Gallagher Premiership

Interview: The Quins flyer will be cheering on South Africa in Saturday's World Cup final against the All Blacks but before then, he will be hoping his club side can do the business against Bristol Bears in the Premiership.

The second round of the Gallagher Premiership saw Gloucester, Bath, Bristol, Sale and Harlequins register victories. Here are the highlights from the five matches.

Harlequins managed to hold off Exeter Chiefs with a 22-14 victory as they secured their first win in the ongoing Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Bristol Bears maintained their perfect start in the ongoing Gallagher Premiership as they defeated Northampton Saints 33-27 in the second round at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

Gloucester managed to hold on a late fightback from Newcastle Falcons as they sealed a 18-14 victory in the second round of the Gallagher Premiership at Kingston Park on Friday.

Sale Sharks kick-started their Gallagher Premiership campaign with a closely fought 20-15 victory over Northampton Saints at Salford Stadium on Sunday.

Jamal Ford-Robinson scored the decisive try in the closing stage as Gloucester Rugby edged out Harlequins 29-28 in the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Exeter Chiefs kick-started the new Gallagher Premiership season with a record 65-10 victory over Saracens at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Gabriel Ibitoye starred with a double as Bristol Bears managed to hold off a second half fightback from Leicester Tigers to complete a 25-14 victory in the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership at Ashton Gate on Friday.

It should be a fascinating weekend at the Rugby World Cup but the small matter of the Gallagher Premiership gets underway on Friday, and Stuart McCracken begins by previewing Bristol, Gloucester and Newcastle.

Saracens will be out to defend their Premiership crown once again but can Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints wrestle the title away from North London?

In the wake of the Jersey Reds' demise, the support for the second tier from those involved with Premiership sides has only grown stronger.

TRU contributor Stuart McCracken continues his look ahead to the new Gallagher Premiership season by assessing Bath, Exeter and Harlequins.

Newcastle Falcons have announced that scrum-half James Elliott will make a return to the club ahead for the 2023/24 season.

The chief executive of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Bill Sweeney has expressed optimism about the future of English rugby, describing it as being "on the verge of something truly remarkable."

Scrum-half Danny Care believes hybrid contracts will be beneficial to English rugby if they manage to keep the best players in the Premiership.

The Quins emerging talent isn't surprised by Smith's recent showings at full-back and believes his quality, work-rate and mentality is what sets the England international apart.

Saracens have announced that England international Ben Earl has signed a long-term contract extension with the Gallagher Premiership club.

With England already guaranteed top spot in Pool D, Porter was always confident Steve Borthwick's side would show their ability to progress to the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup.

With Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints to come in the Premiership Rugby Cup, the next couple of weeks are exciting for Olver - who is also keen to see cousin Tom return for England at the Rugby World Cup.