The Rugby Pod

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

It's a home nations special this week as Jim and Goodey are joined by former Welsh skipper Ryan Jones and Ireland's best lid Shane Byrne. We preview England's first home game of the Six Nations with Ryan Jones and discuss Eddie Jones' potential selections as well as getting some insight into the state of rugby in Wales. The lads run through the weekend's Premiership results and predict the scores for round 3 of The Guinness Six Nations. Shane Byrne drops in to chat about this year's upcoming England vs Ireland legends game, and Jim even angles for a call-up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are joined by France's second-row Paul Willemse to discuss their unbeaten start to the Six Nations, and find out more about how he went from dreaming of playing for The Springboks to being one of the best locks in the world for France. We also run through England's victory over Italy in Rome as Marcus Smith steers his side back on course, and dissect how Wales managed to topple "title favourites" Scotland in Cardiff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After an explosive Six Nations opening weekend which saw Scotland retain the Calcutta Cup for the first time in nearly 40 years, we're joined by the man at the centre of the most influential moments in that game, Darcy Graham. We also unpick where it went wrong for England and discuss Scotland's grand slam hopes. Jim and Goodey run through Ireland's convincing victory over Wales as well as Italy's much-improved performance despite their loss to title favorites France. We give our predictions for the results of this weekend's games and discuss whether or not Manu Tuilagi could make his return to the England squad in time for their trip to Rome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Guinness Six Nations finally upon us, we catch up with Wales fly-half and captain Dan Biggar ahead of their first game against Ireland this weekend. Jim and Goodey discuss Saturday's huge Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield as a fractured England prepare to take on a full-strength Scotland side. We also run through the weekend's Premiership and URC action before giving our predictions for the opening weekend results and who will win the Six Nations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week the lads are joined by Montpellier back-row Zach Mercer after his side's impressive victory over Exeter last weekend. He fills us in on his positive conversations with Eddie Jones and addresses the transfer rumors surrounding his possible return to the premiership. We also catch up with Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair and look ahead to Scotland's Six Nations opener and Calcutta Cup clash against England. We of course run through all the weekend's Champions Cup Fixtures and take a closer look at Eddie Jones' England Squad and the news of George Ford's call up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's that time of year again and as the Six Nations draws near, we run through some potential inclusions and omissions from Eddie Jones' England squad. We also catch up with Leinster and Ireland back row Caelan Doris after Leinster's dominant 89-7 victory over Montpellier and to talk about his incredible form and recovery from concussion. Jim and Goodey discuss all the weekend's Champions Cup results and look ahead to the final weekend of pool fixtures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having won the award for "Best Social Media" in the 2021 Rugby Pod Awards, we hear Rassie Erasmsus' acceptance speech. We're joined by Gloucester centre Billy Twelvetrees to discuss how the Cherry and Whites are back in the mix for the top 4 this season. We of course run through all the premiership and URC action, and the guys give their thoughts on the possible options for ensuring the Six Nations can still go ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with the first episode of 2022 and it's a cracker; The lads hit us with some New Year's resolutions and predecitions and TV presenter and Doddie Aid Team Captain Gabby Logan joins the lads to chat all about the charity and the amazing work that's being done. We also catch up on all the Premiership and URC action from across the festive period and Jim and Goodey discuss some major signings including the Vunipola brothers staying at Saracens, and the controversial announcement of Ellis Genge to Bristol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we look back at a tumultuous 2021, the lads give out our very first Rugby Pod Alternate End of Year Awards for some of our favourite moments of the year including 'Top Lad Award', 'Most Outrageous Moment of the Year', 'Best Social Media Account', 'Skid Marks of the Year', 'Why You being 'Orrible' and a few more. Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagree... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by an absolute legend both on and off the pitch in the form of Kev Sinfield. We hear about his phenomenal 24-hour, 101-mile charity run which has now raised over £2 million for MND charities. The former Leeds Rhinos Hall of Famer and current Leicester defensive coach talks about his switch from league to Union and how he has helped turn Leicester Tigers into Premiership league leaders and one of the best performing teams in Europe. We also round up all the action from the Champions Cup, look forward to next week's action and pick out all the Goode, Bad and Ugly from the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the calm before the calm with Jim recovering from a weekend migraine whilst Goodey was off enjoying Kids' parties and nativity plays. We wrap up a big weekend of Premiership action, including an apology to Gloucester and credit to Exeter. We also chat to Munster and British & Irish Lion Tadhg Beirne about the URC, his curtailed trip to South Africa, Ireland's victory over the All Blacks and Muster's upcoming game versus Wasps. Lots more as usual, including previewing the first round of Champions Cup action and all the Goode, Bad and Ugly from around the world of rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Autumn Nations series all wrapped up, we turn our attention to the Premiership and catch up with friend of the show; Leicester Tigers Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo. Jim and Goodey chat through all the weekend's premiership and URC action as well as discussing what the recent change to World Rugby's eligibility rules might mean for European clubs. The Rumour Mill is back and Jim's got a pretty exciting one for Leicester fans... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a record-breaking weekend for the Northern Hemisphere, we take you through all the action from the final weekend of the Autumn Nations Series. Goodey and Jim chat with England Scrum Half Raffi Quirke about his match-winning try on Saturday against the Springboks, and find out a little more about life inside Eddie Jones' "New England" camp. We also get a South African perspective from former Springbok captain Jean De Villiers. We round things off with our 3 standout players from the Autumn Internationals and of course The Goode, The Bad and The Ugly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are joined by former Ireland international and friend of the show Stephen Ferris to dissect Ireland's phenomenal victory over the All Blacks. We take look at Eddie's options at 10 for England and how the Smith / Farrell axis is evolving and whether or not it's the best option. We also round up all the action from the penultimate weekend of the Autumn Nations series and look ahead to the final weekend of international games this autumn including a massive showdown between World Cup finalists England and South Africa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We catch up with Wallabies Scrum-half Nic White following their defeat to Scotland on Sunday. Former Scotland forward John Barclay also drops by to discuss his recent comments on Richard Cockerill and just how special this Scotland team is. Jim and Goodey run through all the games from last weekend's Autumn Nations Series and look ahead to this weekend's fixtures with the MatchPint predictor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England and Sale Sharks back-row Tom Curry joins us from inside the England camp ahead of their first game of the autumn internationals this weekend. We also meet New Zealand's 24th man "Jarvo 69" who joined the All Blacks for the national anthem on Saturday, he tells the guys all about what went down at the Principality Stadium. Then we round off all the premiership action and Jim and Goodey give their predictions for this weekend's international games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After their huge victory over Exeter Chiefs, we're joined by London Irish and Wallabies scrum-half Nick Phipps to chat through the weekend's big win, Australia's chances in the Autumn Nations Series and who he thinks should be playing 9 for England. Jim and Goodey also give their predictions for the first games of the Autumn Internationals, and we run through all the action from the Premiership and URC. We've got another instalment of "Guess The Go-At'' and of course The Goode, The Bad and The Ugly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Autumn Nations Series draws closer, Big Jim and Goodey give their thoughts on Eddie Jones' refreshed England squad, and discuss the major inclusions and omissions. We run through all the weekend's Premiership action including Bristol and Bath's poor starts to the season. Former Wales and British and Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips chats to the guys about his new book 'Half Truths', including his fallout with Warren Gatland, his time at Racing with Dan Carter and what he made of the Lions Tour to South Africa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve got something a bit different for you this week. Jim sits down with new Saracens head honcho and Chairman, Neil Golding to hear about what’s changed at the club after what was arguably the biggest scandal in the history of rugby. Neil’s running the show at Saracens now, so it’s great to hear from someone at the very top of the game about salary caps, player development and where he sees the game going. Hopefully, this is something we’ll do more of going forward, so if you enjoy it, share it, or let us know who you’d like to hear from next. #PodPodPod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are in top form after a big weekend and watching Tyson Fury taking over Vegas. We chat about the fallout from the row between Premiership clubs and players agents and what impact it could have on the league. We're also joined by URC CEO Martin Anayi to tell us all about the new structure of the league, his vision for the future of the game and he reveals some pretty exciting news about a potential global club competition. Lots more including another round of guess the GO-AT and a wrap up of everything else that's happening in the world of rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Big Jim and Goodey are joined by British and Irish Lions, England and Northampton Saints forward, Courtney Lawes to discuss Saints' unbeaten start to the season and reflect on the Lions tour. We also run through all the premiership action from round 3, as well as the conclusion of the Rugby Championship. Rassie's bush gets a mention and of course, we've got another instalment of "Guess the Go-At". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former All Black and now Bristol Bears Scrum coach and prop, John Afoa joins us to discuss Bristol's difficult start to the season. Big Jim and Goodey also chat through the new laws around contact training and Jim describes his midweek tackle shield exploits. We run through the major inclusions and exclusions from Eddie Jones' England training squad and reflect on the first weekend of the United Rugby Championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Rowe is bloodied & broken and still stuck in Ibiza after his stag and we hear how Jim saved his life. We're also joined by friend of the show Freddie Burns to catch up on life back home in Leicester. He talks through his new role at Tigers, his homecoming reception at Welford Road last Saturday, and reflects on his time in Japan. The guys dissect all this week's premiership action as well as South Africa's disappointing performances in The Rugby Championship and lots more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The wait is over, we're back with Season 6 and it's going to be bigger and better than ever! Jim and Goodey predict this season's Premiership Top 4 as well as giving their guesses for who's going to finish last. We're joined by Racing 92, Scotland and British and Irish Lions star Finn Russell, who gives us his debrief from the South Africa tour, his third test performance and has his say on who should be England's number 10. We also introduce a new segment ' Guess the Go-At' and cover Australia's win over South Africa, some big transfer rumours and all the Goode, Bad and Ugly. It's great to be back! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back for the 50th and final episode of season ever to wrap up the Lions' third Test defeat to South Africa, discuss missed opportunities and reflect on how the tour will be remembered as a whole. Plus, we look ahead to the next Lions tour, suggest who the coach might be and chat about what kind of opposition the Wallabies will provide. And, we cheer ourselves up by catching up with Australia legend Matt Giteau fresh from winning the MLR and celebrating in Vegas and hear how he might have even more rugby in him... going out in style! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Springbok and World Cup winner Schalk Brits joins us this week to fill us in on what the second Test was like from his viewpoint pitchside, how Rassie Erasmus' video and the refereeing has gone down in South Africa and what he thinks will happen in the deciding third Test. Plus, Jim and Goodey pick the bones out of all the major controversial refereeing calls, discuss what changes Warren Gatland should make in personnel and tactically and put their money where their mouth is on whether the Lions can win the series. And, Goodey fills in on his own interactions with Rassie Erasmus in the lead-up to the second Test! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scrum half Ali Price joins us on the show this week to chat about the British & Irish Lions' win in the first Test and Big Jim can't wait to get him back to Edinburgh to celebrate! We discuss the emotion of being handed a starting jersey, facing Faf de Klerk, Warren Gatland's half-time team talk, toasting victory in the bubble, preparations for the second Test and much more. Plus, Jim and Goodey pick their starting XV for the crucial second Test just before Gatland names his, we discuss all the TMO outrage and Rassie Erasmus' social media activity and there's a word on Eddie Jones losing another England assistant coach as well... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a bonus episode ahead of the first Lions test, Andy Rowe chats with Lions legend John Bentley about the most iconic Lions Tour of all time. Bentos gives us a first-hand account of what really happened in 1997. To read the full story, get your hands on probably the greatest rugby book of all time This Is Your Everest: The Lions, the Springboks and the Epic Tour of 1997 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The waiting is over and Test week is finally upon us as the British & Irish Lions get set to face the Springboks. Big Jim and Goodey name their starting XVs for the first Test and we go inside the Lions camp to chat to strength and conditioning coach and former Great Britain rugby league international Jon Clarke about how preparations have gone ahead of the Test series. We discuss life in the bubble, Alun Wyn Jones' miraculous recovery, Tom Curry's freakish athleticism, Louis Rees-Zammit's lid, working with Paul 'Bobby' Stridgeon, what it'll take to beat the Boks and much more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Football may not be coming home but maybe rugby should be as we discuss whether the British & Irish Lions tour should be relocated to the UK given the issues in South Africa at the moment. We also chat about how Big Jim and Goodey would fare in a penalty shootout, Marcus Smith's Lions call-up ahead of Johnny Sexton, Alun Wyn Jones' Lazarus-esque recovery, the unofficial fourth Test against South Africa A and who is nailed on to be starting in the Tests. Plus, we look at England, Ireland and Wales' games from the weekend and England full-back Freddie Steward joins us to talk initiations, losing bets, life in the bubble, bringing the feelgood factor back and much more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by a pair of skippers this week as legendary former Springboks captain John Smit fills us in on the situation with Covid-19 in South Africa, the latest positive case in camp and how the Boks are shaping up aside from that. He also takes a trip down memory lane to talk captaining the Springboks to victory against the Lions in 2009 and tells us what chance the current crop have of repeating that feat. And, we're joined by new England captain Lewis Ludlow to talk about skippering on debut, learning leadership lessons from Big Jim, life in camp and capping off a hell of a season for him in style! All that plus a look at how British & Irish Lions selection is looking ahead of the Tests and a round-up of all the international action from the weekend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim, Goodey and Andy Rowe are back to discuss the best Premiership final ever and revel in Harlequins' achievement! Plus, we hear from Quins coach Jerry Flannery about how angry he was when Paul Gustard left, the unique culture at the club and how they turned things around. We chat about how big a blow Alun Wyn Jones' shoulder injury is for the British & Irish Lions and whether the tour will still go ahead. And, Big Jim's nemesis Tim Swinson is on the show to talk about taking his spot in the Scotland squad in 2015 and replacing him at Saracens and going on to becoming player of the year this season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harlequins coach Nick Evans joins us this week after their record comeback in the Premiership semi-final against Bristol and Big Jim is eating plenty of humble pie as he admits he ain't seen nothing like the mighty Quins! We discuss how the current coaching