Show overview
The Offside Line Podcast: The First for Scottish Rugby has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 94 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 75 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 2nd season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 35 min and 59 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Sports show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 5 days ago, with 21 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 48 episodes published. Published by David Barnes & Peter Burns.
From the publisher
Welcome to the Offside Line Podcast with your hosts Peter Burns and David Barnes.In this weekly show we examine all aspects of Scottish rugby, from the grassroots level to the Test arena, and discuss the goings on in the wider global game – helped by a regular panel of special guests and featuring exclusive interviews. David Barnes has worked as a freelance rugby journalist since 2004 covering every level of the game in Scotland for publications including The Herald/Sunday Herald, The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Scotsman/Scotland on Sunday/Evening News, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday and The Sun. He established the Offside Line in 2016 to provide high-quality, independent and up-to-date coverage of all aspects of Scottish rugby.In 2005 he co-authored Jim Renwick’s autobiography, Centre of Excellence, and in 2008 was shortlisted for Rugby Book of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards for The Accies: The Cradle of Scottish Rugby. He is the co-author of the critically acclaimed Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland and Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions.Peter Burns is a William Hill Sportsbook of the Year shortlisted author and the managing director of Polaris Publishing Ltd. He has written eleven sports books, including Behind the Thistle: Playing Rugby for Scotland, This is Murrayfield: 100 Years of History in 100 Matches, Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions, This is Your Everest: The Lions, the Springboks and the Epic Tour of 1997, When Lions Roared: The Lions, the All Blacks and the Legendary Tour of 1971 and The Men in the Arena: England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is also the author of the forthcoming children's book series, Shadow Thieves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest Episodes
View all 94 episodesMurrayfield calling: Glasgow march into the URC semi-finals
Scotland in Sevens Heaven!
Glasgow bounce back and Edinburgh's renaissance continues
This is Your Everitt
Silver Saturday and a surprise dive into uni rugby
Sh*te Saturday
Heineken heartbreak and Cardiff chaos
S2 Ep 37Glasgow biff the Bulls and Edinburgh go down fighting
Hello Offside Liners and welcome to this week’s show. Barney and Burnsy dive into the last 16 round of the Champions Cup as Glasgow triumph over the Bulls and Edinburgh make a show of it in Dublin against Leinster – but are still left asking: what now for the capital team? They also cast an eye over the men and women’s Six Nations U18 festivals, and preview the opening round of the Women’s Six Nations, the Scottish Cup semi-finals and Glasgow’s quarter-final against Toulon.Tickets are now live for our first Podcast on the Road Event - Live from the Greenyards!Free to attend and open to all, the evening promises engaging rugby discussion, insight, and entertainment, with James Flemming and another special guest joining the podcast for what is sure to be an enjoyable and informative event for rugby sevens fans.A bar will be open both throughout the podcast and after, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the occasion.Get your tickets here The Offside Line Podcast — Melrose Rugby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 36‘Cup rugby’s brilliant’
Hello Offside Liners and welcome to this week’s show. Barney and Burnsy dive into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, pick over the latest Edinburgh surrender before cheering themselves with Glasgow’s latest triumph, then they preview the last-16 of Europe games coming this weekend and discuss Mike Blair’s appointment as All Blacks’ assistant coach.Tickets are now live for our first Podcast on the Road Event - Live from the Greenyards!Free to attend and open to all, the evening promises engaging rugby discussion, insight, and entertainment, with James Flemming and another special guest joining the podcast for what is sure to be an enjoyable and informative event for rugby sevens fans.A bar will be open both throughout the podcast and after, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the occasion. Get your tickets here The Offside Line Podcast — Melrose Rugby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 35The yin and yang of Scottish pro rugby
