The Rugby Paper Podcast

S4 E10 - Alex Cuthbert joins as England drop the ball against NZ + Wales set for crucial Autumn

With an eight point lead England seemed in control at Twickenham, only for a New Zealand fight back and some questionable substitutions to once again deny the men in white for the third time in as many months. 
Did England's tactics blow it? How good is Wallace Sititi? Should New Zealand receive a fine for advancing their haka?
The guys are joined by British and Irish Lions and Wales wing Alex Cuthbert to review all, as well as looking ahead to England v Australia and Wales's Autumn international campaign as a whole. 

S4 E9 - Luke Pearce on 20-minute red card and Autumn Internationals preview

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.

S4 E8 - 20-minute red debate and Falcons finally end drought

With the rugby world divided over the trial of the 20-minute red card during the November internationals, it's only right that the Rugby Paper Podcast weighs in. Join host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain for an intense debate around its introduction to northern hemisphere test rugby. 
The guys also discuss Newcastle's first victory in 581 days, ending a 25-match losing streak! 

S4 E7 - Nick Auterac's journey from rugby to music composition + England squad reaction

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. 

S4 E6 - Gallagher Premiership, Exeter records and the need for speed with Olly Woodburn

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!

S4 E5 - David Campese reviews Rugby Championship and Australian rugby

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. 

S4 E4 - Argentina make history, but can they do it again?

For the first time since their involvement in the Rugby Championship, Argentina have secured a win against the other three nations in a single tournament. They downed reigning World Champions South Africa on Saturday to give themselves a slim chance of winning the Rugby Championship for the first time. 
Joining the guys to revel in his nation's win and assess their chances of doing the double on Saturday is former Argentina and Saracens centre, Marcelo Bosch. The guys also discuss Eben Etzebeth's phenomenal career as he becomes the most-capped Springbok of all time, as well as discussing whether Argentina would host a British and Irish Lions tour!

S4 E3 - Gallagher Premiership season preview with Luther Burrell

The Gallagher Premiership returns! Can Northampton defend their title? How will Saracens fare without Owen Farrell? Will Newcastle give a better account of themselves?
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell joins Ollie Little, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain to discuss all for this one. A former Saint and Falcon, Luther has seen it all in the Premiership. The guys discuss concussion in rugby, how the top sides are looking and stay until the end for title predictions and ones to watch!

S4 E2 - Juandré Kruger on unstoppable Springboks and woeful Wallabies

The Rugby Paper Podcast's microscope moves south of the equator for today's episode, as in the latest round of the Rugby Championship South Africa wrapped up their fourth consecutive win against the All Blacks before Argentina condemned Australia to their largest ever defeat. 
The Springboks continue to go from strength to strength under Rassie Erasmus, while question marks remain over whether Australia will be able to competitively host the British and Irish Lions next summer. Joining Ollie Little and Brendan Gallagher for this one is former South Africa lock, Juandré Kruger.  

Season 4 Episode 1 - Stuart Lancaster previews Top 14 and Owen Farrell Racing debut

Welcome to a new season of the Rugby Paper Podcast! As the 2024/25 season is about to get underway, what better way to start it than welcoming Racing 92 head coach and former England head coach Stuart Lancaster! 
Stuart discusses the impact Owen Farrell has had at Racing since he arrived six weeks ago and looks ahead to his debut as well as the Top 14 season as a whole. He also discusses Siya Kolisi's likely departure and how Racing can match Toulouse. 
The guys then discuss this week's announcement of the RFU's new 'enhanced contract' scheme for 25 England players, as well as the worrying implications behind the departures of England defence coach Felix Jones and strength and conditioning coach Aled Walters.