In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup…

Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by journalist Sarah Rendell to break down a huge second round of the Women’s Six Nations — with England heading to Murrayfield under mounting selection pressure.

After a record-breaking opening weekend that saw over 77,000 fans pack into Twickenham, attention now turns to how the Red Roses respond to a growing injury list. Hannah Botterman and May Campbell are out of the tournament, Alex Matthews misses Scotland through injury, and England had already lost key names including Rosie Galligan, Abbie Ward and captain Zoe Stratford.

Yet, despite those setbacks, England continue to call on the depth of talent coming through the PWR — with Delaney Burns and Liz Crake drafted in. We ask whether this is disruption, or a timely test ahead of the World Cup.

We also discuss Ellie Kildunne’s powerful decision to speak openly about body dysmorphia and the pressures of being one of rugby’s most recognisable faces — and what that says about the changing landscape of the women’s game. With Kildunne also part of rugby’s first ever Twickenham tifo, we explore whether rugby is finally starting to build genuine star power in a team sport that has often struggled to do so.

Looking ahead to Round Two, we preview England’s trip to Scotland, Wales hosting France at Cardiff Arms Park — boosted by the return of Jasmine Joyce — and Ireland taking on Italy at the Dexcom Stadium after an encouraging showing against England.

Beyond the matches, we take a wider look at the growth of the women’s game. With the Women’s Super League seeing huge attendance figures following the Lionesses’ Euros success, why hasn’t the PWR seen the same exponential rise? And does the presentation of matches — including TV shots of empty stands — risk holding the game back?

Plus, we finish with a quickfire round — from Nando’s orders to favourite away days and the best press box food in the game.

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In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by 84-cap former England centre and 2014 World Cup winner Rachael Burford to preview the opening round of the Women’s Six Nations — with a huge occasion on the horizon. The sun is shining, anticipation is building, and England are set to face Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in front of over 75,000 fans — a landmark moment for the Red Roses as they look to lay down an early marker. We break down the big game through a centre’s lens, from the midfield battle and England’s tactical approach to how Ireland can stay in the contest — including the threat posed by players like Aoife Wafer, Erin King and the Dalton-Higgins midfield pairing. We also discuss Meg Jones’ role as captain, England’s best centre combination, and the key battleground that could decide the match. Beyond Twickenham, we preview the rest of Round One — including Wales v Scotland and France v Italy — and give our predictions for how the tournament will start. Plus, we touch on a major story in the men’s game, with Courtney Lawes returning to English rugby with Sale Sharks and targeting a potential comeback for the 2027 World Cup. We discuss: •⁠ ⁠England v Ireland — handling the occasion at Twickenham •⁠ ⁠Tactical breakdown — where the game will be won and lost •⁠ ⁠Ireland’s key threats and how they can challenge England •⁠ ⁠Meg Jones’ captaincy and England’s midfield combinations •⁠ ⁠Wales v Scotland — styles, matchups and prediction •⁠ ⁠France v Italy — storylines and players to watch •⁠ ⁠Courtney Lawes’ return and what it could mean for England Plus, Rachael brings insight from her own England career — and we finish with a fun quickfire, including her go-to Nando’s order, dressing room stories and life away from 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. 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/

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? •⁠ ⁠Whether attacking trends in the PWR are feeding into England’s style •⁠ ⁠The matchday atmosphere and growth of the domestic game •⁠ ⁠Why storytelling and player personalities are driving fan engagement Plus, Claire shares her standout PWR players ready to shine on the international stage, the best atmosphere she’s experienced this season, and the selection calls she’s most intrigued by heading into Round One. 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/

70,000 FANS FOR RED ROSES OPENER! | Meg Jones Captaincy + Women’s Six Nations Launch | ft Victoria Rush | The Rugby Paper Roundup In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by No Woman No Try director and content creator Victoria Rush, fresh from the Women’s Six Nations media launch, to unpack a huge moment for the Red Roses — on and off the pitch. With over 70,000 tickets already sold for England’s opening game against Ireland, we ask whether this is the moment women’s rugby truly goes mainstream. Victoria gives behind-the-scenes insight from the launch, including the mood in the England camp, the growing connection between players and fans, and how storytelling — through the release of ‘England, Meet England’ — is helping drive the game’s rapid rise. We also break down England’s squad announcement, the appointment of Meg Jones as captain, and whether this feels like evolution or more of the same from a dominant Red Roses side. We discuss: •⁠ ⁠What the 70,000 ticket figure really means for the women’s game •⁠ ⁠Inside the Six Nations media launch — what fans didn’t see •⁠ ⁠Meg Jones as captain — leadership style and early impressions •⁠ ⁠The role of storytelling in growing rugby audiences •⁠ ⁠Whether fans are now buying into personalities as much as performances •⁠ ⁠Can anyone stop England — or are they still streets ahead? •⁠ ⁠Which nations could challenge the Red Roses this year Plus, Victoria shares her standout personalities from the launch, who impressed most off the pitch, and her overall feeling heading into the tournament. 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 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:

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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?

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