Rugby Union Weekly

Did taking Prem rugby to bigger stadiums pay off? Danny and Ashy were blown away by the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, despite getting lost. Is too much being made of Geoff Parling’s outburst at Craig Doyle? Ashy questions whether Saracens are bringing through enough academy players amid their bad run. And what about Robbie Deans’ appointment at Quins? Will it work out if he’s only spending 12 weeks of the year at the club? And with the Champions Cup returning this weekend, Chris asks whether the Prem gets too many spots. Plus, can Eddie Hearn turn Henry Pollock into the next Anthony Joshua?

Can anyone stop Bath? And how worried should Harlequins and Saracens be? The Prem is back as Ugo, Danny and Ashy assess the weekend’s action, with Bath looking a level above the rest. But can Northampton challenge them? There’s also high praise for Geoff Parling as he continues to impress, guiding Leicester into the top three. But it’s a different story for Harlequins, with questions mounting both on and off the pitch, including whether they can keep hold of Marcus Smith if results don’t improve. Saracens, meanwhile, have little to smile about after conceding 62 points. Plus, with the Men’s Six Nations set to name its Player of the Championship, is there any real contender to Louis Bielle-Biarrey?

What was the most impressive win of the 2026 Six Nations? The biggest upset? Who was the best player? Ugo is joined by John Barclay and Sam Warburton to wrap up the tournament as France are crowned champions once again. They discuss THAT winning kick from Thomas Ramos and ask if Louis Bielle-Biarrey is now more important to France than Antoine Dupont. England scored seven tries in Paris but lost for a fourth time, what positives can Steve Borthwick take from their worst championship in the Six Nations era? Sam picks out the four players Wales should build their team around as they sign off with a win in Cardiff. Scotland finished without any silverware and failed to beat Ireland again, so can it still be considered a successful championship? And after the pain of Paris on the opening weekend, do Ireland take home the title of most improved team during the Six Nations?

Chris Jones, Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson reflect on a dramatic final day of the Six Nations.France clinch the Six Nations title thanks to a long-range Thomas Ramos penalty with the clock in the red against England. But it was so close to being Ireland's title, after their win over Scotland. Chris speaks to Tommy Bowe and Andy Nicol in Dublin about a day when both teams hoped they'd lift the crown.

It’s our big Super Saturday preview as Chris arrives in Paris and we link up with the BBC Scotland pod team of Tom English and Andy Burke who have made it to Dublin. Darcy Graham’s comments about Ireland being ‘there for the taking’ have caused a stir. Is this a sign Scotland believe they can finally end their long wait for victory over Ireland? How will they cope without the talismanic Gregor Brown? Is Finn Russell about to cement his legacy as one of Scotland’s greatest players by delivering a Triple Crown or even a Six Nations title? England fly-half Fin Smith gives an honest assessment of England’s struggles and how the adversity has has impacted. He also addresses the exchange with captain Maro Itoje in Rome and what the mindset needs to be heading into the Stade de France this weekend. We also grab a word with Ashy who explains the difference between a Steve Borthwick gameplan and framework and what you need to beat France in Paris.

It’s the final instalment of our guide series, and this week Chris, Tom and GRO are transporting you to Paris. They discuss their favourite memories of watching rugby in the French capital. Tom recalls Brian O’Driscoll’s hat-trick at the Stade de France and why it’s memorable for all the wrong reasons. GRO tells us about Sir Gareth Edwards’ favourite spot in the city and how he spent an evening with the legendary scrum-half and Jean-Claude Skrela. Where does the atmosphere at the Stade de France rank amongst the other Six Nations venues? And what’s the one you thing you shouldn’t do in Paris according to GRO?

Chris is in Verona to assess the mood in the England camp after three successive defeats. Is the shirt weighing heavy on the players? Will we see a new gameplan in Paris? We hear from Steve Borthwick on all this and the exchange between Maro Itoje and Fin Smith in Rome. Ollie Chessum talks about the ‘hurt’ he felt after losing his starting place, and he explains how the players and coaches are as tight as ever despite recent results. We also catch up with our England centurion to get his take on matters. Danny outlines what he wants to see from Ben Spencer this weekend as England look to avoid losing four matches in the Six Nations for the first time.

