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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Harry Mallinder focussed on wearing the No.15 jersey for Northampton

28 March 2018 0 comments

Mallinder hopes to taste success when new head coach Chris Boyd takes over at Saints

The race is on to be crowned Premiership Top Scorer – who are you betting on?

28 March 2018 0 comments

As the Aviva Premiership enters its final rounds, Exeter’s position at the top of the table is looking unassailable. But for the players, there is […]

I’m aggressive alright insists Jake

25 March 2018 0 comments

International bid: Jake Cooper-Woolley WASPS prop Jake Cooper- Woolley has dismissed accusations he lacks the aggression necessary to force his way into England’s reckoning for […]

Itoje takes a nap as fans are put to sleep

25 March 2018 2 comments

From NICK CAIN at London Stadium MARO Itoje may have stolen the headlines with a soft first-half run-in, which he then followed by feigning to […]

CLOSE-UP ALEX GOODE MIKE BROWN

25 March 2018 0 comments

Saracens full-back Harlequins full-back Goode, by a whisker. He has tap-dancing feet, and was a constant threat, including the scoring pass to Liam Williams – […]

McCall: Maro’s full of beans

25 March 2018 0 comments

MARK McCall described Maro Itoje’s display as ‘brilliant’ and added that Itoje’s energy did not surprise him. “Maro looked full of energy, full of life. […]

Flood sets Toon alight as Goneva gives salute to Shearer

25 March 2018 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE FORMER Newcastle United ball boy Toby Flood returned to St James’ Park the hero as the Falcons rewarded a club record crowd […]

Two bonus points give Kidney cause for hope

25 March 2018 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY DECLAN Kidney’s first match in charge of London Irish ended in defeat but not before they had given play-off hopefuls Gloucester an […]

CLOSE-UP

25 March 2018 1 comment

WILL WELCH Newcastle flanker JAMIE GIBSON Northampton flanker Both were at their industrious best, winning lineouts, slowing ball down at the breakdown and making hard […]

CLOSE-UP

25 March 2018 2 comments

JAMES MARSHALL London Irish full-back JASON WOODWARD Gloucester full-back Both these dashing Kiwis have attacking intentions racing through their veins and they didn’t disappoint in […]

Deano: Crowd were just brilliant

25 March 2018 0 comments

DEAN Richards hailed the occasion and was relieved to come away with the four points that lift his side to third in the table. He […]

Still far too many mistakes – Ackermann

25 March 2018 0 comments

STAR MAN Mark Atkinson was delighted with Gloucester’s win. The centre told TRP: “Irish have run most teams close and we knew we were in […]

Why defeat by France was biggest blow of all

25 March 2018 0 comments

NICK CAIN Upper hand: France celebrate victory over England PICTURE: Getty Images THERE has been too much of a shoulder-shrug about England’s 22-16 defeat by […]

Brown’s ready to ride the wave with Eddie

25 March 2018 0 comments

EDDIE Jones was sacked by Australia after a seven Test losing run in 2005. On Wednesday at Twickenham I asked the RFU chief executive, Steve […]

Tough road to success

25 March 2018 1 comment

HOW’S this for an itinerary to help England get their shape back. Three away Tests in South Africa, then an Autumn schedule of South Africa, […]

Sharks show they can strike with lethal force

25 March 2018 2 comments

By COLIN NEWBOULT Power: Marland Yarde holds off Bryce Heem to score for Sale PICTURES: Getty Images AS A FEW sides have found this season, […]

Citing officer to check gay slur

25 March 2018 0 comments

A SALE player could be in trouble with the authorities after Worcester’s Jamie Shillcock alleged he made a homophobic slur. The fly-half told referee Andrew […]

Simmonds holds nerve to sink Bath fightback

25 March 2018 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY Match-winner: Joe Simmonds on the break for Exeter PICTURES: Getty Images Workhorse: Exeter’s Don Armand battles for the ball with Tom Homer […]

All-action Obano in message to Eddie

25 March 2018 1 comment

TODD Blackadder admits Bath’s top four hopes are remote. He said: “I’m proud of the effort and our defence was outstanding, but loose kicking put […]

Axed Ford will roar for Tigers predicts Toomua

25 March 2018 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Challenge: George Ford is back for Leicester PICTURE: Getty Images CHASTENED England fly-half George Ford bounces back into Leicester’s starting XV for […]

Hougaard signs lengthy deal to stay at Worcester Warriors

21 March 2018 0 comments

South Africa international will be 33 by the time his new deal at Sixways expires

Northampton Saints discipline George North for missing training session

20 March 2018 0 comments

Wales wing was dropped from Northampton’s match against Sale earlier this month

Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Will Chudley to join Bath next season

20 March 2018 0 comments

Premiership winner becomes Todd Blackadder’s latest recruit

Milton Kachecha scoops HITZ Best Rugby Performer award

15 March 2018 0 comments

Old Northamptonians youngster has enjoyed a standout year on the rugby pitch as well as in education

