The Rugby Paper Podcast

Summer Olympics season is upon us! As the rugby season draws to a close, all eyes have turned towards the game's shorter format in Paris, as the best Sevens players in the world are targeting Olympic gold. Antoine Dupont leads hosts France as favourites in the men's draw, whilst in the women's draw Team GB are trying to go one better having finished fourth in both Tokyo and Rio. Joining the guys in this one is Team GB star Ellie Boatman, who talks about what it's like to be at her first Olympic Games, Team GB's prospects, as well as her inspirational journey to rugby in which she had to overcome an eating disorder.

The headline fixtures from last Saturday lived up to the hype, with Ciaran Frawley taking centre stage, dropping two goals to give Ireland a memorable win over South Africa. For England however, it was another near miss against the All Blacks, as Beauden Barrett inspired a New Zealand second half fightback. Joining the guys today to reflect on all of the weekend's drama, as well as peel back the curtain on what makes his native South African side tick, is former Springbok and Saracens hooker Schalk Brits.

England ran New Zealand very close, but it sadly wasn't enough in Dunedin as they came up one point short in a game that was there for the taking. Meanwhile, Ireland were felled by South African power and some TMO misfortune as they also fell short against the Springboks on Saturday. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to react to Saturday and discuss whether the home nations can exact revenge this coming weekend, is former England and British and Irish Lions second row, George Kruis. FourFive 20% discount code: Rugbypaper20

A huge Saturday in store for all of us tomorrow as England take on the All Blacks on their turf for the first time in ten years and the Irish begin their bid for a first ever series win on South African soil. The mind games have already begun as things are heating up! Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Chris Hewett and Nick Cain to preview the matchups is former Ireland, Connacht and Leinster lock Mike McCarthy. The podcast also begins with a fantastic tribute to former England and Bath head coach Jack Rowell, who passed away this week aged 87.

In a congested weekend of rugby England put 50 points past Japan to carry some momentum into their two-test series against New Zealand. The Rugby Paper Podcast returns to reflect on the weekend with Ollie Little and Chris Hewett. The guys are then joined by former England prop and women's rugby trailblazer Shaunagh Brown. Shaunagh reflects on her recent retirement, the announcement of a women's British and Irish Lions tour, as well as delving into her crazy life beyond rugby including firefighting, GB athletics, Highland games, Gladiators and much much more!

Northampton have ended their 10-year drought, securing the Gallagher Premiership title against 14-man Bath in a thriller at Twickenham on Saturday. Tom Pearson was one of the key performers for Saints on Saturday, and he joins host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher to reflect on what it means to be Premiership champions. Before so, the panel debates England's summer squad, following its announcement on Monday.

The big one is upon us! Northampton Saints and Bath are set to battle it out in one of the most eagerly anticipated Gallagher Premiership final in years. Today's episode goes completely off piste, as host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by TNT Premiership rugby and European Cup rugby anchor Craig Doyle. As well as previewing the final, Craig shares some incredible stories from his career including a fight with Ben Kay, an interview with Tiger Woods and more, and Ollie has a blunder of his own!

What a Champions Cup final it was, and Antoine Dupont's Toulouse ultimately condemned Leinster to a third consecutive final defeat to claim their sixth European crown. Much to discuss in this week's episode as the Gallagher Premiership playoffs begin this weekend, with Northampton hosting Saracens on Friday night before Sale head to Bath on Saturday. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher for this one is former Northampton and England scrum half Lee Dickson/.

This weekend, the two most decorated European clubs go head to head in a titanic clash for Champions Cup glory. Toulouse and Leinster are both looking to add to their tally of five and four trophies respectively in as box office a matchup as you could ask for in club rugby. Dupont or Gibson-Park? Meafou or McCarthy? Willis or van der Flier? So much to discuss, and joining host Ollie Little, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher to preview the game is former Ireland and Leinster legend Gordon D'Arcy.

The Gallagher Premiership is headed towards a superb Super Saturday, with five teams still in the running for the final two play-off spots! Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher first to discuss the laws of the game, including TMO interventions, tackle laws and scrums, before the guys preview the all-important weekend, is former Premiership and international referee JP Doyle.

Plenty on the agenda for the Rugby Paper Podcast this week as Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Chris Hewett and Nick Cain review English disappointment in the Champions Cup semi-finals before they are joined by USA 7s Head Coach Mike Friday to discuss the end of the season, Antoine Dupont and, of course, this summer's Olympic Games.

Following a pivotal weekend of Gallagher Premiership action - not without its controversies - Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain are joined by Gloucester back row Ruan Ackermann. The guys discuss Karl Dickson's refereeing controversy at Twickenham last weekend, before Ruan previews Gloucester's EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final clash against Benetton, as well as the potential for him to represent South Africa and England, or maybe even Wales or Scotland!

