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/