The Rugby Pod

The player of this season's Champions Cup so far John Cooney joins us to talk Ulster, Ireland and where Goodey should go out in Belfast on Friday night, among other things. Big Jim has some strong words on the subject of Leicester's woes and he also has a tale to tell about some beef with Warren Gatland during Barbarians week. All that, plus a look back at the weekend's Premiership games and preview of the upcoming Champions Cup action. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by Ben Foden to chat Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans and all things X-Factor as well as life in New York and a bit of rugby too. And, we dissect all the Champions Cup action with an open cloth, including some absolute filth of the worst kind at the AJ Bell Stadium and some filth of the best kind from Finn Russell! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New Exeter Chief Stuart Hogg joins us to talk Sandy Park initiation, settling into Devon life, Scottish disappointment, hair care and much more, as well as their Champions Cup Round 1 triumph. We discuss Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland's books, chat about all the Champions Cup action and, yes, there's more Saracens salary cap comment as we record just as it's confirmed they're not appealing their 35-point penalty and £5m fine. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We speak to the journalist who dug deep into Saracens' alleged salary cap breaches, Laura Lambert, and dissect the case with an open cloth...it's fair to say Big Jim and Goodey don't see eye to eye on the subject! While Saracens dominate the agenda, we also look back at the Premiership and ahead to the Champions Cup and we hear from Johnny Williams on his recovery from testicular cancer as Movember gathers pace. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are joined in the studio by Darren Cave to take an emotional look back on the 2019 World Cup. We catch up with South African legend Ruan Pienaar, who was on standby for the Springboks during the tournament, to get the inside track on Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus and find out what impact it could have on the country. And, of course, there is a full analysis of what went wrong for England... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey look ahead to England's first World Cup final for 12 years and dissect it with an open cloth. There's apologies (sort of) for George Ford and Eddie Jones and we speak to the man at the centre of the controversy the last time England and South met in the final back in 2007, Mark Cueto. All that plus more Japanese wisdom from Jim, some Premiership chat and much more... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Part Kiwi, part Irishman, full on legend James Lowe joins us to dissect Ireland's hammering at the hands of the All Blacks, as well as who he was cheering for and his prospects of wearing the green jersey next year. We hear a first hand account from Eddie Jones' latest off the wall press conference and Jim and Goodey discuss England's prospects against New Zealand, as well as Wales v South Africa. All that plus a Premiership round-up, some more Japanese cultural insight from Big Jim and more of your social media questions answered... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim dissects Scotland's pool stage exit with an open cloth, while he and Goodey marvel at the heroics of Japan both on and off the field. We discuss their possible inclusion in the Rugby Championship and look ahead to all of the World Cup quarter-finals. And, Australian legend Drew Mitchell joins us to talk Cheika, Jones and all things England v Australia...you don't want to miss it! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Darren Cave joins Big Jim and Goodey in the studio as we catch up with France's coach at the 2015 World Cup Philippe Saint-Andre to find out if the rumours of more mutiny in the French camp are true. Jacques Burger also joins us to discuss Namibia's heroic half against the All Blacks and how the Tier 2 nations are punching above their weight and need more support. Plus, there's a heated debate on Tomas Lavanini's red card and an in-depth look ahead to the epic conclusion of Pool A... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welsh international Rob Evans joins us to discuss Wales' epic win over Australia, as well as what it was like being left out of the squad at the last minute. Jim has found some Japanese ancestry so he can't lose when Scotland face the hosts and we dissect the Same Kerevi and Michael Hooper incidents with an open cloth. All that plus more Japanese words of wisdom from Jim and a host of your social media questions answered... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Cup winner Steve Thompson joins us on the Pod this week and he has some strong views on the current England side and what they're lacking, as well as some candid thoughts on his time wearing the red rose. Meanwhile, Big Jim is scathing about Scotland's performance against Ireland and Goodey isn't impressed, to put it mildly, with the standard of refereeing at the World Cup so far... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by Scotland international Dave Denton after he was forced to hang up his boots at the age of 29 because of concussion and we check in with World Rugby consultant Ross Tucker to find out more about the latest on concussion and how the high tackle framework might have a big effect on the World Cup. Big Jim and Goodey preview the opening weekend of the tournament, make some predictions and Jim's even giving out Japanese lessons as well! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim & Goodey are back from their 'work' trip to Miami to dissect the final round of World Cup warm-up games with an open cloth and give their verdict on who will win the tournament. We speak to 1995 World Cup winner Joel Stransky about the sad passing of the great Chester Williams and South Africa's chances and we also catch up with the Scottish Hammer making waves in the NFL! