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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Pat Lam rewarded with mega contract at Bristol Bears

22 May 2019 0 comments

Staying put at Ashton Gate to the next World Cup

Sale Sharks sign elusive Simon Hammersley from Newcastle

21 May 2019 0 comments

We revealed on Sunday Hammersley was one of two players leaving – who else is set to depart the Falcons?

Blackadder goes forth with a proud farewell

19 May 2019 3 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Making it his: Bath try scorer Joe Cokanasiga catches a high ball Over: Brendan O’Connor scores for Tigers TODD Blackadder claimed he […]

Ewels: We did it for boss Todd

19 May 2019 0 comments

CHARLIE Ewels admitted the Bath players were desperate to ensure Todd Blackadder left on a positive note. Bath captain Ewels, who inspired his team to […]

Nerveless Weir lands a photo-finish victory

19 May 2019 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Last hurrah: Wing Josh Adams scores in the corner in his final game for Worcester PICTURES: Getty Images Away: Nick Tompkins breaks […]

McCall: Tough for us to lose like that

19 May 2019 0 comments

SARACENS’ director of rugby Mark McCall was disappointed to lose in the last minute. He said: “It was a very valuable exercise for the youngsters […]

Release the Tier 2 brake or game will go in reverse

19 May 2019 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK Dream killers: Lucas Rumball scores for Canada as they beat Germany in the World Cup qualifying repechage […]

Refreshing that Baxter and Cohen stand by principles

19 May 2019 1 comment

ROB Baxter’s trenchant statement in favour of promotion and relegation this week shows that not all Premiership clubs are convinced that a ring-fence is the […]

Bears have come out of the woods to stay

19 May 2019 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Man of the match: Charles Piutau goes over for the Bears’ opening try PICTURES: Getty Images Collision: Falcons’ Callum Chick crashes into […]

Lam vow: Top six for us next season

19 May 2019 0 comments

PAT LAM called the win a “perfect send-off ” for several departing players and staff, including retiring 38-year-old former Wallaby George Smith. But he lamented […]

Saints blown away by Chiefs’ power game

19 May 2019 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY Upping the ante: Exeter flanker Don Armand scores their third try EXETER will be overwhelming favourites to reach their fourth successive Premiership […]

Lawes promises semi-final response

19 May 2019 0 comments

SAINTS boss Chris Boyd was downcast in defeat. He said: “It’s bitter-sweet because while we’re pleased to make the semifinals for the first time since […]

Lang falls short as do the hopes of Wasps and Quins

19 May 2019 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Bitter-sweet: Joe Simpson breaks clear to score for Wasps PICTURES: Getty Images On the blindside: Joe Marchant powers over to score Harlequins’ […]

It’s been emotional this week says Dai

19 May 2019 0 comments

WAS DoR Dai Young said that knowing Joe Simpson and Elliot Daly would leave after this match had been difficult. “It’s been quite a tough […]

Bath’s late win leaves Sharks lying in wait

19 May 2019 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Impact from the bench: Dom Coetzer scores for Gloucester SALE summoned their best at the death in a remarkable finale but it […]

Denny’s one of a kind for Diamond

19 May 2019 1 comment

STEVE Diamond made another push for England to recall Denny Solomona after the wing scored Sale’s winning try. “The selectors (England) don’t think he fits […]

Rob ‘The Butcher’ Buchanan reveals how close he came to calling it quits

18 May 2019 0 comments

The Harlequins hooker damaged nerves in his neck but has made an astonishing comeback

“The board have learnt lessons, we need coaching stability,” says Leicester Tigers chief executive

18 May 2019 0 comments

Simon Cohen reflects on Leicester’s down season and vows wholesale changes would damage Tigers

Scotland and Harlequins star Tim Visser calls it a day

17 May 2019 0 comments

Former Scotland and Quins ace Tim Visser has announced his retirement from rugby

Mako Vunipola to miss Saracens title tilt but should be fit for World Cup, says McCall

16 May 2019 0 comments

Mako’s Champions Cup final injury keeps him out of remaining Premiership games, but not World Cup

Pat Lam opens the door for Genge to return home

16 May 2019 0 comments

Pat Lam would like to have Ellis Genge return to the Bristol Bears, three years after the forward left his hometown club. Lam said: “There […]

Leicester Tigers announce player exodus following disappointing season

15 May 2019 0 comments

Leicester Tigers look to start a squad overhaul and rejuvenation after releasing a number of key men

Baxter and McCall shortlisted for director of rugby award, but no space for Paul Gustard

15 May 2019 0 comments

Five coaches have been shortlisted for the Premiership Director of Rugby of the Season award

Sharks Sharks bring Jean-Luc du Preez back for second loan stint along with twin brother Dan

14 May 2019 0 comments

Three Du Preez brothers will play for Sale Sharks next season

London Irish shopping spree continues with Adam Coleman’s arrival

9 May 2019 0 comments

Wallabies lock to join Waisake Naholo and Sekope Kepu at the Exiles in the Premiership next season

Fraser Balmain: From benchwarmer at Welford Road to Kingsholm titan

8 May 2019 0 comments

The former Leicester prop is thriving after stepping out of Dan Cole’s shadow at Welford Road to join the Cherry and Whites

Anthony Watson inspired to reach the World Cup after dialogue with England staff

8 May 2019 0 comments

The Bath full-back feels he is in the best shape he’s ever been in and was encouraged during his rehab by England keeping close tabs

Bath confirm Stuart Hooper will get assistance in first year as head coach

7 May 2019 0 comments

Hooper to oversee coaching team which will welcome back England scrum coach Neal Hatley for next season

I’m staying to take us back up says Deano

5 May 2019 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Missed chance: Toby Flood shows his frustration as a Newcastle opportunity goes begging PICTURES: Getty Images One that didn’t get away: Sinoti […]

Johan: Relegation system is so tough

5 May 2019 0 comments

JOHAN Ackermann called for a rethink over promotion and relegation from the Premiership after his side’s victory condemned Newcastle to demotion. The Gloucester head coach […]

Quins stop the rot as Tigers fiasco goes on

5 May 2019 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Making it safe: Semi Kunatani crashes over for Harlequins’ second try PICTURES: Getty Images Resilient: Mike Fitzgerald scores last minute try SEMI […]

Gustard: Work to be done in attack

5 May 2019 0 comments

HARLEQUINS’ head of rugby Paul Gustard was dissatisfied after missing out on the bonus point. He said: “We needed four points as a minimum and […]

Honours are even after dramatic late shootout

5 May 2019 1 comment

By ROGER PANTING Matter of inches: Faf de Klerk was denied by the woodwork PICTURES: Getty Images Dejected: Ian Madigan after his late misses cost […]

Decisions didn’t go our way – Diamond

5 May 2019 2 comments

SALE director of rugby Steve Diamond thought two points each was the right outcome. He said: “We had a couple of chances to win it, […]

Joe’s back to boost Wasps’ bid for playoffs

5 May 2019 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY Winner: Jonathan Joseph Sibling rivalry: Marcus and Anthony Watson ENGLAND lock Joe Launchbury returns from an Achilles/calf injury as Wasps look to […]

I won’t be fazed by Todd’s exit says Williams

5 May 2019 1 comment

By JON NEWCOMBE Taking up new challenge: Mike Williams NEW Bath signing Mike Williams insists Todd Blackadder’s decision to leave the club a year early […]

Rising star Ibuanokpe ditches Quins for Saracens

5 May 2019 0 comments

TRANSFER ROUND-UP SARACENS have signed prop Josh Ibuanokpe from Harlequins. The 23-year-old tighthead has spent five years with Quins and made his Premiership and European […]

Sarries’ supersubs hit leaders with five tries

5 May 2019 2 comments

By NICK CAIN He’s away again: Alex Lewington breaks past Alex Cuthbert for his second try PICTURES: Getty Images THIS was a trial of squad […]

McCall: Leinster game has us buzzing

5 May 2019 3 comments

SARACENS DoR Mark McCall said his side were going into Saturday’s European Cup final against Leinster with “a real buzz around the camp”. He added […]

Ace Biggar on target to line up top four showdown

5 May 2019 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Double-teamed: Northampton try-scorer Luther Burrell makes his presence felt in midfield PICTURES: Getty Images Rare highlight for Worcester: Ben T’eo goes over […]

Solomons: Now sign off in style at Sixways

5 May 2019 0 comments

WARRIORS director of rugby Alan Solomons called on his players to give Sixways supporters an enjoyable last day performance and victory after his side crumbled […]

Worcester Warriors flanker Marco Mama suffers severe dead leg

2 May 2019 0 comments

Alan Solomons has confirmed flanker Marco Mama should be out for ‘a few months’ after requiring hospital treatment on a dead leg. The Worcester Warriors […]

London Irish rachet up Premiership plans with several targets in mind

1 May 2019 0 comments

A sizeable shopping list for the Championship winners

Cipriani, de Klerk and Cordero all nominated in 2019 RPA Awards

1 May 2019 0 comments

England’s Men and Women’s teams are shortlisted across six award categories

EXCLUSIVE: Bristol Bears explore investment from USA

1 May 2019 0 comments

Bristol Bears owner Steve Lansdown in Manchester City’s model

Ken Pisi to leave Franklin’s Gardens after seven years

1 May 2019 0 comments

“When I first came over, I didn’t know what to expect” – Pisi

Gustard: We can still make top four

28 April 2019 1 comment

HARLEQUINS suffered their fifth successive Pemiership defeat but head coach Paul Gustard still believes they can clinch a play-off place. Justifiably claiming that for much […]

Wasps’ revival crushed by Sarries power pack

28 April 2019 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN SARACENS produced a trademark powerpacked first half to demolish Wasps who disappointed in front of their home supporters. A week on from […]