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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We can beat anyone now says stoked up Matavesi

26 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Sam Matavesi knew something had changed when he joined up with Northampton after Fiji’s World Cup quarter-final exit last autumn. “Something seemed […]

Slade delighted to be presented with top award

26 May 2024 0 comments

Exeter and England outside centre Henry Slade has picked up the 2023/24 Premiership Player of the Season award following a standout campaign. Slade bounced back […]

We will have a full deck of cards next season – McKellar

26 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Leicester’s dejection at finishing well short of the play-off positions was compounded by the sight of their fierce rivals Northampton sitting at […]

Lam backs Ibitoye for England’s tour

26 May 2024 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Bristol boss Pat Lam says winger Gabriel Ibitoye should be selected for England’s summer tour after he topped the rankings for the […]

Bath and Saints to win – but only just

26 May 2024 0 comments

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK It’s hard to see Northampton changing the way they’ve played all season when they face Saracens in the […]

Try tsunami sends a mixed message

26 May 2024 0 comments

Peter Jackson looks at an increase in points scored but suggests the figures may be hiding a problem for the Premiership. Over the last seven […]

Dugdale’s stepping out of the shadows

26 May 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Sam Dugdale has stepped out of the shadows of the Curry brothers and Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson couldn’t be happier for […]

Fantastic four face final tests

26 May 2024 0 comments

PAUL REES LOOKS FORWARD TO THE PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS: NORTHAMPTON v SARACENS AND BATH v SALE NORTHAMPTON The Saints finished at the top of the […]

Diamond out to add some steel

26 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Even someone without Steve Diamond’s coaching experience would have known that taking over at Newcastle was never going to turn them into […]

You write off Saracens at your peril – Grewcock

26 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Danny Grewcock has joined Paul Sackey as the second player to be inducted into the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame for 2024 […]

Young guns who are shining for the Chiefs

26 May 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to Exeter DoR Rob Baxter to find out how his investment in homegrown talent is paying off at 9 and 10 Exeter […]

Playing for Tigers a privilege, says Scott

26 May 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Matt Scott says it was his ‘privilege’ to pull on the Leicester Tigers jersey after playing his final game for the club […]

Poor defence cost us, admits Wilson

26 May 2024 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson has admitted poor defence cost them a place in the play-offs after a disappointing end to the […]

Cloete & Van Velze to retire at end of season

26 May 2024 0 comments

Bath’s South African forwards GJ van Velze and Chris Cloete will retire from rugby at the end of the season. Van Velze, 36, has made […]

Jennings looking for new challenge

26 May 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Still only 28, Rory Jennings is seeking the seventh full-time contract of his nomadic career after being released by Newcastle. By his […]

Young gun Baxter headlines Premiership Team of the Season

23 May 2024 0 comments

By Ben Jaycock Tyro Harlequins prop Fin Baxter is the headline selection in Premiership Rugby’s 2023/24 team of the season which has a strong Northampton […]

Slade awarded Premiership Player of the Season

22 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Exeter Chiefs and England star Henry Slade has picked up the 2023/24 Premiership Rugby Player of the Season award following a standout […]

It’s away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries

19 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Saracens ……………………… 10pts Tries: Riccioni 66 Conversions: Farrell 67 Penalties: Farrell 26 Sale ……………………………….20pts Tries: Roebuck 23, R du Preez 51 Conversions: […]

Sarries to hit road as Sale upset their plans

19 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Sale and Bath joined Northampton and Saracens in the Premiership play-offs after a final round yesterday full of twists and shocks. Sale […]

Big Ben strikes at right time for Sale

19 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Ben Curry is often referred to as the twin brother of Tom, the 50-cap England flanker who has missed the entire season […]

Danny hails departing ‘Quins legend’ Collier

19 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Harlequins’ household names are nearing the end of their careers but scrum-half Danny Care believes their new coaching team has built a […]

McCall: Vunipolas at the heart of all we have achieved

19 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall says departing stalwarts Mako and Billy Vunipola are ‘two of the keenest rugby minds’ he’s ever […]

Williams is still the centre of attention

19 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES When Bristol signed Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Virimi Vakatawa last year to boost their midfield, few would have picked James Williams […]

Lam so keen to keep hold of Vakatawa

19 May 2024 0 comments

Pat Lam wants Virimi Vakatawa to extend his stay at Ashton Gate and is in talks with the France centre over a new deal. Vakatawa […]

Hendy: We want special send off for top Saints

19 May 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Northampton flyer George Hendy has enjoyed a breakthrough year with the table toppers and while the likes of Saracens insist they won’t […]

Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day

19 May 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Bath ……………………………… 43pts Tries: Bayliss 7, Muir 14, 63; Dunn 42, Spencer 53, Barbeary 60 Conversions: Russell 8, 15, 43, 54; Spencer […]

