Charlie Morgan

Teams will no longer be allowed to choose a scrum from a free-kick under new laws to be rolled out across the game next season, with 20-minute red cards and shot-clocks for scrums and line-outs also to be trialled.

Steven Luatua is regarded as one of Bristol Bears' best players of recent years - Getty Images/Bob Bradford

Saracens, led by Owen Farrell, proved too strong Bristol Bears - PA/Bradley Collyer Bristol Bears 20 Saracens 41

Manu Tuilagi (right) is injury free and playing with a smile - Getty Images/Jan Kruger

Mako and Billy Vunipola helped Saracens win three Champions Cups - Getty Images/David Rogers

Paul Sackey, the former England wing, has urged the club game to “rein in” spending and consolidate after a period that has seen two of his old clubs, London Irish and Wasps, go to the wall

A humiliatingly heavy loss each for Newcastle Falcons and Gloucester in recent weeks has not been a good look for the league and, obviously, relegation would provide an added dimension. Even so, there has been plenty to celebrate about this Premiership season.

Many press pews around the Premiership are situated within earshot of coaches, and things tend to grow animated. There are not too many passable poker faces.

charlie morgan Sid Going, the New Zealand scrum-half and a celebrated rival of the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians, has died at the age of 80.

Harlequins 28 Bristol 53 Brilliant, yet ultimately in vain; Bristol Bears fell short of the Premiership play-offs despite fulfilling