The Rugby Paper Podcast

S3 E29 - Maxime Mermoz previews Six Nations finale and shares bold views on France

It is time to look ahead to Six Nations super Saturday! The best Saturday of the year is upon us, and with three tantalising contests to look ahead to, we hope you're as excited as we are. 
One of those fixtures is 'Le Crunch', as France take on England to round off the tournament in Lyon. Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett to give some truly compelling insights on his native France side's struggles is former French centre and 2011 Rugby World Cup finalist, Maxime Mermoz.

Super Saturday comes a week early! Reacting to stunning wins for England and Italy

What a weekend of rugby! The latest round of the 2024 Six Nations was without doubt its best so far, as Italy and England pulled off shock upsets in two pulsating encounters on Saturday. 
In a very special mini-episode of the Rugby Paper Podcast, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett react to a stunning round of fixtures.

Episode 100! Previewing England vs Ireland with Jonny Bell

This week, the Rugby Paper Podcast brings up 100 episodes! A huge thank you to all those who support and continue to follow the podcast - we could not have done it without you. 
The guys commemorate the podcast's century by previewing the fourth round of the 2024 Six Nations and in particular looking ahead to England's clash with Ireland at Twickenham. Host Ollie Little and regulars Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by former Ireland centre and Ulster defence coach Jonny Bell.
The panel finish by casting an eye back over the past 100 episodes, reminiscing over their favourite editions and memories.

S3 E26 - Weekend round-up and Tomas Appleton on Portugal's future

Refereeing controversy was once again at the heart of the third round of the 2024 Six Nations, as Paolo Garbisi's contentious missed kick denied Italy a first Six Nations win in France. Plenty to discuss for host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett in this one!
With The Rugby Paper Podcast being such big fans of Portuguese rugby, the guys were very excited to be joined for this episode by Portuguese captain and legend Tomas Appleton to discuss that win against Fiji, meeting Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's future. 

S3 E25 - Calcutta Cup preview with Bryan Redpath

Round 3 of the 2024 Six Nations is coming thick and fast and the headline fixture - as it often is - is Saturday's Calcutta Cup fixture between Scotland and England at Murrayfield.
Scotland are looking for their fourth consecutive win against England for the first time since 1896, whilst all eyes are on how the 'new' England perform in their toughest challenge of the tournament so far.
Joining host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Nick Cain and Chris Hewett to look ahead to the weekend's action is former Scotland captain and London Scottish boss Bryan Redpath.

S3 E24 - Round Two controversy with Peter Winterbottom

The second round of the 2024 Six Nations was marred by refereeing controversy, most notably TMO Brian MacNeice and referee Nic Berry not awarding a try that would have handed Scotland victory over France. 
Today refereeing, the TMO process and the laws of the game are under the Rugby Paper Podcast's microscope as host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Brendan Gallagher and Nick Cain are joined by former England and British and Irish Lions flanker, now coach at Esher Rugby Peter Winterbottom.

S3 E23 - Six Nations latest and remembering Barry John with Jonathan Davies

The opening round of the 2024 Six Nations threw the script out the window as Scotland almost let a 27-point lead slip against Wales, Ireland thumped France at home and England cut it close against Italy. 
With England set to host Wales this weekend and France looking to bounce back against the Scots, host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher are joined by Welsh cross-code legend and BBC commentator Jonathan Davies.
Jiffy also pays tribute to Welsh rugby great Barry John following the tragic announcement of his passing at the weekend. 

S3 E22 - Six Nations 2024 preview with Jerry Guscott

International rugby is back for the first time since Rugby World Cup 2023, and it's Six Nations season! It is the dawn of a new era, with each nation either deploying a new captain or a new head coach.
As is Rugby Paper Podcast tradition, to preview the whole tournament and the blockbuster opening fixtures, host Ollie Little and columnists Chris Hewett, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher are joined by England and British and Irish Lions legend Jerry Guscott. 

S3 E21 - Rees-Zammit quits rugby, Six Nations squads and Portugal's 2024 with Francisco Isaac

In a fascinating week in European rugby, amidst Six Nations and Women's British and Irish Lions announcements, Welsh rugby superstar Louis Rees-Zammit has announced that he is quitting rugby to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL, aged just 22. The decision has shocked the rugby world and sparked mass debate about what it represents for the game of rugby as well as whether Rees-Zammit can succeed in one of the most competitive player pools in world sport.
Host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher, Chris Hewett and Nick Cain are joined by journalist Francisco Isaac to discuss Rees-Zammit's move, Six Nations squads and the 2024 rugby prospects of Francisco's native Portugal.

S3 E20 - 2023 in review with Jeff Probyn

Happy New Year from the Rugby Paper Podcast! As 2024 dawns, host Ollie Little and Rugby Paper columnists Nick Cain, Chris Hewett and Brendan Gallagher are joined by former England prop Jeff Probyn to look back on a memorable 2023 both global and English rugby, as well as the podcast itself. 
Where does the past year leave the English game? What was everyone's moment of 2023? What was Chris Hewett's favourite podcast episode? Only one way to find out!