The Rugby Pod

Following England's shock defeat to Argentina on Sunday, the lads dissect Eddie Jones' side with an open cloth to work out where it went wrong for them. We run through all the games from the weekend's Autumn Nations Series action and catch up with former Ireland back row Dan Leavy to get his take on Ireland's victory over the Springboks. The Fanzo Pint Predictor returns, Jim and Goodey give their predictions for the results of this weekend's Autumn Nations series games and we look ahead to how England can hope to bounce back against Japan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're joined by Wallabies Scrum Half and friend of the show Nic White following his side's narrow victory over Scotland on Saturday. Hear exactly what went down at the end of that game as well as an emotional account of the backlash Nic received following his incident with Faf De Klerk earlier this year. The lads look ahead to the first full weekend of games in the Autumn Nations Series and give their predictions for how those results will go. Jim and Goodey review the highlights from the Gallagher Premiership including more refereeing controversy and red cards in another dramatic weekend of domestic action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Something a bit different this week as Jim sits down with reality star and former rugby player and now fan, Jay Younger. Jay was working as an investment analyst when he was approached and cast to be on Love Island 2022. In this chat, we hear how we went from playing rugby and competing at national level in the 400 meters, to being involved in one of the most-watched reality T.V shows of all time. Jay tells us what really happens behind the scenes at Love Island, how contrived the show felt, and how he felt manipulated by producers to fit their narrative. We also hear about his relationships with other contestants and the pressure he felt coming out of the villa. There are lots of parallels between Jim and Jay's experiences being in the spotlight. It's a really interesting chat between two men at the top of their game, enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're joined by Bath and Scotland centre Cameron Redpath after his side got their first win of the season against Northampton on Saturday and as he enters Scotland camp. The lads chat through the England and Scotland squads for the Autumn Nations Series and give their predictions for the first weekend's results. We also discuss all the weekend's action from the Premiership and URC and finally, Jim's poor dental hygiene comes good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the announcement that they have gone into administration, we're joined by Wasps CEO Stephen Vaughan to discuss how his team became the second Premiership side this season to fall. The lads chat through the exciting inclusions in Eddie Jones' England squad for the Autumn Nations Series as well as the shock omissions. We run through all the action from the Premiership and URC as both Sale and Saracens make it 5 wins from 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After another round of drama on and off the field in the Premiership, the lads discuss what the future holds for Worcester and Wasps, as well as picking apart the red cards for Jacob Umaga and Mako Vunipola. We're joined by Stormers and Springboks Number 8 Evan Roos who tells us how he's finding life on tour in Europe. We round up the URC action and Goodey has his say on who will make the semi finals of the Champions Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Tomkins is a rugby league legend, having won the coveted 'Man of Steel' award twice, as well as three Super League Grand Finals. He's the current captain of England going into the Rugby League World Cup. In this chat, Sam talks about his stellar career and what molded him into one of the all-time greats. We also hear some cross-over stories about Shaun Edwards' coaching, Sam filling in Chris Ashton, and why Owen Farrell could have been the greatest League player in the last ten years. Lots more great chat from a genuinely top lad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of their World Cup campaign, we catch up with England prop Hannah Botterman as the Red Roses enter the tournament as clear favourites. We run through all the Gallagher Premiership action in another weekend of tries galore. Jim and Goodey give their thoughts on George Skivington's comments around player salaries and we round up the action from round 3 of the URC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by two Leicester Tigers legends in Tom and Ben Youngs. The brothers have been one club men, having spent their entire careers at Tigers. They represented England and the British and Irish Lions, with Ben also becoming England's most capped men's player of all time in 2022. In this chat ahead of their testimonial in London, the lads open up on their careers, their highs and lows on and off the pitch, and some of their favourite memories. Leicester legends, the pair of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We caught up with Worcester and England centre Ollie Lawrence to hear how the players have been impacted by the ongoing situation at the club ahead of the seemingly inevitable announcements that came on Monday evening. Jim and Goodey review Eddie Jones' England training squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series, and go through the notable inclusions and omissions. We run through all the Premiership and URC action in a weekend packed full of drama, tries and refereeing