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Three home wins marked the start of the 2025 Six Nations as France thrashed Wales, Scotland conquered Italy and Ireland saw off England. So much to look back on and look forward to as Round Two looks even more tantalising. Will England stick or twist with their selection? Is Antoine Dupont getting even better? Does defeat for Wales this weekend spell the end? Scotland or Ireland?! Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher to debate all is rugby performance coach and analyst, Irishman Brett Igoe.
Here. We. Go. The Six Nations is just two sleeps away and we can't wait! Join host Ollie Little and a special panel of Rugby Paper columnists Chris Hewett and Nick Cain, but also Richard Isaac from the Rugby Analyst as the guys welcome England, British & Irish Lions and Bath legend Jerry Guscott to preview the Championships. Is third place a success for England? Will there be a Grand Slam winner? Can Wales stop the rot? We debate all in this one - just hours before Steve Borthwick named his side to face Ireland - and stay till the end to hear our winner, players of the tournament and ones to watch. Don't forget to play along with our predictions league as well - check them out on the Rugby Paper website!
Join Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett for this week's Rugby Paper Podcast edition, recorded just half an hour after it was announced that Maro Itoje would be England's captain for the Six Nations. The guys react to the England squad announcement before welcoming on former Fiji and Glasgow Warriors scrum half and winger Niko Matawalu. Just as he was on the rugby pitch, Niko is pure entertainment, providing some fantastic stories from his time in the UK.
In our last episode of 2024, the gang is back together in full force. Host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher come together to review the Champions Cup weekend gone by and debate the tournament's changed format. Don't miss the Rugby Paper Podcast's awards for 2024, as the guys pick their Player of the Year, Team of the Year, Match of the Year and very finally, Podcast episode of the Year! The podcast also pay tribute to former England outside back Tom Voyce, who tragically lost his life in the floods caused by Storm Darragh at the start of the month.
Join us for this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Podcast as Harlequins flanker Jack Kenningham joins host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett and Nick Cain following his side's narrow defeat by Racing 92 in the opening round of the Champions Cup. The guys discuss the tournament's format, Jack's return from injury and England dream as well as the impact of Joe Marler's retirement around camp! Our thoughts and prayers go out to former England international Tom Voyce's family following his disappearance in the Storm Darragh floods over the weekend.
We loved this one! Following last week's 20-minute red card debate amongst the guys, we thought it best to call upon someone entrusted with enacting its introduction to northern hemisphere test rugby this Autumn. Ollie Little, Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by RFU international referee and one of the best in the world Luke Pearce to discuss the logic and implications of World Rugby's decision, as well as the guys previewing the Autumn Internationals as a whole.
We love a prop episode! The self-professed 'oddball' Nick Auterac joins host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett and Nick Cain for this one. The former Saracens, Bath, Harlequins and Northampton front row is now pursuing a career in TV and film composition, and joins the guys to discuss how it's going as well as look back on his career! Stick around for the final ten minutes as the gang also react to England's Autumn squad announcement.
After a few weeks debating the dramatic final rounds of the Rugby Championship, time to revisit the Gallagher Premiership! Three rounds in and despite question marks around how Saracens would enter their new era, they sit unbeaten at the top of the table. However, the winless Exeter Chiefs have endured their worst ever start to a season. One of Exeter's success stories so far this season has been Olly Woodburn, who has been moved to outside centre due to midfield injury struggles. He joins host Ollie Little and Chris Hewett to discuss how he has found the switch, how the Chiefs can bounce back and the need for speed!
The Rugby Championship has a new winner for the first time since 2019, as South Africa clinched the last trophy available to them with a resounding 40-point win over Argentina. At the other end of the table, Australia finish the tournament with just one win and bottom of the table for the second year running. Despite performances improving somewhat for the Wallabies throughout the tournament, the situation is still pretty bleak, not least one year out from a British and Irish Lions tour. Joining Ollie Little, Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain to give his take is a good friend of the podcast and Australian rugby great David Campese.
In the fortnight that has passed since the last episode of the Rugby paper Podcast, we have had the first two rounds of this year's Rugby Championship. A win for Argentina over New Zealand on their turf was the eye-catcher of weekend one, whilst Australia's struggles have continued at the hands of the irresistible Springboks. Ollie Little, Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain lay out the glaring issues in Australian rugby a year out from the British and Irish Lions tour, as well as previewing the upcoming repeat of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand.
While things are a bit quieter in the rugby world what better time to take a deep dive into the laws of rugby! Ollie Little and the full house of columnists in Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher are joined by RFU referee and Rugby World Cup Final 2023 TMO Tom Foley. On the menu today, the 20 minute red card, forward passes and Tom's decision to step away from international rugby following the controversy at Rugby World Cup Final 2023.
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.
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.
A new MP3 sermon from Glory Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Nehemiah 2 Subtitle: Guest Preacher Speaker: Chris Hewett Broadcaster: Glory Baptist Church Event: Special Meeting Date: 5/1/2024 Bible: Nehemiah 2 Length: 45 min.
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!
A new MP3 sermon from White Graves Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Gospel According to Benjamin Subtitle: 2024 Youth Meeting Speaker: Chris Hewett Broadcaster: White Graves Baptist Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 4/5/2024 Bible: Genesis 35 Length: 43 min.
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.
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.
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.
Bro. Chris Hewett
Bro. Chris Hewett