Johann savours ‘special’ moment

19 May 2024 0 comments

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan is proud of his side’s turnaround this season but says the job is not yet finished. “I’m so […]

Ollie helps top Tigers finish with a flourish

19 May 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Leicester …………………….. 40pts Tries: Hassell-Collins 20, van Poortvliet 26, Reffell 43, Brown 54 Conversions: Pollard 21, 26, 44, 55 Penalties: Pollard 16, […]

It’s a tale of mixed emotions for Baxter

19 May 2024 0 comments

When Rob Baxter sits down to carry out his final assessment of this season, the Exeter director of rugby will look back on a campaign […]

Big win but it’s not enough for Bears

19 May 2024 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Harlequins ………………….. 28pts Tries: Cunningham-South 9, 52; Dombrandt 22, Northmore 47 Conversions: Smith 10, 23, 48, 53 Bristol ………………………….. 53pts Tries: Williams […]

Pat’s proud as his boys stoop to conquer in record style

19 May 2024 0 comments

Pat Lam was pleased with his team’s efforts in a history-making win at The Stoop despite missing out on a place in the top four. […]

McCall: ‘They wanted it more’

19 May 2024 0 comments

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall admitted his side were ‘out enthused’ by Sale. He said: “That was a really disappointing performance. I thought we […]

Falcons’ misery but hosts restore pride

19 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Gloucester ………………….. 54pts Tries: Mercer 10, Harris 18, C Atkinson 20, Thorley 31, Blake 42, May 48, Hearle 73, Hathaway 80 Conversions: […]

May: My focus is only on cup final

19 May 2024 0 comments

Jonny May made sure his final appearance at Kingsholm ended on a high and is relishing his last appearance for Gloucester in Friday’s Challenge Cup […]

Top flight losing its soul, and integrity

19 May 2024 1 comment

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK GLOUCESTER’S 90-0 capitulation to Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend reflected all that is rotten about a […]

Best I’ve felt for six years – Roux

19 May 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Quinn Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it’ll be a stretch for […]

McNally to leave Rec this summer

19 May 2024 0 comments

Bath lock Josh McNally is to leave the club at the end of the 2023-24 season after five years at The Recreation Ground. The 33-year-old […]

Slade extends his stay at the Chiefs

19 May 2024 0 comments

ENGLAND centre Henry Slade has agreed a new contract with Exeter. The 31-year-old has won 62 caps for England and started all five Six Nations […]

‘Privilege to play in Jonny’s 10 jersey’

19 May 2024 0 comments

By LUKE JARMYN Achieving his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in Newcastle’s No.10 shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his […]

Maitland to call time in summer

19 May 2024 0 comments

Saracens wing Sean Maitland, 35, will retire from rugby at the end of the season. The 53-cap Scotland flyer, who represented New Zealand at U20 […]

Exeter’s Slade signs new contract

16 May 2024 0 comments

England centre Henry Slade has signed a new contract at Exeter Chiefs, extending his stay at the club into at least a 13th season. Slade […]

Series 3, Episode 38: JP Doyle on laws of the game and Premiership final day

15 May 2024 0 comments

The Gallagher Premiership is headed towards a superb Super Saturday, with five teams still in the running for the final two play-off spots! Joining host […]

Vunipola trio to depart Saracens

14 May 2024 0 comments

Saracens players Billy, Mako and Manu Vunipola are to leave the North London club at the end of the current campaign. The trio have amassed […]

Thrilling title race goes to final day

12 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES The race for the top four will go down to the final round on Saturday, although Northampton and Saracens secured their berths […]

I’m still supporter of relegation – Diamond

12 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Newcastle may be adrift at the bottom of the Premiership but Steve Diamond remains an advocate for promotion and relegation. The Falcons […]

I want to win title before I leave Bristol – Luatua

12 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Few overseas signings have had a more lasting impact in the Premiership than Steve Luatua who looks like finishing his career at […]

Game in England is good, says Ford

12 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES George Ford feels English rugby is on the up after a testing couple of years on and off the field and has […]

Graham: Guys were in tears after that defeat but we’ll fight back

12 May 2024 0 comments

Sam Graham believes Northampton can turn the heartache of losing last weekend’s Champions Cup semi-final to their advantage as they set their sights on the […]

Saracens closing in on finishing line

12 May 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Bristol Bears ………………..20pts Tries: Batley 4, Thacker 52 Conversions: MacGinty 5, Williams 53 Penalties: MacGinty 11, 20 Saracens ………………………41pts Tries: Itoje 22, […]

Farrell: We play with our heads up

12 May 2024 0 comments

OWEN Farrell said Saracens remained on course for another Twickenham final because of their ability to adapt their gameplan. A close victory at Bath was […]

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