The Rugby Paper Podcast
The Rugby Paper Round Up is your weekly podcast bringing you the biggest stories, standout performances and key insight from across the rugby world. With insight from The Rugby Paper’s Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock and a special guest from the sport each week, they cover everything from the Prem and URC to the Champ, National Leagues, BUCS and the women’s game.
Your essential audio guide to the week in rugby.
Episodes

6 hours ago
6 hours ago
44 min
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.

3 days ago
3 days ago
19 min
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 like, share and subscribe wherever you stream your podcasts! Just search for The Rugby Paper Podcast or TQL rugby Podcast!

Jul 16, 2026
Jul 16, 2026
20 min
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 climbed the World Rugby Rankings to No1.
In this video I break down the history between these two international heavyweights, discuss the key players who will be integral to a legendary win at Eden Park, and give my thoughts, analysis and predictions on Ireland’s huge challenge, plus every other game in the final round of the Nations Championship.
Feel free to like, share and subscribe and don’t forget to find me wherever you stream your podcasts!
Just search for @therugbypaperpodcast or TQL Rugby Podcast!
Jul 13, 2026
Jul 13, 2026
16 min
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 subscribe and you can listen on Spotify/Amazon Music and wherever you stream your podcasts!
Just search for The Rugby Paper Podcast or TQL Rugby Podcast!

Jul 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026
20 min
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 can find me at
@TheRugbyPaperPodcast
and TQL Rugby Podcast wherever you stream your podcasts! #rugby #rugbyunion #ireland #irishrugby #leinsterrugby #munsterrugby #connachtrugby #ulsterrugby #international #australia #japan #japanrugby #eddiejones #worldrugby #podcast #podcasting

Jul 8, 2026
Jul 8, 2026
43 min
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:
• Why England's form has collapsed since the Six Nations
• The growing indiscipline problem and its impact on results
• Whether England's kick-heavy game plan has become outdated
• Why Steve Borthwick is coming under increasing pressure
• Can England turn things around against Fiji?
• Why Josua Tuisova and Fiji will fancy their chances
• Should the RFU do everything possible to bring Shaun Edwards back to England?
🏉 Wales' Revival
Attention also turns to Wales, who have rediscovered confidence under Steve Tandy.
We discuss:
• What's changed since Tandy's arrival?
• Why Wales suddenly look like a different side
We also chat:
🌍 Nations Championship
🏆 World Rugby U20 Championship
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

Jul 7, 2026
Jul 7, 2026
12 min
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
Jul 2, 2026
Jul 2, 2026
18 min
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!

Jul 1, 2026
Jul 1, 2026
52 min
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 slow and what it says about the launch of the new competition. Ben also makes the case for an England upset, while Avuyile brings exclusive insight from Johannesburg on the mood around the Springboks camp and why England's rising star Henry Pollock has quickly become one of South Africa's most talked-about – and unpopular – opponents.
We also discuss:
• Rassie Erasmus' team selection and the strengths of the Springboks XV
• Ben Earl's fascinating mindset heading into one of rugby's toughest away trips
• The atmosphere in Johannesburg ahead of the Nations Championship opener
• The biggest tactical battles that could decide the match
🎧 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...](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
Jul 1, 2026
Jul 1, 2026
20 min
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 best!
#rugby #ireland #leinster #internationalrugby #legend #club #country #sixnations #irishrugby #rugbyunion #lock #backrow #riseofrugby #irfu #leinsterrugby #podcast #podcasting #new #inspiration #champion