controversy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a hugely controversial penultimate week of the rugby championship with Mathieu Raynal thrust into the spotlight over his refereeing of the Bledisloe Cup, we review the events that led up to the incident. Goodey seemingly breaks tradition and sides with the Frenchman and explains how Bernard Foley cost Australia the game. We're joined by Ulster and Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey after his outrageous offload in his side's season opener against Connacht. The lads also round up all the premiership action and give an update on the ongoing situation at Worcester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The chat the rugby world has been waiting for. Two heavyweights give their opinions on the game they love. David Flatman has become one of the most respected voices in rugby since his retirement ten years ago. In this wide-ranging chat, the lads give their opinion on some of the most topical issues facing our sport. We get two very different perspectives at times, amongst plenty of laughs and memories, from two of the most engaging characters in rugby. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the lads are joined by Gloucester and Scotland Fly Half (and the whitest tegs in rugby) Adam Hastings after his side turned around their biggest ever deficit to beat Wasps 27-21 on Sunday. Jim and Goodey round up all the action from the first weekend of the Premiership season, including Gengey's phenomenal performance for Bristol. We look ahead to the start of the URC and Jim's got a confession to make... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with a bang for season 7 of The Rugby Pod! The lads are joined by Worcester Warriors' Director Of Rugby Steve Diamond to give an update on the precarious situation the club finds itself in. We discuss the difficult position English rugby is in and how Premiership Rugby can help prevent other clubs from following Worcester's path. Jim and Goodey also run through all the action from the off-season including some Northern Hemisphere success during the summer tours and a hugely competitive Rugby Championship. We look ahead to a huge season in the Premiership as the lads pick who they believe will be the top 4 and bottom 3 teams come May next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Mujati was one of the most sought-after props in World Rugby. Born in Zimbabwe, Brian's life story is incredible, with a career that spanned playing professionally in South Africa for the Springboks, before playing club rugby in England, Wales and France. We hear about his journey, his successes, as well as his struggles both on and off the pitch in this engaging chat. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the recent media storm around Worcester's financial situation, Big Jim chats to former Worcester Director of Rugby Dean Ryan to get his thoughts on the precarious position the club finds itself in. With his current role as DoR at The Dragons, Dean explains how the Welsh Regions are building towards a move away from the WRU and how they hope to fare in the URC this season. As one of England's most successful coaches, Dean also gives his opinion on who Eddie Jones' successor should be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we chatted to Welsh legend Andy Powell about his career, his high points, low points, and plenty of big nights out in between. Powelly is one of rugby's biggest characters on and off the pitch and he tells some incredible stories involving playing for Gats, playing against Bakkies Botha, and playing with the likes of Mike Phillips. We also hear about him flipping Pizza tucks and of course the full story unedited story behind the golf buggy. Enjoy, he tells a hell of a yarn! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In July 2022, Gloucester and former Leicester second row Ed Slater was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 34 and forced to retire from professional rugby. In this episode, Jim and Gloucester Team Manager and good friend, Sam Raven, chat with Ed about coming to terms with the life-changing diagnosis and the impact it's had on him, his family, and friends. It's an emotional and inspiring chat, but one filled with plenty of laughs as the guys also reflect on their recent 350-mile charity cycle which raised over 300k for MND charities and research. We wish Ed all the very best and you can support Ed and follow him on his journey via Instagram @4edfundraising or Twitter: @edslater Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the very first episode of Rugby Pod sessions, Andy Rowe interviewed Joe Marler during one of his preseasons at Quins and found out a bit more about the England and British and Irish Lions prop. From how he got into rugby, all the way to the "pinnacle" of his career, sitting on the wet tarmac in Wellington Harbour eating a late-night snack, we got an insight into one of the biggest characters in the modern game. We also hear a few cracking stories from the Lions Tour and the mid-week Veg, including sinking pints with Rory Best, an awkward match review session with George Kruis, and an expensive game of credit card roulette. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Bill Ribbans is an Orthopaedic Surgeon, Trauma Consultant, and one of the highest regarded specialists in sports medicine. He has treated some of the world's best sports stars, including Michael Schumacher, Usain bolt, Jessica Ennis and countless rugby players. He is now at the forefront of concussion research and debate in rugby, working with Progressive Rugby to help advance the safety of the sport for all involved. In this chat, Bill and Jim discuss some very sensitive topics with the aim of better understanding the challenges around concussion in our sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jim chats to the person who signed his first major professional contract, Simon Cohen. Between 2005 and 2020, Simon was head of operations for Leicester, before moving on to become their CEO for eight years. During this time, he helped Leicester become one of the most successful clubs in the game, winning four premiership titles during his time at the club and helping identify and produce some of England's greatest ever players (as well as Scotland's finest brawler). Jim and Simon chat about the growth of the game during that period, where they see the game going, as well as reminisce on some of their glory days at Tigers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the incredible true story of Max Guazzini, the former flamboyant French owner of Stade Français, who spent over €30 million and took the team from the 4th division to five-time champions of France before fraud and bankruptcy threatened it all. Naked calendars, hot tubs with Madonna, audacious kits, gladiatorial pre-match entertainment, tragic suicide, and fallouts, we speak to the players who experienced the amazing and tumultuous journey firsthand, including James Haskell, Ben Keyser, and Ollie Phillips. We also track down Max himself to hear his side of the remarkable story. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with friends and let us know on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jim's joined by one of the most successful and popular coaches in the game, Crusaders Head coach, Scott 'Razor' Robertson. During this chat, it's easy to see why Razor is held in such high regard both in New Zealand and throughout the game. We hear about his coaching philosophy, how he gets the best out of his players, his international ambitions for the future, his Rugby World Cup goals, his relationship with Eddie Jones and Ronan O'Gara, and of course, the art of breakdance. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jim travels to the bright lights of New York City to interview the new owner of The Sharks, Marco Masotti. Marco's successful background and experience in private equity and law give him a great perspective on why more people are looking to invest in rugby and why the future is potentially very bright for the sport. He talks about his investment in The Sharks and the potential for The URC. He also gives his thoughts on what teams, unions, administrators and players need to do to help the game evolve and compete on a global scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the best refs in the game sits down with Jim this week to give us an unprecedented look into what it's like being an elite rugby referee in the professional era. We get a fascinating insight into what goes on behind the scenes both personally and professionally for the man in the middle. Luke opens up on the pressures of being a referee as well as the good and bad that comes with the job, including training, being assessed, dealing with social media, ref socials and of course the engagement with fans and players. We all know refs have a tough job, but this episode really puts it into perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With England on tour in Australia, we take the opportunity to check in with Jim's good mate and former Wallaby legend Drew Mitchell. The lads chat about the series so far, Eddie Jones, the state of the game in Australia, Drew's time in France, and what rugby can do to help raise its profile around the world. cvKVmXWHa7SY4Dha0N1x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Rugby Pod Stories. In this new short series, we explore some of the most iconic moments in the history of rugby by speaking to the people who were there. In this first episode, we explore what happened to the New Zealand team ahead of the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final in South Africa, with first-hand accounts from players, coaches, doctors, media managers and journalists. Were the All Blacks poisoned ahead of the final? What effect did this have on the team? And if they were deliberately poisoned, who could have been responsible? We look at some of the possible scenarios by speaking to the main protagonists from both sides. If you enjoy this episode, please let us know on social media or share it with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roddy Grant played 138 times for Edinburgh before moving into coaching for the club. In 2019 he moved to Ulster where he is now their forwards coach and the youngest coach in the URC. In this epiosde, Jim and Roddy chat about where their careers overlapped and where they diverged. He also gives some insight into his mentality and techniques as a coach, including the importance of judo, loyalty, and how to measure success. We also hear about his upbringing in Botswana, his Scottish career and becoming an Iron man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the last episode of the season and we're joined by The Wallabies' Andrew Kellaway ahead of England's three-match series down under. We also review an incredible premiership final as friend of the show Freddie Burns slots the winning drop goal to clinch a first Premiership title for Leicester in nine years. Jim and Goodey discuss the URC final which saw The Stormers take the title in the all-South African game. We look ahead to the summer tours as the Northern Hemisphere sides