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

LINK TO NEW AUDIO PLATFORM: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NGCYndQuXbXthxgmuPKQG Huw and Maz are back to discuss the rumours that Penaud is off to defend Greenland on his own, the rest of the French squad for the 6 Nations and how French teams faired in round 4 of the European Cups. #FrenchRugby #Top14 #EPCR #ChampionsCUp #ChallengeCup #france #rugby #podcast #sixnations Follow the pod on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous Chapters 0:00 French Results 3:30 La Rochelle vs Harlequins 4:30 Munster vs Castres 12:35 Fanny of the Week 17:25 Penaud Dropped? 30:10 Champions Cup Favourites? 34:15 Fijian of the Week 36:05 Next Week Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are still working on our new audio platform, a few admin issues causing delays unfortunately! As soon as it's set up you will be the first to know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the HG Rugby podcast I was joined by rugby governance expert Nicks Johnston to learn how sporting governance works and what challenges those governing rugby union are currently facing. Nicks explained to me what governance is and how different countries go about their rugby governance. She debates with me on the latest developments regarding the English PREM restructuring and why rugby clubs make such huge losses. We then turn our attention to the WRU and their 'amateurish' proposals for restructuring the game in Wales - what have they gotten so wrong and why are they wasting so much money? Finally, we discuss the R360 start-up and what allowed this chaos even to occur - leading us on to talk about the growth of women's rugby and how best to capitalise on a record breaking World Cup. #rugby #money #government #Wales #England #womensrugby #fail #investing #business Why Club Rugby Doesn't Work. Why Rugby Is Such A MESS. Why Rugby Faces Financial Disaster. Why English Rugby Is DESPERATE For Money. Why Welsh Rugby's Problems Run DEEPER Than You Think... The PROBLEM With Welsh Rugby's Plans... Is English Rugby Financially DOOMED? Headed For Disaster? - Inside Rugby's Chaotic Boardrooms Can Club Rugby Survive? The 'Amateurish' Plan Destroying Welsh Rugby. Chapters: 0:00 What Is Rugby Governance 5:55 Is Rugby Being Held Back? 8:32 English PREM Finances 12:20 Exeter Huge Losses 16:20 Not Enough Games? 19:45 Player Wages Issue 22:30 Welsh Reforms 'Amateurish' 31:00 WRU Leadership Issues 38:15 Government Intervention? 42:50 Terrible CVC Deal 49:35 Why Is R360 Happening? 55:00 Mocking R360 1:00:00 Women's Rugby Is Different Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are having a few delays with the new audio platform! Bare with! I will update here when it's up! In the mean time you can also find this week's episode here - on the page for the URC podcast I also host :) https://open.spotify.com/episode/1L8HOpVe2d21LjaYySQUpf?si=kB78Q8FDSeSzQYk0me6YNA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A month show rounding up the biggest rugby union transfer news & gossip. This month we are talking about: - Sale Sharks transfer struggles - The WRU driving players away - French rumour mill round-up For all your rugby transfer news follow this twitter account: https://x.com/rugby_hub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we break down Anotine Duponts incredible performance against La Rochelle along with the rest of the TOP 14 action from round 14 including Bayonne vs Stade Francais and the relegation battle Welcome to the TOP 14 Digest! This weekly podcast captures all of the news and results in the world of rugby’s biggest club competition: the French Top 14 - Huw and Maz bring English language coverage of all of the biggest talking points in France: games, gossip, controversies and climaxes. From Paris to Perpignan, we’ve got it covered! What’s new with Toulouse? What did Dupont do this week? Is there trouble in Toulon? Has Ronan O’Gara gotten banned at La Rochelle again? Have UBB got what it takes? What did Jacky Lorenzetti at Racing 92 just say? Why are Stade Francais in the news this week? If you like the sound of that please consider giving the channel a subscribe and sharing a link with a mate. Those of you listening on audio formats can help out by giving us a 5 star review - that tells the money people we are liked! #top14 #france #rugby #toulouse #bordeaux #larochelle #stadefrancais #podcast #news #drama #highlights Follow Maz on twitter: https://x.com/mazmcm Follow Huw on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Follow the podcast on twitter: https://x.com/RugbyVous What Antoine Dupont Just Did Was Terrifying. Antoine Dupont Just DESTROYED La Rochelle! (It Was Terrifying...). Chapters: 0:00 TOP 14 Results 7:25 Bayonne vs Stade Français 14:20 TOP 14 Table 20:10 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 22:55 Anotine Dupont Masterclass 30:50 Best Signing In France 33:40 Fijian of the Week 36:50 Round 14 Predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices