The Rugby Paper Podcast

As Ronan O'Gara decides La Rochelle is home and that's where he's staying I took some time to think about another front runner in the Leinster head coach race, Felipe Contepomi. The Argentine already has great familiarity with Leinster both on and off the field, between 2003 and 2009 Felipe scored an astonishing 1225 points for Leinster before returning in 2018 to become the back's coach. During his time as Argentina head coach Felipe can hang his hat on an impressive number of international wins including a series win against Scotland as well as defeating Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa as well...

Today I was delighted to be joined by Guernsey Raider’s dead-eye fly-half Charlie Simmonds! Charlie’s remarkable story stood out to me as his journey to the number ten shirt was quite different to many other players. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis whilst at university, Charlie spent years managing the condition before eventually undergoing surgery to have his colon removed. The operation left him with a stoma bag however it has not diminished his enthusiasm for rugby and with his impressive skillset Charlie helped Gurnsey Raiders this year to retain one of rugby’s oldest ever trophies; the Siam Cup. Charli...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

It’s transfer special time! Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by renowned rugby columnist Paul Williams to pick their five best signings in both the Gallagher Prem and United Rugby Championship ahead of the new season.

We start in the Premiership, where some huge names are on the move and several clubs have made serious statements of intent.

🏉 Jac Morgan — Ospreys to Gloucester

Is this the best signing of the summer? Gloucester are getting the Wales captain and British & Irish Lions touri...

This morning I was delighted to speak to Senior Sports Reporter for the Irish Examiner, Simon Lewis!   Simon has a decade of experience in the field and as a Munster fan he is delighted to be able to write, report and on occasion follow his beloved team around, which increases the joy and satisfaction Simon gets from the game no end.   Simon was kind enough to make time for me on his travels, as from his location in La Rochelle he was getting ready for tomorrows pre-season friendly between Ronan O'Gara’s La Rochelle and his old club Munster!   Forgive the W...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Rugby’s greatest rivalry is in full swing as New Zealand and South Africa continue their blockbuster series — and the All Blacks have started in style with two wins from two.

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Kiwi podcaster Gareth Williams from the Super Smack podcast to break down the latest chapter of the All Blacks-Springboks rivalry, starting with one of the most talked-about moments of the tour: Ma’a Nonu’s solo haka response against the All Blacks.

Gareth explains the cultural sig...

Today’s guest on TQL Rugby Podcast is club and country legend of Irish Rugby, Shane Byrne!   With 41 international caps to his name, one British & Irish Lions Tour and a staggering 115 for Leinster and 49 for Saracens, Shane’s record is hard to match and speaks for itself.   In one of the most insightful interviews I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in, Shane dove deep into what training was like when he first laced up his boots to how well drilled and professional the coaching and training is now and that the whole process deserves more recognition praise.   With over a de...

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by South African rugby journalist Avuyile Sawula to review a fascinating opening chapter, with the Springboks finishing top after a perfect three-from-three record, the All Blacks rediscovering their swagger, England ending the window on a high, and the road to November already taking shape.

In my final video about the summer leg of the Nations Championship, I break down what has been an exceptionally action-packed tournament that, with thanks to the new format, has revolutionized the Summer and Autumn Internationals!   From edge-of-seat thrillers to one-sided bulldozing performances, the first three games for every team had it all.   I'll go over the scores, moments that caught my eye, analysis of the six home nations along with where I think they will go from here, what we can expect in the second leg of the competition along with final standings for the summer series!   Be sure to...

In the penultimate round of The Nations Championship summer tour, Ireland face off against their old nemesis New Zealand at the All Blacks’ “mecca” Eden Park!

Since 1994 when France shocked the world with a 22-8 victory over the All Blacks, in the following 31 years and 52 matches the All Blacks remain undefeated at Kingsland.

It’ll be a return for Ireland who last set foot at Eden Park in 2022 in which they suffered a 41-19 loss at the hands of the All Blacks before going on to win their first ever Summer Tour of New Zealand and clim...

Debutants Delight Down Under! TQL Rugby Podcast – Nations Championship Round Two Review   Man of the match Sean Jansen made his mark with a standout performance against Japan along with landing a vital try on his first international cap!   In a game I found myself having flashbacks to the 2019 World Cup Pool stages, in which Ireland lost to the host nation, I’ve thrown together my thoughts, analysis and opinions on a cracking game in which Japan showed their impressive talent and Ireland, with nine changes, bedded in the debutants and got the job done!   Feel free to like, share and subscri...

In this week's episode I break down Andy Farrell's Ireland selection, from individual player analysis and opinion to a throwback to when Japan got the better of Ireland during the 2019 World Cup! Four lucky debutants take to the field for this game: Connacht's Sam Illo, Billy Bohan and Sean Jansen who makes his test start at eight, alongside Ulster's Bryn Ward who will undoubtably make his debut of the bench! Squad rotation, fly-half debate and predictions covered, as well as a look at the other remaining fixtures in The Nations Championship 👍 Feel free to like, share and subscribe for more! You...

In this week's episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby columnist Paul Williams to assess the mounting pressure on England head coach Steve Borthwick after a fifth consecutive Test defeat.

Following a disappointing Six Nations campaign and a heavy 45-21 defeat to South Africa in the opening round of the Nations Championship, England's discipline, tactics and direction are all under the microscope.

With Fiji next up at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium before a trip to Argentina, is this already a defining fortnight for Borthwick's tenure? We discuss:

...

After a thoroughly thrilling and dynamic first round I couldn't wait to do a quick video highlighting my favourite moments, opinions on teams and results and share my positive experience watching as may of the games as I could! Feel free to like, share and subscribe and listen out for me on Spotify/Amazon and wherever you get your podcasts! Just search for  @TheRugbyPaperPodcast  & TQL Rugby Podcast 🍀👍 #irfu #rugby #rugbyunion #internationals #ireland #australia #fiji #wales #wru #allblacks #newzealand #france #japan #redroses #italy #springboks #englandrugby #england #southafrica #argentina #pumas #scotland #irishrugby #wallabies #nationscup #nationschampionships #worldcup #podcasting #podcast 

With Andy Farrell naming his squad to face the Wallabies at a startling 4:30am UK time I take a quick dive into his selection and an overview of round one of the newly reformatted Nations Championship! Thoughts, facts, opinions and predictions covered! Hope you all enjoy. Remember to like, share and subscribe to The Rugby Paper Podcast/ TQL Rugby Podcast wherever you stream your podcasts!

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by South African rugby journalist Avuyile Sawula to preview the headline fixture of the Nations Championship this weekend as England take on the world champion Springboks at Ellis Park.

Shockingly, one of rugby's most iconic stadiums could be less than half full, with media reports suggesting only around 21,000 tickets have been sold for the 62,500-capacity venue, leaving the prospect of more than 40,000 empty seats for one of Test rugby's biggest rivalries.

We ask why ticket sales have been so sl...

Overjoyed to have my first Leinster and Ireland superstar on the show, Devin Toner! Four European Championships, seven Pro 14 titles, three Six nations victories and a Grand Slam the stalwart back row has seen and done it all! From lineout masterclasses to tightly contested scrums Devin's influence has been essential to Leinster and Ireland. After a remarkable career and amassing an astonishing 70 caps for Ireland and a staggering 280 for Leinster Devin now supports rugby players and fans alike in the world of finance. Massive thanks to Devin for taking time out of his day for me and all the...

Chris Collyer spoke to Irish Journalist, Sportswriter & Producer, Author and Playwright; Pat McCarry! The pair spoke about podcasts, press conferences, post and pre matches as well as writing and directing a rugby stage play, in which he honours the life of Munster legend Anthony Foley. There is nobody more passionate about Irish rugby than Pat McCarry!

You can follow Pat McCarry on all social media platforms and Substack, search for ‪@patrickmccarry9489‬ or Dirt Trackers rugby on Instagram and X. 

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by She’s The Champ podcast host and The Rugby Paper writer Bluebell Nicholls to preview a fascinating showdown between the competition’s established giants and its newest disruptors.

We also discuss Bluebell’s rugby journey, the growth of the women’s game in Canada and her involvement with Toronto Nomads.

🏆 The Big Picture
•⁠  ⁠Does this final feel like a watershed moment for the PWR?
•⁠  ⁠Is Trailfinders’ rise proof that investment is broadening the league’s competitive landscape?
•⁠  ...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by All Things Rugby editor Saner Hasan to preview one of the biggest weekends in the club rugby calendar.

The Prem final takes centre stage as Northampton Saints take on Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham. The Saints have been the benchmark side all season, while Exeter’s remarkable rise from crisis to contenders has become one of the stories of the campaign. We break down the contrasting journeys of the two finalists, the brilliance of Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman, Henry Pollock’s meteor...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Northampton Chronicle rugby writer Tom Vickers to preview a mouthwatering Gallagher Premiership semi-final weekend.

Friday night sees one of English rugby’s fiercest rivalries take centre stage as Northampton Saints host Leicester Tigers at Franklin’s Gardens with a place in the Premiership final on the line.

We revisit the iconic 2014 semi-final between the sides, discuss whether this remains the biggest rivalry in the Premiership, and examine why history suggests the winner could go all the way and...

PLAY-OFF CHAOS! | Exeter v Saracens Prem Shootout + URC Semi-Finals | The Rugby Paper Roundup
In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…
Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by TRP writer Chris Collyer to preview a huge weekend of club rugby as the Prem regular season reaches its climax and the URC semi-finals take centre stage.
The headline act comes at Sandy Park, where Exeter Chiefs and Saracens meet in a winner-takes-all battle for a Premiership play-off place. With Mark McCall preparing to step down after an extraordinary trophy-laden spell at Saracens, could this be the...

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Robert Graham from the Rosbifs Rugby podcast to break down the extraordinary rise of French rugby — after another weekend of total dominance in Europe. Bordeaux Bègles dismantled Leinster to retain the Champions Cup, making it six straight European titles for Top 14 clubs, while Montpellier’s Challenge Cup triumph means French sides have now won 10 of the last 12 EPCR competitions. So why are France so far ahead of the rest of Europe right now? We explore the systems, culture and identity driving the French rugby boom — from the JIFF player pathway and financi...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby content creator and social media personality Ruck Star Lizzie to react to a dramatic final round of the Women’s Six Nations — and look ahead to what feels like a huge new era for the women’s game.

England edged another epic battle with France in Bordeaux to secure an eighth straight Six Nations title and Grand Slam, while Ireland smashed attendance records at the Aviva Stadium in front of more than 31,000 fans against Scotland.

We break d...

The first episode of the TQL Rugby Podcast with Chris Collyer sees The Rugby Paper Assistant Editor, Ben Jaycock, discuss his journalism journey, who he was starstruck interviewing, standout matches he’s covered, and how he deals with the issues of bias when reporting.

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Irish rugby journalist Caolin Scully to preview a blockbuster final round of the Women’s Six Nations — headlined by a winner-takes-all Grand Slam showdown between England and France in Bordeaux. The Red Roses are chasing an eighth straight title, but France once again stand in their way in what has become the defining rivalry of the championship. We break down where France can hurt England, how impressed we’ve been with the Red Roses’ depth amid injury disruption, and how Meg Jones has handled...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…
Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Telegraph reporter and leading women’s rugby voice Fi Tomas to preview Round Four of the Women’s Six Nations.
England head to Italy with a perfect record. We break down John Mitchell’s latest selection, including Helena Rowland earning her 50th cap, Ellie Kildunne’s shift to the wing to accommodate Emma Sing, and what England’s evolving attack says about where this side is heading tactically.
We also discuss:
• Whether England are adapting or evolving under Mitchell
• I...

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock reacts to the team news for the Champions Cup semi-final between Bordeaux-Begles and Bath, and predicts a surprise win for the Prem champions.

Women’s Six Nations + George North retirement ft Georgie Perris-Redding | The Rugby Paper Roundup

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Sale Sharks co-captain and USA international Georgie Perris-Redding — a World Cup Eagle and one of the game’s most resilient leaders — to break down a huge week across women’s and men’s rugby.

We start with the Women’s Six Nations after a statement Round Three, where England, France and Italy all impressed. The Red Roses ran in ten tries against Wales, France showed resilienc...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Women’s Six Nations commentator and Rugby Writers chair Nick Heath to preview a massive weekend across the women’s and men’s game.

The sun is shining and it’s raining tries across rugby — and England head into Round Three of the Women’s Six Nations with serious momentum. A sold-out Ashton Gate awaits as the Red Roses take on Wales, with new faces like Millie David stepping into the spotlight on her home ground after a prolific season...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by journalist Sarah Rendell to break down a huge second round of the Women’s Six Nations — with England heading to Murrayfield under mounting selection pressure.

After a record-breaking opening weekend that saw over 77,000 fans pack into Twickenham, attention now turns to how the Red Roses respond to a growing injury list. Hannah Botterman and May Campbell are out of the tournament, Alex Matthews misses Scotland through injury, and England had already lost key names including Rosie Galligan, Abbie Ward and...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by 84-cap former England centre and 2014 World Cup winner Rachael Burford to preview the opening round of the Women’s Six Nations — with a huge occasion on the horizon. The sun is shining, anticipation is building, and England are set to face Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in front of over 75,000 fans — a landmark moment for the Red Roses as they look to lay down an early marker. We break down the big game through a centre’s lens, from the midfield battle and England’...

RED ROSES SELECTION! Six Nations 2026 + PWR Insights | ft Claire Thomas | The Rugby Paper Roundup In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by TNT Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live broadcaster Claire Thomas to preview the Women’s Six Nations — and explore the incredible momentum building behind the game. Women’s rugby fandom in the UK has surged from 7.94 million to 13.21 million since last summer’s Rugby World Cup, and now the Red Roses are set to play in front of over 70,000 fans against Ireland in the opening round. Is this the moment the w...

70,000 FANS FOR RED ROSES OPENER! | Meg Jones Captaincy + Women’s Six Nations Launch | ft Victoria Rush | The Rugby Paper Roundup In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by No Woman No Try director and content creator Victoria Rush, fresh from the Women’s Six Nations media launch, to unpack a huge moment for the Red Roses — on and off the pitch. With over 70,000 tickets already sold for England’s opening game against Ireland, we ask whether this is the moment women’s rugby truly goes mainstream. Victoria gives behind-the-scenes insight from the launc...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby analyst Sam Larner to reflect on what many are calling the greatest Six Nations ever — and ask the big question: is Test rugby in its strongest place yet?

With record try-scoring, high-tempo matches and attacking rugby on show throughout the championship, we break down what’s driving the shift in style and whether this is a sustainable evolution of the international game.

We also zoom out to the global picture and tackle one of rugby’s biggest...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Jonathan “Fox” Davies to preview a dramatic Super Saturday finale to the Six Nations. With France, Ireland and Scotland all still in the title hunt, we break down the key matchups that will decide the championship. Can Scotland end their long wait for a win in Dublin? Will England avoid their worst Six Nations campaign by upsetting France? And after signs of improvement, can Wales finally break their long losing run when they face Italy? Fox also...

CHRISTIAN DAY | Italy v England Six Nations preview | MasterChef to RPA leader | Rugby Paper Roundup | Six Nations 2026 In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by one of rugby’s most influential player voices — RPA General Secretary Christian Day — for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the pitch. From cooking under pressure on MasterChef to negotiating under pressure in rugby’s corridors of power, we explore the man behind the governance role — but first, we start with the Six Nations. Following England’s bruising defeat to Ireland, we assess the fallout heading...

ENGLAND v IRELAND | Twickenham Response or Irish Statement? | ft Pat McCarry | The Rugby Paper Roundup

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Irish rugby writer Pat McCarry to preview a huge Six Nations showdown at Twickenham.

England’s 12-match unbeaten run is over. Grand Slam hopes are gone. Suddenly Steve Borthwick’s side are under pressure again after their Murrayfield setback. But Ireland arrive wounded too — facing questions about decline, selection calls and long-term direction under Andy Farrell.

We break down whether Sc...

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by the king of rugby compilations, Andrew Forde, to break down the biggest stories heading into Round Two of the Six Nations. The pair react to England’s team news ahead of Saturday — with Maro Itoje returning, Luke Cowan-Dickie coming in for Jamie George, and Fin Smith handed the No.10 shirt — before making their Round Two predictions, including whether Italy can cause another shock in Dublin. Andrew also discusses the viral rise of his YouTube channel, how he got started producing rugby compilations, and why hi...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Ben Coles from The Observer to discuss the first round of Six Nations matches, team news across all nations, and the pair make their round 1 predictions. Coles also shares what stood out when he was recently face to face with South Africa's prestigious leader, Rassie Erasmus, in Cape Town. You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link (https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subsc...) OR by scanning the QR code in the top right corner...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Pau No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu to discuss Uini Atonio's sudden retirement, France's mind boggling selection calls and what's life like in the Top 14. Carwyn stresses the need for more personalities in the game through the use of social media and also gives an insight into what's life like inside one of rugby's most prestigious families and the pressures from fans and media that come with that. You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link (https...