What’s in The Rugby Paper: 26/05/24

This weekend sees one of the biggest fixtures in the domestic calendar take place as European heavyweights Toulouse and Leinster square off in the Champions Cup final on Saturday afternoon in London.

Along with full reports and reactions from that game, we’ll bring you coverage of the Challenge Cup final between Gloucester and the Sharks, the penultimate round of the Premiership Women’s Rugby action and the final week of the Championship.

And on the theme of the Sharks’ involvement in the Challenge Cup final, columnist Jeff Probyn analyses the contribution of South African sides to European rugby competitions.

With the Premiership season finished and gearing up for the semi-finals, Alex Sanderson reveals the changes his Sale Sharks side have embarked on since the Six Nations as they steam into the play-offs.

Columnist Peter Jackson looks back and focuses in on the abundance of tries scored in the Premiership this season, which is a direct contrast to the international game.

We also have Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter opening up on his side’s encouraging year but disappointment at not reaching the play-offs.

Ahead of their semi-final against Northampton, Mark McCall asks his side to do what they’ve done all season and respond emphatically to the setback of Saracens missing out on a home play-off fixture.

Whilst Steve Diamond also discusses Newcastle Falcons‘ difficult, winless campaign in the Premiership and what’s next for his side.

In the week that he was inducted into the Premiership Rugby hall of fame, Bath and England legend Danny Grewcock gives his take on the play-offs.

This week’s ‘My Life in Rugby’ column features former Scotland international Scott Steele, who recently announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the professional game.

Elsewhere, our Dream Team segment also continues as Ben Jaycock has canvassed the views of the league’s reporters to create the best XV from the National Two West for the 2023/24 season.

We also have former Newcastle, Sale and Wasps fullback Rob Miller reveal the best XV he played with or against across his stellar 15-year career.

Former London Irish and England U20s hooker Calum Scott reveals his latest international adventure whilst Bath’s Will Jeanes is our Young Gun this week.

And finally, Brendan Gallagher pays tribute to former Ireland and Lions star Tony O’Reilly, who died last week aged 88.

Stream this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Podcast on YouTube (also above), Apple Podcasts, Spotify (also below), Castbox, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app.