HG Rugby

Why Is Rugby Posh? This week I was going by Hattie from The Rugby History Project to answer that very question. We dive into the origins of the sport, its roots in the English private school system, and the role colonialism played in the game's growth across the globe. We then ask the question if women's rugby is any different, before taking a look ahead to the Women's Six Nations. Will it be the Red Roses show again? Furthermore, what has the PWR done that has made both of us so mad? #rugby #history #england #class #socialhistory #podcast #sixnations #money #british Hattie's excellent article: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/11/03/why-is-rugby-union-posh/ follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Chapters 0:00 A Rugby Historian 2:55 Rugby Banned Books? 5:40 Its Own Worst Enemy 9:30 William Webb Ellis Never Happened 14:55 Why Is Rugby Posh? 26:25 The North South Divide Explained 32:00 Colonialism And Rugby 36:10 Is Women's Rugby Different? 43:00 Red Roses Thoughts 45:10 PWR Controversy 53:30 Wales Six Nations Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the HG Rugby Podcast I was joined by rugby transfer expert and journalist Neil Fissler of RugbyPass. He told me his journey in rugby, how he finds transfer stories, what is really happening with Andy Farrell in Ireland and his thoughts on Steve Borthwick's England. We even get an insight into the threat posed by R360. Follow Neil on twitter: https://x.com/neilfissler Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby #rugby #podcast #transfers #fabrizioromano #news #irelandrugby #gossip #englandrugby #interview #newcastle #journalism #ai Chapters 0:00 How To Become A Rugby Journalist 4:10 How Rugby Journalism Has Changed 10:10 AI In Journalism 13:00 How Rumours Start 18:30 Why Rumours Are Good 20:45 Football HORROR Story 23:45 Ireland Stars Leaving? 29:50 Andy Farrell To Saracens? 31:50 Gregor Townsend To Newcastle 34:50 PREM Rumours 37:35 The Truth About R360 41:45 Ongoing Rumours 44:50 Rumours In Wales? 47:20 Steve Borthwick RANT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taken from my vlog on WRRAP YouTube Scarlets vs Zebre Parma | United Rugby Championship Round 13 | Full Match Highlights & Reaction (2025/26)Watch the action as Scarlets secured a crucial bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma in this basement battle at Parc y Scarlets! The Welsh side ran in six tries to claim a 36-17 win in Round 13 of the BKT United Rugby Championship on March 20, 2026.Jarrod Taylor crossed twice early, with Sam Lousi, Macs Page, Ellis Mee, and replacement Davis also scoring for Scarlets. Zebre fought back late with tries from Gesi, Stavile, and Odiase, but it wasn't enough against a dominant home performance.Key moments:Lightning-fast start with Taylor's try inside 2 minutes Bonus-point secured before halftime Scarlets climb off the bottom with a much-needed result This URC clash was vital for both struggling sides — see the best tries, big hits, and post-match reaction in our highlights package! #scarlets #zebre #urc #vlog #podcast #wales #rugby #URCgo #BTS Follow the pod on twitter: https://x.com/ScarletPembs Chapters 0:00 Build-Up 2:30 Pre-Game Chat 5:50 Highlights & Key Moments 14:10 Post-Game Interviews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I was joined by friend of the show and Rugby Europe expert Carl Dawson to review the 2026 Rugby Europe Championship and explain what on earth is going on with Georgian rugby? We also get the latest on Portugal's shock Rugby Europe Championship win, what the latest is with Spanish rugby and get the inside scoop on Romania, Belgium, Netherland and Germany. Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby #rugby #georgia #podcast #europe #scandal #doping #shocking #portugal #worldcup Chapters 0:00 Portugal Steal The Title 5:20 Georgia Doping Scandal Explained 10:05 Georgian Rugby Collapsing? 22:25 Spanish Rugby Rise 33:55 Are Romania Back? 37:05 Belgium & Netherlands 41:30 Over For Germany? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Italy have just fallen agonisingly short of their best ever Six Nations campaign by losing to Wales in Cardiff. The Azzurri had never won three games in a single tournament before and letting this chance slip is a cruel end to what has been one of the best seasons in Italian international rugby history. In this video we will take a deep dive into the numbers behind Italy’s Six Nations campaign. We will outline the reasons for their vastly improved performances, show where they still have room to improve, and ask the question: is the new Italy here to stay? Follow me on Twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Mike's Interview with Six Nations Rewind: https://youtu.be/tVxAV_tfhmQ?si=G7i41axzGmrSJ-UN Franco's Interview with @megafoonrugby : https://youtu.be/s09M37ThOSQ?si=cstXkAfTqNU9nwHc #rugbyunion #rugby #sixnations #southafrica #springboks #italy #highlights #analysis #history Have Italy Actually Improved? The Truth About Italy's Six Nations https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCiV3FkwAYUV0Pr_yZ-ddORw/collaboration/UCSiP0ju6Wq9DXkFc-7XC12g Chapters 0:00 il Progress 2:06 il Defence 3:20 il Scrum 6:06 il Problem 8:25 il Debate 11:51 il Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TOP 14 Finances substack: https://thepiraterugby.substack.com/p/where-french-rugby-teams-get-their Salary cap video: https://youtu.be/SpP4-a-4gdg?si=HSAXHWNeYmlGTlia Jaminet Affair video: https://youtu.be/KHeLl0ktxXQ?si=yHifQklBgIR29TVY All eyes may be on Les Bleus’ thrilling Men’s Six Nations campaign, but behind the scenes in France, a storm is brewing over that most emotive of topics: the salary cap. Just as the TOP 14 have ushered in radical changes to the cap itself, that are set to have a huge impact on the rugby transfer market, a story has broken that prompted accusations of cheating, a lawsuit for defamation, and the integrity of rugby’s biggest star, Antoine Dupont, being called into question. In this article, we will break down how the French salary cap works, what has changed and why Dupont has been left furious at accusations made by one of France’s biggest newspapers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this podcast I was joined by Glasgow statistician and writer Kevin Millar to tackle the hottest topics in Scottish rugby. Kevin explains how South African Franco Smith has made such a positive impact at Glasgow Warriors and the traits that make them such a brilliant team. We then turn our attention to Gregor Townsend and his legacy as Scotland head coach. Is he unfairly criticised or has he wasted a golden generation? The South African Genius Who Can Save Scotland. Why Scottish Rugby Is In Purgatory. #scotland #rugby #podcast #sixnations #analysis #coaching #debate #wales #glasgow Follow Kevin on twitter: https://x.com/topofthemoonGW Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Chapters 0:00 A Glasgow Man 3:16 Stats Frustrations 8:13 Glasgow Success Secrets 16:51 Fantastic Franco Smith 21:55 The Forwards Issue 26:08 Scotland In Purgatory? 33:13 The Edinburgh Problem 35:20 David Nucifora Impact 41:15 Gregor Townsend Legacy 48:15 Would Franco Be Better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this months rugby transfer review we will cover: scrum halves headed to France the ripples of the NZ coaching conundrum who could replace a Welsh region in the URC Follow https://x.com/rugby_hub on twitter for all you rugby transfer updates! TOP 14 Digest Podcast Audio Links! Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-top-14-digest/id1870637279?i=1000747916101 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oFrVxOaAC5O7LlhoJnB4d?si=oeVSFfV4T266mUnJestezQ The latest French rugby gossip and a look ahead to the Six Nations opener! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I go behind the scenes at the Scarlets trip to play Northampton Saints at Cinch Franklins Gardens in the Investec Champions Cup. Includes interviews with Josh Macleod, Nigel Davies, Phil Dawson & Fraser Dingwall. #scarlets #Wales #northampton #saints #championscup #highlights #vlog #review #podcast Follow HG on Twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/ScarletPembs Chapters 0:00 Behind The Scenes 3:13 First Half 8:21 Second Half 13:04 Post Match Analysis 14:41 Nigel Davies Interview 17:17 Josh Macleod Interview 21:08 Saint Point Of View 23:55 What Next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this documentary I explore the rebuild at the Stormers that has seen them go from goof troop to title contenders. Along with insights from Damian Willemse and John Dobson, I will be using Opta's stats to break down the tactics and reveal the secrets of the Cape Town giants. I will also be deep diving their first defeat of the season against Harlequins and explaining what that performance tells us about their identity as a team and what they still need to fix to become a truly great side. Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Stats from: https://theanalyst.com/club-rugby-stats #stormers #southafrica #springboks #interview #analysis #highlights #rugby #vlog #URCgo Stormers Documentary: How Brains & Brutality Created A Monster. The Stormers Rebuild Is Genius... And Brutal. Why The Incredible Stormers Rebuild Should Scare You. How The Stormers Became Contenders Again. Goof Troop To Undefeated: Inside The Stormers Transformation. Why The Stormers Are Still On Track To Become Champions. Chapters 0:00 The Transformation 2:55 Brutal Defence 5:51 Stormers Rugby Identity 12:15 Attack Explained 14:41 World Class Pack 19:16 The SECRET Weapon 20:44 What Comes Next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices