The Rugby Paper Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.  

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. 

The big one is upon us! Northampton Saints and Bath are set to battle it out in one of the most eagerly anticipated Gallagher Premiership final in years. Today's episode goes completely off piste, as host Ollie Little and columnists Nick Cain, Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett are joined by TNT Premiership rugby and European Cup rugby anchor Craig Doyle. As well as previewing the final, Craig shares some incredible stories from his career including a fight with Ben Kay, an interview with Tiger Woods and more, and Ollie has a blunder of his own!

Episode 24 of The Rugby Paper Podcast welcomes former Ireland fly-half Mick Quinn, basking in the success of his team's historic summer  in New Zealand. Together with host Ollie Little and columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett, Mick lays out Irish prospects for the World Cup next year. Mick also takes the liberty to lay into English life prospects in general. 

Points of discussion are in abundance in your next edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast after a fitting finale to the summer series. Host Ollie Little is rejoined by Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett as they welcome special guest, former England full-back, professional cricketer and rugby journalist Alastair Hignell. As well as discussing Ireland's phenomenal achievement in New Zealand and the perennial problem of England selection, Alastair provides fascinating insight into his charity work for The Sporting Memories Foundation, an organisation that uses the power of sports reminiscing and discussion to tackle dementia, depression and loneliness among the elderly. 

Two weekends of summer tours have proved a microcosm of the very fine north/south divide at present. Australia vs England, New Zealand vs Ireland, South Africa vs Wales and Argentina vs Scotland are all locked at a win apiece. The Rugby Paper Podcast looks ahead to a weekend guaranteed of drama and unpredictability. To do so, Ollie Little is joined by columnists Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett, as well as former Bath and England prop Gareth Chilcott. 

Saturday's Gallagher Premiership Final was a wonderful occasion - not least if you are a Leicester Tigers fan! The Rugby Paper Podcast looks back at the final and the Gallagher Premiership season as a whole, as well as reviewing the England squad for their tour of Australia which was announced following a dismal showing against the Barbarians. Joining host Ollie Little to do this are regular columnists for The Rugby Paper Brendan Gallagher and Chris Hewett, as well as former England prop Jeff Probyn. 

Following a weekend of chaotic semi-final action, this week's instalment of The Rugby Paper Podcast previews the all-important Gallagher Premiership Final between Leicester Tigers and Saracens. Joining host Ollie Little is columnist for The Rugby Paper and podcast debutant Chris Hewett as well special guest former England scrum-half and World Cup winner Kyran Bracken. 

Your next edition of The Rugby Paper Podcast discusses the United Rugby Championship. The URC is undergoing something of a revolution, with the addition of four South African provinces this season. Two South African sides made it to the semi-finals, however with all four Welsh regions missing out on quarter-final spots. Joining Ollie Little, Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher to debate this imbalance is former Wales captain and one of the most distinctive voices in rugby, Eddie Butler.

This week, host Ollie Little and Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock are joined by Scotland international and Saracens back row Andy Christie to discuss the all important denouement for the Gallagher Premiership 2022 season, chaotic international call-ups, Love Island and more.