The Rugby Paper Podcast

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. 

S3 E49 - Rugby Championship review: Wallaby woes and can New Zealand stop South Africa?

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. 

S3 E48 - Tom Foley on 20 minute reds, laws of the game and RWC Final 2023 fallout

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. 

S3 E47 - Olympics Special with Team GB's Ellie Boatman

Summer Olympics season is upon us! As the rugby season draws to a close, all eyes have turned towards the game's shorter format in Paris, as the best Sevens players in the world are targeting Olympic gold. 
Antoine Dupont leads hosts France as favourites in the men's draw, whilst in the women's draw Team GB are trying to go one better having finished fourth in both Tokyo and Rio. Joining the guys in this one is Team GB star Ellie Boatman, who talks about what it's like to be at her first Olympic Games, Team GB's prospects, as well as her inspirational journey to rugby in which she had to overcome an eating disorder.