The Rugby Paper Podcast

#rugby #rugbyunion #football
Today I was delighted to be joined by the founder of The Arthur Wharton Foundation, Shaun Campbell!
Arthur’s remarkable story began when he moved from Ghana to England, settling in Darlington in 1883. He went on to become the world’s first Black professional footballer, the first officially recognised fastest man and a professional cricketer and rugby player.
The foundation works to promote racial harmony for the public benefit by promoting knowledge and mutual understanding between different racial groups. It also advances education and raises awareness of equality and diversity by promoting activities that foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds.
On Saturday 17th October, Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club will be welcoming Shaun and the Arthur Wharton trust to celebrate Black History Month and Darlington will be presenting a ball signed by all of their players of colour from the minis to the seniors.
🎙️ The TQL Rugby Podcast is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more! 🏉
#rugby #rugbyunion #football #legend #ghana #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #nationalleague

Is the Prem facing an attendance problem despite producing some of the most entertaining rugby we've ever seen?
This week on The Rugby Paper Roundup, Ben Jaycock and Paul Williams look ahead to a huge weekend of rugby as the Champions Cup returns, while discussing worrying crowd numbers at Saracens and Exeter, the Welsh regions' start to the URC season and England's blockbuster women's international against Canada.
🏉 On this week's show:
🔥 Premiership attendances: Northampton and Bath combine for 119 points, but why are there empty seats at Saracens and Exeter?
🏆 Champions Cup preview: Can Northampton defend their European crown? We look ahead to Gloucester v Bordeaux, Toulouse v Exeter, Pau v Leicester, Clermont v Leinster and more.
🏴 Welsh rugby revival? Encouraging signs from the Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons, plus who's hot and who's not in the URC heading into Europe.
🌹 England v Canada: After their dramatic 26-26 draw, can Canada finally end the Red Roses' unbeaten run on home soil?
💪 Championship and National Leagues: Worcester's extraordinary start, plus Plymouth and Tonbridge's unbeaten records. 
💬 Join the debate: Is Premiership rugby becoming too expensive for supporters? Which English club will go furthest in Europe? And can Canada shock England?
Let us know your thoughts and weekend predictions in the comments!
📰 Read the latest rugby news, interviews and analysis at https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/
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#RugbyUnion #ChampionsCup #GallagherPREM #TheRugbyPaper #URC #RedRoses #WomensRugby #Saracens #WelshRugby

Today I thoroughly enjoyed doing a deep dive on an outstanding new fly-half who made the first two URC matches in South Africa for Leinster that little bit more exiting!
Born in Austria and following in his father’s footsteps, Caspar Gabriel joined the club during COVID, and after making his first cap last season, has now since started twice against the Lions and Sharks this term.
In this video I go into his background, his motivations, the skills in him that caught my eye and where I think he sits in the Leinster fly-half pecking order!
Always love seeing a new player make a good account of himself!
Keep it up Casper 👍
🎙️ The TQL Rugby Podcast is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more! 🏉
#rugby #rugbyunion #leinster #leinsterrugby #ireland #onetowatch #podcast 

This week I was overjoyed to reunite with a legend of Champ Rugby and phenomenal fly-half, Bruce Houston!
 
Bruce’s rugby CV boasts a wide range of experience from club level to international duty as he toured South Africa, Canada and America whilst playing for Zimbabwe.
 
I first spoke to Bruce in 2025 whilst he played with Champ side Cornish Pirates and we really hit it off.
 
Bruce’s enthusiasm and experience makes an interview feel more like a chat, and I expect the former Ulsterman’s return to the Champ to be more thrilling than ever!
 
Honing his skills with Ulster, Edinburgh, Ealing Trailfinders, Cornish Pirates and USBPA rugby, Bruce is certainly one to watch.
 
Having keenly followed his career with interest, I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for the 26-year-old!
 
And, for good measure, we have an impromptu and unexpected chat about golf!
 

Ugo Monye was speaking on behalf of LiveScore Bet - the home of NFL betting. Visit https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/ for the latest NFL odds and offers.
 
In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…The Premiership is back — and former England and British & Irish Lions winger Ugo Monye joins Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock to look ahead to the new domestic season and tackle some of the biggest questions facing English rugby.After a disappointing campaign for Harlequins, can Ugo’s former club bounce back and re-establish themselves among the Premiership contenders? Do they need to evolve their trademark attacking style to challenge for silverware?We also turn our attention to England’s increasingly competitive battle on the wings, including one of the most exciting young talents in the country.🏉 Can Harlequins bounce back?We discuss:•⁠  ⁠What went wrong for Quins last season•⁠  ⁠Whether they can return to Premiership title contention•⁠  ⁠The importance of maintaining their attacking identity while finding different ways to win•⁠  ⁠Who Ugo expects to set the standard as the Premiership returns•⁠  ⁠The teams and players who could surprise us this season  🌹 England’s battle on the wingAs a former international winger himself, Ugo gives his verdict on the growing number of players pushing for England honours.What does an elite Test winger need in the modern game? Who is closest to breaking into Steve Borthwick’s side? And with so much competition emerging, what combination should England ultimately be looking for?🔥 Is Noah Caluori ready for Test rugby?One of English rugby’s brightest young talents is already generating huge excitement.We ask Ugo what makes Noah Caluori such a special prospect and whether he is ready to make the enormous leap into Test rugby.Is it a case of protecting a young player and allowing him to develop — or, if you’re good enough, are you old enough?🌍 How do England bridge the gap?South Africa and New Zealand continue to set the benchmark at the top of the international game.So where are England currently falling short?We discuss whether the difference is talent, depth, cohesion or execution under pressure — and what needs to change for England to arrive at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia capable of consistently challenging the world’s leading sides.Plus, Ugo gives us his predictions for the new Premiership campaign and the England players he expects to enhance their reputations this season.🎧 Subscribe for more weekly rugby insight, analysis and debate from The Rugby Paper Roundup.You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link:https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptionsOR by scanning the QR code in the top right corner.Follow us across social media for more rugby insight and analysis:X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaperFacebook: / therugbypaperInstagram: / therugbypaper

TQL Rugby Podcast
 
This week I was delighted to be joined by one of my favourite rugby YouTubers, Riaan Louw!
 
