Podcast

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s Podcast news, interviews, opinion and other content.

Series 3, Episode 9: RWC Round 2 review and Round 3 preview with James Hook

19 September 2023 0 comments

Two weeks down and we can’t wait for the next six! A polarising England performance and a historic win for Fiji among the headlines, the […]

Series 3, Episode 8: Rugby World Cup opening round review with Scott Hastings

12 September 2023 0 comments

France light up Paris. George Ford revives England. The battle of Bordeaux. How about that for an opening weekend? Plenty of talking points as South […]

Series 3, Episode 7: Rugby World Cup Preview with Jeremy Guscott

6 September 2023 0 comments

Here. We. Go. The Rugby World Cup 2023 is upon us, and we can’t wait! It’s time to look ahead the tournament as a whole, […]

Series 3, Episode 6: Scotland’s World Cup prospects and England crisis deepens with Duncan Hodge

29 August 2023 0 comments

We are just over a week away! England‘s first ever loss to Fiji marked the low point of their World Cup preparations as Steve Borthwick […]

Series 3, Episode 5: Argentina’s World Cup prospects and Farrell and Vunipola bans with Marcelo Bosch

24 August 2023 0 comments

Following their respective suspensions, Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell will miss the start of the World Cup this year as England‘s preparations continue to falter. […]

Series 3, Episode 4: Australia’s World Cup prospects and Owen Farrell’s red card with David Campese

15 August 2023 0 comments

The Rugby World Cup 2023 draws ever closer and following another weekend of preparation fixtures, things are hotting up. Eddie Jones named man-mountain Will Skelton […]

Series 3, Episode 3: South Africa’s World Cup prospects with Hennie Le Roux and England release World Cup squad

7 August 2023 0 comments

Continuing our review series of the major nations in the lead-up to the World Cup later this year in France, today the guys look at […]

Series 3, Episode 2: Ireland’s World Cup Prospects with Willie Anderson

1 August 2023 0 comments

As we continue our overview of how the major nations are shaping up for the World Cup in France later this year, it’s time to […]

Series 3, Episode 1: Italy’s World Cup prospects with Tommy Allan

27 July 2023 0 comments

The Rugby Paper Podcast has officially entered its third season as we begin the run-up to the 2023 World Cup. The guys will be looking […]

Series 2, Episode 27: Unity through rugby with Trevor Ringland

13 July 2023 0 comments

On this week’s edition of the podcast former Ulster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions winger Trevor Ringland MBE discusses playing for an Ulster team […]

Series 2 Episode 26: Championship future, U20 World Cup and building up to the main event

5 July 2023 0 comments

On this week’s edition of the podcast, Brendan and Chris assess Simon Halliday’s comments on the future of the English second tier, which featured on […]

Series 2, Episode 25: Mal O’Kelly on Ireland’s World Cup prospects and Leinster’s end to the season

28 June 2023 0 comments

This week on The Rugby Paper Podcast, joining host Ollie Little, columnists Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher and Digital Editor Nick Powell, Mal O’Kelly discusses […]

Series 2, Episode 24: European Cup format and reattempting an England XV

21 June 2023 0 comments

This week on the Rugby Paper Podcast, host Ollie Little is joined by columnists Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett to discuss the format […]

Series 2, Episode 23: Topsy Ojo on London Irish’s suspension from the Prem

16 June 2023 0 comments

London Irish have officially become the third club to be suspended from the Gallagher Premiership this season. The Exiles demise subsequently means that the English […]

Series 2, Episode 22: Nick Abendanon on his career and French vs English domestic rugby, tributes to David Emery

7 June 2023 0 comments

In April earlier this year Bath and Clermont legend Nick Abendanon called time on a stellar 17-year career. Nick joins host Ollie Little as well […]

Series 2 Episode 21: Sarries back on top, London Irish discussion and Premiership season review

31 May 2023 0 comments

A memorable Gallagher Premiership season (for many of the wrong reasons) is done and dusted as Saracens have reclaimed their throne following a turbulent two […]

Series 2, Episode 20: Gallagher Premiership Final Preview with Alex Lozowski

22 May 2023 0 comments

It was a great weekend in Europe for French rugby with a resounding Challenge Cup win for Toulon and a one-point victory for La Rochelle […]

Series 2, Episode 19: Wayne Barnes on the World Cup, social media and bilingualism

16 May 2023 0 comments

World Rugby has announced its refereeing roster for the 2023 World Cup, and it was no surprise to see the highest-capped test referee of all […]

Series 2 Episode 18 – Mark Cueto on Sale Sharks, Martin Johnson, the England back three and more

11 May 2023 0 comments

In a wonderfully chaotic episode of the Rugby Paper Podcast, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by […]

Series 2, Episode 17: Irish superiority in Europe with Stephen Ferris

1 May 2023 0 comments

In a blockbuster weekend of rugby, the Red Roses claimed the Grand Slam in a record-breaking decider at HQ, and La Rochelle and Leinster set […]

Goalkicking needs better coaching – Muir

28 April 2023 0 comments

Red Roses prop Maud Muir says that the key to improved goalkicking in the women’s game is more emphasis on coaching the skill, not a […]

Series 2 Episode 16 – Maud Muir on Six Nations decider and record-breaker

25 April 2023 0 comments

This weekend’s Women’s Six Nations decider is set to set a new record for attendance at a standalone women’s rugby fixture. The Red Roses and […]

England can’t win World Cup with Farrell – Barkley

21 April 2023 0 comments

Olly Barkley has called for Marcus Smith’s immediate inclusion into the England team, saying he does not believe they can win a World Cup with […]

Series 2 Episode 15: Who should start at 10 for England with Olly Barkley

17 April 2023 0 comments

Of all positional debates in English rugby at the moment, the one at fly-half is one of the most unanswered and without doubt the most […]

Series 2, Episode 14: The story of former England flanker Tom Rees and Champions Cup action

13 April 2023 0 comments

This week’s special guest has been on a journey that has been nothing short of remarkable. Billed as a future England captain by many, Wasps […]

England response pleases Alphonsi

7 April 2023 0 comments

Former Red Roses captain Maggie Alphonsi is impressed with the way England have bounced back from their World Cup Final defeat in their first two […]

Series 2, Episode 13: Red Roses resurgence and Champions Cup action with Maggie Alphonsi

3 April 2023 0 comments

Champions Cup and Women’s Six Nations action made for a fantastic weekend of rugby to say the least. To reflect on the Red Roses‘ opening […]

Series 2 Episode 12: World Rugby tournament prospects and Champions Cup Round of 16 preview

28 March 2023 0 comments

Plans for a World Rugby tournament that will culminate every two years in a grand final between the top side in the Northern and Southern […]

Series 2 Episode 11 – Ireland Grand Slam Glory with Willie John McBride

20 March 2023 0 comments

Congratulations to Ireland, who secured a deserved Grand Slam against England at on St Patrick’s day weekend – we can only imagine how the party […]

England can still win World Cup – Robinson

17 March 2023 0 comments

By Nick Powell Andy Robinson believes that England can still win the World Cup, but must solve the question of who will be playing in […]

Series 2, Episode 10: Andy Robinson on England woes

16 March 2023 0 comments

England‘s Six Nations trajectory took a downhill turn on Saturday following a record home defeat at the hands of the French. Less than six months […]

‘Jackling? You’ve got to be mad’ – Cotton

10 March 2023 2 comments

England and Lions legend Fran Cotton has called for a return to conventional rucking as the best way to increase the safety of rugby in […]

Series 2 Episode 9 – Looking ahead to Six Nations Round 4 with Fran Cotton

8 March 2023 0 comments

Three difficult fixtures to call this weekend as England and Scotland bear home advantage in their challenges against France and Ireland, whilst Italy go into […]

