Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast

We hear from the Welsh Rugby Union’s new performance director Nigel Walker on the challenges facing him on his first day in the job. We also hear from some past and potentially future Wales internationals at each of the four regions.

We hear from the star players at all four regions in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. As the new season gets underway, we talk to Willis Halaholo, Cardiff Rugby, Jonathan Davies, Scarlets, Harrison Keddie, Dragons, and Tomas Francis, Ospreys.

We hear about Welsh rugby’s oldest trophy in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast – and how it came to be returned to the WRU. We also hear about the apprentice turned rugby officer and go along to a visually impaired rugby event in Cardiff.

Some well known Welsh rugby characters involved in Abergavenny v Brynmawr in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. While at regional level we’ll hear about a potentially career ending injury, about gaining career starting qualifications and a career-boosting move.

We hear about the return to rugby across Wales at a West Wales local derby between St Clears and Laugharne. We also speak to the Welsh regions as they get ready to start pre-season friendlies.

It’s a walk down memory lane this week, 50 years after Wales launched the Golden Era of the Seventies with a Grand Slam in 1971. We speak to flanker John Taylor, one of the key players, including the comparison with this season’s Six Nations when Wales again went to Paris for the final game chasing a Grand Slam.

We hear from Wales captain Jonathan Davies looking forward to the Autumn Internationals in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We also hear about the return of community rugby with a visit to a local derby in Cardiff.

A chance to focus on rugby in North Wales in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast with a new man in charge. We chat at length to the new general manager in the North Wales development region, Alun Pritchard.

We look forward to the climactic Third Test for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa with Wales hooker Ken Owens and Lions coach Warren Gatland. We also speak to former Ebbw Vale and Dragons full back Carl Meyer, who’s now based in New Orleans, about the development of rugby in America. The comparison between Ebbw Vale and New Orleans is worth listening out for!

We look at the strong Welsh influence on the British and Irish Lions, 1-0 in South Africa after a thrilling First Test victory. We hear from Wales and Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones, along with former Wales coach Warren Gatland and former Ospreys coach Steve Tandy.

We hear from Welshman Gareth Baber, who will be in charge of Fiji at the Olympics Rugby Sevens, as they aim to repeat their gold medal success of last time round.

We look forward at the second Test between Wales and Argentina in Cardiff, as well as back at the Wales U20 Six Nations campaign. We hear from Wales coach Wayne Pivac, defence coach Gethin Jenkins, front rowers Elliot Dee and Gareth Thomas, along with centre Nick Tomkins. We also speak to Wales U20 coach Ioan Cunningham, as well as players Alex Mann, Efan Daniel, Christ Tshuinza and Cameron Jones.

We reflect on the win over Canada and look forward to Argentina in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. Coach Wayne Pivac explains his thinking, we hear about all the players in the squad who go way back with outside half Callum Sheedy, scrum half Kieran Hardy back in the starting line-up and second row Will Rowlands on his step up in responsibility. We also hear from Wales U20s about their Six Nations campaign.

A chance to find out more about some of the players who are Welsh rugby’s future, in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. Coach Wayne Pivac explains his selection against Canada and we talk to prop Dillon Lewis and wing Tom Rogers. U20s forwards coach Rhys Thomas talks about their campaign and we find out more about lock James Fender and scrum half Ethan Lloyd.

A Welsh Olympian, rugby at the heart of the community and the Under 20s player who was man of the match after 790 days without a game, in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union podcast. We speak to Jaz Joyce, heading to her second Olympics in the Rugby Sevens, hear about a community rugby scheme in Cardiff and also focus on the Wales U20s, including flanker Harri Deaves who was man of the match 790 days after his last match.

A complete Six Nations tournament in Cardiff kicks off this weekend, with Wales hosting the Under 20s Championships. We hear all about the Wales squad and from the two players who chose rugby over football. Ahead of the Wales summer internationals we hear why versatility helped Cardiff centre Ben Thomas gain his first senior Wales call-up.

We hear about the Wales squad for this summer’s internationals, including speaking to 20-year-old Ben Carter on his rapid rise. Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan gives his views and Wales coach Wayne Pivac explains his thinking.

What does rugby give you when facing the most severe conditions on the planet in one of the hardest challenges around. Former Wales Women’s player Rebecca Rowe is about to find out.

We hear at length from former Wales and Lions coach Rob Howley in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We also speak to another Welshman coaching abroad as Chris Hitt tells how his story took him from working with the WRU to coaching Poland.

The sounds of people back at rugby clubs, training, having fun, looking forward in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We visit Llantwit Fardre RFC to hear about the whole range of rugby being played there. We also talk to two Welsh referees heading off to the Olympics, Adam Jones and Craig Evans.

A focus on Mental Health Awareness Week and one of the rising stars of Welsh rugby, in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear about the mental health contribution Welshpool RFC are making to their community and also the latest developments for former Wales U20 lock Jac Price.

A special on the British and Irish Lions squad selection in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We speak to captain Alun Wyn Jones, coach Warren Gatland, defence coach Steve Tandy and tour manager Jason Leonard.

WRU Chief Executive Steve Phillips on Friday night Six Nations, plans for Wales Women, the relationship with the regions and more in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We’ll also hear from Wales Women at the end of their Six Nations campaign, including second row Teleri Wyn Davies on the inspiration she got from her father – and she now hopes to pass on to the next generation of rugby playing girls.

As the Six Nations draws to a close, a special focus on the Women’s game in Wales this week on the Welsh Rugby Union podcast. It’s an anniversary this week of the sad accident that first paralysed Bryan ‘Yogi’ Davies in what was due to be his retirement game for Bala in 2007. Six years later it cost him his life, but he remains an inspiration at the club as we find out. Wales prop Cerys Hale talks about dealing with the social media reaction to results in a wide-ranging interview, as well as Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap on why she’s doing it partly to inspire young versions of herself.

Three Welshmen in the British and Irish Lions coaching team, we hear from all three and head coach Warren Gatland on his first selections. Defence coach Steve Tandy tells his story of going round the world from the Ospreys to the Lions, forwards coach Robin McBryde on how his time for Wales groomed him for this role and kicking coach Neil Jenkins explains his role on his sixth Lions tour as a player and coach. We also hear from Wales Women's captain Siwan Lillicrap and coach Warren Abrahams.

We hear from Wales Women full back Robyn Wilkins why winning her 50th cap should be less painful than her first, who painted a portrait of captain Siwan Lillicrap and what coach Warren Abrahams is looking for against Ireland this weekend.

Wales coach Wayne Pivac and captain Alun Wyn Jones on their Six Nations success, Wales Women’s captain Siwan Lillicrap on their Six Nations campaign. And the chance to hear at length from two of the top men in charge of Welsh rugby, WRU chief executive Steve Phillips and chairman Rob Butcher.

Reflections on Paris from Alun Wyn Jones and Josh Navidi, as well as WRU chairman Rob Butcher and chief executive Steve Phillips. We also hear about the Wales Women’s Six Nations squad from coach Warren Abrahams and captain Siwan Lillicrap. Finally we look at the end of the Pro14 season.

Wales go for the Grand Slam in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear from coaches Wayne Pivac and Jonathan Humphries along with players Adam Beard, Wyn Jones and Callum Sheedy. So what has been behind the change in results for Wales from 2020 to 2021 – and how would Sheedy feel about a last minute kick to clinch a Grand Slam.

Wales head to Italy as Triple Crown champions and looking to defend their 100 per cent record in the Six Nations so far. Coach Wayne Pivac explains his team selection, we hear from Jonathan Davies on the challenges at 12, Gareth Davies on returning to the starting line-up and Tomas Francis on the task of maintaining his perfect record against Italy.

Wales backs coach Stephen Jones on completing the Triple Crown against England, while prop Rhodri Jones reveals it’s his first ever victory against the men in White. And a trip down memory lane, but also a chance to find out what you could do with any rugby memorabilia, whether it’s in your attic or your clubhouse wall.

Wales coach Wayne Pivac explains the selection to face England for the Triple Crown. George North becomes the youngest player to reach 100 international caps, so has he had a chance to reflect this week? Forwards coach Jonathan Humphries on improvements up front and flanker Justin Tipuric on who’s hardest to tackle.

Wales attack coach Stephen Jones discusses the state of the squad as they prepare to face England for the Triple Crown. Also centre Owen Watkin reveals how the squad are keeping themselves entertained in lockdown, as well as talking about ‘that’ tackle. While Wales Women scrum half Jade Knight reveals the sacrifices she’s had to make in the last year, but how she’s hoping it will all pay off in 2021.

