Premiership

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

stdClass Object ( [id] => 1 [league_id] => 1 [season_name] => Premiership Regular Season [season_slug] => premiership-regular-season [season_start] => 2022 [season_end] => 2023 [wp_league_id] => 77 [status] => 1 )

Solomons: We were beaten by bench

31 December 2017 0 comments

AFTER his second game back from collarbone surgery, flanker Michael Rhodes told TRP: “We’re happy with the win but it wasn’t a great performance and […]

Quick-fire Wasps hit Bath with early salvo

31 December 2017 1 comment

By ROGER PANTING Smiles better: Marcus Watson scores Wasps third try and his second PICTURES: Getty Images BATH’S week of woe ended with another defeat […]

Joe was ‘shining light’ for us – Dai

31 December 2017 1 comment

WASPS’ director of rugby Dai Young was still critical of his side despite picking up a valuable five points away from home. He said: “We […]

Tait demands reaction as Tigers battle to avert worst losing run in over 50 years

31 December 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY MATHEW Tait has challenged Leicester to improve their ball retention and accuracy or suffer the ignominy of recording the club’s worst losing […]

We want more call-ups like Graham says Deano

31 December 2017 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD No stopping him: Vereniki Goneva scores for Newcastle PICTURES: Getty Images Doubling up: Greig Tonks of London Irish in the thick of […]

‘I was frustrated by how the ARU dumped the Western Force’ says Tigers arrival Polota-Nau

30 December 2017 0 comments

The Australia international reveals Michael Cheika gave him the seal of approval to move to Welford Road

Dark day for Dan Robson if Cipriani leaves Wasps for France

30 December 2017 0 comments

The Wasps scrum-half praises his team-mate as being ‘a joy’ to work alongside

‘Old Elthamians can bridge top-flight gap in Kent’, says Mike Friday

30 December 2017 0 comments

The USA 7s head coach on taking on the head of academy role at the National One side

Wales miss out as Dai Young commits to Wales

27 December 2017 0 comments

Huge news for Wasps as their director of rugby counts himself out of the running to replace Wales head coach Gatland

RUGBY MATTERS

24 December 2017 0 comments

BRENDAN GALLAGHER A new weekly look at the game’s other talking points Flyer: Josh Adams Try of the week: Former Scarlet Josh Adams has been […]

Leinster academy scrum-half Patrick is going downhill fast

24 December 2017 0 comments

THERE was a time not so long ago that Patrick McMillan was an outstanding No.9 prospect in the same Leinster Academy team that has fast-tracked […]

Frustrated Kalamafoni calls for composure

24 December 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY DISCIPLINE holds the key to Leicester snapping a run of four successive defeats and inflicting more misery on Saracens, says No.8 Sione […]

Saracens braced for Tigers hostility

24 December 2017 1 comment

By GARY FITZGERALD Turning point: Alex Lozowski scores Saracens second try in defeat to Clermont last weekend ALEX Lozowski is fed up of being reminded […]

ON THE BLIND SIDE

24 December 2017 0 comments

BY NEILFISSLER Follow me on Twitter: @neilfissler ■ TWICKENHAM has already hosted American Football this season and now Anthony Joshua could be about to defend […]

Stirzaker set to calm Saracens’ injury storm

24 December 2017 0 comments

Rebel: Nic Stirzaker SARACENS are set to sign London-born scrum-half Nic Stirzaker on a short term contract from the Rebels as cover for Richard Wigglesworth. […]

Sopoaga ponders future in Coventry

24 December 2017 0 comments

Wanted by Wasps: Lima Sopoaga LIMA SOPOAGA is considering an offer to join Wasps when his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union runs out […]

Sharks feast on rump of Blackadder’s squad

24 December 2017 0 comments

By COLIN NEWBOULT SALE must enjoy hosting West Country sides at the AJ Bell Stadium. First Gloucester were dispatched comfortably earlier in the year and […]

Warriors keep hold of prized asset Mills

24 December 2017 0 comments

WORCESTER have won their battle to keep highlyrated former England U20 international Ryan Mills at Sixways next season. The 25-year-old, who plays at either fly-half […]

We just melted admits Bath boss

24 December 2017 2 comments

TODDBlackadder admitted little went right for his Bath side, even when they were competitive in the first half. “We didn’t build any pressure at all […]

Chiefs smash Saints while they are down

24 December 2017 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Power: Jack Yeandle breaks clear to score Exeter’s fourth try PICTURES: Getty Images BELEAGUERED Northampton flattered to deceive at Franklin’s Gardens where […]

Falcons hold on as it goes to the wire

24 December 2017 0 comments

By ALAN HEDLEY Breakthrough: Vereniki Goneva scores Newcastle’s try PICTURES: Getty Images NEWCASTLE’S second biggest crowd of the season were handed an early Christmas present […]

Dickens: Penalty count too high

24 December 2017 0 comments

EXETER skipper Gareth Steenson issued a warning that the Premiership leaders are still looking to up their game. “We are very pleased with where we […]

Deano: We want festive treble

24 December 2017 1 comment

DEAN Richards has set his Falcons an ambitious Christmas target. The Newcastle director of rugby said: “We said before the start of the Christmas period […]