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim has an apology for Devin Toner as we discuss his shock omission and some surprise selections from Wales and rumours of big calls by Scotland too. We're also joined by former Ireland international Darren Cave in the studio and catch up with Georgia forwards coach Graham Rowntree to hear about their historic Test against Scotland and his adventure in the Caucasus! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As well as discussing Manu's magic and whether they've got it wrong about the Ford/Farrell combination, Big Jim and Goodey are joined by Ireland legend Stephen Ferris, who is deeply concerned about the decline of the men in green. We also hear from John Cooney about being cut from the Ireland squad ahead of the World Cup, answer your social media questions and much, much more... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wales are world number one for the first time ever and we've got arguably their most important player off his Turkish sun lounger and on for a chat about expectation, preparation and sharing a room with Bradley Davies! Goodey's just back from a week in Portugal with stories of poolside chats with Johnny Sexton and his family and Big Jim pulls no punches on England going back to the Ford/Farrell axis and Scotland's thrashing at the hands of France. All that plus a few of your social media questions answered... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back, in a new studio and looking lean after a pre-season of training in serious humidity. We're recording just as Eddie Jones announces his 31-man World Cup squad almost a month ahead of the deadline so break down his decisions, asking Eddie are you ok?! Goodey and Jim are divided on Scott Barrett's red card, we hear from Rory Best on why he doesn't sing Ireland's Call and much, much more... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are joined in the studio by newly retired friend of the show Darren Cave as we discuss the best Premiership final ever and potentially the best club side ever, as well as check in with the Barbarians camp to see just how good a time they had in the lead up to their game against England! All that plus details of Jim's triathlon struggle and a few spicy rumours... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sale & England winger Chris Ashton joins us in the studio to chat about coming back to the Premiership after his Barbarians experience this time last year and his World Cup prospects. And, we catch up with Exeter scrum half Nic White ahead of the Premiership final this weekend and find out how he could be playing in the World Cup in Japan as well. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim's just stepped off the plane from New York and tells us how relieved he was watching James Lang's kick drop just under the crossbar as he escapes getting Joe Marler's face tattooed on his arse by the narrowest of margins! We're joined by James Horwill to discuss missing out on the play-offs and his great career and we look ahead to the Premiership semi-finals and PRO14 final this weekend. All that plus a few of your social media questions answered and a couple of spicy rumours... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by man of the moment and European Player of the Year Alex Goode, who has just about taken his kit off and is trying to readjust to normal life after winning a third European Cup. He takes us through the celebrations and the players' movements in the hours and days after the final whistle and discusses what the victory means to the club. And, we're joined in the studio by jungle VIP and big rugby fan Nick Knowles for a chat as well! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are back and are joined by Saracens lock Will Skelton to preview the Champions Cup final against Leinster this weekend. Goodey's not convinced about World Rugby's decision to take four French referees to the World Cup, with just eight from other countries, and we speak to Luke Pearce about what he makes of it all and how excited he is to be heading to his first World Cup as a referee. All that plus a few decent rumours and the week rounded up in the Goode, the Bad and the Ugly... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are back with the latter finally on the path to better health after hitting the gym for the first time in years this week. We've got three great guests from the success stories of the weekend as we talk to Harry Thacker going back to his old club and inflicting another defeat on them, Sebastian Negri about how massive an achievement it is for Benetton to make the play-offs in the Guinness PRO14 and Georgie Gulliver on the celebrations after Saracens Women won the Tyrrells Premier 15s title for a second year running. All that plus a full round-up and a few juicy rumours as well... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim's back from Dubai where he spent a while in hospital and practiced his German, we're out of the studio and in the Wolfpack Bar as we analyse Saracens' comprehensive win over Munster and we discover directly from the Leinster camp how Big Jim wrote the Irishmen's team talk for them by predicting that they'd lose by 10 to Toulouse! All that plus a few juicy rumours and the week wrapped up in The Goode, The Bad and The Ugly... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim's away in Dubai so Big Joe Marler's back in the studio and we surprise him with a phone call from his old Lions mate Rory Best to discuss one of their nights out in New Zealand, his career and look ahead to the two Irish teams' chances in the Champions Cup semi-finals as well. The Israel Folau and Billy Vunipola incidents and Joe's responses to both are discussed in depth and we check in with Jim on the phone as well as he struggles with the realities of a long flight and family holiday with four kids! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim and Goodey are back from Hong Kong with tales from on the pitch and off it...you won't want to miss them! We catch up with Ed Slater on Gloucester's season as well as they move to within touching distance of a play-off place and we speak to RPA Chairman Mark Lambert about the upcoming Restart Weekend and the important work the charity is doing. All that plus a couple of juicy rumours and the week rounded up in the Goode, the Bad and the Ugly... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Goodey's back from Dubai and his bags are packed again as he and Jim head straight from the Pod to the airport for a week in Hong Kong! First, though, they dissect the European quarter-finals with an open cloth...and Darren Cave joins us to talk us through his heroic performance, Stockdale's slip-up and how much his value's gone up by! There's some love for the French, reaction to Mike Ford joining Tigers, big rumours and much more... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Goodey's away in Dubai so we check in with him at the all you can eat buffet but the King of Bath Freddie Burns is with Big Jim in the studio in his place talking brutally honestly about a certain moment earlier in the season, his love life, Bath's season and much more. We also catch up with the Premiership's Player of the Month Rory Hutchinson, discuss Leicester and how many teams are in a relegation battle and look ahead to the Champions Cup quarter-finals... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good things come to those who wait! Jim's walked the Calcutta Cup all the way back up to Edinburgh (or missed his flight earlier this week!) and is back to revel in Scotland's Calcutta Cup comeback. We speak to the Scottish hero Finn Russell and also catch up with Welsh Grand Slam winner Rob Evans to find out all about their celebrations and to get the answers to what everyone wants to know about the man of the moment Alun Wyn Jones... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey arrive in the studio after spending two days travelling down from Murrayfield with the Calcutta Cup and Darren Cave joins them in the studio to discuss all things Six Nations. We catch up with Wales centre Scott Williams to discuss their Grand Slam hopes and hear from Red Roses Captain Sarah Hunter on the prospect of sealing a Grand Slam at Twickenham on Saturday and where the women's game is at. All that plus a clip of our chat with Charlie Hodgson, hear what happened when Big Jim and Devin Toner came face to face and much, much more... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim has some explaining to do about his house in Harpenden that belonged to Nigel Wray, we discuss the effectiveness of the salary cap, the PR problems of the proposed World League and are joined by Ospreys legend Sean Holley to assess the region's potential merger with the Scarlets and the WRU's handling of the situation. All that, plus a look at the Six Nations and the Premiership and the week wrapped up in the Goode, the Bad and the Ugly... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back to dissect Wales' victory over England, including discussing Sinckler's short fuse and Biggar's balls, and Jim has an apology for the nation of Wales for underestimating them! We also check in with Ireland debutant Jack Carty to hear about his week, his initiation sing-song and a certain crazy bus journey that went viral. We also take a look at the weekend's Premiership and PRO14 action and drop a few sizeable rumours in the Rumour Mill... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim's got a tale to tell about a 14-hour journey to Edinburgh, Mourad Boudjellal has given Goodey some more ammunition and he gives it to him both barrels and we build up to a massive weekend of Six Nations action by speaking to former Wales and British & Irish Lions international James Hook about Wales v England. We also talk to 50-cap England back rower Tom Wood about the game at the Principality Stadium and his chances of getting back in the England side on the back of a man of the match display for Saints and on the day he signed a new contract... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As well as Goodey's much anticipated take on France's failings and England's success at Twickenham, we get a French view from the country's former head coach Philippe Saint-Andre. We chat to former Ireland international and British & Irish Lion Stephen Ferris about the men in green's win over Scotland at Murrayfield and we speak to Thomas Young about a very proud weekend for him as he made his Six Nations debut in Rome. All that plus a few juicy rumours and the week rounded up in the Goode, the Bad and the Ugly... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey are joined in the studio by Ulster and Ireland's Darren Cave to pick the bones out of England's victory at the Aviva Stadium. Jim confesses he's England 'til he dies and has an apology for Eddie Jones. And, we catch up with Joe Marler to see what it was like watching the Six Nations from the pub and find out he might be rivalling Jim for his 'Dad of the Year' title! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Six Nations Special is here! Jim and Goodey are joined by a guest from each of the nations involved (apart from France as Goodey's name is mud across The Channel!) to preview the start of the tournament and discuss each team's chances. Plus, there's a £5K bet on the line... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back and discussing Jim’s hot morning date, Eddie Jones’ attention seeking and the success of the PRO14 teams in the Champions Cup! We check in with Toulouse fly half Zack Holmes to see if they deliberately avoided getting a try bonus point in order to dodge a trip to Leinster and catch up with Billy Burns after Ulster won at Welford Road to secure their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in five years… See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We catch up with Grant Gilchrist this week to get the lowdown on Edinburgh's historic win at Toulon and look ahead to an even bigger game against Montpellier and we check in with George Kruis to chat about Saracens' progress, England's Six Nations squad and whether his mate Alex Goode might get a look in. Oh and we hear a bit from Danny Cipriani after Goodey caught up with him recently. All that plus discussion on all the big Champions Cup games and a few big rumours in the Rumour Mill! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ulster & Ireland's Darren Cave joins Big Jim & Goodey in the studio to look ahead to this weekend's Champions Cup action and discuss all the latest goings on in the Premiership and PRO14. And, we check in with Josh Beaumont after Sale's huge win over Saracens and catch up with Gareth Steenson to discuss his journey with Chiefs, ring fencing, his new bar and much, much more. All that plus a bucket load of rumours you won't want to miss! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The holy trinity of Goodey, Big Jim and Marleybone are reunited in the studio for the first episode of 2019 and we tackle the big topic of the week by discussing the size and trajectory of saliva after Joe’s team-mate was accused of spitting and Goodey caused a storm on Twitter. We also discuss what the guys have been up to over Christmas and New Year, look at all the other Premiership and PRO14 action this week and catch up with Tom Varndell after his return to Welford Road. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've put together some highlights from our first few months of Superfan content, including interviews with Joe Marler, Wayne Barnes, Nick Mullins, James Horwill, Matt Hampson, Nick Evans, Siya Kolisi, Paul Gustard and Andy Powell. Thanks to everyone who is supporting us to make this extra content, and if you’d like to listen to all of these interviews, as well as all of the upcoming content for 2019, check out Patreon.com/therugbypod See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Merry Christmas to one and all....the second part of our bumper Christmas special is here and you don't want to miss it as Big Jim hits us with a festive rap! We're also joined by Benetton and Italy fly half Ian McKinley to talk us through his incredible story and the new documentary that's been made about it for RugbyPass. And, we answer a load of your social media questions in our 12 social media questions of Christmas feature! Ho, ho, ho... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ho ho ho...Christmas is a week away so it's time for the Rugby Pod Secret Santa, as well as a couple of stellar guests in the first of two installments of the Pod in the lead up to the big day. We're joined by Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill to discuss the plight of a couple of his old clubs, his team's European exploits and how he's turned them around. And, we catch up with Ulster's Will Addison on his way back from Ireland camp to talk about Champions Cup success, international recognition and making the move from Sale. All that plus much more...and don't miss the second installment coming to you soon, featuring Big Jim's Christmas Rap! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim's away in South Africa so Big Joe Marler's back in the studio to make some more waves after the dust has just about settled on his last visit! He talks players getting paid too much, his feelings during the autumn internationals and much more. And, we catch up with Gloucester back row Jake Polledri to hear about his journey from Subway to superstar... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As well as discussing Leicester's latest travails, Sarries marching on, Quins ending Exeter's run and all of the other Premiership action, Gary Graham calls in to fill us in on exactly what happened with his switch of allegiance from England back to Scotland, tell us what his dad made of it all and discuss whether Eddie Jones knew who he was! All that plus Jim's notes on the PRO14, a few transfer rumours and the week rounded up in the Goode, the Bad and the Ugly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fiji's fantastic win over the French is the talk of the Pod with one of their heroes joining us on the line, we look at Wales' autumn clean sweep and England's walloping of the Wallabies...and Stuart Hogg joins us from the car on the way down to Exeter! All that, plus a bit of Premiership chat, some hot rumours and the week rounded up in the Goode, the Bad and the Ugly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by one of the heroes of Ireland's win over the All Blacks to find out about the atmosphere at the Aviva, the tactical genius of Joe Schmidt, the night out afterwards, Jacob Stockdale's balls and much more. Big Jim, Goodey and Darren Cave are all in the studio to discuss all of the autumn internationals and the Premiership action. Plus, a few seriously good rumours and the week wrapped up in the Goode, the Bad & the Ugly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Jim and Goodey pick apart all of the latest round of autumn internationals, including analysing another controversial ending at Twickenham. Former Wales and British & Irish Lions star Andy Powell joins us to talk about the end of an Australian hoodoo, golf buggies and look ahead to our Cardiff live show and we catch up with Dean Budd to discuss the biggest game of the weekend as Italy took on Georgia! All that plus much, much more... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach Mercer joins us to discuss what it was like making his debut for England, winning the crucial turnover at the death and the prospect of facing the All Blacks at the weekend. We set the record straight on the Owen Farrell tackle, talk about the Doddie Weir Cup and Ireland v Italy in Chicago and we preview all of next weekend's games...oh and a few juicy rumours are thrown in for good measure! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us as we take over Twitter headquarters to record a special episode of the Pod...you won't want to miss it as Jim reveals the England line-up for this weekend's game against South Africa, Goodey gives it to the WRU and SRU both barrels, there are some big coaching rumours and we get through some of your questions... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices