Premiership

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

Sale Sharks v Wasps Preview: Sharks captain Ross returns

31 December 2021 0 comments

Captain Jono Ross returns to the side as Sale Sharks host Wasps at the AJ Bell Stadium in Saturday’s New Year’s Day 2:00 PM kick […]

Leicester Tigers investigated over historical image rights allegations

28 December 2021 1 comment

Premiership Rugby are investigating allegations against Leicester Tigers regarding historical image rights payments. On Sunday,The Rugby Paper’s Neil Fissler broke news that a top Premiership […]

Wasps 38-30 London Irish: Wasps beat Exiles in Boxing Day high scoring thriller

27 December 2021 0 comments

A clinical Wasps attack helped them beat London Irish 38-30 in an entertaining Premiership match. Two early tries helped Wasps build a 14-3 lead before […]

Gloucester win with ease at Bath

27 December 2021 0 comments

Gloucester moved into the top three with a six-try victory over West Country rivals Bath. A penalty try gave Gloucester the lead, with one from […]

Unstoppable Leicester score last gasp try at Bristol

26 December 2021 0 comments

Leicester scored an 84th-minute try with 14 men to win at Bristol and make it 10 wins from 10 Premiership matches. The Tigers were staring […]

Earle: Warriors can wind you up

26 December 2021 0 comments

Saracens v Worcester Warriors Boxing Day. Kick-off 3pm, StoneX Stadium Flank offensive: Ben Earl on the break against Exeter PICTURE: Getty Images BEN Earl admits […]

New lockdown would be catastrophe warns Thomas

26 December 2021 0 comments

By PAUL REES JONATHAN Thomas has warned of the dire financial consequences if England follow Wales and ban fans from attending matches, outdoors and indoors, […]

Freddie’s happy to make grandad proud

26 December 2021 0 comments

By PAUL REES Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers Boxing Day. Kick-off 2pm, Ashton Gate FREDDIE Steward admits he gave himself a pat on the back […]

Jeffries: Title still the target for Bears

26 December 2021 0 comments

BRISTOL may be languishing one place off the foot of the Premiership, but Sam Jeffries says they have not abandoned their pre-season ambition of going […]

Derby win so vital for fans says Meehan

26 December 2021 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Bath v Gloucester Boxing Day. Kick-off 4.30, The Rec BATH may be winless and floundering on the bottom of the Premiership but […]

Spencer: One win can change everything for us

26 December 2021 0 comments

By PAUL REES Committed: Ben Spencer BRENT Janse van Rensburg has started getting to grips with Bath’s defensive problems as the West Country club looks […]

Curry’s back where his troubles began

26 December 2021 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks Boxing Day. Kick-off 3pm, Kingston Park WITH injuries and the impact of Covid counter-balanced by a first […]

Deano: I made Pig’s Nose of big match!

26 December 2021 0 comments

BIG Boxing Day games bring back special memories for Dean Richards who used to embrace the spirit of Christmas in every sense of the word. […]

Angry young man Alfie just wants to play

26 December 2021 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD Wasps v London Irish Boxing Day. Kick-off 3pm, Coventry Building Society Arena LEE Blackett expects a much less angry response from a […]

‘Deccy’ is a visionary, no wonder other clubs like him – Rogerson

26 December 2021 0 comments

By PAUL REES Target: Declan Kidney DECLAN Kidney has been linked with a return to Munster but says he has unfinished business at inform London […]

Twickenham will be different for us this time vows Dowson

26 December 2021 0 comments

By PAUL REES Harlequins v Northampton Saints Monday, December 27. Kick-off 5pm, Twickenham THE last time Northampton faced Harlequins at Twickenham in the Premiership they […]

Bath Rugby appoint Edward Griffiths as new Chairman

21 December 2021 0 comments

Bath Rugby has announced Edward Griffiths will take the role as Chairman from 1st January 2022. Owner, Bruce Craig has decided to relinquish his role […]

Leicester Tigers lose in the Challenge Cup final

Bear hugs were PR disaster for Genge

19 December 2021 0 comments

NICK CAIN TIMING is everything in sport, and the Bristol Bears video released this week trumpeting their signing of Ellis Genge for next season saw […]

Johann van Graan appointed as Bath head coach

15 December 2021 0 comments

Bath Rugby have appointed Johann van Graan as Head Coach for the 2022/23 season on a long-term contract. Yesterday, it was announced that van Graan […]

Winless Bath appoint Brent Janse van Rensburg as defence coach

14 December 2021 0 comments

Bath Rugby have confirmed the appointment of Brent Janse van Rensburg as defence coach for the remainder of the 2021/22 season. The South African has […]

Chris Ashton leaves Worcester Warriors

13 December 2021 1 comment

After weeks of media speculation, Worcester Warriors have parted company with ex-England winger Chris Ashton. Ashton was “unavailable for selection” all season. Warriors now say […]

Harvey Skinner hungry for success at Exeter Chiefs

10 December 2021 28 comments

The Exeter Chiefs fly half sits down with The Rugby Paper’s Benjamin Redwood. Harvey Skinner is the next on a long line of West Country […]

Leicester Tigers sign Handré Pollard

7 December 2021 0 comments

Leicester Tigers have announced the signing of World Cup-winning fly-half Handré Pollard to the club ahead of the 2022/23 season. Pollard joins Leicester following George […]

Leicester Tigers narrowly beat Harlequins

5 December 2021 0 comments

Leicester Tigers……16 Try: Potter Con: Ford Pens: Ford 3 Harlequins…………..14 Try: Lynagh Pens: Smith 3 Leicester won their ninth game in a row as they edged to a two point victory over champions […]

Jubilant Chiefs go straight to beer tent

5 December 2021 1 comment

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Exeter …………….18pts Tries: O’Flaherty 38, Cowan-Dickie 56 Conversions: J Simmonds 57 Penalties: J Simmonds 25, 64 Saracens ……….15pts Penalties: Lozowski 4, […]

Injury-hit Bath fall to Saints’ fast start

5 December 2021 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Northampton ..40pts Tries: Hutchinson 2, Freeman 12, Augustus 24, 35; Skosan 51, 67 Conversions: Biggar 2, 12, 24, 35; Furbank 67 […]

Ludlam is our Mr 100% – Boyd

5 December 2021 0 comments

NORTHAMPTON boss Chris Boyd applauded the leadership of Lewis Ludlam. “He not only talks well but he leads by example,” Boyd said. “What you always […]

Pennell: Eddie’s wrong on Lawrence

5 December 2021 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Oh yes! Dave Ewers roars his delight after Tom O’Flaherty, right, scores for Exeter Chiefs against bitter rivals Saracens PICTURE: Getty Images […]

Ollie grabs hat-trick as Irish go full throttle

5 December 2021 0 comments

By MATT WRIGHT London Irish ….43pts Tries: Rowe 7, Hassell-Collins 10, 29, 52, Mafi 33, Creevy 65 Conversions: Jackson 7, 10, 29, 52, 65 […]

London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney

Deano: Credit to London Irish but we gave them soft tries

5 December 2021 1 comment

LONDON Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney didn’t want hat-trick hero Ollie Hassell- Collins to grab too much attention in the aftermath of their impressive […]

Warriors charge gains momentum at home

5 December 2021 2 comments

By ALAN DEERING Worcester ……..32pts Tries: Simpson 4, Van der Merwe 22, Hill 38, Chudley 43 Conversions: Smith 6, 23, 44 Penalties: Smith 20, 31 […]

Blackett: We were worth all 5 points

5 December 2021 0 comments

WASPS head coach Lee Blackett said it was a case of so near, yet so far as his team fell short by the narrowest of […]

