# 2012–13 Premiership Rugby

The 2012–13 Aviva Premiership was the 26th season of the top-flight English domestic rugby union competition and the third one to be sponsored by Aviva. The reigning champions entering the season were Harlequins, who had claimed their first title after defeating Leicester Tigers in the 2012 final. London Welsh had been promoted as champions from the 2011–12 RFU Championship, their first promotion to the top flight.

## Summary

Leicester Tigers won their tenth title after defeating Northampton Saints in the final at Twickenham, having finished second in the regular season table. London Welsh were relegated, in part, for having received a 5-point deduction for fielding a player who did not hold an Effective Registration. It was the first time that London Welsh had been relegated from the top flight since they first achieved promotion.
As usual, round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham, the ninth instance since its inception in 2004.

## Rule changes

For the second consecutive season, significant changes were made to the Premiership's salary cap. Last season, "academy credits" were introduced, giving each team a £30,000 cap credit for each of up to eight home-grown players in the senior squad. This season, the team cap rose for the first time since the 2008–09 season when it was increased from £2.2 million to £4 million. The new cap is £4.26 million before academy credits and up to £4.5 million with credits. In addition, each team was allowed to sign one player whose salary did not count against the cap.

## Teams

Twelve teams compete in the league – the top eleven teams from the previous season and London Welsh, who were promoted from the 2011–12 RFU Championship to the top flight for the first time. They replaced Newcastle Falcons, who were relegated after fifteen years in the top flight.

### Stadiums and locations

| Club | Director of Rugby/Head Coach | Captain | Kit Supplier | Stadium | Capacity | City/Area |
| Bath | Gary Gold | Stuart Hooper | Puma | The Recreation Ground | 12,300 | Bath |
| Exeter Chiefs | Rob Baxter | Tommy Hayes | Samurai Sportswear | Sandy Park | 10,744 | Exeter |
| Gloucester | Nigel Davies | Jim Hamilton | KooGa | Kingsholm | 16,500 | Gloucester |
| Harlequins | Conor O'Shea | Chris Robshaw | O'Neills | Twickenham Stoop | 14,816 | Twickenham, Greater London |
| Leicester Tigers | Richard Cockerill | Geordan Murphy | Canterbury | Welford Road | 24,000 | Leicester |
| London Irish | Brian Smith | Declan Danaher | ISC | Madejski Stadium | 24,250 | Reading |
| London Wasps | Dai Young | Hugo Southwell | Kukri Sports | Adams Park | 10,516 | High Wycombe |
| London Welsh | Lyn Jones | Jonathan Mills | Samurai Sportswear | Kassam Stadium | 12,500 | Oxford |
| Northampton Saints | Jim Mallinder | Dylan Hartley | BURRDA | Franklin's Gardens | 13,591 | Northampton |
| Sale Sharks | Bryan Redpath | David Seymour | Canterbury | AJ Bell Stadium | 12,000 | Salford, Greater Manchester |
| Saracens | Mark McCall | Steve Borthwick | Nike | Allianz Park | 10,000 | Hendon, Greater London |
| Worcester Warriors | Richard Hill | Dean Schofield | Cotton Traders | Sixways Stadium | 12,068 | Worcester |

## Pre-season

Following a lengthy appeal, London Welsh successfully gained promotion to the Premiership, having contested the Professional Game Boards recommendation to refuse them entry based on the Minimum Standards Criteria. This meant that Newcastle Falcons were relegated, following their confirmation that they would not appeal the new decision.
The 2012 edition of the Premiership Rugby Sevens Series began on 13 July 2012 at The Stoop, continued on 20 July at Edgeley Park, and 26 July at Kingsholm. This was the first opportunity of the season for any of the teams competing in the Premiership to win a trophy. The finals were held on 3 August 2012 at The Recreation Ground, and the Series was won by London Irish.

## Table

2012–13 Premiership Rugby Table :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Saracens (SF) | 22 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 533 | 339 | +194 | 41 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 77 | Play-off place, Berth in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup |
| 2 | Leicester Tigers (C) | 22 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 538 | 345 | +193 | 56 | 29 | 7 | 5 | 74 | Play-off place, Berth in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup |
| 3 | Harlequins (SF) | 22 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 560 | 453 | +107 | 52 | 35 | 5 | 4 | 69 | Play-off place, Berth in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup |
| 4 | Northampton Saints (RU) | 22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 501 | 433 | +68 | 55 | 36 | 6 | 3 | 65 | Play-off place, Berth in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup |
| 5 | Gloucester | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 515 | 481 | +34 | 40 | 42 | 2 | 8 | 60 | Berth in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup |
| 6 | Exeter Chiefs | 22 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 542 | 446 | +96 | 51 | 43 | 4 | 5 | 59 | Berth in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup |
| 7 | Bath | 22 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 452 | 434 | +18 | 44 | 29 | 4 | 7 | 53 | 2013–14 European Challenge Cup |
| 8 | London Wasps | 22 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 511 | 528 | −17 | 47 | 51 | 4 | 8 | 48 | 2013–14 European Challenge Cup |
| 9 | London Irish | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 459 | 601 | −142 | 38 | 57 | 2 | 3 | 35 | 2013–14 European Challenge Cup |
| 10 | Sale Sharks | 22 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 377 | 596 | −219 | 37 | 53 | 2 | 3 | 35 | 2013–14 European Challenge Cup |
| 11 | Worcester Warriors | 22 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 422 | 547 | −125 | 35 | 59 | 3 | 8 | 33 | 2013–14 European Challenge Cup |
| 12 | London Welsh (R) | 22 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 412 | 619 | −207 | 30 | 67 | 1 | 7 | 23 | Relegated |
* ↑ Harlequins will also play a home game at Twickenham Stadium on 29 December 2012
* ↑ London Irish will also play a home game at Twickenham Stadium on 6 September 2014
* ↑ London Wasps will also play a home game at Twickenham Stadium on 1 September 2012
* ↑ Allianz Park was not ready until February 2013. Until that time, Saracens played their home fixtures in a variety of stadia including one game at Twickenham Stadium, one game at Wembley Stadium, one game at Stadium mk and three games at Vicarage Road
* ↑ Allianz Park typically has a capacity of 10,000 but this can be raised to 15,000 with temporary seating
* ↑ The champion of the Championship (Newcastle Falcons) are eligible for promotion.
* ↑ London Welsh were deducted 5 competition points for fielding a player who did not hold an Effective Registration.

## Regular season

Premiership Rugby announced the fixture list on 4 July 2012. As with previous seasons, Round 1 included the London Double Header at Twickenham.
Fixtures as per Premiership Rugby Match Centre.

### Round 1

* 1 September 2012 14:00
| London Wasps | 40–42 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Attendance: 63,102
* 1 September 2012 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 43–6 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 5,568
* 1 September 2012 15:00
| Gloucester | 19–24 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 11,817
* 1 September 2012 15:00
| Worcester Warriors | 23–24 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 7,847
* 1 September 2012 16:30
| Saracens | 40–3 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Attendance: 63,102
* 2 September 2012 14:00
| London Welsh | 13–38 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 6,850

### Round 2

* 7 September 2012 19:45
| Harlequins | 40–3 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 12,550
* 8 September 2012 14:15
| Bath | 30–23 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 10,438
* 8 September 2012 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 34–26 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 19,250
* 8 September 2012 15:00
| London Irish | 31–40 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 5,828
* 8 September 2012 16:30
| Sale Sharks | 16–23 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 7,451
* 9 September 2012 15:00
| Northampton Saints | 24–21 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* Franklin's Gardens Attendance: 12,230

### Round 3

* 14 September 2012 19:45
| Bath | 14–18 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 10,462
* 15 September 2012 13:30
| Worcester Warriors | 16–16 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 8,717
* 15 September 2012 15:00
| Harlequins | 37–14 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 13,432
* 15 September 2012 15:00
| London Wasps | 43–14 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Adams Park Attendance: 5,612
* 15 September 2012 15:30
| Saracens | 9–9 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Wembley Stadium Attendance: 41,063
* 16 September 2012 15:00
| London Welsh | 25–24 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 3,150

### Round 4

* 21 September 2012 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 19–29 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 7,479
* 22 September 2012 15:00
| London Irish | 29–22 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 7,324
* 22 September 2012 15:00
| Northampton Saints | 37–31 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Franklin's Gardens Attendance: 12,114
* 22 September 2012 15:15
| Gloucester | 29–22 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 10,782
* 22 September 2012 17:30
| Leicester Tigers | 9–22 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 20,354
* 23 September 2012 14:15
| Exeter Chiefs | 14–12 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 6,141