The Rugby Paper Podcast: S2 E8 – The Ukraine war and Six Nations round-up with James Waterhouse

28 February 2023 1 comment

During the third round of the 2023 Six Nations, a minute’s silence was held before each game to commemorate the anniversary of the Russian invasion […]

Podcast Predictions League: Week 3

24 February 2023 1 comment

After two weekends of Six Nations action, it is the guests who sit atop of The Rugby Paper Podcast Predictions League. Rather than making their […]

Wales strike threat was warranted – Davies

23 February 2023 0 comments

Jonathan Davies heavily criticised the Welsh Rugby Union’s handling of players’ contracts following the threat to strike ahead of Wales‘ crucial Six Nations clash with […]

The Rugby Paper Podcast S2 Ep7: Jonathan Davies on Welsh rugby woes

20 February 2023 0 comments

The build-up to Wales vs England remains marred by uncertainty amidst strike threats by Welsh players as contract issues, financial crisis and allegations of a […]

Inexperienced Italians will improve – Castello

16 February 2023 0 comments

Former Italian international Tommaso Castello proclaimed that gaining experience is central to the development of the Azzurri’s squad following their 31-14 loss to England in […]

The Rugby Paper Podcast: S2 E6 – Opening fortnight roundup with Tommaso Castello

14 February 2023 0 comments

The second week of the 2023 Six Nations certainly lived up to the first! Ireland conquered France in the battle of the titans in Dublin […]

Scotland’s ‘complete’ display delights Hastings

12 February 2023 0 comments

By CAMERON STEPHENS Scott Hastings classed Scotland’s win over England last weekend as their most complete performance in a long time. The Scots secured backto-back […]

Scott Hastings: Scotland must profit from winning start

8 February 2023 1 comment

Scott Hastings insisted that Scotland need to capitalise on momentum ahead of their round two Six Nations clash with a wounded Welsh side at Murrayfield […]

The Rugby Paper Podcast: S2 E5 – Scottish celebrations with Scott Hastings

6 February 2023 0 comments

WHAT a start to the tournament! A thriller in Rome, an Irish statement in Cardiff and the headline act of one of the great Calcutta […]

Podcast Predictions League: Week 1

2 February 2023 0 comments

The Rugby Paper Podcast predictions league is back! Just like round one last year, guest Jeremy Guscott, columnists Brendan Gallagher, Chris Hewett and Nick Cain, […]

The Rugby Paper Podcast: S2 Ep4 – Six Nations season preview with Jerry Guscott

1 February 2023 0 comments

As the guys bring up episode 50, fair to say they do it in the right way! The gang is back together again on the […]

Day: New tackle laws musn’t spoil the game

29 January 2023 0 comments

By CAM STEPHENS General secretary of the Rugby Players Association (RPA) Christian Day has called for a common-sense approach regarding the officiating of community rugby’s […]

Day calls for common-sense in new tackle laws

27 January 2023 0 comments

General secretary of the Rugby Players Association (RPA) Christian Day has called for a common-sense approach regarding the officiating of community rugby’s new controversial tackle […]

The Rugby Paper Podcast: S2 Ep3 – The Rugby Players Association on player welfare, waist-high tackles and more

23 January 2023 0 comments

In this week’s instalment of The Rugby Paper Podcast, host Ollie Little and columnist Brendan Gallagher are joined by recently-elected General Secretary of the Rugby […]

Season 2 Episode 2 – Eddie’s back, England’s squad and Gus Warr on the Champions Cup

17 January 2023 0 comments

Eddie Jones is back in green and gold! The Jones saga takes yet another turn as he replaces Dave Rennie at Australia‘s helm. Host Ollie […]

Smith’s my choice at 10 for England, says Moody

15 January 2023 0 comments

By CAMERON STEPHENS Lewis Moody has backed Marcus Smith to take the reigns at fly-half for England ahead of their Six Nations campaign. The debate […]