PREMIERSHIP FINAL PREVIEW! | Saints v Exeter + URC, Super Rugby & England XV | Rugby Paper Roundup

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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