It all comes down to this! The Women's Six Nations is heading for an epic conclusion in Bordeaux on Saturday as England take on France, with both sides undefeated and in the hunt for a Grand Slam. Joining the Rugby Paper Podcast to preview that game, and explain why she is called 'Daddy Packs', is none other than Red Roses captain and 100-cap club member, Marlie Packer.

The quarter-final stage of the Champions Cup was an absolute try-fest, with 41 tries in four games underpinning headline wins for Harlequins and Leinster. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain to analyse those games as well as those who put their hand up for England selection is former England, Leicester and Bristol Number 8 Jordan Crane. As defence coach of Bristol Bears, Jordan also discusses the upcoming battle to make the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

This is a big one! Plenty on the menu for host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett as they are joined by England World Cup winner and rugby legend Matt Dawson. The guys take trips down memory lane to RWC 2003 and the 1997 British Lions tour, and Matt gives his insight into England and Northampton's development this season. Finally, listen to the end for our Champions Cup quarter-final predictions!

The Red Roses are two rounds into their Six Nations title defence and have come away with two convincing bonus point wins. New head coach John Mitchell has spoken about developing an attacking brand of rugby to match that of the Black Ferns with a home Rugby World Cup less than 18 months away. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Chris Hewett and Nick Cain to reflect on the opening rounds as well as women's rugby as a whole is record-breaking former England head coach Simon Middleton.

The British & Irish Lions are just over a year away from heading down under to take on Australia! With dust settling after the 2024 Six Nations, host Ollie Little called together columnists Chris Hewett, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher with one goal: naming a XV to do the business against the Wallabies. Who would you have in your side? We'd love to know in the comments!

What a Six Nations the 2024 edition has been! Super Saturday did not disappoint, and it was Ireland that ultimately claimed back to back titles. To look back on Saturday's fixtures as well as review the tournament as a whole, host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Chris Hewett and Nick Cain are joined by rugby refereeing great Nigel Owens. After beginning by reviewing Wales's torrid season, Nigel also gives some pearls of refereeing wisdom on how to improve the game of rugby. The guys spend the last hour reviewing the championship as a whole.

It is time to look ahead to Six Nations super Saturday! The best Saturday of the year is upon us, and with three tantalising contests to look ahead to, we hope you're as excited as we are. One of those fixtures is 'Le Crunch', as France take on England to round off the tournament in Lyon. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to give some truly compelling insights on his native France side's struggles is former French centre and 2011 Rugby World Cup finalist, Maxime Mermoz.

What a weekend of rugby! The latest round of the 2024 Six Nations was without doubt its best so far, as Italy and England pulled off shock upsets in two pulsating encounters on Saturday. In a very special mini-episode of the Rugby Paper Podcast, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett react to a stunning round of fixtures.

This week, the Rugby Paper Podcast brings up 100 episodes! A huge thank you to all those who support and continue to follow the podcast - we could not have done it without you. The guys commemorate the podcast's century by previewing the fourth round of the 2024 Six Nations and in particular looking ahead to England's clash with Ireland at Twickenham. Host Ollie Little and regulars Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by former Ireland centre and Ulster defence coach Jonny Bell. The panel finish by casting an eye back over the past 100 episodes, reminiscing over their favourite editions and memories.

Refereeing controversy was once again at the heart of the third round of the 2024 Six Nations, as Paolo Garbisi's contentious missed kick denied Italy a first Six Nations win in France. Plenty to discuss for host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett in this one! With The Rugby Paper Podcast being such big fans of Portuguese rugby, the guys were very excited to be joined for this episode by Portuguese captain and legend Tomas Appleton to discuss that win against Fiji, meeting Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's future.

Round 3 of the 2024 Six Nations is coming thick and fast and the headline fixture - as it often is - is Saturday's Calcutta Cup fixture between Scotland and England at Murrayfield. Scotland are looking for their fourth consecutive win against England for the first time since 1896, whilst all eyes are on how the 'new' England perform in their toughest challenge of the tournament so far. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett to look ahead to the weekend's action is former Scotland captain and London Scottish boss Bryan Redpath.

The second round of the 2024 Six Nations was marred by refereeing controversy, most notably TMO Brian MacNeice and referee Nic Berry not awarding a try that would have handed Scotland victory over France. Today refereeing, the TMO process and the laws of the game are under the Rugby Paper Podcast's microscope as host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain are joined by former England and British and Irish Lions flanker, now coach at Esher Rugby Peter Winterbottom.