Cipriani’s the maestro as Wasps hit some high notes

24 December 2017 2 comments

By NEALE HARVEY WASPS roared above Gloucester into second place after a stunning second-half display. Trailing 17-15 at the end of a rollercoaster first period, […]

Adams hits turbos to leave Irish staring at relegation

24 December 2017 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING JOSH Adams’ two tries left London Irish with a mountain to climb to avoid relegation from the Premiership. Worcester’s win kept Irish […]

Kyle back in that winning routine

24 December 2017 0 comments

KYLEEastmond excelled in his third game back for Wasps after Achilles surgery. Boss Dai Young said: “Kyle’s an international player who’s not currently playing international […]

We didn’t fire any shots – Kennedy

24 December 2017 0 comments

IRISH boss Nick Kennedy was unhappy with his side’s dsiplay: “It was a massive game for us and we played very poorly, making too many […]

Wallaby Ken was ‘a flash of light’

24 December 2017 1 comment

KEN Catchpole, who died on Thursday aged 78, is possibly a name that might not resonate with the modern generation but for much of the […]

Hard-man Stan never backed down

24 December 2017 0 comments

Enforcer: Stan Pilecki STANPilecki, something of a cult hero at Queensland and with Australia, has died after a short illness aged 70 after a remarkable […]

Freddie was no flop – in fact he was simply magic!

24 December 2017 0 comments

Pioneer: French fly-half Frederic Michalak FREDDIE MICHALAK has confirmed he is retiring at the end of the season so expect some stories about the great […]

Bulldozer Bothma at Stoop to put Harlequins in the title mix

22 December 2017 0 comments

The Namibian number 8 wants to build on a strong finish in the league as Quins’ European hopes fade

Mike Haley’s honing basics for next England shot

20 December 2017 0 comments

Jon Newcombe talks to the Sale Sharks full-back who hopes to catch Eddie Jones’ eye by impressing in Europe

Workaholic Wray aims to keep Saracens up to the job

15 December 2017 0 comments

Nick Cain talks to Saracens’ Mr Consistent about Brad Barritt’s captaincy and the influence of Ernst Joubert

Jono Ross relishing new life in fast lane with Sale Sharks

14 December 2017 0 comments

The South Africa-born back row on a turbulent meeting between the Stade Francais president and Stade players

Gary Graham glad to resume family affair with Newcastle Falcons

14 December 2017 0 comments

The former Jersey flanker on emulating his father, George, at Kingston Park

Kingston: ‘It’s time Danny Care showed he can be the world’s best scrum-half’

14 December 2017 0 comments

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston has thrown down a challenge to his number 9 in the lead up to the Japan World Cup

All-action Gloucester back row Ludlow flying high in top tackler race

13 December 2017 0 comments

The Gloucester back row is well out in front in the Premiership’s tackle count stats

Scots back in pole for takeover of Worcester

12 December 2017 0 comments

By Neale Harvey Worcester are set to agree a takeover by the Scottish Rugby Union after a bid from former Swindon Town FC chairman Jed […]

Matt O’Connor reveals extent of injury to Leicester’s Veainu

11 December 2017 0 comments

Tigers fullback suffers double fracture to jaw in 33-10 defeat to Munster

Gone in 18 minutes… Quins buried by Bath

26 November 2017 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Causing havoc: Matt Banahan scores Bath ‘s fourth try PICTURES: Getty Images BATH scored the quickest bonus point of the season as […]

Kingston rues his missing players

26 November 2017 0 comments

HARLEQUINS director of rugby John Kingston was upbeat despite the convincing defeat. He said: “At 26-0 down after 19 minutes, it was a long long […]

Deacon ‘s Diamond geezers dig deep

26 November 2017 0 comments

By COLIN NEWBOULT Dangerman: Faf de Klerk makes a break PICTURES: Getty Images PERHAPS Steve Diamond should be absent more often? In the Sharks ‘ […]

Mallinder: We were right to go for broke

26 November 2017 0 comments

NORTHAMPTON director of rugby Jim Mallinder insisted that it was the right decision to go for the victory after turning down a shot at the […]

Mulchrone confident Exiles can finally snap their seven-match losing streak

26 November 2017 2 comments

By NEALE HARVEY LONDON Irish defensive linchpin Fergus Mulchrone believes his side possess the resolve and attacking firepower to upset in-form Wasps. Exiles are rooted […]

Ackermann ‘s acumen for attack rubbing off

26 November 2017 1 comment

By COLIN NEWBOULT Try-scorer: Andy Symons makes a break for Gloucester PICTURES: Getty Images Held: No way through for try-scorer Mark Wilson THAT 57-10 thrashing […]

Richards fumes at ineffectual Falcons

26 November 2017 0 comments

GLOUCESTER head coach Johan Ackermann praised the work-rate of his charges after their victory over Newcastle. Despite having a penchant for attacking rugby, Ackermann believed […]

Five-try Warriors silence the Tigers faithful

26 November 2017 1 comment

By ROB WILDMAN WORCESTER deservedly recorded a first win at Welford Road to stun the huge Tigers support. A brilliant start was backed up by […]

O ‘Connor queries crucial Adams try

26 November 2017 1 comment

LEICESTER director of rugby Matt O ‘Connor claimed afterwards referee Greg Macdonald should have referred Jack Adams ‘ second try to the television match official […]