saints forwards coach Phil Dowson has been appointed as Director of Rugby at Franklins Gardens from next year. Current Director of Rugby Chris Boyd […]

Alex Dombrandt signs long term contract at Harlequins

11 January 2022 1 comment

Alex Dombrandt has signed a new “long-term” contract at Harlequins. Capped four times by England, the 24-year-old number 8 has become an integral part of […]

Bath record first win of the season over 14 man Worcester

9 January 2022 1 comment

Bath………….22 Tries: Rokoduguni, Ojomoh, De Glanville Cons: Bailey 2 Pen: Bailey Worcester….19 Tries: Shillcock, Batley, Simpson Cons: Smith 2 HT 14-19 Bath’s first win of the season came against a defiant Worcester Warriors […]

Wasps end Leicester Tigers’ unbeaten record

9 January 2022 1 comment

Wasps………………………16 Try: Penalty Penalties: Gopperth (3) Leicester Tigers………..13 Try: Montoya Con: Ford Penalties: Ford (2) HT 7-13 A depleted Wasps ended Leicester Tigers‘ perfect record […]

Biggar on song as Saints put on a show

9 January 2022 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Newcastle ……….8pts Try: McGuigan 54 Penalty: Hodgson 13 Northampton ..44pts Tries: Collins 23, Skosan 31, Matavesi 59, Furbank 63, James 77 Conversions: […]

French double-header will be difficult for us, says Richards

9 January 2022 0 comments

NEWCASTLE director of rugby Dean Richards admitted he was less than impressed with Falcons performance, but spoke of greater concern around the huge uncertainty facing […]

Morahan gets Bears back on the prowl

9 January 2022 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Bristol …………….32pts Tries: Capon 9, Morahan 20, 31; Uren 79 Conversions: Sheedy 9, 31, 79 Penalties: Sheedy 45, 57 Sale ………………..15pts Tries: […]

Alex is baffled by scrum decisions

9 January 2022 0 comments

SALE director of rugby Alex Sanderson offered a possible explanation after his side continued their long losing away run with their last win coming at […]

Tries galore, but still Warriors struggle

9 January 2022 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Bath v Worcester JONATHAN Thomas is taking no notice of Bath’s failure to win a match this season as he aims […]

Hooker Doughty gets the call up

9 January 2022 1 comment

TOM Doughty makes his first Premiership Rugby start as Stuart Hooper’s side attempt to turn around their dismal campaign. The hooker, 24, has featured from […]

Hougaard: Tigers have Bok qualities

9 January 2022 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Wasps v Leicester Sunday, Kick-off 3pm, The CBS Arena FRANCOIS Hougaard agrees playing Leicester is a bit like facing the Springboks […]

Discipline is still a concern for me admits Borthwick

9 January 2022 1 comment

By PAUL REES Banned: Jasper Wiese LEICESTER’S rise to the top this season has coincided with a significant improvement in their discipline, but Steve Borthwick […]

Charlie Ewels: Ingredients for success are here at Bath – we just need the recipe

9 January 2022 0 comments

PAUL REES TALKS TO BATH CAPTAIN CHARLIE EWELS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AT THE REC As Mike Ford reflected on Bath’s 2015 Premiership final defeat to […]

Marshall helps Quins edge home in a thriller

9 January 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS Cardiff ………………25 Carmarthen ……..27 A TREMENDOUS individual performance from Steffan Marshall fired Carmarthen Quins to a significant victory over Cardiff at the […]

Tompkins is chasing his World Cup dream

9 January 2022 0 comments

By STEFFAN THOMAS NICK Tompkins insists Wales will see the benefit of his move back to Saracens as he targets his ultimate dream of playing […]

Marcus and his giant mate settle a thriller

9 January 2022 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Harlequins ……..14pts Tries: Northmore 3, Esterhuizen 78 Conversions: Smith 4, 79 Exeter …………….12pts Tries: Slade 32, Innard 65 Conversions: J Simmonds 33 […]

Smith kicks ‘are no fluke’

9 January 2022 1 comment

QUINS senior coach Tabai Matson was delighted with the win but that won’t spare Quins a tough debrief at training this week. “We probably missed […]

Ludlow’s late show grounds Saracens

9 January 2022 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD Saracens ……….24pts Tries: Morris 20, Segun 28, McFarland 54, Lewington 87 Conversions: Lozowski 21, 29 Gloucester ……..25pts Tries: Balmain 16, Singleton 30, […]

King: It’s a proud day for players

9 January 2022 1 comment

ALEX King feels the rare and memorable triumph in Saracens’ backyard will ensure Gloucester carry on the upwardly mobile curve towards a real title challenge.. […]

Saracens v Gloucester: Sarries must be wary of ‘dangerous’ Gloucester

7 January 2022 0 comments

Despite being seven points ahead and two places above their opponents, Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall says they are facing dangerous opposition on Saturday […]

Newcastle v Northampton: Saints must address ‘top two inches’ to beat Falcons

7 January 2022 0 comments

Northampton Saints captain Lewis Ludlam claims that it’s the ‘top two inches’ that are the missing ingredients they must fix going into Saturday’s game against […]

Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs: Quins host Chiefs in repeat of 2021 final

7 January 2022 0 comments

Harlequins prop Will Collier will play his 200th game for the club against Exeter Chiefs in a repeat of last year’s Premiership Final at a […]

Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks: Bears seek change in fortunes

7 January 2022 0 comments

Tom Curry returns to the Sale Sharks starting line-up as they take on Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate in tonight’s 7:45 PM kick off. Pat […]

Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick

Steve Borthwick rubbishes talk of records

6 January 2022 0 comments

Leicester Tigers boss Steve Borthwick is not distracted by talk of records as his Tigers side look to make it 12 successive Premiership wins this […]

Rob Baxter feels Six Nations should be played in one country

5 January 2022 3 comments

Playing the Guinness Six Nations Championship in one country has “got to be better than cancelling it”, says Rob Baxter. In the midst of surging […]

Exeter awarded Premiership Rugby Cup victory over covid stricken Bath

4 January 2022 0 comments

Exeter have been awarded a 28-0 Premiership Rugby Cup third-round win after opponents Bath were unable to field a team due to coronavirus and injuries. […]

Northampton Saints 6 – 30 Saracens: Lozowski scores emphatic 20 points

2 January 2022 1 comment

Alex Lozowski scored 20 points as Saracens earned a hard-fought win over Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens. At the interval, the sides were locked 6-6 as […]

Leicester Tigers 31 – 0 Newcastle Falcons: Tigers remain unbeaten

2 January 2022 0 comments

Leicester Tigers maintained their unstoppable start to the season with a bonus-point win over Newcastle Falcons. Ford kicked Tigers into an early lead before the […]

Gloucester 17 – 20 Harlequins: Quins survive early scare to stay third

2 January 2022 1 comment

Harlequins had to battle for victory at Gloucester as tries from Luke Northmore and Danny Care got them over the line. The Premiership champions had […]

Saracens run riot in hot pursuit of leaders

2 January 2022 3 comments

Saracens ……….61pts Tries: Lewington 5, 38; B Vunipola 11, 52; Goode 14, Tompkins 21, Isiekwe 29, Earl 47, Malins 61 Conversions: Lozowski 12, 15, 22, […]

Tigers back row Wiese banned for two games

2 January 2022 1 comment

LEICESTER Tigers back row Jasper Wiese has been banned for two matches after getting three yellow cards this season. The South Africa international appeared before […]

Hero Hogg has final say as Chiefs get back on song

2 January 2022 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Exeter …………….19pts Tries: O’Flaherty 13, Hill 31, Hogg 75 Conversions: J Simmonds 14, 76 Bristol …………….13pts Tries: Purdy 70 Conversions: Sheedy 71 […]

Discipline will be key for Falcons to keep danger man Ford at bay

2 January 2022 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Leicester v Newcastle Today. Kick-off 3pm, Welford Road In swing: Brett Connon JUST as Newcastle United had iconic No.9s in Malcolm […]

It’s great start to New Year – Hogg

2 January 2022 1 comment

STUART HOGG was delighted to celebrate his decision to stay at Exeter with a man-ofthe match performance. “The smile on my face today tells the […]

Hastings eyes big finish after patient start

2 January 2022 0 comments

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Gloucester v Harlequins Today. Kick-off 3pm, Kingsholm Settled: Adam Hastings ADAM Hastings has noticed a difference since joining Gloucester from Glasgow […]

British & Irish Lions to host fans at Murrayfield

More may follow Watson out in big Bath shake-up

2 January 2022 1 comment

By NEIL FISSLER ANTHONY Watson might not be the only big name leaving Premiership basement dwellers Bath when their contract runs out this summer. Flyer […]

Sale’s mean machine cranks into top gear

2 January 2022 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD Sale ………………..26pts Tries: J-L du Preez 12, Yarde 17, Van Rensburg 29, Curry 42 Conversions: McGinty 13, 30, 43 Wasps …………….18pts Tries: […]

Isiekwe aims to upset his Saints fans

2 January 2022 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD PREVIEW… Northampton Saints v Saracens Today. Kick-off 3pm, Franklin’s Gardens NICK Isiekwe relishes his return to Franklin’s Gardens but hopes to upset […]

Vesty: We can’t afford to give away more cheap tries

2 January 2022 0 comments

By PAUL REES Exciting: Alex Mitchell IT is eight years since Northampton defeated Saracens in a Premiership match at Franklin’s Gardens and Sam Vesty believes […]

Improving Irish aim to stay the course

2 January 2022 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD Looking up: London Irish scrum-half Nick Phipps is hungry for trophies PICTURES: Getty Images Boxing Day blip: Ali Crossdale scores as Wasps […]

Hatley yet to discuss what new role will be

2 January 2022 2 comments

NEAL Hatley is focused on ending Bath’s poor start to the season rather than his own future after the appointment of Johann van Graan as […]

‘Bath players have to be accountable’

2 January 2022 0 comments

By PAUL REES Eager for a long run: Ruaridh McConnochie has missed most of the season with injury PICTURE: Getty Images RUARIDH McConnochie says Bath’s […]

Worcester young guns prove they can step up

2 January 2022 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Worcester ……..27pts Tries: Clegg 28, Owen 40, Johnson 49, Holsey 68 Conversions: Searle 50, 69 Penalties: Searle 80 Gloucester ……..21pts Tries: Seabrook […]

Marquee players are licence to bend cap

2 January 2022 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT LEAVING aside Chris Whitty’s festive slideshows – ho ho ho – is there anything less amusing on the planet than the Premiership’s freestyle […]

Harris scores two as Gloucester take derby spoils

2 January 2022 0 comments

Bath ………………..20pts Tries: Spencer 50, Fox 80+1 Conversions: Bailey 51, 83 Penalties: Bailey 3, 25 Gloucester ……..40pts Tries: Penalty 20, Harris 27, 37; Singleton 32, […]

Anthony Watson set to leave Bath

31 December 2021 0 comments

England star Anthony Watson will leave struggling Bath when his contract finishes at the end of the 2021/22 season, according to the Telegraph. Watson has been […]