Premiership scoring rises sharply

The English Premiership rugby league is seeing a notable increase in scoring, with an average of over 60 points per match at the start of the 2026-2027 season, according to The Times. This is a rise of about 13 points compared to the previous season, highlighting a shift toward more offensive play in the competition.

Try scoring becomes a key strategy

Clubs in the Premiership are increasingly favoring penalty tries over three-point kicks, as noted by The Times. This approach focuses on securing scrums and moving forwards effectively to pressure the defense, but it demands accuracy since a lost scrum can be more costly than a missed penalty.

Leicester Tigers showcase forward dominance

The importance of scrums and forward play was highlighted in a recent match where Leicester Tigers defeated Northampton 28-7, according to The Guardian. The game featured four tries after halftime, demonstrating how effective forward strategies can influence match outcomes.

TOP 14 also sees rising scores

In France, the TOP 14 rugby league is also experiencing an increase in scoring, with 2,658 points scored in 49 matches after seven rounds of the 2026-2027 season, averaging 54.2 points per match, as reported by the LNR. This includes 346 tries, averaging 7.1 per match, though the Premiership still leads in scoring.

Caution needed in comparing leagues

Comparing the two leagues should be done with care, as the averages are based on different competitions and only a limited start of the season, according to The Times. High scores do not necessarily indicate the same level of quality or strategy, as they can result from different factors like defensive errors.

England's coach faces adaptation challenge

For England's national team coach Steve Borthwick, the challenge lies in adjusting to potential differences in refereeing standards between the Premiership and international rugby, as noted by The Times. The team must focus on maintaining possession and patience, as high-scoring club matches do not always translate to success in more tightly contested international games.