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…

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 …

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, Leice…

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 …

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 Gallag…

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…

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 Ow…

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 a…

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…

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 Twickenh…

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 o…

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 toughe…

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 Chr…

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…

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 He…

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 o…

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 …

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 lo…

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…

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 Englan…

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 columnist…

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 Hewet…

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 e…

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 L…

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 ar…

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 th…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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 podcas…

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 …

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 …

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 All…

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, …

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 remini…

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.Oleh The Rugby Paper

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 Lon…

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 l…

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…

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, N…

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 …

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…

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 ar…

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 tournamen…

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 ho…

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…