Test rugby thriving after best ever Six Nations + how does rugby crack USA | The Rugby Paper Roundup

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby analyst Sam Larner to reflect on what many are calling the greatest Six Nations ever — and ask the big question: is Test rugby in its strongest place yet? With record try-scoring, high-tempo matches and attacking rugby on show throughout the championship, we break down what’s driving the shift in style and whether this is a sustainable evolution of the international game. We also zoom out to the global picture and tackle one of rugby’s biggest challenges — how the sport can crack the USA market. With a Rugby World Cup on the horizon and growing investment stateside, what needs to happen for rugby union to truly break through in one of the world’s biggest sporting landscapes? Plus, Sam brings key data insights to the table to explain where the game is heading next — and what it means for players, coaches and fans alike. You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link: [https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subsc](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](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/](https://www.rugbycoachweekly.net/)

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by former Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Jonathan “Fox” Davies to preview a dramatic Super Saturday finale to the Six Nations. With France, Ireland and Scotland all still in the title hunt, we break down the key matchups that will decide the championship. Can Scotland end their long wait for a win in Dublin? Will England avoid their worst Six Nations campaign by upsetting France? And after signs of improvement, can Wales finally break their long losing run when they face Italy? Fox also gives his thoughts on one of the tournament’s standout performers, Tommaso Menoncello, after the Italy centre tore England apart — and discusses just how good the 2024 Six Nations Player of the Championship really is. We also talk about Wales’ recent resurgence, the challenge of offering honest analysis while respecting the players on the pitch, and what Super Saturday could mean for the wider narrative around the tournament. We also discuss: •⁠ ⁠Wales’ revival and belief returning to the squad •⁠ ⁠Scotland’s chance to make history in Dublin •⁠ ⁠England’s search for answers after a difficult campaign •⁠ ⁠The title race permutations heading into the final round •⁠ ⁠The wider state of the game — and whether Fox is optimistic about rugby’s future Plus, we open the fan mailbag, with questions from listeners covering: •⁠ ⁠Could Wales beat England right now at the Principality? •⁠ ⁠What’s really going wrong with England? •⁠ ⁠Why are coaches with rugby league backgrounds thriving in union? •⁠ ⁠Fox’s favourite British & Irish Lions team-mate from tour 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 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/

CHRISTIAN DAY | Italy v England Six Nations preview | MasterChef to RPA leader | Rugby Paper Roundup | Six Nations 2026 In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by one of rugby’s most influential player voices — RPA General Secretary Christian Day — for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the pitch. From cooking under pressure on MasterChef to negotiating under pressure in rugby’s corridors of power, we explore the man behind the governance role — but first, we start with the Six Nations. Following England’s bruising defeat to Ireland, we assess the fallout heading into the fallow week. What questions will Steve Borthwick’s squad be asking themselves after back-to-back humblings? Was the 12-match unbeaten run overhyped? And with Italy looming, is there genuine banana-skin potential? Away from Test rugby, Christian opens up on his surprise MasterChef appearance — where his passion for cooking began, how food culture has evolved in professional rugby, and whether elite sport shares traits with high-pressure kitchens. We also cover: •⁠ ⁠Cooking as a mental escape from pro rugby pressures •⁠ ⁠Signature dishes & dressing room food culture •⁠ ⁠Nutrition’s evolution in the modern game •⁠ ⁠Financial fragility across the club landscape •⁠ ⁠Player welfare challenges in 2026 •⁠ ⁠Contract security & career transition support •⁠ ⁠The global calendar and player workload debate •⁠ ⁠Relationship dynamics between the RPA, RFU & Premiership Rugby •⁠ ⁠Women’s player representation and professional growth •⁠ ⁠How the on-field product is evolving — collisions, breakdown and safety balance From Premiership finals to judges’ tables, it’s a fascinating insight into life after playing — and life at the heart of rugby’s decision-making table. 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 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/

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/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 the king of rugby compilations, Andrew Forde, to break down the biggest stories heading into Round Two of the Six Nations. The pair react to England’s team news ahead of Saturday — with Maro Itoje returning, Luke Cowan-Dickie coming in for Jamie George, and Fin Smith handed the No.10 shirt — before making their Round Two predictions, including whether Italy can cause another shock in Dublin. Andrew also discusses the viral rise of his YouTube channel, how he got started producing rugby compilations, and why highlight culture is playing a growing role in the sport’s digital reach. We also dive into the “Henry Pollock effect” — why the young back row is generating so much buzz — and Andrew builds a dream XV made up entirely of players he’s created highlight reels on. Plus, with the U20 Six Nations underway, we discuss emerging stars like Tom Bowen and Kalvin Gourgues, and whether early highlight exposure accelerates hype around young players. The show rounds off with a look at Super Rugby Pacific’s return, including new law tweaks designed to speed the game up — from quicker taps to breakdown changes — and what they could mean for the global game. 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 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 Pau No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu to discuss Uini Atonio's sudden retirement, France's mind boggling selection calls and what's life like in the Top 14. Carwyn stresses the need for more personalities in the game through the use of social media and also gives an insight into what's life like inside one of rugby's most prestigious families and the pressures from fans and media that come with that. 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 rugby columnist Paul Williams to discuss the breaking news that Scott Robertson has been sacked by New Zealand, how Bristol Bears are flying in the Champions Cup and how Cardiff could be a shining light for Wales, offering some much needed positivity amidst a turbulent time for Welsh rugby. 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

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