Chris, Tom and GRO bring you a bumper preview of what promises to be an epic Super Saturday. Can Scotland win a first Six Nations title? They will have to end their Ireland hoodoo without a host of starters including pod favourite Gregor Brown. Chris dials in from Verona to bring you the latest from the England camp after that chastening defeat to Italy. Will we see a different gameplan from Steve Borthwick’s side in Paris? What did the Maro Itoje clash with Fin Smith say about where this England team is at? Rhys Carre is inspiring the next generation of Wales players after his superb solo try in Dublin. Are Wales ready to end their run of wooden spoons? What characteristics did we see that was reminiscent of Gatland’s golden generation?

Round four of the Six Nations did not disappoint! There was drama, shocks and a weekend for the underdogs - Ugo, Sam and John take a deep dive into a really unbelievable few days of rugby. They start with Scotland who overpowered and outperformed the defending champions at Murrayfield and ask what went right for Gregor Townsend’s side. Attention then turns to matters in Rome…where England lost for the first time against Italy. Ugo was at the match and gives his thoughts 24 hours on… now that his heart rate has come down! The guys then look into where England lost the game and what happens to the future of this Steve Borthwick side going forward. And Sam is in bright spirits after Wales put on a spirited and positive display against Ireland in Dublin.And it’s prediction time….

Chris Jones and Matt Dawson reflect on an extraordinary day in the Six Nations.England beaten 23-18 by Italy in Rome - England's third loss in a row, and first ever defeat to Italy. What's gone wrong since the Autumn Internationals and where does this leave Steve Borthwick?They're also joined by Johnnie Beattie who saw Scotland run riot against France, 50-40 at Murrayfield, which means Scotland, Ireland and France all have the chance to lift the trophy next Saturday. TIMECODES:00:13 - Greatest day in Six Nations history? 06:48 - Italy punish England 13:00 - Italy captain Michele Lamaro 17:12 - England head coach Steve Borthwick 20:39 - What next for England 32:01 - Chris, Matt and Johnnie Beattie reflect on Scotland's big win 43:45 - Gregor Townsend speaks to Sonja McLaughlan 50:06 - Super Saturday set up perfectly

Warning – This episode contains very strong language. Chris catches up with Ben Youngs to discuss his new BBC documentary about rugby and player safety. Through honest conversations with former players, medical experts, and teammates, Youngs explores the long-term impact of concussion and repeated head injuries. We hear Ben’s powerful interview with Lewis Moody where he talks openly about living with MND, how it has affected his family and if he has any regrets from his playing days. Does the game still need to do more when it comes to head injuries and player safety? Sam Peters, author of ‘Concussed’, who has spent over a decade investigating the links between rugby and neurodegenerative diseases also joins Chris to look at what more could be done to protect players, particularly in training? And what about the grassroots game? Is enough being done at that level to ensure there are adequate measures in place to protect against concussion? You can watch the full documentary ‘Ben Youngs Investigates: How Safe Is Rugby?’ on the BBC iPlayer.

Sara Orchard is joined by Tommy Bowe and Philippa Tuttiett with on the whistle reaction from Dublin as Ireland overcome a spirited Wales side to win 27-17. The team reflect on another strong performance from Wales and consider the selection queries that Ireland’s performance has thrown Andy Farrell. Could Rhys Carre’s try be the moment of the Six Nations? Do Wales look good enough to secure their first win of this year’s Championship against Italy? Plus, hear from Antoine Dupont ahead of France's opportunity to win the Six Nations title on Saturday.

Back by popular demand, Chris Tom and GRO bring you another instalment of the Nations Pod guide, and this time we're in Rome. Home to the Azzurri, the Stadio Olympico, the colosseum and the scene of Tom's greatest ever Six Nations meal - just don't ask him to name the restaurant! GRO tells us why you should never confuse a Finn with a Russian. Tom explains why Bologna is the real rugby capital of Italy. We reminisce about the Stadio Flaminio and some of the great matches we've witnessed in the the Eternal City.