Hello Offside Liners and welcome to this week’s show. Barney and Burnsy dive into Glasgow’s glorious demolition of Leinster and Edinburgh's timid dismantling by the Lions, discuss the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership final, Edinburgh Accies promotion triumph and a secret Scotland fixture.This episode of The Offside Line Podcast is sponsored by Daemon Power, a sports and performance wellbeing brand inspired by stoic philosophy. Their flagship product, VIRIDIS Green Powder, is a UK-made greens supplement containing more than 100 vitamins and minerals, adaptogens, amino acids and antioxidants designed to support energy, recovery, gut health and cognitive focus. The product is also Informed Sport certified, meaning it has been independently tested for use in professional sport. To learn more about the product and benefit from 40% discount if you're quick OR the 15% discount for new customers - visit VIRIDIS | Informed Sport Green Powder & UK AG1 Alternative Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 34Dublin despair
Hello Offside Liners and welcome to this week’s show. Barney and Burnsy pick over the wreckage of Scotland’s Triple Crown hopes in Dublin and review the tournament as a whole (much more positively than this sentence suggests!).This episode of The Offside Line is brought to you by Arnold Clark - proud sponsor of the Scotland Men’s national team and a brand that supports Scottish rugby at every level, from grassroots clubs right through to the international stage. If you’re in the market for a car, Arnold Clark has thousands of used cars ready to shop online, covering everything from first cars to family SUVs. Every car also comes with the Arnold Clark Best Deal Guarantee, so you know you’re getting a competitive price. And when you’ve found the right one, you can buy online and Click & Collect from a branch that suits you. So, if you’re looking for a new car, search ArnoldClark.com, today. Link is Arnold Clark | New & Used Cars For Sale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 33Incroyable Ecosse
Hello Offside Liners and welcome to this week’s show.Wow, wow, wow . . . what just happened at Murrayfield and in Rome this weekend? Barney and Burnsy dive deep into it all on this week’s show.This episode of The Offside Line Podcast is sponsored by Daemon Power, a sports and performance wellbeing brand inspired by stoic philosophy. Their flagship product, VIRIDIS Green Powder, is a UK-made greens supplement containing more than 100 vitamins and minerals, adaptogens, amino acids and antioxidants designed to support energy, recovery, gut health and cognitive focus. The product is also Informed Sport certified, meaning it has been independently tested for use in professional sport. To learn more about the product and benefit from the 15% discount for new customers – visit VIRIDIS | Informed Sport Green Powder & UK AG1 Alternative Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 32France preview
Hello Offside Liners and welcome to this week’s show.The teams are out for Saturday’s top of the table clash in the Six Nations between Scotland and France and Barney gives us his immediate feedback after the Scotland press conference (apologies for the sound quality in this part of the show!).This episode is sponsored by Breadalbane Finance, a commercial finance broker. Launched in 2013, they work with business owners across Scotland who are looking to borrow money for any purpose. They go to the lender market on your behalf, find the right deal, and make it work for your specific goals. If that sounds like something relevant to you or your business, it's well worth a conversation. But the reason we love working with them is simple. Jamie Lindsay and the team genuinely care about Scottish club rugby. They've been clear from day one that this partnership only works if it actually helps clubs and communities, not just their own profile. So – nominate your club. Email [email protected]. Get your story told. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 31Yma o Hyd - We are still here . . .
Hello Offside Liners and welcome to this week’s show.After a rollercoaster of a game in Cardiff, Scotland’s Championship and Triple Crown hopes are still alive. In the words of Dafydd Ivaan, 'Ye-ama o Heed' – we are still here.Barney and Burnsy deep dive into the match, the Under 20s, domestic rugby, the other Six Nations action from the weekend and preview this weekend’s fixtures.If you like what we’re doing on the pod, you’ll love what’s happening on our website. The Offside Line covers the full gamut of Scottish rugby, from the men and women’s international game to the URC and Celtic Challenge, club rugby and the grassroots, plus deep-dive pieces like Beyond the Headlines, where we really get stuck into the detail behind the stories – and full access the site is just £5 a month. It’s proper independent rugby journalism, and it only works with your support. So if you can, head to theoffsideline.com and join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 30And sent them homeward tae think again . . .
