Premiership

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

Scott’s excited to develop his all-court game under Flannery

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By JON NWCOMBE Evolving: Harlequins hooker Scott Baldwin WALES hooker Scott Baldwin is embracing the all-court game he is being encouraged to play at […]

No let-up… increasing momentum key for Sam

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By NEALE HARVEY EXETER No.9 Sam Hidalgo- Clyne says there will be no complacency against Worcester as the leagueleaders seek a fourth win on […]

Skivington calls for big guns to shoot down Tigers

30 August 2020 3 comments

■ By SAM JACKSON GEORGE Skivington has reverted to his experienced XV for the clash with Tigers following Wednesday’s defeat to Saracens. Gloucester beat Worcester […]

Luke adds finishing touch for Sharks

30 August 2020 0 comments

A SECOND half try from Luke James sealed the win for Sale to leapfrog Wasps into third place. Having lost at home to leaders Exeter […]

Bath put Saints on the skids

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By GEORGE LAWRENCE Star: Tom de Glanville BATH made it three wins on the spin since lockdown to move up to fourth in the […]

Gustard embarassed by Quins

30 August 2020 1 comment

■ By SAM JACKSON WORCESTER ended their eight-match losing run to record their first league victory of 2020 after bullying Quins into submission in the […]

Super-sub Billy tames the Bears

30 August 2020 1 comment

■ By SAM JACKSON BILLY Keast powered over in the closing seconds to maintain Exeter’s winning record since lockdown and move 11 points clear at […]

Captain Tom drives Sarries maul machine

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By PAUL ROGERS Saracens ……36 Gloucester ….20 TOM Woolstencroft scored a hat-trick of push-over tries in a fierce second-half performance from the relegated champions. […]

Reffell wins breakdown battle to get Tigers rolling

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By TOM WALKER GEORGE Ford’s trusty boot ensured Leicester ended a three-game losing run in the Premiership. Eight points from Ford and a try […]

Turnover king Willis wants a response after Sharks mauling

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By NEALE HARVEY Hard edge: Jack Willis wants gainline dominance WASPS back rower Jack Willis cites improved discipline and increased physicality as key to […]

No contest as Bristol 2nds are thrashed

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By NICK CAIN Rout: Sam James scores Sharks’ fifth try THIS may have begun as third versus second in the Premiership table, but it […]

Alex committed to helping Sarries return to conquer

30 August 2020 0 comments

■ By NEALE HARVEY Faithful: Alex Lewington ACE finisher Alex Lewington aims to be part of a Saracens rebirth having turned down an opportunity to […]

De Klerk: We’ve got few more gears to go

30 August 2020 2 comments

SALE scrum-half and manof- the-match Faf de Klerk said after showing his world-class credentials by scoring a try and helping to create another two touchdowns […]

WRU turn attention to WillGriff John after being passed over by Tomas Francis

28 August 2020 0 comments

The Sale Sharks prop agreed to a salary cut but did not sign an extension with the Premiership club

Joe Heyes aims to usurp old king Cole at Leicester

27 August 2020 0 comments

The Leicester tighthead is looking to have a breakthrough year under Steve Borthwick

Ben Loader drops in to surprise club nominated for Gallagher Rugby Club of the Season Award

27 August 2020 0 comments

London Irish full-back Ben Loader surprised nominated club Haringey Rhinos Ladies on Zoom, with voting now open

Harlequins selected to pilot spectator-attended match

27 August 2020 0 comments

There is potential for 4,000 fans to attend Harlequins clash against Bath next weekend

Luke Cowan-Dickie credits Brits with reinventing hooker position

26 August 2020 0 comments

Neale Harvey catches up with the man who can’t stop scoring tries for club and country

Saracens prop Alec Clarey calls for return of England Students

26 August 2020 0 comments

The England Students programme is on hold while the RFU exacts cutbacks in funding

Harlequins seek to ease loss of Jack Clifford with imposing South African

25 August 2020 0 comments

Clifford was forced into retirement last week after trying to work his way back from two major shoulder surgeries

Exclusive: The club which tried to sway Jack Willis to play for Ireland and not England

25 August 2020 0 comments

An offer was made to the Wasps flanker this summer to lay on the chance to play for Andy Farrell’s team

