The Rugby Paper Podcast

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.

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 changes announced for next season's European Cup before having another crack at putting together an England XV for the 2023 World Cup, six months on from the last attempt!

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 top flight now consists of just 10 teams. Joining host Ollie Little, columnist Brendan Gallagher and digital editor Nick Powell to discuss how he is processing it is none other than London Irish record try-scorer Topsy Ojo.

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 as columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to reflect on his career and also discuss the vast differences between the French and English domestic games. The Rugby Paper was devastated to learn of the passing of its founder, David Emery, at the weekend. The episode ends with the columnists paying tribute to David as both a phenomenal professional and person.

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 years. The season will be remembered for very different reasons however, as fears grow that London Irish will become the third club in seven months to drop out of the Premiership. Ollie Little is joined by Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Nick Powell to discuss all.

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 in an all-time classic Champions Cup final. This week, the guys preview the Gallagher Premiership final between Saracens and Sale at Twickenham on Saturday. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher is Saracens and England centre Alex Lozowski.

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 time Wayne Barnes included. Wayne joins host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to look ahead to his fifth World Cup as well as discussing the effects of social media on referees and his French language skills!

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 former England and Sale Sharks winger Mark Cueto. An episode initially planning to preview the Premiership semi-finals goes way off piste, discussing Sale and England controversy, Chris Ashton and much much more!

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 up a repeat of last year's Champions Cup showdown with respective semi-final wins. Following another emphatic Leinster display, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by former Ireland and Ulster star Stephen Ferris to reflect on the knockout stage action and discuss the Irish provincial system.

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 France will go toe to toe in a winner-takes-all grand stand finale in front of more than 50,000. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain to preview the tournament's climax is prop forward Maud Muir. The guys also look ahead to what promises to be a thrilling weekend of European rugby!

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 problematic. Captain Owen Farrell underperformed in the Six Nations - with particular concerns about his goal-kicking - yet heir to the throne Marcus Smith failed to take the limited opportunities he got. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to weigh in on the debate is former England fly-half Olly Barkley.

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 and England flanker Tom Rees's rugby career was tragically cut short by a ruptured ACL. Forced to retire at just 27 years old, he began his qualification in medicine, and is now a doctor for the NHS. Join host Ollie Little and the full house of columnists as Tom opens up to them about everything that he has been through. The guys also review a fantastic weekend of Champions Cup action!

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 two wins and preview the rest of the tournament, host Ollie Little, columnists Nick Cain and Chris Hewett and Digital Editor Nick Powell are joined by one of the faces of women's rugby, Maggie Alphonsi. The guys also look back at a vintage weekend of European rugby, and preview the all-important quarter-finals.

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 Hemisphere look to be solidifying. Host Ollie Little is joined by columnists Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett to how the tournament could shape up, and impact the divide between top tier and second tier international rugby. The guys also preview the Round of 16 of the Champions Cup.

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 must have been! This week, the Rugby Paper Podcast reviews Saturday's fixtures and the tournament as a whole. To do so, the guys have the ideal special guest - Ollie Little and the full house of columnists in Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by a member of the Irish rugby hall of fame, Willie John McBride.

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 out from the World Cup and Steve Borthwick's side have hit a new rock bottom, with many ruling them out as genuine contenders later this year. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher to discuss England's turmoil is former England and Scotland head coach Andy Robinson.

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 a Six Nations fixture as favourites for the first time in years. Will England go with Smith or Farrell? Will Ireland remain on course for the Grand Slam? Will Welsh woes be put on hold? Host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by former England and British and Irish Lion Fran Cotton to discuss all.

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 of Ukraine. The Rugby Paper had the privilege this week of interviewing James Waterhouse, a former professional rugby player (Plymouth, Rotherham and Esher) who is now working as the Ukraine correspondent for the BBC. In a truly unique and extraordinary episode, James calls host Ollie Little, and columnists Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher from Kyiv.

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 toxic environment pervade Welsh rugby. This been brewing for some time, masked by the success of an over-performing Welsh national side. However many, including today's guest Jonathan Davies, feel that this is the moment for a complete overhaul. 'Jiffy' joins host Ollie Little and the full house columnists to preview the third round of the Six Nations and weigh in on the Welsh rugby crisis.

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 in what was billed as an instant Six Nations classic, Scotland continued their ascendency in overpowering a woeful Wales, and it was gritty, not pretty but England prevailed over Italy to get Steve Borthwick's tally up and running. Joining Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett this week, just back from Twickenham, is recently-retired Italian centre Tommaso Castello.

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 Cup matches in recent memory. Host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by a jubilant Scott Hastings to review the action from opening weekend, and look ahead to an equally blockbuster week two.

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 Rugby Paper Podcast, with Ollie Little and the full house of columnists in Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett joined by England and British and Irish Lion legend Jerry Guscott to preview an incredibly highly-anticipated Six Nations tournament. Will Steve Borthwick's new era start in the right way against Scotland? Will Warren Gatland bring back Wales's glory days? Will Chris Hewett get a single prediction right? So much to answer over the next few weeks, and it all starts here!