Wasps 26-20 NorthamptonFly-half kicks two penalties as second-half replacementIt has been a weekend for fly-halves coming off the bench and having a decisive say and if Jimmy Gopperth is at the opposite end of the career spectrum to Marcus Smith, the v…
Mako and Billy Vunipola help Saracens fight back for win over Newcastle
Saracens 37-23 NewcastleHosts recover from 17-3 deficit to earn bonus point victoryThere was a moment midway through the first half where it seemed as if Saracens’ homecoming would be spoiled. Playing in front of a crowd on their own turf in a top-flig…
Smith and Lynagh lead Harlequins’ second-half comeback to stun Bristol
Harlequins 52-24 BristolChampions score eight tries in bonus point winMarcus Smith capped his first appearance of the season with a stunning solo try in another thrilling comeback victory for Harlequins against Bristol. Harlequins were 21 points down w…
Leicester sink Saracens with contentious late penalty try
Leicester 13-12 SaracensTigers maintain 100% record with last play of the gameA suitably chaotic end to a dog’s dinner of game but Leicester will not care. The Tigers clinched a scarcely-deserved win with the last play of the match – a penalty try awar…
Pat Lam brushes off Bristol’s poor start and insists ‘there’s a long way to go’
‘We’ve had tough times before and come out of it’Bristol host Bath, who are also winless, in derby on FridayAll is very quiet on the western front in the early-season Premiership table. Bath, Gloucester, Exeter and Bristol, in descending order, fill th…
London Irish fight back to force draw with Sale as fans return
London Irish 31-31 SalePost denies Jackson and Exiles remarkable late winRugby in Brentford is properly under way. This might not have been London Irish’s first game here, but they value the passion of real people highly among the Exiles. This first pe…
Louis Lynagh double leads champions Harlequins to opening win at Newcastle
Newcastle 20-26 HarlequinsDanny Care and Joe Marchant also score for HarlequinsHarlequins made a winning start to their Premiership title defence as an enthralling game at Kingston Park saw them edge Newcastle 26-20. Both sides played fast, free-flowin…
Freddie Steward shines as resurgent Leicester Tigers maul Exeter
Leicester 34-19 ExeterTigers score five tries in front of bumper Welford Road crowdThere have been enough false dawns at Leicester in the last few years to urge a note of caution but the Welford Road faithful can be forgiven for getting carried away af…
Rugby authorities urge Premiership players to get Covid-19 vaccination
Professional Game Board has set 85% player vaccination targetClubs will be able to relax Covid protocols if target is reachedPremiership players are being “strongly encouraged” to become fully vaccinated by rugby authorities in England with clubs offer…