The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

James O’Connor was the first of his kind - a teenage prodigy who transcended the back pages to become the face of Australian rugby. James O’Connor joins Alex, Hask and Tins to discuss the heavy crown of early fame, his global "rock star" journey which climaxed in a Parisian prison to his settled life at Leicester Tigers. The boys dive into the week’s massive news: Henry Pollock’s alliance with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom. We ask: Is rugby finally ready to embrace a superstar, or will the "tall poppy" syndrome strike again? 🏠 00:59 Settling in Leicester Life 🌍 07:03 Nomadic Career Choices 🌟 15:12 Growing Up in Spotlight ✍️ 21:09 Eddie Hearn Signs Pollock 📣 31:14 Let Stars Promote 🤕 45:22 Injuries and Spiral 💔 48:35 Paris Rock Bottom Story 💪 52:48 Rebuilding Discipline 🏉 57:48 Wallabies Ambitions and Standards 🧠 01:08:19 The Coaches Who Shaped JOC 🗒️ GBR Survey: https://purespectrum.decipherinc.com/... 🚴‍♀️ Race To The Slater Cup https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/r... 🌎 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/xxxxx Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: ⁠https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England legend Lewis Moody joins Payno and Tins to celebrate his remarkable career. From untold tactics behind the 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph to the night Tommo’s uppercut left a lasting impression, “Mad Dog” lifts the lid on the hilarious, unfiltered reality of life as one of the game’s early professionals. Discover the “secret sauce” behind Leicester Tigers’ four consecutive Premiership titles, as Lewis reveals what drove their dominance, and he names the toughest Tiger of them all. It’s a high-octane trip down memory lane with one of rugby’s most fearless greats. 01:33 🎁 Charity Surprise 03:44 🐥 The Young Lewis Moody 09:43 🐯 Dosser Smith And Leicester Debut 17:37 🔥 Uni Life And The Outstanding Gas Bill 27:21 💪 Leicester Tigers Royal Rumble 36:54 🕺 Bee Gees Wembley Ejection 40:41 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence 41:22 🏆 World Cup Charge Down 44:48 😈 Tour of Hell Confessions 56:10 🍻 2003 Nights Out Chaos 01:05:26 💡 Drop Goal Plan B 01:12:49 🏁 Race to the Slater Cup 🚴‍♀️ Race To The Slater Cup https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/racetoslatercup 🕺Lewis Moody Foundation https://www.gofundme.com/f/lewis-moody-fundraising-appeal 🥃 Remy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/ 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones 🗒️GBR Survey https://purespectrum.decipherinc.com/survey/selfserve/53b/260334?list=1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Marler and Mike Brown join Payno and Tins for the Anglo Inquisition, dissecting England’s Six Nations. The team tackle the 2003 legends criticism, Steve Borthwick’s leadership style, and the discipline crisis. It’s a raw, unfiltered health check on the state of English rugby. 00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres 03:04 🍷 Why 2026 Was a Vintage Year 11:52 🏥 England Health Check 21:05 🤔 Do You Believe in Steve? 30:39 ⚔️ 2003 vs 2026: The Fallout 53:09 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence 🗒️GBR Survey https://purespectrum.decipherinc.com/survey/selfserve/53b/260334?list=1 🥃 Remy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/ 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall. #Rugby #Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After one of the wildest weekends of the Six Nations, the boys are back to break it all down. Payno, Tins, Jonny May and Ben Kayser dive into Scotland’s breathtaking performance against France. Then it’s time for the uncomfortable truth: England’s loss to Italy. Is this a rock-bottom moment for England? And is the criticism of Head Coach Steve Borthwick fair? The panel also unpacks the on-field confusion between Maro Itoje and Fin Smith, with Tins revealing what really happens when leadership, pressure and game plan collide in the chaos of a Test match. 00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres 01:26 🌪️ Six Nations Weekend Whirlwind 03:10 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland’s All-In Tactics 15:56 😬 England’s Rome Meltdown 19:01 🎯 Take the Points Debate 31:31 🗞️ Borthwick and the Media Storm 46:17 🥃 Remy Martin Moment Of Excellence 53:21 🇫🇷 France England Preview 56:08 ☘️ Ireland Scotland Preview 58:57 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales Italy Preview 01:04:17 🗣️ Jonny’s Team Talk 01:09:37 🕊️ Matt Salter Tribute 🗒️GBR Survey https://purespectrum.decipherinc.com/survey/selfserve/53b/260334?list=1 🥃 Remy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/ 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall. #Rugby #Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a tough set of runs for England, Alex and Hask head to Allianz to speak with those at the heart of the storm. First-up, the lads sit down with Conor O’Shea, Director of Performance Rugby at England Rugby, to hear about how England are dealing with the pressure approaching Rome. Conor gives his verdict on both England and Italy and speaks passionately about developing pathways through the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. In the second half, Jamie George, Jack van Poortvliet and Manny Iyogun share the mood inside camp and what it means to wear the England shirt, from their earliest memories of the game, to blocking out the noise and finding a fresh energy. 00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres 01:15 🇮🇹 Conor’s Italy Years 08:38 🏉 Englands Scrutiny And Bounceback 14:18 📈 RFU Progress 18:36 🔄 Rebuilding Pathways 29:18 🔍 Talent ID 34:57 🏁 Continental Tyres Grip Challenge 36:57 🌡️ England Camp Temperature Check 40:11 🍀Why Ireland Went Wrong 42:17 💥 Bench Impact and Non 23 44:25 🤣Session Terrorists 50:47 🤝 Team Culture 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall. #Rugby #Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Payno, Hask, and Tins dissect England's bruising Twickenham defeat to Ireland. While fans and press go into meltdown, the boys urge calm, separating emotional fallout from professional reality. Plus, the OG trio unpack the thrilling Wales versus Scotland clash and France's continued dominance. 00:00 🛞 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:48 👑 Royal Box Banter 03:57 🚨 Panic or Don't Panic 09:46 🚪 Four Doors of Fallout 28:24 🔄 Changes for Italy 40:18 📊 Ireland's Performance Analysis 45:36 🏉 Wales vs Scotland Review 52:36 🥃 Remy Martin Moment of Excellence 54:59 🇫🇷 France vs Italy Analysis 56:58 🇮🇹 Italy's Threat to England 🥃 Remy Martin Cocktail Recipes https://www.remymartin.com/en-uk/cocktails/ 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices