The Rugby Paper Podcast

In this week's episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup… Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by rugby columnist Paul Williams to assess the mounting pressure on England head coach Steve Borthwick after a fifth consecutive Test defeat.

Following a disappointing Six Nations campaign and a heavy 45-21 defeat to South Africa in the opening round of the Nations Championship, England's discipline, tactics and direction are all under the microscope.

With Fiji next up at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium before a trip to Argentina, is this already a defining fortnight for Borthwick's tenure? We discuss:

•⁠ ⁠Why England's form has collapsed since the Six Nations

•⁠ ⁠The growing indiscipline problem and its impact on results

•⁠ ⁠Whether England's kick-heavy game plan has become outdated

•⁠ ⁠Why Steve Borthwick is coming under increasing pressure

•⁠ ⁠Can England turn things around against Fiji?

•⁠ ⁠Why Josua Tuisova and Fiji will fancy their chances

•⁠ ⁠Should the RFU do everything possible to bring Shaun Edwards back to England?

🏉 Wales' Revival

Attention also turns to Wales, who have rediscovered confidence under Steve Tandy.

We discuss:

•⁠ ⁠What's changed since Tandy's arrival?

•⁠ ⁠Why Wales suddenly look like a different side

We also chat:

🌍 Nations Championship

🏆 World Rugby U20 Championship

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After a thoroughly thrilling and dynamic first round I couldn't wait to do a quick video highlighting my favourite moments, opinions on teams and results and share my positive experience watching as may of the games as I could! Feel free to like, share and subscribe and listen out for me on Spotify/Amazon and wherever you get your podcasts! Just search for

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With Andy Farrell naming his squad to face the Wallabies at a startling 4:30am UK time I take a quick dive into his selection and an overview of round one of the newly reformatted Nations Championship!
Thoughts, facts, opinions and predictions covered! Hope you all enjoy.
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In this week’s episode of The Rugby Paper Roundup Assistant Editor Ben Jaycock is joined by South African rugby journalist Avuyile Sawula to preview the headline fixture of the Nations Championship this weekend as England take on the world champion Springboks at Ellis Park.

Shockingly, one of rugby's most iconic stadiums could be less than half full, with media reports suggesting only around 21,000 tickets have been sold for the 62,500-capacity venue, leaving the prospect of more than 40,000 empty seats for one of Test rugby's biggest rivalries.

We ask why ticket sales have been so slow and what it says about the launch of the new competition. Ben also makes the case for an England upset, while Avuyile brings exclusive insight from Johannesburg on the mood around the Springboks camp and why England's rising star Henry Pollock has quickly become one of South Africa's most talked-about – and unpopular – opponents.

We also discuss:

•⁠ ⁠Rassie Erasmus' team selection and the strengths of the Springboks XV

•⁠ ⁠Ben Earl's fascinating mindset heading into one of rugby's toughest away trips

•⁠ ⁠The atmosphere in Johannesburg ahead of the Nations Championship opener

•⁠ ⁠The biggest tactical battles that could decide the match

🎧 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...](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]

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Overjoyed to have my first Leinster and Ireland superstar on the show, Devin Toner! Four European Championships, seven Pro 14 titles, three Six nations victories and a Grand Slam the stalwart back row has seen and done it all! From lineout masterclasses to tightly contested scrums Devin's influence has been essential to Leinster and Ireland. After a remarkable career and amassing an astonishing 70 caps for Ireland and a staggering 280 for Leinster Devin now supports rugby players and fans alike in the world of finance. Massive thanks to Devin for taking time out of his day for me and all the best!

#rugby #ireland #leinster #internationalrugby #legend #club #country #sixnations #irishrugby #rugbyunion #lock #backrow #riseofrugby #irfu #leinsterrugby #podcast #podcasting #new #inspiration #champion