Blackadder: Injuries make my job almost impossible

14 March 2018 0 comments

The Bath director of rugby talks to TRP about challenges spawned from his team’s lengthy injury list

Harlequins centre Jamie Roberts to join Premiership rivals Bath

14 March 2018 0 comments

Roberts moves to the Rec after Tapuai’s switch to the Stoop was confirmed last week

Julian Salvi names the Guy to take over as Eddie’s 7

9 March 2018 0 comments

The Exeter flanker proposes one player who ‘has never had a chance’ so far under Eddie Jones

Wage demands will harm young talent, says Leicester coach Matt O’Connor

9 March 2018 0 comments

The Leicester director of rugby comments on wages and the recent recruitment activity at Welford Road

HITZ Young Ambassador thrilled at award

9 March 2018 0 comments

Bath’s Jake Britton takes Young Ambassador gong at HITZ Awards

Kingston urges fans to ‘park frustrations’

4 March 2018 0 comments

HARLEQUINS’ welcome Bath to the Stoop in the match rescheduled from Friday night due to the freezing conditions. Quins make six changes from last weekend’s […]

Falcons find slippery roads lead to the top

4 March 2018 0 comments

Driving force: Newcastle scrum-half Michael Young breaks clear to set up a try for Ally Hogg. PICTURES: Getty Images Bulldozer: Gloucester centre David Halaifonua dives […]

Gloucs: We let win slip away

4 March 2018 0 comments

DEAN Richards praised his Newcastle side’s character after they brought Gloucester’s unbeaten home record in the league to an end. This included the thumbs up […]

Diamond: Only a fool wouldn’t pick Denny for England

4 March 2018 0 comments

By GARY FITZGERALD Hard yards: Jonathan Ross trucks it up for Sale. PICTURES: Getty Images Testing defence: Piers Francis looks for a way through DENNY […]

Gaffney slams missing North

4 March 2018 0 comments

GEORGE North came under fire from Saints boss Alan Gaffney for being unavailable yesterday. Gaffney questioned the Wales wing’s commitment to the club after he […]

Malins reaping rewards from Farrell tutorials

4 March 2018 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Out in front: Owen Farrell Alex Lozowski GIFTED Saracens playmaker Max Malins is ready to step out of the shadows and prove […]

Botha playing for his future at Irish

4 March 2018 0 comments

Believer: London Irish back rower Arno Botha HIGH-impact back rower Arno Botha believes London Irish can still pull off a miracle despite their parlous position […]

Harrison demands a repeat performance

4 March 2018 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Extended run: Tigers No.9 Sam Harrison LEICESTER’S historic victory over Saracens last week will count for nothing unless they back it up […]

Bakewell’s challenge to create new pack legacy at Leicester Tigers

1 March 2018 0 comments

The Kiwi forwards coach on leaving Bristol for Welford Road and the new generation he wants to foster

Batty: Plenty of life left in the old dog yet!

28 February 2018 0 comments

Batty seeking to rule the roost in the hooker department at the Rec

Olly burst changed it all says Dickens

25 February 2018 0 comments

ALAN Dickens, Saints’ interim coach, lamented: “For 70 minutes we were in control. Then Olly Woodburn makes a fantastic break. “That gets their tails up, […]

Falcons show they are really in this title challenge

25 February 2018 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Not to be denied: Sinoti Sinoti powers over for Falcons PICTURES: Getty Images Early hope: James Horwill scores for Quins after eight […]

Kingston: We have to get our pride back

25 February 2018 1 comment

HARLEQUINS boss John Kingston struggled for positives He said: “We defended manfully for long periods and it was fantastic to see Demetri Catrakilis back from […]

Gopperth’s pressure kick saves the day

25 February 2018 0 comments

By JAMES LLOYD Pack power: Gloucester celebrate their first try PICTURES: Getty Images In the thick of it: Wasps ace Jimmy Gopperth DAI Young heaped […]

Gloucs rue 34 missed tackles

25 February 2018 0 comments

GLOUCESTER head coach Johan Ackermann rued a frustrating secondhalf and wants to see his side make amends next week against Newcastle as the race for […]

Amazing Mr Wilson gives Bath last word

25 February 2018 1 comment

By ANDY BABER Shark attack: Denny Solomona scores Nervless: James Wilson kicks the winning points PICTURES: Getty Images MAKESHIFT fly-half James Wilson was the hero […]

We must be more clinical admits disappointed Diamond

25 February 2018 3 comments

STEVE Diamond, Sale Sharks’ director of rugby, admitted his team need to be more clinical when they get into winning positions. He said: “We lost […]

Spencer eager to capitalise on big chance to impress

25 February 2018 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Aiming for impact: Ben Spencer PICTURE: Getty Images POPULAR hooker Schalk Brits makes an eagerly-awaited return as Saracens prepare for a Leicester […]

Irish remain defiant despite 16pt gap

25 February 2018 1 comment

Spencer, Cox, Arr, Hammond Back in the lineup: Johnny Williams ENGLAND midfield prospect Johnny Williams returns as London Irish aim to prolong their battle against […]