Premiership

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

Red-hot Rees gives Ebbw the runaround

30 January 2022 1 comment

Premiership By ALED BISTON Cardiff………………….58 Ebbw Vale…………….. 8 CARDIFF continued their ruthless form with a convincing victory over Ebbw Vale. The Blue and Blacks ran […]

£500,000 to swap helmets is woke joke

30 January 2022 2 comments

NICK CAIN THE Exeter Chiefs, North American Indianstyle, are dead, but hail to the Dumnonii Chiefs! Catchy it isn’t, but apparently it links with the […]

Jackson dazzles to leave Chiefs at sea

30 January 2022 1 comment

By DAN GALLAN London Irish ….18pts Tries: Cornish 21, Stokes 40 Conversion: Jackson 40+3 Penalties: Jackson 28, 30 Exeter …………….14pts Tries: Woodburn 4, Schickerling 17 […]

Spirited Bath repay a city’s undying faith

30 January 2022 1 comment

By TOM BRADSHAW Bath ………………..21pts Tries: Muir 44, 58 Conversions: Spencer 45 Penalties: Spencer 27, 30, 79 Harlequins ……..17pts Tries: Lamb 12, Murley 40, Hammnd […]

Battling defence was key- Kiss

30 January 2022 2 comments

LES Kiss, London Irish’s head coach, praised his side’s character after turning around a 14-0 deficit against Exeter Chiefs inside 20 minutes to win and […]

Muir: The fans gave us vital buzz

30 January 2022 1 comment

BATH try-scorer Will Muir, wincing through cramp, said: “We were just fighting to the last minute because we were desperate. That win’s exactly what we […]

Diamond: We need some fine tuning

30 January 2022 0 comments

By TOM VICKERS Worcester ……..13pts Tries: Sutherland 61, Beck 65 Penalty: Smith 25 Northampton ..29pts Tries: Hutchinson 22, Matavesi 29, Mitchell 38, Fish 70 Conversions: […]

Roebuck aims to show he’s the real deal

30 January 2022 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Sale v Leicester Today. Kick-off 3pm, AJ Bell Stadium TOM ROEBUCK will be painting the town blue if Sale achieve another […]

Proud day for captain Dingwall

30 January 2022 1 comment

NORTHAMPTON Saints centre Fraser Dingwall was delighted to have been made captain for the day. “It has been a very cool week and I’m very […]

Sarries kids can shine among stars

30 January 2022 1 comment

By PAUL REES PREVIEW… Wasps v Saracens Today. Kick-off 3pm, CBS Arena Starts at 8: Billy Vunipola MARK McCall is relishing the next block of […]

I can make Warriors great says Diamond

30 January 2022 1 comment

Steve Diamond holds court after being appointed boss at Worcester Warriors. Jon Newcombe listened in Talent at 10: Fin Smith PICTURES: Getty Images Steve Diamond […]

Concussed Underhill facing lengthy lay-off

30 January 2022 1 comment

By PAUL REES BATH will not rush Sam Underhill back into action after the England flanker suffered his fourth concussion in eight months 15 minutes […]

Record crowd set for Irish vs Chiefs

28 January 2022 0 comments

London Irish host Exeter Chiefs at the Brentford Community Stadium in what is set to be Irish’s biggest attendance since moving back to west London. […]

Beck brings up his 50th appearance as Warriors host Saints

28 January 2022 1 comment

Ashley Beck will make his 50th appearance for Worcester Warriors as they welcome Northampton Saints to Sixways in a Saturday afternoon clash. The Welsh international’s […]

Playoff hunting Gloucester head north to take on the Falcons

28 January 2022 0 comments

Playoff hunting Gloucester head north to take on ninth place Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park in Saturday afternoon’s Premiership clash. The visitors have enjoyed an […]

Joseph makes his 150th appearance in clash with the champions

28 January 2022 0 comments

Jonathan Joseph will play his 150th game for Bath as they welcome champions Harlequins to The Rec in tonight’s Premiership clash. The centre has been […]

Exeter Chiefs end Native American branding

27 January 2022 1 comment

Exeter Chiefs are to end their Native American-themed branding at the end of the season after criticism and pressure from the Native American community. The […]

Scarlets sign All Black Vaea Fifita from Wasps

26 January 2022 0 comments

Scarlets have signed All Black Vaea Fifita from Premiership side Wasps. The 29-year-old, who can play in the second row and back row, will join […]

Harlequins legend Danny Care signs contract extension

26 January 2022 1 comment

Danny Care has signed an undisclosed contract extension at Harlequins. A delighted Care was “delighted” to put pen-to-paper on a new deal extends the legendary […]

Cruelly trolled Alfie Pugsley heading to Premiership Final

26 January 2022 0 comments

An U12’s rugby player is heading to June’s Premiership final following an outpouring of support from the biggest names in rugby after Alfie was subjected […]

Warriors Head Coach Jonathan Thomas departs as Steve Diamond takes over

25 January 2022 2 comments

Worcester Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas has departed the Premiership club with immediate effect – and Steve Diamond has taken control for the rest of […]

Wasps’ Thomas Young discharged from hospital following head injury

25 January 2022 0 comments

Wasps and Wales flanker Thomas Young has been discharged from hospital following a head injury sustained against Munster on Sunday. Young took a blow to […]

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 […]

Now RFU must find TV deal for ALL clubs

23 January 2022 0 comments

NICK CAIN THE new terrestrial broadcast deal struck between the Premiership and ITV is good news, but also long overdue. Disappearing off terrestrial television for […]

Karaoke pair keen to put Saints in the mix

23 January 2022 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE Taking charge: Phil Dowson , who becomes Saints DoR next season, coaching the squad. PICTURES: Getty Images ANYONE who went to their […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.. […]

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 […]

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 […]