### Round 5

* 28 September 2012 19:45
| Northampton Saints | 24–6 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Franklin's Gardens Attendance: 12,955
* 28 September 2012 20:00
| Worcester Warriors | 35–11 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 8,418
* 29 September 2012 14:15
| Bath | 31–10 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 11,073
* 29 September 2012 14:15
| Leicester Tigers | 30–8 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 19,292
* 30 September 2012 14:00
| Harlequins | 16–18 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 14,224
* 30 September 2012 15:00
| London Welsh | 25–31 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 4,548

### Round 6

* 5 October 2012 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 8–20 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 8,212
* 6 October 2012 14:15
| Gloucester | 16–10 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 15,677
* 6 October 2012 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 42–28 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 8,472
* 6 October 2012 15:00
| London Irish | 39–17 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 7,918
* 7 October 2012 14:15
| London Welsh | 23–28 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 4,685
* 7 October 2012 15:00
| London Wasps | 10–6 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Adams Park Attendance: 5,232

### Round 7

* 26 October 2012 20:00
| Worcester Warriors | 23–16 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 8,669
* 27 October 2012 14:30
| Bath | 23–15 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 12,200
* 27 October 2012 15:00
| Northampton Saints | 6–16 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* Franklin's Gardens Attendance: 13,475
* 27 October 2012 16:45
| Gloucester | 27–21 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 15,110
* 28 October 2012 14:15
| London Irish | 28–31 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 10,247
* 28 October 2012 15:00
| London Wasps | 29–19 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Adams Park Attendance: 5,964

### Round 8

* 2 November 2012 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 21–9 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 5,723
* 3 November 2012 14:15
| Leicester Tigers | 16–12 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 24,000
* 3 November 2012 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 33–9 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 7,295
* 3 November 2012 17:15
| Harlequins | 28–25 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 14,517
* 4 November 2012 14:15
| Saracens | 29–24 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Vicarage Road Attendance: 6,466
* 4 November 2012 15:00
| London Welsh | 16–9 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 5,004

### Round 9

* 23 November 2012 19:45
| Bath | 21–18 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 11,666
* 23 November 2012 20:00
| Worcester Warriors | 12–3 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 8,848
* 24 November 2012 12:00
| Gloucester | 29–3 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 12,501
* 24 November 2012 13:00
| Northampton Saints | 23–16 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Franklin's Gardens Attendance: 11,695
* 25 November 2012 14:30
| London Wasps | 14–12 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Adams Park Attendance: 7,658
* 25 November 2012 15:00
| London Irish | 23–27 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 7,270

### Round 10

* 30 November 2012 19.45
| Harlequins | 22–19 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 11,630
* 30 November 2012 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 16–27 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 5,307
* 1 December 2012 12:30
| Leicester Tigers | 17–12 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 20,170
* 1 December 2012 13:00
| London Welsh | 15–9 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 3,750
* 1 December 2012 17:30
| Exeter Chiefs | 30–23 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 7,557
* 2 December 2012 15:00
| Saracens | 28–23 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Vicarage Road Attendance: 5,960

### Round 11

* 21 December 2012 20:00
| Worcester Warriors | 13–6 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 8,991
* 22 December 2012 14:15
| Bath | 0–22 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 12,200
* 22 December 2012 15:00
| Gloucester | 18–16 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 16,121
* 22 December 2012 15:00
| London Irish | 9–31 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 10,958
* 22 December 2012 15:00
| Northampton Saints | 9–18 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Franklin’s Gardens Attendance: 13,475
* 23 December 2012 15:00
| London Wasps | 25–18 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* Adams Park Attendance: 6,486

### Round 12

* 28 December 2012 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 33–27 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 6,347
* 29 December 2012 14:15
| Harlequins | 26–15 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Attendance: 82,000
* 29 December 2012 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 12–12 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 10,744
* 29 December 2012 15:00
| London Welsh | 15–34 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 10,045
* 29 December 2012 17:00
| Leicester Tigers | 17–12 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 24,000
* 30 December 2012 14:15
| Saracens | 17–16 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Stadium mk, Milton Keynes Attendance: 18,856

### Round 13

* 4 January 2013 20:00
| Worcester Warriors | 14–19 | Leicester Tigers |
| Try: Lemi 14' m Pen: Goode (3/4) 5', 21', 23' | Report | Try: Hamilton 39' m Penalty Try (2) 55' c, 79' c Con: Flood (2/3) 55', 79' |
* Sixways Stadium Attendance: 12,024 Referee: JP Doyle
* 5 January 2013 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 19–30 | Northampton Saints |
| Try: Naqelevuki 66' c Con: Mieres (1/1) 66' Pen: Steenson (4/4) 14', 39', 43',48' | Report | Try: Pisi 18' c Tongaʻuiha 58' c van Velze 74' c Con: Myler (3/3) 18', 58', 74' Pen: Myler (3/4) 28', 36', 46' |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 8,357 Referee: Greg Garner
* 5 January 2013 15:00
| Gloucester | 12–18 | London Irish |
| Pen: Burns (4/6) 1', 36', 57', 61' | Report | Try: Skivington (2) 22' m, 37' c Con: Shingler (1/2) 37' Pen: Shingler (1/3) 11' Homer (1/1) 71' |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 13,171 Referee: David Rose
* 6 January 2013 15:00
| London Wasps | 29–15 | Bath |
| Try: Wade 22' c Bell 72' c Con: Jones 40' Robinson 72' Pen: Jones 3', 21', 24', 54', 61' | Report | Try: Abendanon 1' m Claassens 14' c Con: Donald 15' Pen: Heathcote 42' |
* Adams Park Attendance: 7,046 Referee: Andrew Small
* 6 January 2013 15:00
| London Welsh | 26–31 | Harlequins |
| Try: Scott 63' c Jackson 72' c Con: Ross (2) 64', 72' Pen: Ross 30', 40', 55', 58' | Report | Try: Care 15' c Lowe 20' c Robshaw 38' c Evans 66' c Con: Evans (4) 16', 21' 39', 66' Pen: Evans 61' |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 4,653 Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
* 6 January 2013 15:00
| Saracens | 32–12 | Sale Sharks |
| Try: Strettle 63' c Hodgson 70' c Con: Farrell (2) 64', 70' Pen: Farrell 13', 17', 20', 23', 28', 53' | Report | Pen: Cipriani 4', 8', 50' 61' |
* Vicarage Road Attendance: 5,472 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

### Round 14

* 8 February 2013 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 21–16 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Try: Braid 17' m Cueto 55' c Con: Miller (1/2) Pen: Miller (1/1) 59' Cipriani (1/1) 65' Drop: Macleod (1/1) 77' | Report | Try: Votu 37' c Con: Steenson (1/1) Pen: Steenson (3/3) 15', 22', 44' |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 8,232 Referee: Greg Garner
* 9 February 2013 12:30
| Northampton Saints | 11–27 | Gloucester |
| Try: Dowson 54' m Con: Myler (0/1) Pen: Myler (2/3) 5', 27' | Report | Try: May (2) 19' m, 42' c Con: Cook (1/2) Pen: Cook (5/5) 8', 12', 32', 34', 73' |
* Franklin’s Gardens Attendance: 12,742 Referee: Martin Fox
* 9 February 2013 14:15
| Bath | 32–9 | Worcester Warriors |
| Try: Stringer 6' m Webber 23' m Biggs 53' m Agulla (2) 62' c, 77' c Con: Donald (0/3) Heathcote (2/2) Pen: Donald (1/1) 39' | Report | Pen: Gray (3/3) 13', 26', 37' |
* The Rec Attendance: 10,989 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* 9 February 2013 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 28–12 | London Welsh |
| Try: Thompstone 25' c Morris 58' c Bowden 79' m Con: Ford (2/2) Bowden (0/1) Pen: Ford (3/4) 5', 12', 37', | Report | Pen: Ross (4/5) 3', 49', 51', 57' Arscott (0/1) |
* Welford Road Attendance: 20,065 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 9 February 2013 15:00
| London Irish | 29–16 | Saracens |
| Try: Geraghty 53' c Treviranus 70' c Con: Homer (2/2) Pen: Homer (5/7) 5', 15', 35', 43', 61' | Report | Try: Strettle 66' c Con: Hodgson (1/1) Pen: Hodgson (3/4) 2', 8', 38' |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 9,245 Referee: Andrew Small
* 9 February 2013 20:00
| Harlequins | 16–17 | London Wasps |
| Try: Hopper 22' c Con: Evans (1/1) Pen: Evans (3/6) 18', 40', 71' | Report | Try: Varndell 8' c Wade 13' c Con: Robinson (2/2) Pen: Robinson (1/2) 60' Daly (0/2) |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 12,552 Referee: JP Doyle

### Round 15

* 16 February 2013 14:15
| Bath | 40–16 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 11,879 Referee: David Rose
* 16 February 2013 15:00
| Saracens | 31–11 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* Allianz Park Attendance: 9,997 Referee: Martin Fox
* 16 February 2013 15:00
| Worcester Warriors | 18–27 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 9,013 Referee: Greg Garner
* 16 February 2013 17:15
| Harlequins | 25–21 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 14,800 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* 17 February 2013 13:00
| London Wasps | 33–29 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Adams Park Attendance: 6,076 Referee: Andrew Small
* 17 February 2013 15:00
| London Welsh | 25–26 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 4,074 Referee: JP Doyle

### Round 16

* 22 February 2013 19:45
| Gloucester | 29–23 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 14,362 Referee: David Rose
* 22 February 2013 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 21–30 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 7,103 Referee: Martin Fox
* 23 February 2013 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 47–16 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 7,317 Referee: Andrew Small
* 23 February 2013 15:00
| Northampton Saints | 25–23 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Franklin’s Gardens Attendance: 12,291 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 23 February 2013 20:00
| Leicester Tigers | 27–32 | Saracens |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 20,728 Referee: JP Doyle
* 24 February 2013 15:00
| London Irish | 30–19 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 7,184 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

### Round 17

* 1 March 2013 20:00
| Bath | 31–25 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* The Rec Attendance: 11,953 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 1 March 2013 20:00
| Worcester Warriors | 29–23 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Sixways Attendance: 9,214 Referee: Greg Garner
* 2 March 2013 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 48–10 | Sale Sharks |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 20,585 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* 2 March 2013 15:00
| Northampton Saints | 40–14 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Franklin’s Gardens Attendance: 12,465 Referee: JP Doyle
* 2 March 2013 15:15
| Harlequins | 16–27 | Exeter Chiefs |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 14,800 Referee: David Rose
* 3 March 2013 14:15
| Saracens | 35–14 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Allianz Park Attendance: 9,968 Referee: Luke Pearce

### Round 18

* 22 March 2013 20:00
| Sale Sharks | 14–13 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 6,541 Referee: JP Doyle
* 23 March 2013 15:00
| Gloucester | 15–14 | London Welsh |
| | Report | |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 14,627 Referee: Martin Fox
* 23 March 2013 15:00
| London Irish | 26–6 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 19,523 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* 23 March 2013 15:15
| London Wasps | 24–26 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Adams Park Attendance: 7,193 Referee: David Rose
* 23 March 2013 17:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 9–12 | Leicester Tigers |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 10,427 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 24 March 2013 14:00
| Saracens | 27–12 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Allianz Park Attendance: 9,996 Referee: Greg Garner