The opening round of the 2024 Six Nations threw the script out the window as Scotland almost let a 27-point lead slip against Wales, Ireland thumped France at home and England cut it close against Italy. With England set to host Wales this weekend and France looking to bounce back against the Scots, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher are joined by Welsh cross-code legend and BBC commentator Jonathan Davies. Jiffy also pays tribute to Welsh rugby great Barry John following the tragic announcement of his passing at the weekend.

International rugby is back for the first time since Rugby World Cup 2023, and it's Six Nations season! It is the dawn of a new era, with each nation either deploying a new captain or a new head coach. As is Rugby Paper Podcast tradition, to preview the whole tournament and the blockbuster opening fixtures, host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher are joined by England and British and Irish Lions legend Jerry Guscott.

In a fascinating week in European rugby, amidst Six Nations and Women's British and Irish Lions announcements, Welsh rugby superstar Louis Rees-Zammit has announced that he is quitting rugby to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL, aged just 22. The decision has shocked the rugby world and sparked mass debate about what it represents for the game of rugby as well as whether Rees-Zammit can succeed in one of the most competitive player pools in world sport. Host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Chris Hewett and Nick Cain are joined by journalist Francisco Isaac to discuss Rees-Zammit's move, Six Nations squads and the 2024 rugby prospects of Francisco's native Portugal.

Happy New Year from the Rugby Paper Podcast! As 2024 dawns, host Ollie Little and Rugby Paper columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher are joined by former England prop Jeff Probyn to look back on a memorable 2023 both global and English rugby, as well as the podcast itself. Where does the past year leave the English game? What was everyone's moment of 2023? What was Chris Hewett's favourite podcast episode? Only one way to find out!

The Rugby Paper Podcast's final episode of 2023 looks back at two thrilling weekends of Champions Cup action as well as looking ahead to the Big Game double header between Harlequins and Gloucester on December 30th. Joining host Ollie Little and the full house of columnists, Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett is England and Harlequins lock Joe Launchbury. The guys also discuss England's eligibility rules in light of Henry Arundell's recent decision to extend his contract at Racing 92.

It's been a groundbreaking week or so in English rugby, as both England captain Owen Farrell and international referee have decided to take a break from the international game in order to preserve both their families' and their own well-being. This comes after periods of intense scrutiny in mainstream and social media domains during the Rugby World Cup and has shed light on the need to look out more for the welfare of players and referees alike. In light of these decisions, joining host Ollie Little and the Rugby Paper experts Nick Cain and Nick Powell to discuss social media, mental health and openness in rugby is Premiership record-breaker Tom Varndell. The guys also discuss the struggles of Newcastle Falcons in the early stages of the Gallagher Premiership season.

The Rugby Paper Podcast is back with a bang! Post Rugby World Cup and on the anniversary of England's iconic Rugby World Cup win in 2003, the guys take an ambitious look ahead to how England could shape up in 2027. Host Ollie Little picks the brains of Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to put together the Rugby Paper's XV to take England to their second title in 2027 - Steve Borthwick take note! Nick, Chris and Brendan also describe what it was like to be there on that famous day in 2003.

In the Rugby Paper Podcast's final Rugby World Cup episode, it's time to zoom out a bit and look ahead to the next four years. Recent format changes for 2027 as well as the introduction of a biennial World League have marked what Bill Beaumont has described as the biggest changes in the men's game since 1987. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain to debate the implications of a 24-team World Cup as well as the World League is returning guest, Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans. Given the fireworks last time Mark was on, strap yourselves in!

The sun has set on Rugby World Cup 2023, and in a thrilling finale the Springboks held onto their crown, edging out New Zealand by just one point. This week's podcast looks back at the final and another iconic South Africa World Cup win as well as reviewing the tournament as a whole. To do so, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher are joined by South Africa World Cup winner Brendan Venter!

England so nearly pulled off a shock upset against the Springboks but it was Handré Pollard's boot that condemned the Red Rose to a semi-final exit at the hands of reigning champions South Africa. And so, the Boks will face old rivals New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final in Paris on Saturday. Joining host Ollie Little and the Rugby Paper experts Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Nick Powell to look ahead to the final and assess where England's exit leaves Steve Borthwick's side, is former England Number 8 Nick Easter.

Wow. Just wow. The Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-finals certainly did not disappoint, with two all-time great matches in Paris accompanied by a couple of thrillers in Marseille. In the end the Southern Hemisphere continued to dominate at World Cups, with England now the only Northern Hemisphere side that remain ahead of the semi-finals. Host Ollie Little is joined by the full house of Rugby Paper columnists, Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett to try and make sense of what happened at the weekend and analyse whether either England or Argentina can cause upsets this weekend.