travel south for the first time since 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following a massive weekend of semi-finals in the Premiership and URC, the lads chat through all four games from this weekend. After an emotional day at Welford Road, we discuss Leicester's chances as they face a battle-hardened Saracens in the final after their fierce encounter with Harlequins. We're joined by The Stormers' Head Coach John Dobson to find out how his side managed to overcome Ulster to become part of the all-South African final of the URC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a successful playing career at Gloucester and Saracens, James Parkes went on to become a key cog in Exeter's success story. He was lead coach for Strength and Conditioning under Rob Baxter for 9 years and helped Exeter become one of the most successful teams in premiership history. James and Jim chat through their overlapping careers and journeys, what helped make Exeter so successful over the last ten years and what's next both personally and professionally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're joined by Harlequins and South Africa centre André Esterhuizen as we preview his side's Premiership semi-final London derby against Saracens. We also discuss the other semi-final as top of the table Leicester face Northampton in the East Midlands derby, Jim and Goodey run through all the results from across the premiership this weekend and look ahead to the semi-finals of the URC this weekend too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After La Rochelle toppled a seemingly unbeatable Leinster side, Jim and Goodey discuss where O'Gara's side won the game and where Leinster fell short. We also chat with former Leinster and Scotland second-row Nathan Hines ahead of his upcoming challenge. We're joined by Gloucester's Freddie Clarke ahead of their huge final game of the regular season, and discuss the massive task ahead of them in securing a place in the semi-finals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jim chats with a fellow Covskin and a Championship stalwart Ben Gulliver about his career and life playing in the second tier of English rugby. Ben played over 300 times in the championship and experienced the highs of playing alongside his hero, Zinzan Brooke, to the lows of having to undergo 21 operations. The guys chat through the challenges the league faces in terms of funding and supporting players, but also the importance of the competition whilst taking a trip down memory lane when their careers overlapped. Ben is also a big supporter of the women's game and talks about how he sees it evolving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the regular season enters its final rounds, we look back at the weekend's action in the URC ahead of the quarter finals in 2 weeks time. Jim and Goodey also run through the results from across the Premiership and look ahead to how the semi-finals will likely shape up. We preview this weekend's Champions Cup Final as La Rochelle face favourites Leinster on Saturday. Following Jim's surgery last week, the lads discuss their plans for some self improvement under the knife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the semi-finals of both the Champions and Challenge cups all wrapped up, we review all the weekend's games and look ahead to the finals in a couple of weeks time. Jim and Goodey are joined by former Leinster and Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman to discuss why Leinster are such a dominant force in European rugby. After the final two English teams crashed out of Europe, the lads discuss how they seem unable to compete at this level with the current Premiership salary cap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by one of the all-time greats in Shane Williams to chat about his transition to life after rugby. It's Mental Health Awareness Week, so this episode takes an intimate look into the lives of Shane and Jim as they struggled with certain aspects of life after rugby. They discuss the highs of their careers and professional rugby, and what tools helped them cope and come to terms with some of the lows and challenges that they faced and that many people face on a daily basis like loneliness, anxiety and finding the right support network. To find out more about any of the topics discussed on this podcast, visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our long-awaited return to studio is finally here and what a studio it is. Coming to you from Spotify HQ, we're joined by Scotland and Racing 92 fly half Finn Russell following his side's Champions Cup Quarter final victory over Sale Sharks on Sunday. The lads run though all the European fixtures from last weekend and look ahead to the semi finals this week. Jim and Goodey give their predictions for those games as well as their thoughts on the so-called "Nations Championship" which has been in the news again this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Jim and Goodey are joined by former Ireland, Leinster and Leicester back row Shane Jennings to look ahead to his two former clubs facing off in the Heineken Champions Cup Quarter final this weekend. The lads predict the winners of all the Champions Cup Quarter Finals as well as running through last weekend's Premiership fixtures which saw a whopping 409 points scored across all 6 games. We discuss the constant battle that is the global season and Jim puts forward his argument for summer rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former CEO of Harlequins, Saracens, Melbourne Storm and Global Rapid