### Round 19

* 29 March 2013 19:45
| Gloucester | 17–15 | Harlequins |
| Try: May 44' c Qera 70' c Con: Burns (2/2) Pen: Burns (1/2) 20' | Report | Try: Buchanan 8' m Smith 23' c Con: Evans (1/2) Pen: Evans (1/1) 55' Cards: Joe Gray 68' to 78' |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 14,699 Referee: JP Doyle
* 30 March 2013 14.15
| Bath | 40–25 | London Welsh |
| Try: Banahan 1' m Fearns 8' m Rokoduguni 40' c Agulla 64' c Claassens 78' c Con: Donald (1/3) Heathcote (2/2) Pen: Donald (2/2) 21', 63' Heathcote (1/1) 75' | Report | Try: Jewell 69' c Con: Davies (1/1) Pen: Davies (6/7) 23', 27', 30', 43', 48', 55' |
* The Rec Attendance: 11,621 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 30 March 2013 15:00
| London Wasps | 13–22 | Saracens |
| Try: Wade 9' c Con: Jones (1/1) Pen: Daly (2/2) 7', 12' Cards: Sakaria Taulafo 69' to 79' | Report | Try: Wyles 16' m Ashton 68' m Con: Farrell (0/2) Pen: Farrell (4/5) 26', 62', 70', 78' Cards: Mouritz Botha 40' to 50' |
* Adams Park Attendance: 8,078 Referee: Martin Fox
* 30 March 2013 15:00
| Northampton Saints | 8–36 | Leicester Tigers |
| Try: Myler 57' m Con: Myler (0/1) Pen: Myler (1/1) 12' Cards: Courtney Lawes 36' to 46' | Report | Try: Tuilagi (2) 41' m, 61' c Morris 70' c Tait 74' m Con: Flood (2/3) Ford (0/1) Pen: Flood (4/4) 9', 18', 28', 37' Cards: Niall Morris 53' to 63' |
* Franklin’s Gardens Attendance: 13,479 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* 30 March 2013 15:00
| Worcester Warriors | 18–24 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Try: Kvesic 46' m Drauniniu 59' c Con: Goode (1/2) Pen: Goode (2/3) 2', 12' Cards: Josh Matavesi 69' to 79' | Report | Try: Arscott 5' c Steenson 20' c Mumm 76' c Con: Steenson (3/3) Pen: Steenson (1/2) 46' |
* Sixways Attendance: 9,130 Referee: David Rose
* 31 March 2013 14:15
| London Irish | 33–33 | Sale Sharks |
| Try: Armitage 2' c Aulika 9' c Lahiff 53' c Con: Homer (3/3) Pen: Homer (4/5) 31', 33', 55', 65' | Report | Try: Thomas 19' c Cueto 26' m Myall 40' c Gaskell 45' m Con: Macleod (2/4) Pen: Macleod (3/3) 6', 43', 79' |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 6,968 Referee: Greg Garner

### Round 20

* 12 April 2013 19:45
| Sale Sharks | 32–9 | Gloucester |
| Try: Leota 1' m Peel (2) 6' c, 74' m Shephard 39' c Cueto 80' m Con: Macleod (2/3) Cipriani (0/2) Pen: Macleod (1/1) 30' | Report | Pen: Burns (3/5) 5', 15', 54' |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 8,023 Referee: David Rose
* 13 April 2013 14:15
| Harlequins | 23–9 | Bath |
| Try: Care 45' c Monye 63' c Con: Botica (2/2) Pen: Botica (2/2) 31', 56' Evans (1/1) 34' | Report | Pen: Donald (2/2) 5', 40' Devoto (1/1) 22' |
* The Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 14,326 Referee: Wayne Barnes
* 13 April 2013 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 27–6 | London Irish |
| Try: Jess 61' m Ewers 77' c Con: Steenson (0/1) Slade (1/1) Pen: Steenson (5/6) 14', 30', 33', 37' 53' | Report | Pen: Homer (1/1) 21' Humphreys (1/1) 58' |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 8,986 Referee: Martin Fox
* 14 April 2013 15:00
| London Welsh | 14–31 | Northampton Saints |
| Try: Scott 30' c Browne 70' c Con: Davies (1/1) Ross (1/1) | Report | Try: May (2) 36' m, 39' m Burrell (2) 44' m, 78' c Con: Myler (0/3) Lamb (1/1) Pen: Myler (3/3) 2', 5', 34' |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 5,621 Referee: Greg Garner
* 14 April 2013 15:00
| Saracens | 47–17 | Worcester Warriors |
| Try: Strettle (3) 9' m, 19' c, 23' m Nieto 54' c Ashton 74' c Wray 79' c Con: Hodgson (4/6) Pen: Hodgson (3/4) 5', 15', 69' | Report | Try: Drauininu 27' c Kvesic 48' c Con: Gray (2/2) Pen: Gray (1/1) 3' |
* Allianz Park Attendance: 9,995 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 14 April 2013 15:45
| Leicester Tigers | 35–16 | London Wasps |
| Try: Youngs (2) 22' m, 44' c Kitchener 26' m Hawkins 36' m Thompstone 59' c Con: Flood (2/5) Pen: Flood (2/3) 14', 19' | Report | Try: Daly 63' c Con: Bell (1/1) Pen: Bell (2/2) 30', 40' Daly (1/1) 53' |
* Welford Road Attendance: 24,000 Referee: JP Doyle

### Round 21

* 20 April 2013 14:15
| Bath | 27–26 | Leicester Tigers |
| Try: Taylor 8' c Rokoduguni 17' m Agulla 38' c Louw 73' m Con: Devoto (1/2) Donald (1/1) Heathcote (0/1) Pen: Donald (0/2) Heathcote (1/2) | Report | Try: Croft 13' c Youngs 25' c Con: Flood (2/2) Pen: Flood (4/4) 5', 20', 48', 53' |
* The Rec Attendance: 12,200 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| Gloucester | 28–23 | Saracens |
| Try: May (2) 8' m, 30' c Morgan 61' c Con: Burns (2/3) Pen: Burns (3/4) 4', 37', 80' | Report | Try: Tomkins (2) 20' c, 69' c Con: Farrell (2/2) Pen: Farrell (3/3) 11', 27', 60' |
* Kingsholm Attendance: 15,537 Referee: JP Doyle
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| London Irish | 47–28 | London Welsh |
| Try: Armitage (2) 8' c, 68' c Aulika (2) 36' c, 42' c Hala'ufia 38' m Tagicakibau 61' c Garvey 66' c Con: Humphreys (6/7) | Report | Try: Stegmann 19' m Scott 31' c Bateman 74' c Con: Ross (2/3) Pen: Ross (3/5) 7', 46', 49' |
* Madejski Stadium Attendance: 11,716 Referee: Dean Richards
* 20 April 2013 15:00
| Worcester Warriors | 26–42 | Harlequins |
| Try: Pennell 14' c Grove 41' c Con: Goode (2/2) Pen: Goode (4/4) 21', 23', 40', 46', | Report | Try: Evans (2) 18' c, 65' c Williams 31' m Care (2) 37' m, 50' m Brown 71' c Con: Evans (3/6) Pen: Evans (2/2) 15', 55' |
* Sixways Attendance: 11,579 Referee: Martin Fox
* 20 April 2013 17:45
| Northampton Saints | 47–7 | Sale Sharks |
| Try: Wood 22' c Dickson 30' c Burrell 34' m Elliott (2) 56' m, 65' m Wilson (2) 70' c, 79' m Con: Myler (2/3) Lamb (1/3) Pen: Myler (2/2) 12', 16' | Report | Try: Gaskell 80' c Con: Cipriani (1/1) |
* Franklin’s Gardens Attendance: 13,493 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 21 April 2013 14:00
| London Wasps | 24–37 | Exeter Chiefs |
| Try: Wade 29' c Southwell 49' c Varndell 79' c Con: Jones (2/2) Bell (1/1) Pen: Jones (0/1) Daly (1/1) 6' | Report | Try: Yeandle 12' c Nowell 19' c Welch 41' c Thomas 56' c Con: Steenson (4/4) Pen: Steenson (3/5) 10', 24', 66' |
* Adams Park Attendance: 7,197 Referee: Wayne Barnes

### Round 22

All games in Round 22 kicked off at 15.00 on 4 May 2013, so as to not give any team a potential advantage with regards to knowing how to achieve a play-off berth, Heineken Cup place, or safety from relegation.
* 4 May 2013 15:00
| Exeter Chiefs | 40–39 | Gloucester |
| | Report | |
* Sandy Park Attendance: 10,744 Referee: Greg Garner
* 4 May 2013 15:00
| Harlequins | 22–19 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Twickenham Stoop Attendance: 14,800 Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
* 4 May 2013 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 32–20 | London Irish |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 24,000 Referee: Luke Pearce
* 4 May 2013 15:00
| London Welsh | 33–22 | Worcester Warriors |
| | Report | |
* Kassam Stadium Attendance: 3,610 Referee: Matt Carley
* 4 May 2013 15:00
| Sale Sharks | 21–20 | London Wasps |
| | Report | |
* Salford City Stadium Attendance: 9,783 Referee: Dean Richards
* 4 May 2013 15:00
| Saracens | 23–14 | Bath |
| | Report | |
* Allianz Park Attendance: 9,998 Referee: Martin Fox

## Play-offs

As in previous seasons, the top four teams in the Premiership table, following the conclusion of the regular season, contest the play-off semi-finals in a 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd format, with the higher ranking team having home advantage. The two winners of the semi-finals then meet in the Premiership Final at Twickenham on 25 May 2013.

### Bracket

| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final | Final |
| 1 | Leicester Tigers | 33 | | | |
| 4 | Harlequins | 16 | | | |
| 4 | Harlequins | 16 | 1 | Leicester Tigers | 37 |
| | | | 3 | Northampton Saints | 17 |
| 2 | Saracens | 13 | 3 | Northampton Saints | 17 |
| 3 | Northampton Saints | 27 | | | |

### Semi-finals

* 11 May 2013 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 33–16 | Harlequins |
| | Report | |
* Welford Road Attendance: 20,243 Referee: Greg Garner
* 12 May 2013 15:00
| Saracens | 13–27 | Northampton Saints |
| | Report | |
* Allianz Park Attendance: 9,998 Referee: JP Doyle

### Final

The final was contested at Twickenham on 25 May 2013 between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints with Leicester winning 37–17. Northampton captain Dylan Hartley was sent off for using foul and abusive language just before half-time after calling referee Wayne Barnes a "f*****g cheat" . This was the first time a player has ever been red carded in a Premiership Final, as was said by the commentators during the match.
* 25 May 2013 15:00
| Leicester Tigers | 37–17 | Northampton Saints |
| Try: Morris 8' c, Kitchener 48', Tuilagi 66', Goneva 74' Con: Flood (1/1) Ford (0/3) Pen: Flood 5' Ford 40+2', 56', 81' | Report | Try: Myler 15', Foden 44', Dickson 57' c Con: Myler (1/3) Red Card: Hartley 40+1' |
* Twickenham Attendance: 81,703 Referee: Wayne Barnes
Team details :
| FB | 15 | Mathew Tait |
| RW | 14 | Niall Morris |
| OC | 13 | Manu Tuilagi |
| IC | 12 | Anthony Allen |
| LW | 11 | Vereniki Goneva 75' |
| FH | 10 | Toby Flood (c) 24' |
| SH | 9 | Ben Youngs 75' |
| N8 | 8 | Jordan Crane 73' |
| OF | 7 | Julian Salvi |
| BF | 6 | Tom Croft |
| RL | 5 | Geoff Parling |
| LL | 4 | Graham Kitchener 56' |
| TP | 3 | Dan Cole 68' |
| HK | 2 | Tom Youngs 68' |
| LP | 1 | Logovi'i Mulipola 75' |
| Substitutions: ||
| HK | 16 | Rob Hawkins 68' |
| PR | 17 | Fraser Balmain 75' |
| PR | 18 | Martin Castrogiovanni 68' |
| LK | 19 | Ed Slater 56' |
| FL | 20 | Steve Mafi 73' |
| SH | 21 | Sam Harrison 75' |
| FH | 22 | George Ford 24' |
| WG | 23 | Matt Smith 75' |
| Coach: ||
| Richard Cockerill ||
| FB | 15 | Ben Foden 68' |
| RW | 14 | Ken Pisi |
| OC | 13 | James Wilson |
| IC | 12 | Luther Burrell |
| LW | 11 | Jamie Elliott 40' |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Myler 68' |
| SH | 9 | Lee Dickson 68' |
| N8 | 8 | Samu Manoa |
| OF | 7 | Tom Wood |
| BF | 6 | Phil Dowson 68' |
| RL | 5 | Christian Day 60' |
| LL | 4 | Courtney Lawes |
| TP | 3 | Brian Mujati 57' |
| HK | 2 | Dylan Hartley (c) 40+1' |
| LP | 1 | Soane Tongaʻuiha 56' |
| Substitutions: ||
| HK | 16 | Mike Haywood 40' |
| PR | 17 | Alex Waller 56' |
| PR | 18 | Tom Mercey 57' |
| FL | 19 | Ben Nutley 68' |
| LK | 20 | Gerrit-Jan van Velze 60' |
| SH | 21 | Martin Roberts 68' |
| FH | 22 | Ryan Lamb 68' |
| FB | 23 | George Pisi 68' |
| Coach: ||
| Jim Mallinder ||

## Leading scorers

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.