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:

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/