The Rugby Paper Podcast

S4 E13 - England Autumn Series review with Topsy Ojo

England got back to winning ways with a routing of Japan at Twickenham on Sunday. However after five consecutive defeats prior questions burn even stronger than they did before the Autumn. 
Do England keep faith in the blitz defence? Who are the back row/midfield combinations to take the team forward? Is Steve Borthwick the right head coach?
Joining the guys today to assess where England stand is former England and London Irish winger and ITV and Premiership Rugby broadcaster Topsy Ojo.

S4 E12 - Nemani Nadolo on England struggles, Fiji's terrifying backline and the best wingers in the world

Three weeks into the Autumn internationals and England and Wales both remain winless. Question marks hang over Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland's futures going into the final full weekend of November action.
With more tantalising fixtures coming up this weekend including Fiji's trip to Ireland, the guys are joined by fearsome Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo to discuss what Steve Borthwick is like as a coach, Fiji's awesome backline and Josua Tuisova's calves! In a cracking episode, Nemani also picks the best four wingers he has ever shared a rugby field with.

S4 E11 - Joe Tomane celebrates Southern Hemisphere clean sweep as England fall short again

It was a great weekend to be south of the equator as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and Argentina handed out defeats to Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Italy. England fell short from a winnable position for the fifth time in six matches against a rejuvenated Wallabies side, while Wales slipped to new lows with a record-equalling tenth consecutive defeat. 
Today the guys are joined by former Australia international Joe Tomane. Revelling in his side's win and the arrival on the world stage of Joseph Sua'ali'i, the guys also give their predictions for the upcoming blockbuster weekend of Autumn action. 

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!