Riaan is a serial Lions & Springbok supporter as well as a fair and fun observer of all teams and games. When it comes to South African rugby there are few people who can match his passion and knowledge.
 
Riaan’s love of the game speaks for itself. Dedicating six years to creating nearly 200 fun and informative YouTube videos; the Rugby Updates, Riaan is a regular guest over many podcasts and he works hard to share his devotion of rugby to all supporters worldwide!
 
I first came across the Rugby Updates when a video entitled “What is Rugby” popped up on my feed and I’ve been hooked ever since.
 
Riaan offers funny, fair and knowledgeable opinions on a wide array of games from club to international, women’s and men’s games alike! 
 
We discuss what got Riaan into rugby, his beloved Lions and how they put the All Blacks to the test.
 
We also touched on how the Springboks maintain such dominance in the world of rugby as well as take a look at the upcoming URC season starting this Friday!
 
You can find Riaan on YouTube (@RiaanLouw), X (@Ringo26) and Instagram (ringo1926)!   
 

In this episode of The Rugby Paper Round Up, TRP Assistant Editor,Ben Jaycock is joined by Rich from YouTube channel, RugbyAnalyst. We discuss Henry Pollock finally signing for Northampton under. Eddie Hearn and Matchroom now represent Pollock, is this a the future style for rugby player representation…or will it drag rugby down? We also discuss Northampton Saints’ and England’s prospects this season with Pollock involved. What is his best position and what the balance of the England backrow should be? 🎧 Subscribe for more weekly rugby insight, analysis and debate from The Rugby Paper Roundup. 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. Follow us across social media for more rugby insight and analysis: X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaper Facebook: / therugbypaper Instagram: / therugbypaper

#leinster #leinsterrugby #ireland
 
With the new URC season starting next week on Friday, I took a moment to look back and reflect on my top five comical/unusual and downright embarrassing moments I’ve had when meeting Leinster players and their family over the years.
 
Each encounter has been at away games, as with living in the UK it’s much easier to see them when they come over, and as ever, the players always make time for us fans, mad ones and all.
 
Despite being six months out of being 40, so older than all players concerned, a rugby writer and technically a journalist to the players, I find that like any fan I find when meeting the players that my brain and voice decide to go on their own little adventure resulting in me asking the most bizarre questions or making the most ludicrous statements. Long may it remain.
 
Despite being six months away from turning 40, making me older than all the players concerned, I’m a rugby writer and, technically, a journalist to them, yet, like any fan, I find that when meeting the players, my brain and voice decide to go on their own little adventure, resulting in me asking the most bizarre questions or making the most ludicrous statements. Long may it remain.
 
So I compiled my top five moments meeting Leinster players and I hope you enjoy!
 
#leinster #leinsterrugby #ireland #irishrugby #irish #rugby #rugbyunion #heroes #embarassing #funny #goodhumor

This weekend, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry heads to America as South Africa and New Zealand meet at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for the fourth and final Test of their series.
The Springboks lead 2–1, but this weekend is about considerably more than the series score.
With the United States preparing to host its first men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby journalist and former Major League Rugby writer Joe Harvey to ask the big question:
How does rugby actually crack America?
🇺🇸 Can Rugby Break Through in the USA?
We discuss:
• What taking Springboks v All Blacks to Baltimore can achieve• Whether a crowd dominated by South African and New Zealand supporters actually helps grow American rugby• How rugby converts a major one-off event into lasting interest• What American sports fans need from rugby• Whether the traditional rugby audience is enough to make the sport successful in the US• The importance of building momentum before the 2031 Rugby World Cup
🏉 The State of American Rugby
Joe gives us his insight from years covering Major League Rugby and the North American game as we examine the opportunities — and challenges — facing rugby in the United States.
Can the sport establish a genuine place alongside America’s established leagues? What lessons can be learned from Major League Rugby? And what needs to happen over the next five years to ensure 2031 leaves a meaningful legacy?
🇿🇦🇳🇿 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
There is also the small matter of the rugby itself.
South Africa take a 2–1 series lead into the fourth and final Test against New Zealand, with Baltimore providing a fascinating setting for the conclusion of one of international rugby’s greatest rivalries.
Can the All Blacks level the series, or will the Springboks finish the job on American soil?
🎧 Subscribe for more weekly rugby insight, analysis and debate from The Rugby Paper Roundup.
You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link:https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptions
OR by scanning the QR code in the top right corner.
Follow us across social media for more rugby insight and analysis:
X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaperFacebook: / therugbypaperInstagram: / therugbypaper

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 as their first win on Dublin soil as they defeated the British & Irish Lions. Can Felipe's experience and prowess help Leinster achieve that ever elusive fifth star? Here's hoping! #leinsterrugby #leinster #newcoach #headcoach #urc #rugby #rugbyunion #argentina #argentinarugby #pumas #podcast #podcasting #europe #europeanchampionship #new