In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by All Things Rugby editor Saner Hasan to preview one of the biggest weekends in the club rugby calendar.

The Prem final takes centre stage as Northampton Saints take on Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham. The Saints have been the benchmark side all season, while Exeter’s remarkable rise from crisis to contenders has become one of the stories of the campaign. We break down the contrasting journeys of the two finalists, the brilliance of Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman, Henry Pollock’s meteoric rise, and why Rob Baxter’s rebuilt Chiefs are proving so difficult to beat.

We also discuss:

•⁠ ⁠Whether Tommy Freeman is the most dangerous player in the Premiership

•⁠ ⁠Exeter’s transformation from relegation fears to title challengers

•⁠ ⁠The key battles between Fin Smith and Harvey Skinner, and Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade

•⁠ ⁠Whether recent final experience gives Saints an edge

🏆 URC Final

Attention then turns to Croke Park where Leinster face the Bulls in a repeat of last year's final.

We discuss:

•⁠ ⁠Why winning the URC almost feels like a minimum requirement for Leinster

•⁠ ⁠Whether the Bulls can finally end their long wait for silverware

•⁠ ⁠The pressure on Leo Cullen’s side after another Champions Cup disappointment

•⁠ ⁠Which team has more to lose on Friday night

🌏 Super Rugby Pacific Final

The Hurricanes host the Chiefs in Wellington in a final that has never happened before.

We ask:

•⁠ ⁠Are the Hurricanes the best club side in world rugby right now?

•⁠ ⁠Can the Chiefs finally end their run of final heartbreak?

•⁠ ⁠Which side handles the pressure of the occasion better?

🌹 France XV v England XV

Before the finals begin, England XV head to Vannes to take on France XV as Steve Borthwick starts preparations for the summer Nations Championship.

We discuss:

•⁠ ⁠Why this uncapped fixture matters more than it looks

•⁠ ⁠The return of Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Max Ojomoh

•⁠ ⁠England's opportunity to build momentum for the summer

•⁠ ⁠The notable absence of Ollie Lawrence

🔥 Final Questions

•⁠ ⁠Which win would mean the most?

•⁠ ⁠Which player is under the most pressure?

•⁠ ⁠If you could build a team around one player from the finals weekend, who would it be?

•⁠ ⁠Ranking the fly-halves: Fin Smith, Harvey Skinner, Sam Prendergast, Handré Pollard, Damian McKenzie and Ruben Love

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In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Northampton Chronicle rugby writer Tom Vickers to preview a mouthwatering Gallagher Premiership semi-final weekend.

Friday night sees one of English rugby’s fiercest rivalries take centre stage as Northampton Saints host Leicester Tigers at Franklin’s Gardens with a place in the Premiership final on the line.

We revisit the iconic 2014 semi-final between the sides, discuss whether this remains the biggest rivalry in the Premiership, and examine why history suggests the winner could go all the way and lift the trophy.

With Saints having topped the table and successfully navigated a season of rotation, injuries and international call-ups, we assess the outstanding job Phil Dowson has done, the impact of Anthony Belleau, and how Northampton have maintained their consistency despite spending periods without Fin Smith.

We also discuss:

• George Furbank’s impending departure and the motivation it brings • Why Saints have flourished despite heavy squad rotation • Leicester Tigers’ remarkable rise under Geoff Parling • The clash of styles between Northampton’s attack and Leicester’s set-piece power • Tommy Freeman’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage • The importance of Franklin’s Gardens under the Friday night lights

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🏆 Bath v Exeter Chiefs

Attention then turns to Saturday’s second semi-final as defending champions Bath host Exeter Chiefs at The Recreation Ground.

We discuss:

• Whether Exeter are the most dangerous fourth-placed side in recent Premiership history • Henry Slade’s outstanding season • Bath’s title credentials and attacking firepower

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PLAY-OFF CHAOS! | Exeter v Saracens Prem Shootout + URC Semi-Finals | The Rugby Paper Roundup In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by TRP writer Chris Collyer to preview a huge weekend of club rugby as the Prem regular season reaches its climax and the URC semi-finals take centre stage. The headline act comes at Sandy Park, where Exeter Chiefs and Saracens meet in a winner-takes-all battle for a Premiership play-off place. With Mark McCall preparing to step down after an extraordinary trophy-laden spell at Saracens, could this be the final chapter of one of the great coaching eras — or one last escape act from rugby’s ultimate knockout specialists? We also preview the race for home semi-finals as Bath host Leicester Tigers, assess Northampton Saints’ preparations for the play-offs, and ask whether Bristol Bears can continue their late-season charge. We also discuss: • Exeter v Saracens and the race for the top four • Mark McCall’s legacy and Saracens’ final push • Bath v Leicester Tigers and the battle for home advantage • Harlequins’ season and Saints’ title credentials • Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears in the fight for Europe • Gloucester’s ambitions and Newcastle’s spoiler role 🏆 URC Semi-Finals Attention then turns to the United Rugby Championship, where four heavyweights battle for a place in the Grand Final. We break down: • Glasgow Warriors v Bulls — a rematch of the 2024 final • Whether Murrayfield helps or hinders Glasgow • The Bulls’ quest to finally shake their bridesmaid tag • Leinster v Stormers at the Aviva Stadium • The star-studded international talent on display • Hollie Davidson’s historic appointment to officiate the semi-final 🎧 Subscribe for more weekly rugby insight, analysis and debate from The Rugby Paper Roundup. You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link: https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subsc... OR by scanning the QR code in the top right corner. Follow us across social media for more rugby insight and analysis: X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaper Facebook: / therugbypaper Instagram: / therugbypaper