group have turned things around since Paul Gustard's departure, just how far Marcus Smith can go, whether that was the best Premiership game we've ever seen and much more. Plus, we look at Exeter's win over Sale and ahead to the final, chat about the additions to Eddie's England squad and the start of the Lions tour this weekend and debate whether a global club competition is needed after Benetton's win in the Rainbow Cup and the Blues' Super Rugby Trans-Tasman victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are joined by Bristol second row Dave Attwood this week to discuss topping the Premiership, what sets the Bears and Pat Lam apart, the contrast with his time at Toulon, the chances of an England recall, parenting, philosophy and much more. Plus there's a look at a champion comeback from the Chiefs, a round-up of the Champions Cup qualification battle, semi-final predictions, analysis of England and Ireland's summer squads and a few red hot rumours.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are back and eager to get their teeth into the bust-up between the Tigers and Bears at Welford Road, look ahead to the all-important final round of Premiership fixtures, consider who might captain England this summer when Eddie Jones names his squad on Thursday and chat all things British & Irish Lions with former Ireland and Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are joined this week by the one and only Manu Tuilagi to hear about the Sale, England and British & Irish Lions centre's latest return from injury, how tough the road back to fitness has been, how much of an impression Alex Sanderson has made on him and whether he's still holding out hope of playing for the Lions in South Africa this summer. Plus, we look back at all the Premiership action, look ahead to England and Scotland's summer fixtures and cast our eye over a few rumours as well... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are back to cast their eye over the French-dominated European finals and we're joined by two Englishmen who were in the thick of the action. Luke Pearce discusses becoming the first referee to send someone off in a Champions Cup final, keeping cool in the midst of a tough game to control, how he's improved his French, having to deal with online abuse and more. And, Montpellier fly half Alex Lozowski fills us in on the celebrations after they won the Challenge Cup and tells us all about his year-long French adventure as it draws to a close... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the Champions Cup final, Jim and Goodey reminisce about their own experiences of winning the biggest prize in European rugby. Toulouse fly-half and former La Rochelle man Zack Holmes joins us to look ahead to the final and give us the inside track on both sides. Plus, we preview Leicester's Challenge Cup final encounter with Montpellier, celebrate the return of fans to stadiums in England and round up all the action from a long weekend in the Premiership... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gloucester, Scotland and now British & Irish Lions centre Chris Harris joins us to talk about his journey from Tynedale in National 1 to the pinnacle of the sport, his shock at hearing his name read out, how much it means to him and how big a role Goodey played in his meteoric rise! Plus, we analyse the rest of Warren Gatland's selections, with Big Jim revelling in the number of Scots going on tour, and we take a look at all the Premiership action as well... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by Wales fly-half Dan Biggar to chat all things British & Irish Lions ahead of Warren Gatland's squad announcement and Big Jim and Goodey pick their 36-man squads for the tour as well as reminiscing about just missing out on tours gone by. Plus, we dissect all the European semi-final action and Jim's in a particularly good mood, despite his questionable fashion sense, after finally getting out of the house for a few hours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are back with strong views on the RFU's review into England's "sub-optimal" Six Nations performance, there's a disagreement over which big-name fly-half will miss out on the Lions tour and we catch up with new Newcastle signing Carl Fearns to hear about his six years in France and stories of car crashes, fires, failed moves and, of course, what really happened when he knocked out Gavin Henson. All that plus a full debrief of the latest round of Premiership action and a look ahead to the European semi-finals... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

South African World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth joins us to look ahead to the British & Irish Lions tour this summer and discuss who he's expecting to be coming up against in the second row, what the changes in the Springboks coaching staff might mean and the motivational power of Rassie Erasmus, as well as of course, what really happened in his beef with Big Jim back in 2013! Plus, we look at Warren Gatland's comments on selection in terms of the English-based players and chat about all the latest Premiership action as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Six Nations Player of the Championship Hamish Watson joins us this week to discuss everything from his English accent to Scotland's evolution and the prospect of a trip to South Africa with the British & Irish Lions. Plus, we talk Lions assistant coaches and dissect all the Champions Cup quarter-finals with from Leinster's thrilling win at Sandy Park and La Rochelle's power to two of the worst knockout games in memory in the all-French encounters... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

South African World Cup winner Faf de Klerk joins us this week to talk Sale's success, life in Manchester, similarities between Sanderson and Erasmus and chatting to royalty in budgy smugglers as well as looking ahead to the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in the summer. And, he may or may not be shaving his head if Sale win the Champions Cup! Plus, we round up all the European Round of 16 action and look ahead to the quarter-finals as well... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices