TQL Rugby & Bruce Houston – Champ level prowess, aweing in France, international duty with Zimbabwe

This week I was overjoyed to reunite with a legend of Champ Rugby and phenomenal fly-half, Bruce Houston!   Bruce’s rugby CV boasts a wide range of experience from club level to international duty as he toured South Africa, Canada and America whilst playing for Zimbabwe.   I first spoke to Bruce in 2025 whilst he played with Champ side Cornish Pirates and we really hit it off.   Bruce’s enthusiasm and experience makes an interview feel more like a chat, and I expect the former Ulsterman’s return to the Champ to be more thrilling than ever!   Honing his skills with Ulster, Edinburgh, Ealing Trailfinders, Cornish Pirates and USBPA rugby, Bruce is certainly one to watch.   Having keenly followed his career with interest, I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for the 26-year-old!   And, for good measure, we have an impromptu and unexpected chat about golf!  

Ugo Monye was speaking on behalf of LiveScore Bet - the home of NFL betting. Visit https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/ for the latest NFL odds and offers.   In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… The Premiership is back — and former England and British & Irish Lions winger Ugo Monye joins Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock to look ahead to the new domestic season and tackle some of the biggest questions facing English rugby. After a disappointing campaign for Harlequins, can Ugo’s former club bounce back and re-establish themselves among the Premiership contenders? Do they need to evolve their trademark attacking style to challenge for silverware? We also turn our attention to England’s increasingly competitive battle on the wings, including one of the most exciting young talents in the country. 🏉 Can Harlequins bounce back? We discuss: •⁠  ⁠What went wrong for Quins last season •⁠  ⁠Whether they can return to Premiership title contention •⁠  ⁠The importance of maintaining their attacking identity while finding different ways to win •⁠  ⁠Who Ugo expects to set the standard as the Premiership returns •⁠  ⁠The teams and players who could surprise us this season   🌹 England’s battle on the wing As a former international winger himself, Ugo gives his verdict on the growing number of players pushing for England honours. What does an elite Test winger need in the modern game? Who is closest to breaking into Steve Borthwick’s side? And with so much competition emerging, what combination should England ultimately be looking for? 🔥 Is Noah Caluori ready for Test rugby? One of English rugby’s brightest young talents is already generating huge excitement. We ask Ugo what makes Noah Caluori such a special prospect and whether he is ready to make the enormous leap into Test rugby. Is it a case of protecting a young player and allowing him to develop — or, if you’re good enough, are you old enough? 🌍 How do England bridge the gap? South Africa and New Zealand continue to set the benchmark at the top of the international game. So where are England currently falling short? We discuss whether the difference is talent, depth, cohesion or execution under pressure — and what needs to change for England to arrive at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia capable of consistently challenging the world’s leading sides. Plus, Ugo gives us his predictions for the new Premiership campaign and the England players he expects to enhance their reputations this season. 🎧 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/subscriptions 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

TQL Rugby Podcast   This week I was delighted to be joined by one of my favourite rugby YouTubers, Riaan Louw!   Riaan is a serial Lions & Springbok supporter as well as a fair and fun observer of all teams and games. When it comes to South African rugby there are few people who can match his passion and knowledge.   Riaan’s love of the game speaks for itself. Dedicating six years to creating nearly 200 fun and informative YouTube videos; the Rugby Updates, Riaan is a regular guest over many podcasts and he works hard to share his devotion of rugby to all supporters worldwide!   I first came across the Rugby Updates when a video entitled “What is Rugby” popped up on my feed and I’ve been hooked ever since.   Riaan offers funny, fair and knowledgeable opinions on a wide array of games from club to international, women’s and men’s games alike!    We discuss what got Riaan into rugby, his beloved Lions and how they put the All Blacks to the test.   We also touched on how the Springboks maintain such dominance in the world of rugby as well as take a look at the upcoming URC season starting this Friday!   You can find Riaan on YouTube (@RiaanLouw), X (@Ringo26) and Instagram (ringo1926)!     

In this episode of The Rugby Paper Round Up, TRP Assistant Editor,Ben Jaycock is joined by Rich from YouTube channel, RugbyAnalyst. We discuss Henry Pollock finally signing for Northampton under. Eddie Hearn and Matchroom now represent Pollock, is this a the future style for rugby player representation…or will it drag rugby down? We also discuss Northampton Saints’ and England’s prospects this season with Pollock involved. What is his best position and what the balance of the England backrow should be? 🎧 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

#leinster #leinsterrugby #ireland   With the new URC season starting next week on Friday, I took a moment to look back and reflect on my top five comical/unusual and downright embarrassing moments I’ve had when meeting Leinster players and their family over the years.   Each encounter has been at away games, as with living in the UK it’s much easier to see them when they come over, and as ever, the players always make time for us fans, mad ones and all.   Despite being six months out of being 40, so older than all players concerned, a rugby writer and technically a journalist to the players, I find that like any fan I find when meeting the players that my brain and voice decide to go on their own little adventure resulting in me asking the most bizarre questions or making the most ludicrous statements. Long may it remain.   Despite being six months away from turning 40, making me older than all the players concerned, I’m a rugby writer and, technically, a journalist to them, yet, like any fan, I find that when meeting the players, my brain and voice decide to go on their own little adventure, resulting in me asking the most bizarre questions or making the most ludicrous statements. Long may it remain.   So I compiled my top five moments meeting Leinster players and I hope you enjoy!   #leinster #leinsterrugby #ireland #irishrugby #irish #rugby #rugbyunion #heroes #embarassing #funny #goodhumor

This weekend, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry heads to America as South Africa and New Zealand meet at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for the fourth and final Test of their series. The Springboks lead 2–1, but this weekend is about considerably more than the series score. With the United States preparing to host its first men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031, Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby journalist and former Major League Rugby writer Joe Harvey to ask the big question: How does rugby actually crack America? 🇺🇸 Can Rugby Break Through in the USA? We discuss: • What taking Springboks v All Blacks to Baltimore can achieve • Whether a crowd dominated by South African and New Zealand supporters actually helps grow American rugby • How rugby converts a major one-off event into lasting interest • What American sports fans need from rugby • Whether the traditional rugby audience is enough to make the sport successful in the US • The importance of building momentum before the 2031 Rugby World Cup 🏉 The State of American Rugby Joe gives us his insight from years covering Major League Rugby and the North American game as we examine the opportunities — and challenges — facing rugby in the United States. Can the sport establish a genuine place alongside America’s established leagues? What lessons can be learned from Major League Rugby? And what needs to happen over the next five years to ensure 2031 leaves a meaningful legacy? 🇿🇦🇳🇿 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry There is also the small matter of the rugby itself. South Africa take a 2–1 series lead into the fourth and final Test against New Zealand, with Baltimore providing a fascinating setting for the conclusion of one of international rugby’s greatest rivalries. Can the All Blacks level the series, or will the Springboks finish the job on American soil? 🎧 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/subscriptions 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

As Ronan O'Gara decides La Rochelle is home and that's where he's staying I took some time to think about another front runner in the Leinster head coach race, Felipe Contepomi. The Argentine already has great familiarity with Leinster both on and off the field, between 2003 and 2009 Felipe scored an astonishing 1225 points for Leinster before returning in 2018 to become the back's coach. During his time as Argentina head coach Felipe can hang his hat on an impressive number of international wins including a series win against Scotland as well as defeating Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa as well as their first win on Dublin soil as they defeated the British & Irish Lions. Can Felipe's experience and prowess help Leinster achieve that ever elusive fifth star? Here's hoping! #leinsterrugby #leinster #newcoach #headcoach #urc #rugby #rugbyunion #argentina #argentinarugby #pumas #podcast #podcasting #europe #europeanchampionship #new

Today I was delighted to be joined by Guernsey Raider’s dead-eye fly-half Charlie Simmonds! Charlie’s remarkable story stood out to me as his journey to the number ten shirt was quite different to many other players. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis whilst at university, Charlie spent years managing the condition before eventually undergoing surgery to have his colon removed. The operation left him with a stoma bag however it has not diminished his enthusiasm for rugby and with his impressive skillset Charlie helped Gurnsey Raiders this year to retain one of rugby’s oldest ever trophies; the Siam Cup. Charlie’s story doesn’t end there. The Guernsey Raiders this year teamed up with neighbouring rivals Jersey to form a collaboration known as The Channel Islands. This collaboration took on Poland’s international team in July and won an impressive 38 – 27 at Footes Lane in Guernsey. From overcoming medical issues to facing international teams, Charlie’s story is an inspiration to everyone and one to keep an eye on as his career develops!  

In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… It’s transfer special time! Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by renowned rugby columnist Paul Williams to pick their five best signings in both the Gallagher Prem and United Rugby Championship ahead of the new season. We start in the Premiership, where some huge names are on the move and several clubs have made serious statements of intent. 🏉 Jac Morgan — Ospreys to Gloucester Is this the best signing of the summer? Gloucester are getting the Wales captain and British & Irish Lions tourist at just 26, with Morgan joining fellow major recruits Dewi Lake and Jean Kleyn at Kingsholm. We discuss what Morgan adds to Gloucester, whether he can transform their pack and what his departure says about the continued uncertainty surrounding Welsh rugby. 🦈 Courtney Lawes — Brive to Sale Sharks One of English rugby’s modern greats is coming home. At 37, Lawes brings 105 England caps, enormous experience and proven leadership to a Sale side desperate to turn years of contention into silverware. But can he still dominate at Premiership level — and could an extraordinary push for the 2027 Rugby World Cup really be on? 🎭 George Furbank — Northampton Saints to Harlequins One of the most intriguing tactical moves of the summer. We look at how Furbank could combine with Marcus Smith in a potentially devastating Quins attack, where Tyrone Green fits into the equation, and whether the former Saints captain can provide the leadership Harlequins have sometimes lacked. ⚫ George Martin — Leicester Tigers to Saracens Could this ultimately prove the best long-term signing of them all? At just 25, Martin has the potential to anchor the Saracens pack for years — and the prospect of him partnering Maro Itoje should worry the rest of the Premiership. But after a lengthy spell battling serious injuries, is this also one of the biggest gambles of the summer? 🔴 Hoskins Sotutu — Blues to Newcastle Red Bulls Perhaps the biggest statement of Newcastle’s new era. The former Super Rugby MVP arrives on a three-year deal after being pursued by some of the Premiership’s biggest clubs. We discuss what the explosive No.8 can bring to Newcastle, whether his attacking game will translate to the Premiership and what landing a player of his calibre tells us about the ambition behind the Red Bull revolution. 🌍 Five Best URC Signings We then turn our attention to the United Rugby Championship and rank the five transfers we believe could have the biggest impact across Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa this season. 🇿🇦🇳🇿 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Plus, we look ahead to the latest instalment of South Africa v New Zealand, with the Springboks and All Blacks preparing to collide in front of a potential 95,000 fans at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium. You can subscribe to The Rugby Paper digitally or physically for more great content via this link: https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/subscriptions Follow us across social media for more rugby insight and analysis: X: https://x.com/TheRugbyPaper Facebook: / therugbypaper Instagram: / therugbypaper

This morning I was delighted to speak to Senior Sports Reporter for the Irish Examiner, Simon Lewis!   Simon has a decade of experience in the field and as a Munster fan he is delighted to be able to write, report and on occasion follow his beloved team around, which increases the joy and satisfaction Simon gets from the game no end.   Simon was kind enough to make time for me on his travels, as from his location in La Rochelle he was getting ready for tomorrows pre-season friendly between Ronan O'Gara’s La Rochelle and his old club Munster!   Forgive the WIFI dropout around minute 11, however, we didn’t let it stop us 🤣   You can find Simon at @irishexaminer and across all other social media platforms   👍 Feel free to like, share and subscribe and I’ll see you out there 🍀🏉👍   #rugby #rugbyunion #ireland #münster #munsterrugby #larochelle #france #preseason #rivals #irishlegend #irfu #irishrugby #top14 #podcast #podcasting #journalism #reporting #reporter