TEAMS: Borthwick overhauls Leicester line-up to include Nemani Nadolo

25 August 2020 0 comments

Nadolo is one of 14 changes made by Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick for clash with London Iris

Omar Mouneimne magic sees Bristol Bears end unwanted defence record

25 August 2020 0 comments

Bristol had gone 77 Premiership matches where they had conceded a try

Novelty of Blackbird wearing off for Henry Purdy amongst Bristol’s newcomers

25 August 2020 0 comments

Soon after arriving at Ashton Gate, Purdy turned a six-month agreement into a full-term commitment

Playing the system

23 August 2020 0 comments

THE rewriting of rugby language continues apace, with Bristol’s bench-warmers now cast as “system players”. Will Pat Lam’s seat in the stand soon be known […]

Exeter’s power leaves the Sharks floundering

23 August 2020 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Powerhouse: Luke Cowan-Dickie celebrates after he beats three defenders from a tap-and-go to score PICTURES: Getty Images EXETER are a side who […]

Baxter: Mighty Luke out on own

23 August 2020 0 comments

LUKE Cowan-Dickie’s individual wreckingball try which put the seal on Exeter’s victory earned a special salute from Exeter DoR Rob Baxter. “The incredible thing is […]

Radradra shows his class but work to do for Bristol

23 August 2020 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Unstoppable: Ben Earl goes over for Bristol’s fifth try PICTURES: Getty Images BRISTOL, and in particular Semi Radradra, warmed up for their […]

Rookie Tigers given a bad mauling by Bath

23 August 2020 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Too easy: Tom de Glanville races in to score for Bath PICTURES: Getty Images BATH clinically swept aside a raw Leicester team […]

We took our foot off pedal says Lam

23 August 2020 0 comments

DESPITE the bonus point win Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam wants his side to tidy up their act. “It was a pretty flat dressing […]

Hooper: Ruaridh showed his class

23 August 2020 1 comment

BATH boss Stuart Hooper was full of praise for England’s World Cup wing Ruaridh McConnochie. Watched by England head coach Eddie Jones, the Bath wing […]

No room for ‘Razor’ in Gatland’s Lions set-up

23 August 2020 2 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK SCOTT Robertson is the hottest young coaching talent not just in New Zealand, but globally, and having […]

Speed up scrums and ping those who loiter

23 August 2020 0 comments

ANY sport that allows a non-event like the forming of a scrum to last for a minute and a half – or more – before […]

Saints take advantage of Exiles ill discipline

23 August 2020 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Race winner: Tom Collins celebrates scoring his chip and chase try for Northampton PICTURES: Getty Images AFTER an indifferent performance in the […]

‘Race for top four will go to the wire’

23 August 2020 1 comment

NORTHAMPTON director of rugby Chris Boyd believes the race for the fourth Premiership playoff spot will be a tight one after seeing his side clinch […]

Masterclass by Farrell unhinges the Quins

23 August 2020 0 comments

By MIKE SINCLAIR Super sub: Paul Lasike breaks away to score for Quins OWENFarrell celebrated his 200th Saracens appearance by kicking 18 points in a […]

Crean heads the Sarries young bloods praised by McCall

23 August 2020 0 comments

Debut: Sam Crean MARK McCall had mixed feelings about the victory over Harlequins but the Saracens director of rugby was delighted with the way the […]

Blackett: Leadership is key in Wasps challenge

23 August 2020 0 comments

By GARY ZITZGERALD Debut delight: Alfie Barbeary celebrates with James Gaskell after scoring for Wasps PICTURES: Getty Images CONFIDENCE, belief and strong leadership are the […]

Solomons: That first 40 gives us hope

23 August 2020 1 comment

WARRIORS have suffered two losses since the restart, making it eight in a row overall, and Alan Solomons hopes his team can regain the winning […]

Kiwis make our game look utterly pedestrian

23 August 2020 0 comments

CHRIS HEWETT GUEST COLUMNIST The Sale coach and former hooker Steve Diamond, honorary life member of the Front Row Union, thinks modern-day scrums are boring. […]

Players must act as they see fit on racism

23 August 2020 0 comments

ANTHONY Watson was bang on the money in arguing that pre-match responses to the Black Lives Matter movement should be a matter of individual choice. […]