The Rugby World Cup pool stages have come to an end, and what a way to finish! Portugal landed their first ever World Cup win, beating Fiji on Sunday night in a remarkable fixture in Toulouse. The result also spelled the end for Australia, with the Wallabies going out before the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Quarter-finals are upon us, and boy do they look tasty! This episode discusses the fallout of the pool stages as well as looking ahead to four thrilling fixtures this weekend. Part way through the episode, host Ollie Little and experts Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Powell are joined by Wallaby great David Campese!

There is just one round of the Rugby World Cup pool stage remaining and it all hinges on week five! The headline from the last round of fixtures was New Zealand re-enforcing their credentials as title contenders with a crushing 96-17 win over Italy. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to look at the significance of that win as well as look ahead to the blockbuster fixtures to come this weekend is All Black rugby legend, Sean Fitzpatrick.

The third weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup was absolutely blockbuster, with South Africa v Ireland living up to the hype whilst Australia sunk to a new low under Eddie Jones as a first ever pool stage exit looms large. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett is someone whose nation was on the wrong side of the result in the thriller in Paris on Saturday night: South Africa rugby legend Kobus Wiese.

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 Rugby World Cup pool stage heads towards a pivotal weekend with blockbuster fixtures South Africa v Ireland and Wales v Australia. Joining host Ollie Little and podcast regulars Chris Hewett, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher for a cracking episode is Wales rugby legend James Hook!

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 Africa and France made statement wins over rivals Scotland and New Zealand in Pool A and Pool B, meanwhile on the other side of the draw England and Wales took massive steps towards the knockout stages. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to reflect on the opening round is Scotland and British and Irish Lion centre and ITV commentator, Scott Hastings.

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, and true to Rugby Paper Podcast tradition, joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett for the big preview is England and British and Irish Lion legend Jerry Guscott. In this blockbuster episode, the guys weigh up the pool stages, England's prospects as well as predicting their tournament winners, breakout stars and shock upsets.

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 has now run out of time to gain some sort of momentum ahead of their opening game against Argentina. Conversely, Scotland head into their pool of death clashes against Ireland and South Africa with three wins from four this summer and every chance of getting out of the group. Joining host Ollie Little, columnist Chris Hewett and Digital Editor Nick Powell to discuss Scotland's World Cup chances and England's woes is former fly-half Duncan Hodge.

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. This means that England will be without their Number 8 and fly-half and captain for their opener against Argentina. Today's special guest on the Rugby Paper Podcast is a former Saracens teammate of the banned pair and semi-finalist with Los Pumas. Giving his take on Argentina's World Cup preparations and the Farrell and Vunipola sagas is, you guessed it, Argentina and Saracens legend Marcelo Bosch!

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 Australia's captain for the tournament, omitting Wallabies greats Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper in a bombshell squad announcement. In what can only be described as a box office podcast episode, joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to discuss the Wallabies' chances of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy, the devolution of skills in modern rugby, Owen Farrell's red card and so much more is one of the greatest rugby players of all time and Australian rugby Hall of Famer, David Campese. Fasten your seatbelts!

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 champions South Africa, who defend their title after a turbulent and inconsistent four years. To do so, host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain are joined by one of the stalwarts of that 1995 World Cup-winning side, Hennie Le Roux. At the end of the episode, the guys also scrutinise Steve Borthwick's World Cup squad selections so stay tuned for that!

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 look at the number one team in the world, Ireland. Joining host Ollie Little and the full house of columnists in Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to discuss Andy Farrell's side's chances of breaking their World Cup hoodoo as well as his infamous confrontation of New Zealand's haka is former lock and captain Willie Anderson.

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 at the prospects of the major nations as we approach, and joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain to look at how Italy are shaping up is their fly-half and returning guest, Tommy Allan. The guys also look at tweaks in the England World Cup training squad as well as discussing this weekend's Bledisloe Cup.

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 that won ten consecutive Interprovincial titles and an Irish team that won three Five Nations titles in the 1980s amidst the division of the troubles. Joined by Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher, the former UK Special Envoy to the United States on Northern Ireland also analyses how the Irish team has become so strong in the professional era, gives his prediction for the upcoming Rugby World Cup and discusses his ideas to improve the game of rugby in the modern day.

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 the front page of Sunday's edition of The Rugby Paper. We also keep an eye on the U20 Rugby World Cup and England’s squad for the main event, look ahead to the Rugby Championship, and finish by reminiscing about England’s Tour of Hell which ended 25 years ago on Tuesday.

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 Leinster's trophy-less end to the season, Ireland's World Cup prospects and the current state of the breakdown in rugby.