Rugby, Mark Evans sits down with me to give his take on everything from how to grow the game, ring-fencing, salary caps, a global season and what rugby union can learn from other successful sports leagues and teams around the world. It's a great chat with someone who has been at the very top of the game, with a huge amount of experience. Enjoy and if you find it interesting, please give it a share! Cheers. Big Jim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a Harlequins' crucial win over Leicester Tigers on Saturday, we're joined by Man of the Match and Scottish international Huw Jones to chat about life at Quins and his hopes of a return to international duty. With the playoffs drawing closer, Jim and Goodey give their predictions of who will join Leicester and Saracens in the top 4. The lads introduce our brand new segment that'll see YOU, the listeners, joining us live on the pod to tell us your stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Champions Cup round of 16 complete, we run through all of the results from the second leg of games over the weekend. We're joined by Munster's forwards coach and soon-to-be Head Coach Graham Rowntree to get his reaction to their victory over Exeter on Saturday. Jim and Goodey chat through some of the 26 cards shown by referees over the weekend and look ahead to some huge clashes in the quarter-finals next month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to some extra podcast interviews with Big Jim. In this episode, Jim chats with one of his best mates and former Scotland and Sarries back-row Kelly Brown about their life on and off the pitch. In this new series, we'll be chatting with a mix of current and former players, coaches, decision-makers, influencers and interesting characters throughout the game. Hope you enjoy and let us know who you would like to hear from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a huge first leg of the round of 16 in the Champions Cup, Jim and Goodey are joined by Ulster and Ireland full-back Mike Lowry following their huge away win at Champions Toulouse on Saturday. The lads round off all the weekend's fixtures and look ahead to yet another massive weekend of games in Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh from their victorious night at the Sports Podcast Awards, the lads are joined by London Irish winger Ollie Hassell-Collins to discuss his prolific try-scoring form and how his time with England has left him hungry for a first cap. We review the weekend's action from the Premiership and URC, and look ahead to the last 16 of the Champions Cup, previewing a huge set of fixtures this weekend. The lads share their Champions Cup war stories and Jim opens up about his final game and the subsequent night out that ended his playing career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads respond to the RFU's latest announcement around Eddie Jones' successor and have their say on who they think will be the next coach at the helm for England. We're joined by Scotland second row Emma Wassell to hear the inspiring story of how she got into rugby, the disparity between England and seemingly everyone else in the women's game and the part that funding plays in that. With the Guinness Six Nations all wrapped up, we turn our attention back to The Premiership as Leicester secure their place in the Semi-Finals and friend of the show Chris Ashton equals the premiership try-scoring record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After an action-packed final weekend of the Guinness Six Nations which saw France's Grand Slam win overshadowed by Italy's dramatic victory in Cardiff, we run through all the action from Super Saturday. We catch up with the man who masterminded Italy's win Kieran Crowley, and find out about the post match celebrations after the flight home. Jim and Goodey give their thoughts on the RFU's statement after England won just two of their five games for the second year in a row, and the lads look ahead to the home nations' summer tours in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heading into the final weekend of the Guinness Six Nations, we catch up with France defence coach Shaun Edwards ahead of his side's Grand Slam decider against England on Saturday. We round up all the weekend's Six Nations action and discuss whether Charlie Ewels' red card just 82 seconds into England's game against Ireland was the right call. Jim recounts Thursday in Belfast where he bumped into a familiar face for the first time in 15 years... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we approach the final stretch of the Six Nations, we're joined by England's most capped men's player of all time, Ben Youngs from inside the England camp to chat about his incredible career and life as a more "senior" member of the squad. We preview all the games in the penultimate round of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations and give our MatchPint predictions for them. Jim and Goodey cover last weekend's action from the Premiership and URC including some controversial collisions and red cards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a dramatic Round 3 of the Guinness Six Nations, we run through the refereeing controversies in all the games, and take a look at the law which led to Italy facing a full-strength Ireland with 13 men for most of their game in Dublin. We're joined by Irish wing Jacob Stockdale to discuss Ireland's tournament so far and their prospects heading into next year's World Cup, as well as getting an update on his injury. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices