The Rugby Paper Podcast

CHRISTIAN DAY | Italy v England Six Nations preview | MasterChef to RPA leader | Rugby Paper Roundup | Six Nations 2026 In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by one of rugby’s most influential player voices — RPA General Secretary Christian Day — for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the pitch. From cooking under pressure on Master...

ENGLAND v IRELAND | Twickenham Response or Irish Statement? | ft Pat McCarry | The Rugby Paper Roundup In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Irish rugby writer Pat McCarry to preview a huge Six Nations showdown at Twickenham. England’s 12-match unbeaten run is over. Grand Slam hopes are gone. Suddenly Steve Borthwick’s side are under pressure...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by the king of rugby compilations, Andrew Forde, to break down the biggest stories heading into Round Two of the Six Nations. The pair react to England’s team news ahead of Saturday — with Maro Itoje returning, Luke Cowan-Dickie coming in for Jamie George, and Fin Smith handed the No.10 shirt — before making...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Ben Coles from The Observer to discuss the first round of Six Nations matches, team news across all nations, and the pair make their round 1 predictions. Coles also shares what stood out when he was recently face to face with South Africa's prestigious leader, Rassie Erasmus, in Cape Town. You can subscr...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Pau No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu to discuss Uini Atonio's sudden retirement, France's mind boggling selection calls and what's life like in the Top 14. Carwyn stresses the need for more personalities in the game through the use of social media and also gives an insight into what's life like inside one of rugby'...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Huw Griffin from HG Rugby to discuss further turmoil off the pitch for the Welsh regions in the URC, while the pair also assess Wales', Scotland's and France's Six Nations squads, and the headline names who have failed to make the cut. Ben and Huw also pay tribute to Jamie George, who will be hanging up...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby columnist Paul Williams to discuss the breaking news that Scott Robertson has been sacked by New Zealand, how Bristol Bears are flying in the Champions Cup and how Cardiff could be a shining light for Wales, offering some much needed positivity amidst a turbulent time for Welsh rugby. You can subsc...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Sale Sharks winger Obi Ene to discuss this weekend's Champions Cup fixtures, which include the tyro player's first European start in the battle of the Sharks as Sale meets Durban. The pair also discuss the newly rebranded Champ as Obi talks us through the brilliance of the second tier and the future of t...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by the Rugby Coach Weekly editor Dan Cottrell to reflect on last week's European Champions Cup action, this weekend's Prem fixtures, which includes a blockbuster Big Game 17, and how the sport's coaching is constantly evolving. Check out the Rugby Coach Weekly's YouTube channel here: @RugbyCoachWeekly You c...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by the RugbyAnalyst to reflect on the final Autumn Nations Series before next year's Nations Championship commences, and how Premiership Rugby clubs can capitalise on England's recent success on the continent. Check out the RugbyAnalyst's YouTube channel here: ‪@rugbyanalyst‬ You can subscribe to The Rugby...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by RugbyAsia24/7 Editor Steve Noble to talk through all things Japan, as well as why South Africa can't ignore Steve Borthwick's red-hot England, and the legendary Siya Kolisi! You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link ( https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Sportswriter and Producer Pat McCarry to talk through Ireland's upcoming match against South Africa, and why so many teams are fearful of Steve Borthwick's red-hot England! You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link ( https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by TRP writer Joseph Terry to discuss all things Champ Rugby and BUCS Super Rugby! 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 at the end of the video! Remember to follow us across s...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by former Fiji international Nemani Nadolo as Steve Borthwick's men prepare to take on the Flying Fijians at Twickenham on November 8. The boys preview the match and talk all things Fiji, as well as some interesting stories from Nemani's playing career, which included stints at Leicester Tigers, Montpellier...

What a Super Saturday to close what's been a truly fantastic edition of the Six Nations! Drama, superb tries and headlines typified what's been two superb months of action.  Join host Ollie Little and the full house of Rugby Paper columnists to review the weekend, discussing the potential start of an era of French dominance, whether Peato Mauvaka should have seen red and where Wales can go now.  T...

After a cracking weekend of rugby in which the championship tilted in French favour following their stunning win in Dublin, Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain are joined by Wales and British & Irish Lions winger Alex Cuthbert to review the weekend and preview Super Saturday.  The guys look back at the weekend, discussing France and particularly Louis Bielle-Biarrey's attacking talen...

A slightly new dynamic for you all today - host Ollie Little has given the columnists the week off! He is joined by Italy, Benetton and former Harlequins winger Louis Lynagh for a general life chit chat! The guys discuss Louis's whirlwind move from England training squads into the Italy starting lineup, gym and Call of Duty and of course previewing a tantalising Six Nations R4!

Three fixtures told three hugely different stories in the third round of the 2025 Six Nations. Ireland held off a promising performance from Wales, England scraped past Scotland for the first time in five years and France broke records in bouncing back to beat Italy.  Plenty to discuss as always, as the podcast debates whether England got lucky against Scotland and if Finn Russell is losing grip o...

It's almost time for the third round of the 2025 Six Nations, and the headline fixture of the weekend takes place at Twickenham as England host Scotland.  With the fixture's winner set for a position to make a charge at winning the Championship and competition for British Lions spots coming up, the stakes couldn't be higher.  Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain...

A weekend full of statement wins and in the aftermath, a mid-tournament coaching departure. Join the guys to review how England got the job done at Twickenham against a wasteful French side, as well as discussing Ireland's damning 11th consective victory over Scotland. For Wales, a record low 14th straight defeat; news broke of Warren Gatland's departure as head coach just an hour before the guys...

Three home wins marked the start of the 2025 Six Nations as France thrashed Wales, Scotland conquered Italy and Ireland saw off England. So much to look back on and look forward to as Round Two looks even more tantalising.  Will England stick or twist with their selection? Is Antoine Dupont getting even better? Does defeat for Wales this weekend spell the end? Scotland or Ireland?! Joining host Ol...

Here. We. Go. The Six Nations is just two sleeps away and we can't wait! Join host Ollie Little and a special panel of Rugby Paper columnists Chris Hewett and Nick Cain, but also Richard Isaac from the Rugby Analyst as the guys welcome England, British & Irish Lions and Bath legend Jerry Guscott to preview the Championships. Is third place a success for England? Will there be a Grand Slam winn...

What to make of that Champions Cup weekend? On one hand we saw a classic in Northampton's victory over Munster, however the issues with the tournament were highlighted by Toulouse and Bordeaux's drubbings of Leicester and the Sharks, who crashed out at the group stage along with the other South African sides. How can the tournament become more competitive? Is the schedule too much for Springbok si...

Join Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett for this week's Rugby Paper Podcast edition, recorded just half an hour after it was announced that Maro Itoje would be England's captain for the Six Nations.  The guys react to the England squad announcement before welcoming on former Fiji and Glasgow Warriors scrum half and winger Niko Matawalu. Just as he was on the rugby pitch, Niko is pure...

Happy new year one and all and welcome back to the Rugby Paper Podcast! We hope you had a restful holiday season and are as excited as we are about the year of rugby ahead. Kicking off a Lions year in style with the Six Nations just a month away, the guys are joined by former Australia, Northampton Saints, Waratahs and now Narbonne winger Taqele Naiyaravoro. The gang discuss his time in England, h...