Steve Borthwick has made the most changes by an England head coach in the Six Nations era as he looks for a response after the big defeats to Scotland and Ireland. Ashy and Chris dissect his team for the trip to Rome, which sees 12 changes in total with nine players coming in and three positional changes. Seb Atkinson is back on the pod and one half of an all-new centre partnership. He tells us about his relationship with Fin Smith who he first started playing with in the Worcester academy aged 13, and what he hoping to achieve in his first start since the summer tour. Ashy and Chris also chat to the other Gregor at the heart of the Scotland team hoping to derail France's title charge this Saturday. Gregor Brown talks about their resurgence since that upset in Rome on the opening weekend, making Murrayfield a fortress and his journey from singing the anthem in the stands as a fan to a player.

Will France already be treating their game with Scotland as a potential Grand Slam decider? Chris, Tom and GRO ask whether Gregor Townsend’s side has enough to blunt France’s attacking weapons and possibly derail their campaign. Can we expect significant changes from Steve Borthwick, as his England side travel to Rome. Chris makes the case that a win for Italy could mark the greatest moment in their rugby history. And what of Wales? Is there reason for hope? Plus, Tom wonders whether Ireland have turned a corner. And with no poetry this week, GRO sets a quiz from all the data he's gathered from his pre-pod research, and it leaves the other two struggling for answers.

Danny and Chris look ahead to England’s showdown with Italy in Rome as they look to avoid a first defeat to the Azzurri and a third successive Six Nations loss. We hear from Steve Borthwick on where it has gone wrong for England and what they are doing to fix the issues that has derailed their championship. Will they persist with the aerial game? Or will the changes in Rome lead to a new tactical approach? Ollie Chessum talks to us about getting the right mindset and intensity on the field after a big setback. Will we see a host of changes to the England team this week? How important is experience when you have your backs against the wall?

Are England suddenly in crisis? After the heavy defeat to Ireland, Chris, Tom & GRO dissect what’s gone wrong for Steve Borthwick’s side, whether the fallow week has arrived at just the right moment, and if wholesale changes await for Italy. GRO admits he actually enjoyed watching Wales for the first time in a while, but wonders if they could repeat that display against more physical opposition. Tom, meanwhile, refuses to get carried away by Scotland’s back-to-back wins. Plus, Poetry Corner returns as Chris reads out more listeners’ rugby-inspired poems.

Ugo, Sam Warburton & John Barclay discuss the fallout from round three of the Six Nations as England are humbled for the second week in a row, France march on and Scotland backed up their Calcutta Cup win. So what next for England after another damaging defeat? Does their gameplan need to evolve? And how many changes should Steve Borthwick make for Italy? Ireland showed their attack is back to its best. Were Andy Farrell's men written off too soon? Wales are still without a win, but Sam is optimistic Welsh rugby is no longer in freefall after Saturday’s performance and turnout at the Principality. France are now one bonus-point win from the title, but can Scotland reproduce the clinical display they showed against England and blow the championship wide open?

Maro Itoje is set to become England's latest centurion when he captains the team against Ireland this Saturday at Twickenham. Chris and Ashy sit down with Itoje and reflect on a remarkable 10-year stint with England that has seen him win a Grand Slam, Six Nations titles and reach a World Cup final. Was he always destined to reach this milestone? He picks out his most memorable moments over the past decade and tells us about the coaches that have helped him get to this point. How does he stay motivated? What does he still want to achieve in an England shirt? And if he had to pick his favourite second row partner, who would it be?

Henry Pollock gets his first England start. Ollie Lawrence returns. Tommy Freeman is back on the wing. Tom Curry starts. There is plenty for Chris and Ugo to unpick from the England team to face Ireland on Saturday. Why has there been so many changes? Is it a reflection of the performance against Scotland? We are joined by Steve Borthwick who talks through the changes in the midfield and back row and why he felt Henry Arundell deserved another shot after his red card against Scotland. Ollie Lawrence is also on the pod. He chats to us about renewing his partnership with Fraser Dingwall and battling with Freeman for the number 13 shirt. We also go deep into his hair regime and find out why he’s unable to get his haircut until England head to Rome in March.