Sweet centres offer George birthday treat

5 December 2021 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Gloucester ……..27pts Tries: Singleton 38, Harris 56, Penalty 66, Chapman 79 Conversions: Hastings 57 Penalties: Hastings 6 Bristol …………….10pts Tries: Purdy […]

Green’s ready for toughest test of season

5 December 2021 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Leicester v Harlequins Today. Kick-off 3pm, Welford Road PREMIERSHIP leaders Leicester come back after their bye week ready to take on […]

Jones: We must match them up front because speed of ball at breakdown is key

5 December 2021 2 comments

By PAUL REES First start for Quins: Scotland ace Huw Jones WELFORD Road will today stage the biggest game of the Premiership season so far. […]

Cole brings up 200 opposite old foe Joe

5 December 2021 1 comment

DAN COLE makes his 200th Premiership appearance in the Leicester front row up against his old England teammate Joe Marler. Cole is alongside club captain […]

Christie keeping his Test options open

5 December 2021 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA By GARY FITZGERALD ANDY Christie is being tipped for a bright international future but the Saracens youngster is not yet prepared to nail […]

Chiefs down Saracens to lay their challenge

5 December 2021 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY EXETER director of rugby Rob Baxter watched his side deliver a message to the rest of the Premiership by downing Saracens 18-15 […]

Soaked in the stands, rinsed in the wallet

5 December 2021 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST Bath have not won a competitive match at the Recreation Ground since early June. As they are currently charging as much […]

Injury-cursed Ashley wants key role in revival

5 December 2021 0 comments

By ALEX BYWATER FIT-AGAIN former Wales centre Ashley Beck is determined to take Worcester up the Premiership table and put together a sustained run of […]

Billy Vunipola stars as Saracens go second

29 November 2021 0 comments

Saracens moved into second place of the Gallagher Premiership with a home win against Sale Sharks on Sunday afternoon. Sarries led 13-0 at half time […]

Simmonds bulldozes Bath hopes of revival

28 November 2021 1 comment

By MIKE SINCLAIR Bath ………………..16pts Tries: Reid 19 Conversions: Bailey 19 Penalties: Bailey 2, 47, 63 Exeter …………….23pts Tries: Iosefa-Scott 42, S Simmonds 76 Conversions: […]

Baxter: We need the joy of winning

28 November 2021 1 comment

WHEN back-rower Dave Ewers plays, Exeter win. The Chiefs have suffered four defeats in the Premiership this season but Ewers, absent for all the setbacks, […]

Injury-hit Wasps are bewildered by Billy

28 November 2021 1 comment

By ROGER PANTING Wasps …………….33pts Tries: Young 23, Oghre 39, Barbeary 57, Umaga 74, 78 Conversions: Umaga 39, 57, 74, 78 Gloucester ……..35pts Tries: May […]

We were too soft in defence groans boss Blackett

28 November 2021 2 comments

WASPS’ head coach, Lee Blackett, was unhappy. “It was a disappointing night and a disappointing result. Two points we will take, but we wanted at […]

Saints give depleted Bear pack a bullying

28 November 2021 0 comments

By NATHAN RICHARDS Bristol …………….20pts Tries: Kerr 4, Leiua 42 Conversions: Sheedy 5, 43 Penalties: Sheedy 21, 31 Northampton ..36pts Tries: Hill 33, Freeman 36, […]

Boyd pleased to see progress

28 November 2021 0 comments

BRISTOL B ears director of rugby Pat Lam admitted it had been a difficult night for his side in the scrum and conceded his side’s […]

Searle’s try rewards the Warrior spirit

28 November 2021 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Newcastle ……..24pts Tries: McGuigan 20, 53; Radwan 25, Cooper 72 Conversions: Hodgson 26, 73 Worcester ……..24pts Tries: Beck 40, Hatherell 48, Searle […]

Deano: We must learn to control

28 November 2021 0 comments

DEAN Richards thanked the staff at Kingston Park who worked around the clock to get the game underway, but despite Falcons getting the try-bonus point, […]