The Rugby Pod

The lads look ahead to a massive new season of ruggers in the Prem and URC. We look at some of the best signings across both competitions and give our predictions for the season ahead. We also chat about the rumours of a merger between the competitions, and whether there's any merit in a British & Irish league. We're joined by Ospreys Head Coach Toby Booth to hear how he's turned things around at Ospreys last season, and the surprise announcement that he'll be leaving at the end of this season. Lots more as usual, so make sure you're subscribed on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forget Oasis, the reunion we've been waiting all summer for. Jim and Goodey are back and on form after eventful breaks, and we're joined by Bigs who's already knee-deep into a new French season. We briefly look back the summer internationals, what's been happening behind the scenes in England with Borthwick losing two of his coaches, some pre-season insight on squads, and what's going on in the Rugby Championship. We also chat about the new professional game partnership and what it means and, we also get to know Bigs a bit better on an off the pitch! Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should England have beaten the All Blacks this weekend at Eden Park? Goodey is joined by Bigs this week as they give their take on the big moments from the second test in New Zealand, including England's tactics, Marcus Smith mercurial fly half performance, and whether it was a massive missed opportunity for England. We were also treated to another brutal battle in South Africa. Have you seen more blood and brutal hits in a recent game?! We chat about Frawley who stepped up and nailed the winning drop kick, and Dorris' heroic performance as new captain. We also wrap up the final summer tour for Wales and Scotland and what we can look forward to going into next season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are back in the studio this week to chat about all the talking points from this weekend's summer series, including narrow defeats for England & Ireland. We’ll give our take on England’s new identity and some bright shoots across the board. We’ll also go into the brutal Ireland v Boks grudge match, and Warren Gatland’s Wales extending their losing streak to 8 games and dropping out of the World Rugby Top 10. BUT most importantly the mighty Scotland doing the home nations proud and romping to victory in Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two teams desperately seeking to rebuild, Bigs catches up with his old mates Liam Williams and Andrew Kellaway to find out exactly how Wales & Australia plan to stop the rot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Championes! We’ll be chatting to newly crowned URC Champ Duncie Weir this week and hear all about the celebrations after Glasgow's sensational victory down in Pretoria. The lads will also be discussing Eddie Jones’ Japan not quite pushing England to their limit and Steve Borthwick’s plan for New Zealand. Plus the lads pick their URC/Prem combined team of the season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bigs is back this week to review the URC semi-finals, including huge upset wins for The Bulls and Glasgow, and where Leinster and Munster fell short after a disappointing end to their season. The lads also build up the hype around the summer tours, including the niggle between Soth Africa and Ireland, an under the radar All Blacks squad to face England, and a summer of rebuilding for Wales. Plenty more as usual, so make sure you're subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a premiership final that saw Northampton Saints crowned champions for the first time in a decade, we’ve managed to drag one of the heroes out of the pub still in his playing kit and ski goggles. Saints’ 21-year old Flyer George Hendy joins us fresh off his man-of-the-match performance at Twickenham to give us the low down on the final and post match celebrations. We’ll also be rounding up the URC quarters, looking ahead to the semis AND reacting to Steve Borthwick announcing his England Squad for the summer tour as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re nearly at the climax of the domestic season, so the lads preview the big one. It's Fin (one n) VS Finn (two n’s) Saints V Bath in the prem final. Bath's Ollie Lawrence joining to give his take, and the lads break down where the game will be won, and who they're backing. We’re also looking at the final regular round of the URC with massive wins for Munster and the Ospreys and agony for Jim's beloved #always Edinburgh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

London hosted one of the great Champions Cup finals between Toulouse and Leinster this weekend, so the lads will be discussing all the fallout from an EPIC match and where it was won and lost. Jim and Goodey disagree on whether Dupont is the GOAT, and also give their view on where to next for Leinster and Leo. We’ll also be chatting about a massive triumph for the Sharks as they dominated Gloucester in the Challenge Cup Final. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Very special guest this week as we're joined by Biggs' old gaffer, and Wales' most successful ever coach, Warren Gatland, to give some awesome insight into leading the British & Irish Lions, making tough decisions, the rebuild of Welsh Rugby, the state of the games, AND what Biggar was really like to coach. Jim and Biggs also chat about the confirmed Premiership Top 4, some shock results in the URC, and look forward to a massive European Champions Cup final as Lesinter look to topple Toulouse in London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Off the back of another Grand Slam winning Six Nations campaign, Ellie & Jess return to the Rugby Pod to review a mega tournament for John Mitchell's England side. They discuss what makes the Red Roses so special, Disaronno in the changies and the radical changes in the programme. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's all change as World Rugby announce several law changes that will have a big impact on the game. The lads give their take on what these mean and how they'll affect teams. We'll also be discussing a frenetic, penultimate round of Premiership action including a big away win for Saracens, Exeter seeing off Quins and the spanking of all spankings for Gloucester. We’ll also be looking at some cracking games over in URC, PLUS our mate Stuart McCloskey is dialing in to chat all things Ulster and Ireland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads look back at another hell of a weekend as Europe's best went head to head in the Champions and Challenge Cup semifinals. We'll dissect Quins' performance in Toulouse and Leinster's hard-fought win over Northampton at a sold-out Croke Park. We've also got a chat with Saints and England fly-half, Fin Smith. Plus, Jim is deepening his Saffa ties, hanging out with The Sharks for their Challenge Cup semifinals at the Stoop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Spotify studio was packed this week with two BIG men with big reputations and big Medal collections joining Jim & Bigs. Double Rugby World Cup Winning Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Vincent Koch join the lads to give us some incredible insight on the Springboks, winning back to back Rugby World Cups, what motivates them, their coaches, and what it means to South Africa. The lads open up and give us unbelievable access to one of the most successful teams in the sport. Jim & Bigs also wrap up some of the club rugby and look forward to a massive weekend of Champions Cup action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kon’nichiwa from Japan! We’ve gone global this week, Jim's in Tokyo Japan checking out the heated toilets and hunting bug interviews, Bigs is with us from the South of France and Rob’s sat in sunny Stockton on Tees. We’ve got loads for you this week including some intel on Jim's interviews with Ardie Savea, Eddie Jones and PSDT, Leinster and the monster squad they're building over there in Dublin, a big showdown in the Top 14 and the run-in for the premiership and URC is heating up. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a genuine enforcer back on the Pod this week as Big Courts joins Jim to look back at all the Champions Cup Quarter-finals, including his own game versus the Bulls, and Lesinter's demolition of reigning champions La Rochelle. The lads give their take on the latest episode of Chasing the Sun and how Courtney would react to Rassie's unusual coaching tactics, and how we rated the Springboks. PLUS we look ahead to 2 class semi finals, including Northampton's trip to the iconic Croke Park for a showdown with Leinster and Harlequins trip to Tolouse. Enjoy and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're going big this week with Dan Biggar flying over to our studio from the South of France, and man of the moment Louis Rees-Zammit joining following the massive announcement that he's heading to the Superbowl Champions Kansas City Cheifs. We'll hear how the move came about, how NFL training compares to Rugby, how much players get paid, and what the epic journey looks like from here for the Welsh speedster. We’ll also be chatting Champions Cup action as Jim and Dan review and preview the knock-out matches and give some quality insight. Oh, and Jim saved a life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads give their take on the massive news, not just in Rugby, with LRZ signing for Superbowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs. We’ll be discussing a crazy weekend in the Premiership with nothing to choose between the top 8 teams. We'll also take a look at a top of the table win for Leinster over the Bulls in the URC and throw ahead to a mouth-watering weekend of Champions Cup rugby as we reach the Round of 16. Plus, TMO Goddey gets into the detail on some big decisions from the weekend where Bath aint apppy. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Domestic rugby is back with Saracens turning the heat up against Quins and Gloucester claiming an emotional Ed Slater Cup against Leicester. TMO Andy makes a return around the controversy in the booth with Austin Healy's commentary. Plus, we're delighted to be joined by one of the brightest stars in English rugby in Quins backrow Chandler Cunningham-South, who gives an insight into the new generation of England players. Richard Cockvilli also calls in to demand that Wales & Warren G sign a contract for a promotion showdown after Georgia's seventh Rugby Europe Championship win. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Women's Six Nations kicking off this weekend, we're delighted to be joined by two England superstars in Ellie Kildunne & Jess Breach to preview this year's tournament and talk about their careers. Presenter Laura Winter interviews the two Red Roses about their journey so far, the Rugby World Cup, their biggest rivalries, initiations, team tattoos, the growth of the women's game, as well as looking forward to this year's competition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a hell of a grand finale in the Six Nations, the lads sum up the final round of action with Ireland claiming back-to-back championships. While most Welsh fans are in hiding, Dan Biggar braves the Pod to give his take on where Welsh rugby really is, and what next for Gats and his men. We'll also be discussing Italy's best ever championship, as well as England’s evolution in Lyon, plus Jim gives some insight into what Scottish rugby is missing. We also pick our team of the tournament with a centre partnership that may well echo in eternity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England managed to produce one of their best performances in recent memory this weekend at Twickenham, stealing the game away from Ireland in the dying moments - the lads, joined by former Ireland International and expert analyst Bernard Jackman, dissect the game with an open cloth. Big Jim vents his frustrations with Scotland following their loss to Italy and we also look ahead to the final round of the Six Nations 2024. PLUS we're joined by England U20's captain & Leicester Tigers Young Gun, Finn Carnduff revealing the freak athletes next to hit the big time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With one of the biggest games of the season coming up this weekend, the lads give some insight into the England camp ahead of their showdown with Ireland in Twickenham. Goodey gives his take on how he thinks England needs to play to have a chance against the form team in world rugby. We also take a look at Scotland's trip to Rome and what to expect from Wales v France. Goodey catches up with Leicester's head coach Dan McKellar, and the lads discuss what lessons Rugby can learn from NRL's successful outing in Las Vegas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a weekend. The drama! Loads to get through this week - what the hell happened in those closing moments down in France?! Scotland’s stranglehold on the Calcutta Cup & Ireland just dominating everyone. Plus our mate Dan Biggar is here! So settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Massive weekend coming up in the Six Nations this week with the Calcutta Cup, Ireland looking to remain on course for the Slam, and France looking to recover some form. PLUS we’re joined by a number 8 who’s been tearing up trees for years but is seemingly stuck in England Exile… Zach Mercer. The lads also invite some new friends from the Army into the studio to review their recent performance in the trenches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are joined by England centurion Courtney Lawes this week as we pick the bones out of a painful and controversial last-gasp defeat for Scotland in Murrayfield. We’ll also take a look at an ugly but important win for England, some bright shoots for Wales, and a procession for Ireland in Dublin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How good is the Six Nations?! We’ll be analysing all the action from the first round including what was nearly one of the greatest Welsh comebacks of all time. With Scotland holding on for a rare win in Cardiff, Jim revels in the fact that Gregor's men are technically still on for the Slam. We'll take a look at an epic Irish win in France and how Shaun Edwards might be reacting, lick the f**in ball!!. We'll also take a look at whether we saw the start of England’s new era or just more of the same from Borthwick. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Italy skipper Michele Lamaro about growing up next to the Colosseum in Rome and life in the Italian camp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got a couple of big additions this week ahead of the start of the Six Nations, with Welsh legend Dan Biggar joining the lads to preview the tournament and give some incredible insight into Gats, the Welsh squad, who his favourite referee was, and playing against Finn, Sexton and Smith. We also look at how England should approach the tournament and if a new look attack might be on the cards. Plus, we're joined by the man mountain and one of the toughest looking buggers in the World, Springbok and Munster's RG Snyman, to talk about winning back to back Rugby World Cups, moving from Munster to Leinster, and ripping shirts off on a night out. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hell of a week with lots of news as we near this year's Six Nations. The lads discuss LRZs big move to chase his dream in the NFL and what it means for rugby. We also take a look at another sport as Jim takes some credit for the new Saffa UFC World Champion Dricus Du Plessis. The lads give their take on the new Six Nations captains heading into this year's tournament, and we speak with Toulouse and England powerhouse Jack Willis about the Champions Cup, his international career ambitions, and his journey so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Six Nations squads set to be announced, the lads get their hairy crystal balls out to predict what the England squad might look like, who's replacing Johnny Sexton and captaining Ireland, and what surprise names we might see in Scotland's squad. We’ll also be discussing all the best action from Round 3 of the Champions Cup and working out who might make it through to the knockout stages, in the final round of pool games this weekend. Plus we have a guest debut to step into Andy Rowe's size 7 loafers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy New Year to the millions, we’re back for a big 2024! The lads will be getting their crystal ball out and giving their predictions for the year ahead, we'll be looking at Owen Farrell’s potential French Future, as well as taking a look at the best of the prem action this weekend and URC over the Christmas period. The lads will also be giving their reaction to the news the RPA will no longer be repping England internationals, plus we have a proper hard northern guest. Hull Rugby league Legend, and the man who has revolutionized Saints Defence Lee Radford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's our last episode of the year and it's also Andy Rowe's grand finale as he moves back to New Zealand, so the lads reminisce on the past eight years, from cat food to fish food. We’ll also be looking at another hectic weekend of Champions Cup rugby as a few English clubs excelled again and a few other sides bounced back from disappointment in Round 1. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Bath boss Johann van Graan about their great start to the season, his Springbok ambition and his thoughts on RG Snyman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Champions Cup is back and even better. We’ll be reviewing a bumper opening weekend of rugby with six big wins for Premiership teams and some payback for Lesinter in La Rochelle. Jim was down in South Africa to watch Sarries play the Bulls in Pretoria, and he also drops in on UFC superstar Dricus Du Plessis who teaches him a thing or two about Mauling and Brawling. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Toulouse’s GIANT Australian second-row Richie Arnold after they thrash Cardiff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are back from Bootcamp and reveal all about their Army experience in the trenches and flying Apache helicopters. We'll also be discussing the fallout from Owen Farrell’s decision to step away from international rugby for a period, looking at how Saracens struggled in his absence & discussing all of the Premiership & URC action. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Munster’s World Cup-winning Springbok second-row Jean Kleyn about his incredible journey. So, settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Christmas come too early? The lads get stuck into some high-brow debates about the festive period, as well as analysing who has the best and worst Movember tash. We’re joined by everyone's favourite French ref and Goodey's mate, Matthieu Raynal to chat about the World Cup, making mistakes, and reffing Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell. We'll also be analysing the latest in the Premiership & URC, including more pain for Bristol & Gloucester fans and a big Leinster/Munster clash at the Aviva, plus the lads chat about where Maro Itoje might be off to next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined this week by Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie to chat about his World Cup campaign, his painful injury, who was tougher between Ireland and the Springboks, and what next for him personally and for Scotland. We’ll also be looking at some huge news in Sevens as Dupont and Hooper announce their switch for the Olympics, and we'll be dissecting all the action from derby weekend in the Premiership, talking about a massive win for Connacht in the URC, and wishing Jim a very belated happy birthday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been a few weeks but the pain is still palpable - Ireland’s powerhouse prop Andrew Porter joins the lads to discuss the agony of another quarter final exit for the men in green, blood boiling officials' decisions and the arrival of a World Cup Winning Coach to Leinster. Plus Big Jim returns from his short hiatus and Andy Rowe has some big news… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the World Cup done and dusted, we’ve called in England’s most capped men’s international of all time Ben Youngs to talk us through his RWC campaign. We get the inside track on England’s World Cup camp, their run to the bronze medal, as well as looking back on Youngsy’s incredible international career. We also chat about the bunker system and take a look at all the latest Premiership action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After seven weeks of drama, highs & lows, and some incredible entertainment, we have our Rugby World Cup champions. The lads look back at the final between the Springboks and All Blacks and give their take on where this Bok team and their coaches rank in the history of the sport. We look at the main decisions and talking points from the game. We're also joined by Wales and Sarries centre Nick Tompkins to reveal what went on in the Welsh World Cup camp and some of Gatland's secrets. He also spills the beans on who shouts at him more, Farrell or Biggar, and how to fix the club game. Lots more as usual, including looking back at England's bronze match and where to next for Borthwick, as well as reaction to the new global tournament, Eddie leaving Australia, and Marler snubbing Bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a heroic night in Paris from both teams, we’ll be chatting about a valiant but heart-breaking semi-final exit for England against South Africa and all the major talking points from the game, including scrums, referee decisions, substitutes, Rassie losing his head, the beef between the players, and where ultimately the game was won and lost. We'll also chat about a procession for the All Blacks against Argentina and look ahead to an all-southern hemisphere final in the company of World Cup-winning Springbok, Francois Louw. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two contrasting semi-finals, with a heartbreaking 1-point loss for England against the Springboks in Paris on Saturday, and an All Blacks demolition job against Argentina in the Friday evening semi-final. We hear from all the coaches and captains as they reflect on both games and the major talking points and controversies from each, and they look forward to the finals next weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How about one of the best rugby weekends of all-time?! A win for England and a semi-final to look forward to, but heart-breaking defeats for Wales, Ireland and France. We’ll be analysing the two epic quarter-finals in Paris in detail, including where Ireland fell short, what was said between the All Blacks and Ireland on the pitch post-game, and how Rassie and Jacques masterminded another Springbok knockout win. We'll also be looking at the other quarter-finals and what we can expect for the semi-finals next weekend. Finally, we're joined by Portugal captain Tomas Appleton after they stole everyone’s hearts in the pool stages, including his meeting with Ronaldo, and how many of the squad have been snapped up with professional contracts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The semi-finals have been decided so we hear from the coaches and captains after an incredible weekend of heroics and heartbreak. First up we hear from Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton on where the game was lost and what next for this Ireland squad. Ian Foster and Sam Cane give their take on the extra motivation the All Blacks had for this game, and how they managed to knock the number one team in the world off their throne. We also hear from Warren Gatland after their loss to Argentina in Marseille. Steve Borthwick and Owen Farrell take shots at England’s doubters as they look forward to a semi-final against the Springboks, and Siya Kolisi and Jacques Nienaber respond to Dupont’s criticism of the referee and reflect on one of the all-time great quarter-final wins against the hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After all of Jim's positive chat, it was a sad case of all fart and no poo for Scotland as they went down to an impressive Ireland in their do-or-die game. We get the lads reaction and where to next. We’ll be chatting about that historic win for Portugal, the lucky escape for England & looking ahead to some mouth-watering quarter-finals. Goodey gives us a tasty bit of gossip from the England camp, plus we’re chatting to former Wales winger Alex Cuthbert about their World Cup and chances, LRZ, Gats' regime and their quarter-final against Argentina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the final round of the group stages, we hear from Andy Farrell & Johnny Sexton following their ruthless victory over Scotland. We also hear from a disappointed Gregor Townsend and Warren Gatland & Steve Borthwick look to the challenges ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the final round of pool matches and the guys preview a huge showdown in Paris as Scotland prepares to try and achieve the incredible and knock out the number one team in the World. Goodey is all in on Ireland, whilst Jim maps out Scotland's potential route to victory. The lads also look at the other pool deciders and whether we might see any potential upsets as Italy looks to bounce back from an All black humbling, how England will line up against Samoa, and Argentina and Japan face off in another straight knock-out game. Plus we're joined by one of our favourite guests of the season in Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui as he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Fiji as they look set the create history against Portugal and go all the way in the World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are pumped after one of the all-time great pool games between the Boks and Irish in Paris. We breakdown the game, where it was won and lost and where to next for both teams. We also take a look at Wales' massive win against the Wallabies and how impressive Gatland's squad looks going into the quarter-finals. Goodey goes in hard on Eddie Jones after a woeful campaign for the Wallabies and his toxic environment, and Jim gives his take on Scotland's performance against Tonga and how they look going into a couple do-or-die games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We hear from Eddie Jones straight after Wales' victory as he answers questions on his position as head coach, the Wallabies performance, and whether he has been interviewing for the Japan head coach role whilst in camp. We hear from Warren Gatland after their impressive win and just how far Wales have come since the controversy and WRU challenges of a few months ago. Jacques Nienaber & Siya Kolisi give their thoughts on the game against Ireland, including their kicking shortcomings as well as the Irish breakdown and what needs fixing. We also hear from Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton about their brutal battle, some special treatment from PSDT, and the epic support from Irish fans at Stade de France. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are fresh off their World Cup cruise and back in London and Paris after another quality weekend of Rugby World Cup action. The lads will be chatting about a historic win for Fiji, impressive performances from underdogs Portugal and Uruguay, another victory for England and Ireland, the return of Owen Farrell and looking ahead to the massive clashes next weekend between South Africa & Ireland and Wales versus Australia. This epiosde is brought to you in partnership with Asahi Super Dry, the official Beer of the Rugby World Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices