About this episode

The episode features a discussion on the Women's Six Nations 2026 and insights into the growth of women's rugby in the UK.

RED ROSES SELECTION! Six Nations 2026 + PWR Insights | ft Claire Thomas | The Rugby Paper Roundup In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by TNT Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live broadcaster Claire Thomas to preview the Women’s Six Nations — and explore the incredible momentum building behind the game. Women’s rugby fandom in the UK has surged from 7.94 million to 13.21 million since last summer’s Rugby World Cup, and now the Red Roses are set to play in front of over 70,000 fans against Ireland in the opening round. Is this the moment the women’s game truly hits the mainstream? Claire brings a unique perspective having covered Premiership Women’s Rugby week in, week out — offering insight into how the domestic game is shaping England’s squad, style and strength in depth heading into the tournament. We discuss: •⁠ ⁠How well the PWR prepares players for the step up to Test rugby •⁠ ⁠England’s incredible depth — and the selection headaches it’s creating •⁠ ⁠Which players are hitting form at just the right time •⁠ ⁠Meg Jones as captain — leadership, communication and presence •⁠ ⁠The big England XV debates — who starts and who misses out…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Jaycock

Guest: Claire Thomas

Topics covered

• Women's rugby
• Six Nations 2026
• PWR Insights
• England's squad
• Fan engagement
• Domestic game growth

Keywords

• Red Roses
• Six Nations
• women's rugby
• PWR
• England squad
• fan engagement
• Meg Jones
• domestic game

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: TNT Sports, BBC Radio 5 Live, Red Roses, Women’s Six Nations, Premiership Women’s Rugby

Places: UK, Ireland

More episodes of The Rugby Paper Podcast

• Is England’s Dominance Hurting the Women’s Six Nations? Rugby Paper Roundup ft Fi Tomas · May 6, 2026 · 37 min
• ENGLAND DOMINATE...THE REST CHASE! Six Nations Chat + North Retirement | ft Georgie Perris-Redding · April 29, 2026 · 31 min
• RED ROSES ROLL ON! | England v Wales + Saints v Bath Preview | ft Nick Heath | Rugby Paper Roundup · April 23, 2026 · 36 min
• England Injury Worries + Ellie Kildunne’s Powerful Story | Women’s Six Nations · April 16, 2026 · 29 min
• THE BIG SIX NATIONS ROUND 1 PREVIEW | + Lawes Returns! | ft Rachael Burford | Rugby Paper Roundup · April 9, 2026 · 33 min
• 70,000 FANS FOR RED ROSES OPENER! | Meg Jones Captaincy + Women’s Six Nations Launch | ft Victoria Rush | The Rugby Paper Roundup · March 27, 2026 · 33 min

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