Premiership

Chairman Bear sees his wishes granted

28 January 2024 0 comments

By TOM BRADSHAW Bristol ………………………….. 57pts Tries: Capon 7, Batley 10, MacGinty 18, Heward 23, Williams 32, Harding 44, Bradbury 51, Lane 79 Conversions: MacGinty […]

There’s no panic, says van Graan

28 January 2024 0 comments

Johann van Graan won’t be hitting the defensive panic button just yet, despite his side conceding a half century of points. “I wouldn’t say it […]

Lawes the enforcer as Saints ease home

28 January 2024 0 comments

By ROGER PANTING Northampton………………. 38pts Tries: Lawes 13, Penalty 22, S Matavesi 33, James 50, Sleightholme 63, Augustus 75Conversions: Savala 13, 50, 75 Newcastle……………………. 13pts […]

Newcastle gave us a real challenge, admits Dowson

28 January 2024 0 comments

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson accepted that his side had been given a real challenge despite victory over Newcastle Falcons. He said: “We saw […]

Battling Tigers hold on in last-kick drama

28 January 2024 0 comments

By ADAM HATHAWAY Harlequins …………………… 19pts Tries: David 37, Walker 58, Green 79 Conversions: J Evans 38, 59 Leicester ………………………20pts Tries: Wiese 27, Brown 63 […]

‘Jarrod stood up despite the pain’

28 January 2024 0 comments

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson revealed Jarrod Evans struggled with kicking the ball before his failed last-gasp conversion. Wilson said: “He’s been out for a […]

Crisis? Not in my view, says Sanderson

28 January 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE PREVIEW… Gloucester v Sale Today. Kick-off 3pm, Kingsholm WITH four straight defeats in all competitions and a season-ending injury to England lock […]

Atkinson gets his chance to prove himself at No.10

28 January 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Starts: Charlie Atkinson CHARLIE Atkinson will make only his third Premiership start since Wasps folded 15 months ago with Gloucester looking to […]

Premiership previews: Round 12

26 January 2024 0 comments

After a two-week break for European action, the Premiership is all set for its final round of matches before the Six Nations. With Steve Borthwick’s […]

Exeter game is must-win for Saracens – Monye

25 January 2024 0 comments

The last time Saracens finished a Premiership season outside of the top four was in 2009 but after a sluggish start to this campaign, Ugo […]

Farrell Racing switch confirmed

22 January 2024 0 comments

Owen Farrell’s much-rumoured move to Racing 92 has been confirmed, ending his 15-year career at English champions Saracens. Farrell, 32, captained England in their most […]

Skivington considers how to replace ‘Zam’

21 January 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES George Skivington is considering whether to add to his squad after the departure of Louis Rees-Zammit, but not necessarily on the wing. […]

Quesada turns to Vintcent

21 January 2024 0 comments

Exeter’s South Africa-born No.8 Ross Vintcent has been called up by new Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada. Vintcent joins prop trio Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli […]

Gallagher set for Munster return

21 January 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Bath full-back/winger Matt Gallagher is in advanced talks with Munster about a return to Thomond Park when when his […]

Sale swap Wiese for Roets

21 January 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Sale have recruited Le Roux Roets, a second row enforcer for Sharks in the URC, to replace Cobus Wiese […]

Now Slade holds talks with Stade

21 January 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has had a […]

Taylor happy to leave the bad times behind

21 January 2024 0 comments

By BEN JAYCOCK Following London Irish’s demise, Gloucester has been a safe haven for numerous redundant Exiles and promising England U20s fly-half Rory Taylor is […]

All clubs must be able to reach top

21 January 2024 0 comments

JEFF PROBYN SO it’s back to the future with the RFU CEO Bill Sweeney telling the Championship that they either don’t understand or have been […]

Hutchinson glad to be back in the fold

21 January 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Much has been made of the five backs from free-scoring Northampton who have made the Six Nations squad, but just as deserving […]

Diamond replaces Codling at struggling Falcons

19 January 2024 0 comments

Steve Diamond has replaced Alex Codling in charge of the Premiership’s bottom club Newcastle Falcons. Codling was appointed head coach over the summer to replace […]

Rees-Zammit will have to go to a ‘dark place for months and years’ – Wade

18 January 2024 0 comments

Racing 92 winger and former Buffalo Bills practice squad member Christian Wade has backed Louis Rees-Zammit in his decision to try and forge a career […]

Rees-Zammit leaves Gloucester and Wales to pursue NFL ‘dream’

16 January 2024 0 comments

Gloucester and Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has left his club with immediate effect to “pursue his dream” of playing in the NFL. The Rugby Paper’s […]

Lam stays optimistic despite £14m losses

14 January 2024 1 comment

By PAUL REES Pat Lam is confident Premiership clubs are heading towards sustainability despite three of them posting losses of nearly £14m between them in […]

Pearson ready to step up at Saints

14 January 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Norhtampton are doing everything they can to persuade Courtney Lawes to carry on at Franklin’s Gardens, but should the former England captain […]

Townsend: I’ll keep on playing hard

14 January 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Stu Townsend’s new year resolution is to stay fit after an unlucky run with injuries has left him spending more time in […]

Tigers are braced for Porter departure

14 January 2024 0 comments

Leicester Tigers are looking for an outside centre, with Super Rugby sides spying on a move for England international Guy Porter, below, who has a […]

Farrell will cost Racing £500k transfer fee

14 January 2024 0 comments

ON THE BLINDSIDE BY NEIL FISSLER Saracens have put a €600,000 (£515,000) price tag on England’s World Cup skipper, Owen Farrell, before they agree to […]

De Glanville, Ewels in talks

14 January 2024 0 comments

Bath are in advanced discussions with Tom de Glanville and Charlie Ewels about remaining at The Rec when their contracts run out at the end […]

Chiefs enter Grady chase

14 January 2024 0 comments

Exeter Chiefs are among a clutch of Premiership clubs interested in signing Mason Grady, who could become the next Wales star to cross the Severn […]

Pay me what I’m worth – Lawes

14 January 2024 0 comments

Courtney Lawes has sent a warning to Northampton and told the club, “I’ve got to be paid what I’m worth,” after having talks with Racing […]

With Smith and Mitchell, there should be fireworks

14 January 2024 0 comments

Paul Rees talks to Topsy Ojo and finds the TV pundit in optimistic mood for both club and country Topsy Ojo gets a reminder every […]

Radford gives the credit to simpler defence

14 January 2024 0 comments

Northampton defence coach Lee Radford cites simplified structure as the key to his side’s turn in fortunes this season. In recent years, Saints were top […]

Proposed hybrid contracts causing major debate

14 January 2024 0 comments

By NICK POWELL On the most recent edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast, Jeff Probyn joined host Ollie Little and our regulars – Nick Cain, […]

Sharks confirm they are keen on Wales flyer

14 January 2024 0 comments

Sale have confirmed they have spoken with Wales wing Mason Grady, a target for up to four English clubs. The 21-year-old, below, is out of […]

Everest skydive caps off world’s fastest rugby ball charity challenge

9 January 2024 0 comments

Bath Rugby legend Iestyn Lewis has taken charity fundraising to new heights after skydiving in freezing Himalayan conditions close to Mount Everest, all whilst clutching […]

De Glanville double gives Gloucester unwelcome record

7 January 2024 0 comments

By NICK POWELL Bath…………………………………17 Tries: De Glanville 31, 62 Muir 41 Conversions: Russell 43 Gloucester………………………….10 Tries: Ackerman 7 Conversions: Hastings 8 Penalties: Hastings 34 Tom […]

McCall: I wouldn’t blame Farrell

7 January 2024 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Saracens boss Mark McCall did little last night to dampen the speculation that England captain Owen Farrell is set to join Racing […]

Sanderson: Don’t put cap back up to £6.4m

7 January 2024 0 comments

By JON NEWCOMBE Alex Sanderson remains against increasing the Premiership salary cap back up to £6.4 million after his club Sale Sharks and Friday’s opponents […]

Lawes looks like leaving

7 January 2024 0 comments

Northampton are struggling to hold on to Courtney Lawes. The 34-year-old former England flanker, who retired from international rugby after the World Cup, is mulling […]

Devoto back with a new lease of life

7 January 2024 0 comments

By MARK STEVENS Ollie Devoto says he’s been given a new lease of life this season after battling back from a potentially career-ending injury to […]

Freeman sets his sights on England

7 January 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Tommy Freeman has taken inspiration from club colleague Alex Mitchell as he strives to make England’s Six Nations squad, which will be […]

Pepper the shining star for Falcons as they battle hard

7 January 2024 0 comments

By PAUL REES Newcastle have had little to smile about this season, but Guy Pepper has added some spice to the fare being served up […]

Leicester power too much for Saracens

7 January 2024 0 comments

By ROB WILDMAN Leicester ………………………19pts Tries: Kelly 12, Rogerson 34, Simmons 60 Conversions: Pollard 34, 60 Saracens ………………………10pts Tries: Parton 20 Conversions: Farrell 20 Penalties: […]

Chessum and Martin were really ‘up for it’, says McKellar

7 January 2024 0 comments

Leicester boss Dan McKellar paid tribute to his young locks Ollie Chessum and George Martin. The Australian said they were “up for it” in a […]

Sleightholme leads the Saints fightback

7 January 2024 0 comments

By BRENDAN GALLAGHER Exeter ………………………….. 36pts Tries: Vermuelen 5, 22; Feyi-Waboso 13, Townsend 17 Tuima 71 Conversions: Slade 6, 18, 24, 72 Penalty: Slade 61 […]

First-half tries were crucial – Dowson

7 January 2024 0 comments

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson said the two tries before half-time were crucial as they fought back from 26-0 down to stun Exeter. “We […]

Malins puts Bristol on the right course

7 January 2024 0 comments

By ROSS HEPPENSTALL Sale ……………………………….14pts Tries: Hill 31, Creevy 67 Conversions: Du Preez 32, 68 Bristol………………………….. 22pts Tries: Randall 7, Ibitoye 18, Malins 42 Conversions: […]

‘We must be yards better than that’

7 January 2024 0 comments

Alex Sanderson was more angry with his Sale team’s performance than the fact their proud unbeaten home record had been ruined. The Sharks have made […]

Pitfalls ahead for England’s new management company

7 January 2024 0 comments

AN England player group taking over the squad negotiations on remuneration – whether from RFU hybrid contracts, match fees, or sponsorship deals – may seem […]

Mass rotation could end up a crowd killer

7 January 2024 0 comments

The Premiership wants to be taken seriously, but then makes the cardinal error of not taking itself seriously by trashing its own ‘product’. How can […]

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