You’ve heard from Gregor Townsend, Sione Tuipulotu and John Barclay after Scotland’s latest Calcutta Cup triumph. Now it’s the turn of Stirling and Limerick’s finest - Tom English. He talks Chris and GRO through his range of emotions at full-time one week after that chastening defeat in Rome. After another stellar display, is Finn Russell now Scotland’s greatest ever player? Can he guide them to a Triple Crown? And can we persuade GRO it’s a big achievement? Things get even better for Tom when a listener shares a poem all about his favourite player. As for England, how will Steve Borthwick react to that defeat in Edinburgh? Will we see a change in personnel or a change in tactics? What can we expect from Ireland this Saturday? Is there enough x-factor in Andy Farrell’s side? We also touch on Wales as GRO tries to find the positives following another heavy defeat.

Ugo, Ashy and a very happy John Barclay review round two of the Six Nations after Scotland regained the Calcutta Cup. Is a first triple crown since 2010 now on the cards? Did Scotland's gameplan expose England's weaknesses? Should it have been Marcus Smith on the bench at Murrayfield? And is his namesake Fin getting enough Test minutes? France flex their muscles in Cardiff as they put 50 on Wales, can anyone stop the defending champions from winning another title? But why are Wales still struggling defensively under Steve Tandy? Ireland's fly-half debate rumbles on, will it be Sam Prendergast or Jack Crowley lining up at Twickenham? And what is the biggest obstacle preventing Italy from being in the title hunt one day?

Chris has made it to Edinburgh to find Tom English and Andy Burke to analyse the Scotland team for the Calcutta Cup. There is no Edinburgh player in the starting XV since 1998! So, it means there is no place for Duhan van der Merwe again. Is it a gamble to leave out the record try scorer in the Calcutta Cup in the Six Nations era? Can Gregor Townsend survive another defeat, or would it be the final straw for the Scottish rugby public? We also pick through some bold selection calls from Ireland boss Andy Farrell as they welcome Italy to the Aviva on Saturday. Chris heads to the England team hotel to catch up with captain Maro Itoje as he prepares to win his 99th cap after a tough few weeks on a personal level. He shares how his faith has helped him deal with the loss of his mother. He speaks candidly about the huge influence she had on all aspects of his life and how much the reaction of the Twickenham crowd meant to him after coming off the bench last week.

Sara channels her inner Sue Barker to host Rugby Union Weekly’s first ever Calcutta Cup quiz. And we have two worthy contestants going head-to-head with a combined 15 appearances in this famous fixture between them. John Barclay is back on the pod to represent Scotland, and he takes on our very own Danny Care who is looking for another England victory over the Auld Enemy. Who will lead their team to victory and lay down a marker ahead of Saturday’s showdown at Murrayfield? How many try scorers they can name? Who is taller Martin Johnson or Jim Hamilton? Do they even know how many handles are on the trophy?

Ugo and Chris are inside the England camp with in-form fly-half George Ford and history buff Joe Heyes ahead of this weekend's Calcutta Cup showdown at Murrayfield. We hear all about Ford's love of Pilates and how it's helping improve his game. He also breaks down his crossfield kick to Henry Arundell at the weekend and explains how his rugby league education is still paying dividends at Test level. Heyes talks passionately about the art of scrummaging and what he would like to see instead of in-play adverts when he is packing down. Ugo and Chris also dissect some of Borthwick's key selection calls ahead of the trip to Edinburgh with Marcus Smith dropping out of the 23. How does Borthwick plan to cover 15 without the Quins playmaker in his squad?

The Nations Pod is back after a tricky opening round for three of the four home nations. Tom laments Scotland and Ireland’s starts - but will Gregor Townsend’s side again pull something out of the bag for the Calcutta Cup? Gro describes the apathy around Wales after a deflating game in Twickenham, although there is one silver lining. And there is the annual rant about Six Nations bonus points.

Henry Arundell scored a 35-minute hat-trick as England made it 12 wins in a row and heaped more misery on Wales. Was that a statement from England? How good is the depth of Steve Borthwick’s side? Where do Wales go from here after yet another setback on the field? Chris chats to World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson along with Grand Slam winner Alex Cuthbert to discuss all this and more. You will also hear from Ben Earl, who praised England’s relentless display, and Wales head coach Steve Tandy who lamented his team’s poor discipline.