The Rugby Paper Podcast

Following a comfortable win in torrential conditions against Australia, the Red Roses are just two wins away from being crowned world champions for the third time! To preview their semi-final fixture against Canada, Rocky Clark rejoins host Ollie Little as they welcome England lock and World Player of the Year in 2021, Zoe Aldcroft.

With rugby in a tough spot at present, a cracking autumn series will no doubt remind us of the beauty of our sport. Some tasty North vs South clashes await, not least for the Springboks, who will face Ireland, France, Italy and England over the course of their tour. Joining host Ollie Little, as well as columnists Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher to weigh up their chances is former South Africa...

Safe to say that 70 minutes was not long enough for this episode - a full house of columnists (Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett) join host Ollie Little with plenty to address following the demise of London Wasps as the financial crisis in the Gallagher Premiership deepens. The guys are joined by one of the all time greats, in former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick. Sean also give...

Pushed back a year due to the pandemic, the Women's Rugby World Cup 2021 is finally underway. The Red Roses put away a strong Fiji side on Saturday to kick off their campaign, and maintain their credentials as hot favourites for the title going into 'Le Crunch'. Joining host Ollie Little to look back at Saturday's match and preview the tournament is England's most capped player of all time, Rocky...

Amidst Gallagher Premiership crisis, Sale Sharks have enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign. They picked up their third consecutive league win against Exeter at the weekend, underscoring their play-off credentials. The man who secured that victory was Gallagher Premiership debutant Joe Carpenter, who joins host Ollie Little and Digital Editor Nick Powell to discuss the Sharks' prospects this s...

Some very sad and alarming news this week as Worcester Warriors went into administration amidst a financial crisis in the Gallagher Premiership. Here to discuss the outlook of the situation, host Ollie Little is joined by a full house of regular columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett. The guys welcome former Saracens Director of Rugby, Melbourne Storm owner and Harlequins and Wes...

This week's edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast turns its attention back to the Gallagher Premiership. Two rounds in and despite two defeats, there have been promising signs for Bath. To look ahead to Bath's season, as well as discuss injury resilience and Scotland rugby, joining host Ollie Little and Digital Editor for The Rugby Paper Nick Powell is Bath and Scotland centre Cameron Redpath. We apo...

Ahead of the United Rugby Championship resuming this weekend, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain and Chris Hewett are joined by Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth. The guys discuss the prospects of the Welsh regions and the challenges provided by the addition of the South African provinces, as well as comparing Erling Haaland to Matt Banahan!

Another full house for your 30th edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast! Ahead of the final mini series of games in The Rugby Championship and as a debt crisis hits Worcester and other English clubs leading up to the Gallagher Premiership season, host Ollie Little is joined by columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett. The guys welcome an Australian rugby Hall of Famer in the form of Mi...

The Rugby Paper Podcast ventures into the world of rugby's kicking game this week, as well as looking ahead to Bath's season. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain and Chris Hewett is former England full-back and kicking coach, and recently appointed Bath kicking coach Jon Callard. 

Columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewitt rejoin Ollie Little once again for a fascinating look at coaching in the modern game. The guys welcome former England coach Brian Ashton. Widely known as one of the most visionary coaches in the game of rugby, Brian presents some of his more recent non-traditional coaching philosophies.

One man who has well and truly lived the highs and lows of sport is Christian Wade. After years of terrorising defences in the Gallagher Premiership, Christian jetted to America to chance his arm in the NFL. Now, he is weighing up his next move, and joins Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett for what made for an unmissable episode!

For the first time ever on The Rugby Paper Podcast, a full house! Host Oliver Little is joined by columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to discuss the The Rugby Championship. One week into the tournament and New Zealand struggles continue, while Australia fought back to beat a resilient Argentina despite the notable absence of their stalwart captain, Michael Hooper. Joining the...

The focus of The Rugby Paper Podcast journeys across the pond for your next edition. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett is Head of Europe and the United Kingdom for the NFL and former World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper, who discusses comparisons he has been able to make through his own transition between the two sports, as well as the groundbreaking potential of...

Episode 24 of The Rugby Paper Podcast welcomes former Ireland fly-half Mick Quinn, basking in the success of his team's historic summer  in New Zealand. Together with host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett, Mick lays out Irish prospects for the World Cup next year. Mick also takes the liberty to lay into English life prospects in general. 

Points of discussion are in abundance in your next edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast after a fitting finale to the summer series. Host Ollie Little is rejoined by Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett as they welcome special guest, former England full-back, professional cricketer and rugby journalist Alastair Hignell. As well as discussing Ireland's phenomenal achievement in New Zealand and the pere...

Two weekends of summer tours have proved a microcosm of the very fine north/south divide at present. Australia vs England, New Zealand vs Ireland, South Africa vs Wales and Argentina vs Scotland are all locked at a win apiece. The Rugby Paper Podcast looks ahead to a weekend guaranteed of drama and unpredictability. To do so, Ollie Little is joined by columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett,...

Saturday's Gallagher Premiership Final was a wonderful occasion - not least if you are a Leicester Tigers fan! The Rugby Paper Podcast looks back at the final and the Gallagher Premiership season as a whole, as well as reviewing the England squad for their tour of Australia which was announced following a dismal showing against the Barbarians. Joining host Ollie Little to do this are regular colum...

Following a weekend of chaotic semi-final action, this week's instalment of The Rugby Paper Podcast previews the all-important Gallagher Premiership Final between Leicester Tigers and Saracens. Joining host Ollie Little is columnist for The Rugby Paper and podcast debutant Chris Hewett as well special guest former England scrum-half and World Cup winner Kyran Bracken. 

Your next edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast discusses the United Rugby Championship. The URC is undergoing something of a revolution, with the addition of four South African provinces this season. Two South African sides made it to the semi-finals, however with all four Welsh regions missing out on quarter-final spots. Joining Ollie Little, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher to debate this imbalance...

This week, host Ollie Little and Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock are joined by Scotland international and Saracens back row Andy Christie to discuss the all important denouement for the Gallagher Premiership 2022 season, chaotic international call-ups, Love Island and more.

Episode 17 tackles one of the most pressing issues in English men's rugby. An already-shrinking grassroots game has been hit by the pandemic and needs as much support as it can get in order for the top levels of rugby to not be affected. Discussing what needs to be done, host Ollie Little is joined by columnists Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher, as well as two time British and Irish Lion Peter Wint...

A special family occasion for this week's episode of The Rugby Paper Podcast. Host Ollie Little is treated to the company of Leicester Tigers and England prop Joe Heyes, his father, former Nottingham Forest professional goalkeeper Darren Heyes, and his grandfather, former Leicester City and Swansea goalkeeper George Heyes. The episode includes discussion on Leicester's prospects ahead of a potenti...

For The Rugby Paper Podcast this week, host Ollie Little, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock and Digital Editor Ben Redwood are joined by Bristol Bears stalwart Jake Woolmore. Being the first Bear to 100 caps is just one of many feats on the loosehead's resume, as we find out in discussing his work as a barber and his gin brand (listen for a discount code).  In Mental Health Awareness Week, we also disc...

Grand Slam champions! The Red Roses secured the Six Nations title, in France on Saturday finishing the tournament unbeaten and scoring a record 282 points. Post-celebrations, England captain Sarah Hunter joins host Ollie Little and record-breaker Rocky Clark to review the tournament, look ahead to the World Cup as well as discuss dentistry and voodoo dolls...