With Wales looking to build on an opening win against Ireland, we speak to coach Wayne Pivac about the injuries affecting his side. We also speak to Gethin Jenkins about his policies as defence coach, as well as players Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric and Adam Beard.

We look ahead to the opening Six Nations game against Ireland with Wales coach Wayne Pivac and former centre Hadleigh Parkes, while Wales U20 coach Gareth Williams talks about avoiding a lost generation because of Covid.

We hear at length from one of the up-and-coming Welsh coaches – and his international journey – on this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. Former Cardiff and Glamorgan Wanderers player Scott Sneddon is currently coaching in Hong Kong, but about to return to the UK and he has been part of the WRU’s coaching development pathway.

Wales coach Wayne Pivac explains the thinking behind the Wales squad for the Six Nations. We also hear from returning back rower Dan Lydiate on why he thinks he’s in the best form of his life, Dai Young on his return to Cardiff Blues as interim director of rugby along with up-and-coming prop Corey Domachowski.

We focus on Wales women, an international heading for the Ospreys next season and one of the rising stars in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We speak to Wales Women’s captain Siwan Lillicrap after their first get-together of the year, Ospreys coach Toby Booth on the 60-cap rule and Dragons centre Aneurin Owen.

We hear from Wales internationals at all four regions before the final round of the festive derbies on this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We speak to Jonathan Davies at the Scarlets, Aaron Wainwright at the Dragons, Sam Cross at the Ospreys and Lloyd Williams at the Blues.

We find some positives to review in 2020, it provided the chance to shine a light on various areas within the WRU which don’t normally get much attention. One of those is what an interesting, varied and busy bunch the Wales rugby women are, as well as a chance to go in depth on some of the work behind the scenes in the WRU this year.

A special on the Welsh derbies in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast, looking ahead to this year’s games and back at some classics. We speak to Premier Sport pundits Tom Shanklin and Shane Willliams – who are the players to look out for, what are their most memorable derby games and much more, from style of play to style of haircuts.

A special this week, hearing at length from record-breaking referee Nigel Owens on the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast - 100 international caps as a referee, then retiring from the highest level. So how did he get into refereeing, what are the highlights of his long career – and what next?

We talk about Covid bubbles, racism, Autumn Nations Cup reaction and a new coaching appointment on this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear from Wales coach Wayne Pivac and players Tomas Francis and Gareth Davies, Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt on his anti-racism campaigning and new Wales Women’s coach intern Sophie Spence.

The end of the Autumn Nations Cup this weekend on the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. Wales coach Wayne Pivac explains his thinking ahead of the game against Italy, while Wales’s Jersey Boys talk about their rise to international level.

We look ahead to Wales England at Parc y Scarlets with head coach Wayne Pivac, scrum half Lloyd Williams and flanker James Botham, as well as hearing about life in quarantine for the Dragons.

A chance to meet the new Wales Women coaching team in this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. Former USA Women’s Sevens assistant coach Warren Abrahams is the full-time Wales Women head coach, and 67-times capped former Wales captain and North Wales academy coach Rachel Taylor has been appointed as full-time Wales Women National Skills Coach. We also find out about some of the surprising connections in the team coach Wayne Pivac has picked to face Georgia.

A chance to hear at length from new interim Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union Steve Phillips. What are the chances of crowds being allowed into the Six Nations, how will Welsh rugby cope in the current situation – and what was it like playing with a young Shane Williams. We also hear from Wales coach Wayne Pivac, while flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes talks about what he’s learning from training with Alan Wyn Jones.

In this week’s Welsh Rugby Union Podcast we reflect on the narrow defeat to Scotland with Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams and Scarlets prop Wyn Jones. We also hear from Tyler Morgan, the 2015 Rugby World Cup star making his comeback from injury and illness at the Scarlets.

The best build up to the visit of Scotland in the Six Nations this weekend, on the Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear at length from Wales coach Wayne Pivac on his thinking, as well as paying tribute to 70s Wales rugby legend JJ Williams. We also hear from Gareth Davies, Owen Watkin and Sam Parry.

International rugby is back – we hear from the Wales men’s and women’s camps on this week’s Welsh Rugby Union podcast. Wales coach Wayne Pivac, forwards Cory Hill and Justin Tipuric discuss the match and the different preparation. We also get the chance to hear at length from the new man in charge of Wales Women, Darren Edwards.