Premiership

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

Young Guns: Harlequins & England U20 centre Sean Kerr

28 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Sean Kerr revealed kicking in front of a vibrant, hostile crowd in France during England U20s Six Nations title decider in Pau […]

Kata banned for three games after Dingwall tackle

25 April 2024 0 comments

Solomone Kata has received a three-match ban for his tackle on Fraser Dingwall that saw him red carded in the East Midlands derby last weekend, […]

Grace to stay at Bath until at least the end of next season

24 April 2024 0 comments

Former St Helens rugby league star Regan Grace is to stay at Bath until at least the end of the 2024/25 season after impressing coach […]

Sharks battle past Quins to keep play-off hopes alive

21 April 2024 0 comments

Sale Sharks…………………………37 Tries: Curry 3, Dugdale 7, Reed 40+2, 64; Quirke 59 Conversions: Ford 4, 40+4 Penalties: Ford 16, 44 Harlequins………………………….31 Tries: Lynagh 24, 35; […]

Quins duo tipped to power up England

21 April 2024 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Will Collier and Fin Baxter could galvanise the England scrum with their technique and power, according to World Cup-winning scrum coach Phil […]

Be quick! McKellar’s lowdown on Leinster

21 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Northampton had the chance last night to quiz Dan McKellar about their Champions Cup semi-final opponents Leinster but, before the East Midlands […]

Call to give support for Worcester revival

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Worcester Warriors’ Supporters Trust chairman Marcus Mulcahy is frustrated at the lack of empathy and support shown by the rugby community towards […]

Furbank: We were spoonfed too much

21 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES George Furbank feels Northampton’s rise this season is down to a pre-season meeting when the players resolved to take more responsibility. The […]

Exeter forward Davis shocked by cancer diagnosis

21 April 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Such is the nature of rugby union, players often tend to think lumps and bumps are part and parcel of the modern-day […]

Malins keen to get back into England contention

21 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Max Malins will use the closing weeks of the season to give the England selectors a nudge ahead of the summer Tests […]

Johann has brought us true belief, says Bayliss

21 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Bath have turned themselves from also-rans to title contenders in less than two years under Johann van Graan and to Josh Bayliss […]

We knew we had to swing the bat – Porter

21 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Few gave Harlequins a chance at Bordeaux-Begles last weekend, but where there was a Will Porter there was a way. The 25-year […]

Sorrell pleased to see English clubs stand up

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Despite their fierce London rivalry with Harlequins, Saracens backs coach Kevin Sorrell is pleased two Premiership sides reached the last four of […]

McKellar: Red card was a bit strong

21 April 2024 0 comments

Leicester boss Dan McKellar claimed that centre Solomone Kata should have been shown a yellow rather than red for his high challenge on Fraser Dingwall […]

Tigers demolished by Saints fireworks

21 April 2024 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Northampton Saints….. 40pts Tries: Langdon 42, Penalty 47, R Smith 64, Hendy 68, James 74 Conversions: Furbank 64, 68 Penalties: Furbank 13, […]

Barbeary leads the revenge mission

21 April 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Exeter Chiefs ……………….14pts Tries: Woodburn 46, Townsend 71 Conversions: Slade 47, 72 Bath ……………………………… 26pts Tries: Barbeary 28, Spencer 40, Ojomoh 49, Reid […]

Baxter: Bath got under our skin

21 April 2024 0 comments

Exeter boss Rob Baxter believes his side need to win all of their remaining Premiership games to stand any chance of making the play-offs. “I […]

Saracens get back in the old routine

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Saracens …………………….. 46pts Tries: Parton 7, 12, 20; McFarland 41, Willis 56, Hartley 62, Cinti 65 Conversions: Farrell 8, 13; Manu Vunipola […]

We need to be more consistent for longer, says McCall

21 April 2024 0 comments

Saracens DoR Mark McCall was satisfied overall but frustrated with the final 10 minutes against Gloucester. He said: “I’m pleased with five points and there […]

Sanderson: We can’t fall in closing stages

21 April 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Sale Sharks v Harlequins Today. Kick-off 3pm, AJ Bell Stadium SUCCESSFUL Grand National punter Alex Sanderson knows victory against Harlequins today […]

Wilson: Our test is to back up victory over Bordeaux

21 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Return: Joe Marler NEVER mind the 50-22, it is the 80-20 that is commanding the attention of Harlequins as they enter the […]

De Chaves: We need to be ruthless

21 April 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Bristol Bears v Newcastle Falcons Today. Kick-off 3pm, Ashton Gate NEWCASTLE enforcer Sebastian de Chaves says the time for what ifs, […]

Lam knows Diamond’s Newcastle will be tough to crack

21 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Ready: Virimi Vakatawa PAT Lam has told his players to be aware of the Steve Diamond effect when Bristol face Newcastle this […]

England must take Quins pair to NZ

21 April 2024 0 comments

NICK CAIN READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK WILL Collier and Fin Baxter have been showered with praise following Harlequins epic European Cup quarter-final away […]

Young Guns: Newcastle Falcons hooker Jacob Oliver

21 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Newcastle Falcons have endured a dismal campaign in the Premiership but tyro hooker Jacob Oliver believes the future is bright in the […]

Leguizamon’s off to a flying start at Pampas

21 April 2024 0 comments

By JOE SANTAMARIA Former London Irish back row Juan Manuel Leguizamón is enjoying a flying start to his coaching career with Pampas in his native […]

Premiership previews: Round 15

19 April 2024 0 comments

The Gallagher Premiership returns this week after a two-week Champions/Challenge Cup hiatus, and with teams second through to eighth all on eight wins and separated […]

England didn’t understand Sinckler – Crane

19 April 2024 0 comments

Jordan Crane feels England have failed to get the best out of Kyle Sinckler during his international career, with the tighthead prop set to be […]

Coming to grief on the road to Morocco

14 April 2024 0 comments

Mark Stevens talks to Exeter chairman Tony Rowe about his love of classic rallying across all corners of the world WIDELY regarded as one of […]

All over for Lewington

14 April 2024 0 comments

Saracens wing Alex Lewington will retire at the end of the season. The 32-year-old, who was part of Saracens’ Champions Cup and Premiership double-winning team […]

Ramm: We are up for a fight to the finish

14 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES James Ramm believes Northampton’s exploits in the Champions Cup will boost their bid to not only make the Premiership play-offs again but […]

Hendy making most of having his legs on ‘back to front’ – Dowson

14 April 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Phil Dowson believes George Hendy is a wing unlike any other – because he has his legs on back to front. The […]

Llewellyn adds some power

14 April 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Gloucester are reaping the rewards of Max Llewellyn’s weight-gain mission during the Six Nations, with the 109kg hulking centre now tipped as […]

Saracens turn their sights on May

14 April 2024 0 comments

Saracens are in talks with England and Gloucester winger Jonny May, below, about a move this summer. Saracens had also spoken to Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga, […]

Offiah Jnr ready to make mark at Bath

14 April 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE By ROSS HEPPENSTALL Tyler Offiah is setting himself up for life on and off the field as the England U18s winger prepares […]

Porter set for Aussie return

14 April 2024 0 comments

England centre Guy Porter looks set to return to Australia this summer with the view to representing the Wallabies. Porter, who won his sixth England […]

We’re ready for big finish, says Millard

14 April 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Harlequins face the toughest run-in of the Premiership’s top four contenders and director of rugby Billy Millard knows he must shore up […]

Exeter confirm swoop for Ealing’s Roots

14 April 2024 0 comments

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed the signing of Ealing Trailfinders prop Jimmy Roots, as revealed in The Rugby Paper last month. The 24-year-old tighthead is the […]

Time to create a new dynasty

14 April 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees looks at what Mark McCall needs to do at Saracens as several big names head for the exit door WHEN Saracens first won […]

Academy players could miss out after cuts

14 April 2024 0 comments

By TOM JEFFREYS Last week saw another nail pinned into the coffins of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish as the RFU announced a funding withdrawal […]

Pirates sign Harris on loan

14 April 2024 0 comments

By SAM JACKSON Cornish Pirates have signed Exeter Chiefs hooker Iestyn Harris on loan to cover injuries. The 25-year-old former Wales age-grade international moves to […]

Baxter: All these law changes are madness

7 April 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Rob Baxter believes World Rugby’s latest proposals to make further law changes will end up alienating supporters, rather than attracting them. The […]

Quirke has his heart set on return to England fold

7 April 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN McGILLIGAN Most Mancunians aspire to represent Manchester for either United or City – but this never enticed a young Raffi Quirke. The 22-year-old […]

Saracens confirm signing of two fly-halves

7 April 2024 0 comments

Saracens have confirmed the signing of Newcastle Falcons fly-half Louie Johnson on a “long-term deal”. The 20-year-old has made 16 appearances for the Premiership side […]

Murley out to make mark with England

7 April 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Written off at a young age for being too slow and too small, Cadan Murley has since proved the critics wrong and […]

Malins on his marks for sprint to the line

7 April 2024 2 comments

By MARK STEVENS Max Malins says he’s gearing up for what promises to be a ‘sprint finish’ in the race for this season’s play-offs in […]

Christie out for season

7 April 2024 0 comments

Saracens flanker Andy Christie has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken arm. The 25-year-old suffered the injury in last […]

RFU sorry for sin-bin mistake

7 April 2024 0 comments

The RFU has apologised after Harlequins lock Irne Herbst spent seven minutes in the sin-bin instead of 10 during a win over Bath – but […]

Salary cap fine for Tigers

7 April 2024 0 comments

Leicester Tigers have again been fined for exceeding the Premiership salary cap. The club have been handed a £47,000 overrun tax for going over the […]