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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Freestyle Wasps are cut above the rest

30 July 2017 0 comments

By NICK VERDIER Back-to-back: Wasps lift the Premiership Sevens trophy for the second year running PICTURES: Getty Images WASPS will once again go into the […]

Livewire Randall presses case for first team action

30 July 2017 0 comments

PLATE ROUND-UP A BLISTERING start handed Gloucester a 22-12 win over Saracens to win the Plate at the Premiership Sevens in Northampton yesterday. Impressive England […]

Late Collins try earns local bragging rights for Saints

30 July 2017 0 comments

BOWL ROUND-UP NORTHAMPTON won the first East Midlands derby of the season as a late try from Tom Collins helped them beat Leicester 24-22 to […]

Signing winners shows Falcons mean business

28 July 2017 0 comments

says that Newcastle’s ambition to be a real force in English rugby was one of the main factors in persuading him to move his family […]

Why Peter Stringer is rugby’s answer to Roger Federer

27 July 2017 0 comments

Gary Gold says Irish scrum-half Peter Stringer is rugby‘s equivalent to Wimbledon champ Roger Federer – inspirational proof that age is no barrier to playing […]

Longbottom returns to Saracens with unfinished business

27 July 2017 0 comments

Returning Saracens prop Kieran Longbottom insists his England ambitions remain alive after fully recovering from a foot injury that was so severe he doubted he […]

Saili eyes silverware after turning his back on All Blacks

26 July 2017 0 comments

Gifted centre Francis Saili believes his unique brand of passing skills, embellished by gainline-busting, off-loading qualities reminiscent of Sonny Bill Williams can help fire Harlequins […]

I was left out in 2015 and I’ll risk missing 2019 to prove my class in Europe, says Exeter signing White

20 July 2017 0 comments

Revved-up Aussie maestro Nic White has revealed why he rejected the chance to fight for a place at the 2019 World Cup in favour of […]

Premiership season ticket prices: Leicester freeze to launch O’Connor revolution

19 July 2017 0 comments

Leicester Tigers have backed Matt O’Connor’s on-field revolution by freezing season ticket prices at Welford Road in a bid to pack their stadium throughout the […]

Myler: I’m relishing challenge from Piers Francis at Saints

19 July 2017 0 comments

Evergreen Stephen Myler insists he has no interest in personal accolades as he prepares to face down the latest challenger to his coveted No.10 Northampton […]

Maro Itoje to become the Premiership’s first £1m player after 2019

19 July 2017 0 comments

MARO ITOJE will become the Premiership’s first million pound a season player after returning from the Lions tour with an enhanced reputation. Itoje, who is […]

Leicester Tigers move for Damian McKenzie and a flanker show signs of gathering pace

18 July 2017 0 comments

LEICESTER TIGERS are believed to in advanced talks with All Blacks full- back Damian McKenzie about a move to Welford Road. Blindside sources say that […]

Lionhearted Saracens won’t buckle after going for so long without a break, says Wyles

13 July 2017 0 comments

LONG-SERVING Saracens wing Chris Wyles is confident that the club’s large Lions contingent will not suffer from a post-tour hangover and will play another big […]

Sale axe drove me to suicide bid but help has helped me, admits Dan Mugford

12 July 2017 0 comments

Plymouth fly-half Dan Mugford has spoken out over how his failure to gain acceptance and win a regular first team place at Sale sent him […]

Saili adds potency to Quins’ midfield blend

7 July 2017 0 comments

Harlequins head coach Mark Mapletoft insists Jamie Roberts still has a big future at the club and expects the 96-cap Wales star to rise to […]

Dennis: Proof is there, tries win you trophies!

6 July 2017 0 comments

Exeter star Dave Dennis reckons a change in attacking mindset throughout Premiership rugby has boosted England’s chances of lifting the 2019 World Cup. Premiership sides […]

Salary cap cheats cost Northampton trophies

4 July 2017 0 comments

Outgoing Northampton chief executive Allan Robson admits he will always remain bitter over instances of salary cap abuse that he claims denied Saints the chance […]

I’ll make up for England blow says Dunn

28 June 2017 0 comments

Highly rated Bath hooker Tom Dunn admits being “gutted” about the injury that denied him the chance of facing his Argentinian hero Agustin Creevy on […]

Quins announce new deal for Elia

15 June 2017 0 comments

Harlequins today announced that Samoan International hooker Ellia Ellia has committed his future to the club. Elia joined Harlequins on a short-term deal in December […]

EXCLUSIVE: London Irish need greater finance to compete warns Crossan

30 May 2017 0 comments

London Irish owner Mick Crossan has launched a plea for new backers to step forward after admitting he can no longer afford to sustain heavy […]

Steenson: I said a prayer to my dad over kick

28 May 2017 2 comments

By NEALE HARVEY GARETH Steenson revealed he offered a prayer to his late father before kicking the vital conversion. Steenson’s heroics from the kicking tee […]

Exeter prove patience can be greatest virtue

28 May 2017 1 comment

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT It was Leo Tolstoy – who doesn’t offer appear on the sports pages – who once remarked that the two most powerful […]

Exeter live the dream and rugby’s the winner

28 May 2017 0 comments

Wasps 20pts Tries: Gopperth 41, Daly 44 Conversions: Gopperth 41, 45 Penalties: Gopperth 18, 54 Exeter 23pts – After Extra Time Tries: Nowell 14, Dollman […]

NICK CAIN’S PLAYER WATCH…

28 May 2017 0 comments

WASPS 1. MATT MULLAN Hard day at the scrum but kept battling, and returned in extra-time to shore it up Rating: 6 out of 10 […]

How Wasps have fared since the club moved to Coventry

26 May 2017 0 comments

In 1999, professional rugby union outfit Wasps RFC changed their name to London Wasps to differentiate themselves from amateur side Wasps FC. It was the first in a series of changes that eventually saw the club relocated to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry in 2015.

Blackadder takes swipe at below-par Bath stars

25 May 2017 0 comments

Bath rugby director Todd Blackadder has put his star players on notice after admitting standards of professionalism had fallen below his expectations. Despite a promising […]

I can’t wait to get back to Leicester says Ford

24 May 2017 0 comments

George Ford is focused on another successful summer in white before returning to former club Leicester determined to win some silverware after a barren spell […]

So sweet for Wasps as Bassett lands the final thrust

21 May 2017 0 comments

From NICK CAIN at Ricoh Arena Wasps 21pts Tries: Beale 7, Bassett 77 Conversions: Gopperth 8 Penalties: Gopperth 2, 23, 39 Leicester 20pts Tries: Betham […]

Big Joe was just immense says Dai

21 May 2017 0 comments

DAI YOUNG paid tribute to his side after their last ditch win. “I was very pleased with our composure –we never panicked but kept hammering […]

Next week’s final promises to be an absolute cracker

21 May 2017 1 comment

BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Go forward: Thomas Waldrom and Guy Thompson, celebrating with Thomas Young, got their teams on the front foot PICTURES: Getty Images SO […]

Slade missile sets up smash and grab raid

21 May 2017 0 comments

By MIKE SINCLAIR Exeter 18pts Tries: Nowell 43, S Simmonds 79 Conversions: Steenson 43 Penalties: Steenson 26, 30 Saracens 16pts Tries: Wyles 57, Ellery 76 […]

McCall proud of his tired troops

21 May 2017 0 comments

MARK McCall admitted Saracens were ‘hanging on and looking tired’ after their European exertions. The Sarries director of rugby said: “What I’m most proud of […]

Hogan calls for franchise system to save the north

20 May 2017 0 comments

Newcastle managing director Mick Hogan believes club rugby in the north faces terminal decline unless the RFU act to reverse a trend that has seen […]

Gopperth: Ending drought will prove selectors wrong

14 May 2017 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY WASPS will head into the play-offs fuelled by a burning sense of injustice over their international exclusions, according to newly crowned players’ […]

Kitchener confident Tigers can spring a surprise

14 May 2017 0 comments

Defiant: Leicester lock Graham Kitchener GRAHAM Kitchener reckons Leicester’s durability in adversity will enable them to ruin Wasps’ party and reach a first Premiership final […]

Rhodes now relishing life as colossus of Saracens

14 May 2017 0 comments

NICK VERDIER meets the black sheep who’s turned into a starring wolf for Saracens It can be a daunting prospect for a new, internationally unheralded […]

Steenson hoping for some Clermont pointers

14 May 2017 2 comments

By NICK VERDIER EXETER find Saracens on their path to Premiership glory once more but talisman Gareth Steenson reckons they could not be in a […]

Woodburn refusing to give up on England dream

13 May 2017 0 comments

In-form Exeter wing Olly Woodburn reckons being snubbed by England has only fuelled his ambition to nail down a Premiership winner’s medal. Ten-try Woodburn is […]

Freddie Burns determined to leave Tigers with winning roar

12 May 2017 0 comments

Freddie Burns is out to prove Leicester were wrong to ditch him for George Ford by leading the club to an unexpected Premiership title triumph. […]

We must improve from here – Gold

7 May 2017 0 comments

WORCESTER head coach Gary Gold lamented: “We could have won that game! “Our scrum needs to improve and silly errors cost us as we seem […]

Sale scrap it out thanks to cameo from Stringer

7 May 2017 0 comments

By COLIN NEWBOULT Red hot: Ben Curry of Sale Sharks scores a try PICTURES: Getty Images IT has certainly not been the easiest fortnight for […]

Blackadder: Work to do for top four

7 May 2017 0 comments

BATH director of rugby Todd Blackadder admits that they must improve their away form if they are to challenge the top-four next season. “I know […]

Agony as Newcastle miss play-off spot despite try bonus

7 May 2017 1 comment

Bristol 27pts Tries: Ford-Robinson 53, O’Connell 63, Tovey 76, Eadie 79 Conversions: Woodward 53, 63 Penalty: Henson 40 Newcastle 39pts Tries: Wilson 4, Goneva 20, […]

Prop star left with mixed emotions

7 May 2017 0 comments

NORTHAMPTON-bound Jamal Ford-Robinson was disappointed he could not sign off with a win for the Bristol fans. He will move to Franklin’s Gardens next season […]

Young’s hat-trick puts buzz back into Wasps

7 May 2017 0 comments

Wasps 35pts Tries: Young 20, 39, 78, Wade 59, Daly 71 Conversions: Gopperth 59, 71 Penalties: Gopperth 16, 35 Saracens 15pts Tries: Spencer 17, 63 […]

That 7’s not too bad is he says dad

7 May 2017 1 comment

WASPS rugby director Dai Young saluted his side, and his man-of-the-match openside flanker, son Thomas, for securing a home Premiership semifinal against Leicester. “I’m really […]

Chiefs earn home semi with record 8th bonus win on trot

7 May 2017 0 comments

Gloucester 20pts Tries: Ludlow 7 May 27, 59 Conversions: Laidlaw 7 Penalties: Laidlaw 19 Exeter 34pts Tries: Whitten 35 Moon 51 Short 55 Chudley 68 […]

We’ll get up for Stade – Laidlaw

7 May 2017 4 comments

GLOUCESTER’S Champions Cup qualification hopes now rest on Friday’s Challenge Cup final against Stade Francais. After finishing ninth for a third year out of four, […]

Quins go into Europe but Saints must wait

7 May 2017 2 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER HARLEQUINS lost the battle but won the war with a massive defensive shift at Franklin’s Gardens earning them a place in the […]

Mallinder: Picamoles is staying with us

7 May 2017 1 comment

HARLEQUINS boss John Kingston said defeat felt like a win given that it ensured European Champions rugby next season. “It’s an odd feeling when you […]

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