The Rugby Paper Podcast

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by All Things Rugby editor Saner Hasan to preview one of the biggest weekends in the club rugby calendar. The Prem final takes centre stage as Northampton Saints take on Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham. The Saints have been the benchmark side all season, while Exeter’s remarkable rise from crisis to contenders has become one of the stories of the campaign. We break down the contrasting journeys of the two finalists, the brilliance of Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman, Henry Pollock’s meteoric rise, and why Rob Baxter’s rebuilt Chiefs are proving so difficult to beat. We also discuss: •⁠ ⁠Whether Tommy Freeman is the most dangerous player in the Premiership •⁠ ⁠Exeter’s transformation from relegation fears to title challengers •⁠ ⁠The key battles between Fin Smith and Harvey Skinner, and Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade •⁠ ⁠Whether recent final experience gives Saints an edge 🏆 URC Final Attention then turns to Croke Park where Leinster face the Bulls in a repeat of last year's final. We discuss: •⁠ ⁠Why winning the URC almost feels like a minimum requirement for Leinster •⁠ ⁠Whether the Bulls can finally end their long wait for silverware •⁠ ⁠The pressure on Leo Cullen’s side after another Champions Cup disappointment •⁠ ⁠Which team has more to lose on Friday night 🌏 Super Rugby Pacific Final The Hurricanes host the Chiefs in Wellington in a final that has never happened before. We ask: •⁠ ⁠Are the Hurricanes the best club side in world rugby right now? •⁠ ⁠Can the Chiefs finally end their run of final heartbreak? •⁠ ⁠Which side handles the pressure of the occasion better? 🌹 France XV v England XV Before the finals begin, England XV head to Vannes to take on France XV as Steve Borthwick starts preparations for the summer Nations Championship. We discuss: •⁠ ⁠Why this uncapped fixture matters more than it looks •⁠ ⁠The return of Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Max Ojomoh •⁠ ⁠England's opportunity to build momentum for the summer •⁠ ⁠The notable absence of Ollie Lawrence 🔥 Final Questions •⁠ ⁠Which win would mean the most? •⁠ ⁠Which player is under the most pressure? •⁠ ⁠If you could build a team around one player from the finals weekend, who would it be? •⁠ ⁠Ranking the fly-halves: Fin Smith, Harvey Skinner, Sam Prendergast, Handré Pollard, Damian McKenzie and Ruben Love 🎧 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... 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

ENGLAND v IRELAND | Twickenham Response or Irish Statement? | ft Pat McCarry | The Rugby Paper Roundup In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Irish rugby writer Pat McCarry to preview a huge Six Nations showdown at Twickenham. England’s 12-match unbeaten run is over. Grand Slam hopes are gone. Suddenly Steve Borthwick’s side are under pressure again after their Murrayfield setback. But Ireland arrive wounded too — facing questions about decline, selection calls and long-term direction under Andy Farrell. We break down whether Scotland was just a blip for England — or a deeper warning sign — and examine Borthwick’s selection shake-up, including Tom Curry’s return, Henry Pollock’s first Test start and changes in the midfield and back three. On the Irish side, Jack Crowley replaces Sam Prendergast as part of five changes, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Furlong back, Josh van der Flier restored, and Caelan Doris shifting to No.8. Is the fly-half debate becoming a distraction? And is the ‘ageing Ireland’ narrative fair — or media overreaction? We also reflect on Maro Itoje’s 100th cap — where does he rank among modern England forwards — and ask the big question: who needs this more? We cover:• Murrayfield hangover — reality check or exposed flaws?• Form vs reputation in England’s selections• Ireland’s leadership core under scrutiny• Tactical battle: territory v multi-phase pressure• Breakdown war — Curry v Ireland’s back row• Title implications heading into Super Saturday Plus, quick previews of:• Wales v Scotland — buoyant visitors against crisis-hit hosts• France v Italy — two years on from that 13-13 drama, can this one stay competitive? Final call: Twickenham response or Irish resurgence? 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/TheRugbyPaperFacebook: / therugbypaperInstagram: / therugbypaper Coaching at a grassroots rugby club while juggling work, family & training? Then this is for you. The Rugby Coach Weekly Partner Club Programme helps clubs recruit, train and retain volunteer coaches — while making your coaching life easier. https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Ben Coles from The Observer to discuss the first round of Six Nations matches, team news across all nations, and the pair make their round 1 predictions. Coles also shares what stood out when he was recently face to face with South Africa's prestigious leader, Rassie Erasmus, in Cape Town. 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. Remember to follow us across social media for more content and to keep up-to-date with the latest rugby news! X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaper Facebook: / therugbypaper Instagram: / therugbypaper Coaching at a grassroots rugby club while juggling work, family & training? Then this is for you. The Rugby Coach Weekly Partner Club Programme helps clubs recruit, train and retain volunteer coaches – while making your coaching life easier. https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Huw Griffin from HG Rugby to discuss further turmoil off the pitch for the Welsh regions in the URC, while the pair also assess Wales', Scotland's and France's Six Nations squads, and the headline names who have failed to make the cut. Ben and Huw also pay tribute to Jamie George, who will be hanging up his boots at the end of the 2027 World Cup, and discuss why the EPCR competitions are failing to engage supporters. 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. Remember to follow us across social media for more content and to keep up-to-date with the latest rugby news! X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaper Facebook: / therugbypaper Instagram: / therugbypaper Coaching at a grassroots rugby club while juggling work, family & training? Then this is for you. The Rugby Coach Weekly Partner Club Programme helps clubs recruit, train and retain volunteer coaches – while making your coaching life easier. https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/part...

In this week's episode of the Rugby Paper Roundup... Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by Sale Sharks winger Obi Ene to discuss this weekend's Champions Cup fixtures, which include the tyro player's first European start in the battle of the Sharks as Sale meets Durban. The pair also discuss the newly rebranded Champ as Obi talks us through the brilliance of the second tier and the future of the Prem amidst rumours of ring fencing. 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. Remember to follow us across social media for more content and to keep up-to-date with the latest rugby news! X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaper Facebook: / therugbypaper Instagram: / therugbypaper