Hello and welcome to the Offside Line Pod. After a very gloomy pre-match pod, the boys are in fine fettle as they take a deep dive into the 2026 Calcutta Cup and an all-round Scotland performance for the ages (scrum aside) and preview the round three challenge ahead in Cardiff.If you like what we’re doing on the pod, you’ll love what’s happening on our website. The Offside Line covers the full Scottish rugby picture, international, Premiership, club, grassroots and for just £5 a month you get the full access, plus our subscriber pieces like Beyond the Headlines, where we really get stuck into the detail behind the stories.It’s proper independent rugby journalism, and it only works with your support.So if you can, head to theoffsideline.com and join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 29Lost, like tears in the rain
While Scotland’s Six Nations hopes look as stable as Lindsey Vonn’s knee, Barney and Burnsy are here to pick over the bones of the washout in Rome. They also talk Scotland A’s draw a and the U20s win over Italy, dive into domestic matters and preview the Calcutta Cup.We are thrilled that this week’s episode is sponsored by the WRU, who are excited to be hosting Scotland at Principality Stadium on Saturday 21st February. Don’t miss your chance to be at this epic clash in one of the best stadiums in the world. With tickets starting from just £28 for under-18s and with five-star hospitality packages available, experience matchday in Cardiff and hopefully enjoy a rare away win for Scotland in the Six Nations.We’re also running a competition to win 2 tickets for the Wales v Scotland game on Saturday 21st - if you're registered or subscribe to The Offside Line you will have an email in your inbox with all the details on how to enter and we'll share a link in the show notes ... The question you need to answer is:Which current Wales men’s head coach previously worked with Scotland as defence coach?Multiple choice answer - A) Warren GatlandB) Steve TandyC) Wayne PivacD) Rob HowleyCompetition entry link https://tally.so/r/68276k General tickets - https://www.eticketing.co.uk/principalitystadium/EDP/Event/Index/1453?position=6&utm_source=theoffsideline&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=m6n_theoffsideline Hospitality - https://walesrugbyhospitality.seatunique.com/sport-tickets/rugby-union/wales-rugby-tickets/2a1b2920?utm_source=theoffsideline&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=m6n_theoffsideline#69e3a8ac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 28Live from the Eternal City: Scotland-Italy 2026 preview
Hello Offside Liners, welcome to a bonus episode with our intrepid men on the ground in the Eternal City ahead of Scotland versus Italy on Saturday at 2.10. Mark Palmer and Craig Watson join Barney pitch-side at the Stadio Olympico to give their insights ahead of the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 27The Big Six Nations Preview
Hello Offside Liners, welcome to this week’s show. David and Pete dive deep into Scotland’s chances in the 2026 Six Nations, look back on Edinburgh and Glasgow’s latest round of action in the URC and cast an eye over clubland. We are thrilled that this week’s episode is sponsored by the WRU, who are excited to be hosting Scotland at Principality Stadium on Saturday 21st February as part of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2026. Don’t miss your chance to be at this epic clash in one of the best stadiums in the world. With tickets starting from just £28 for under-18s and with five-star hospitality packages available, experience matchday in Cardiff and make this Six Nations Championship the biggest one yet.General tickets - https://www.eticketing.co.uk/principalitystadium/EDP/Event/Index/1453?position=6&utm_source=theoffsideline&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=m6n_theoffsideline Hospitality - https://walesrugbyhospitality.seatunique.com/sport-tickets/rugby-union/wales-rugby-tickets/2a1b2920?utm_source=theoffsideline&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=m6n_theoffsideline#69e3a8ac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 26Six Nations Launch Pod
Hello Offside Liners, welcome to this week’s show. It’s just a short episode this time around as Barney reports back from the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh and he and Burnsy cast their eyes over the lasts round of action in the URC, the Celtic Challenge and the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership.A quick heads-up on the Offside Line Shop - there’s currently a 30% discount running on all The Offside Line branded merchandise and books for subscribers, but it finishes this Saturday the 31st. https://www.theoffsideline.com/shop/If you’ve been eyeing up a hoodie, t-shirt or bobble hat, or of course one of the fabulous range of rugby books from the shop, now’s a great time to grab them — whether that’s as a gift or just a treat for yourself. If you’re already a subscriber, just log in to your account on The Offside Line and the discount applies automatically when you check out. Don’t hang about, it wraps up this Saturday. https://www.theoffsideline.com/shop/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Ep 25London Scottish for the URC? A Bryan Redpath special.
Hello Offside Liners, welcome to this week’s show. Barney is fresh out of Gregor Townsend’s press conference announcing the Six Nations and Scotland A squads for 2026 and he and Burnsy catch up to pick over the key selections. They also discuss Edinburgh and Glasgow’s weekends in Europe as both progress to the Round of 16, with Glasgow finishing as second seeds overall. Then it’s into the main part of this week’s episode – a long sit down with Scotland great, Bryan Redpath, to discuss his playing, coaching and business careers, with a major focus on London Scottish and whether they could make a play to enter the URC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.