The Big Jim Show

Siya Kolisi, double World Cup winning Springbok captain, discusses his first chance given by Rassie Erasmus, his impact on rugby and South Africa, political involvement, recent move to Paris, prospect of Owen Farrell joining him, and how his second World Cup triumph was bigger.

Connacht & Ireland winger Mack Hansen is back on the show to discuss the differences between an Irish and Australian Christmas, his plans for the festive period, Ireland's World Cup heartache, how they pick themselves up and go again, RG Snyman's controversial move to Leinster, whether he'd play at the Olympics, the mess Australian rugby is in, who might be their next head coach and much more...EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/bigjimTry it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dricus du Plessis is a South African MMA fighter competing for the UFC middleweight title next month. We discuss being the Springbok of the UFC, what sets him apart, being willing to die, the South African passion for sport, the big difference between the UFC and boxing, the potential return of Conor McGregor, owning his gym and encouraging others to reach the top. Oh and he may or may not fill me in...EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/bigjimTry it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Earl was England's standout player at the 2023 World Cup. We discuss his rise from England outcast and perennial bench man to playing a starring role, the impact of Steve Borthwick, enjoying the England environment, his love of Saracens, why he celebrates in the manner he does, the importance of players putting themselves out there if rugby is to grow as a sport and much more...EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/bigjimTry it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom & Luke Stoltman are strongmen from Scotland who have taken the world by storm. We discuss their rise to the title of World's Strongest Man and Europe's Strongest Man, the importance of the mental side of competition, longevity in the sport, the benefit of brotherly love, Tom's autism diagnosis as a child, growing up in Invergordon, dealing with grief, a documentary in the offing, what the future holds and much more...EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/bigjim Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danny Cipriani is one of the most talented and most written about rugby players ever to play the game. We discuss his upbringing, relationship with his mum and dad, journey from a wonderkid to a perceived troublemaker, why people had that perception of him, the role the media has played in his life, the front page stories about nights out and the incident with a police officer, his run-in with Mike Catt, Eddie Jones asking him about his sex life, why he can't get on board with the Australian's way, how he hasn't given up on playing the game, how to fix the ills of English rugby at the moment and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nile Wilson is an Olympic medal winning gymnast and a Commonwealth and European champion, who has gone on to be a YouTube sensation. We discuss injuries, transitioning into life after competing, where next after success at an early age, drugs in sport, how to make gymnastics and rugby more commercially viable, how to be successful on YouTube, inspiring the next generation and much more… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Barclay is a former Scotland captain, friend and neighbour (apparently!). We discuss how tough it is transitioning into a different career after playing rugby, life on the road, how it all ended for him at Edinburgh, loyalty in sport or the lack of it, differing views on coaches such as Scott Johnson, Vern Cotter and Gregor Townsend, Scotland's golden generation, who will win the 2023 World Cup and, of course, stories from the glory days of Scottish rugby... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie Bartle is a former member of the UK Special Forces (SBS) and now co-founder of East Chase Distillers in Kenilworth. We discuss the ruthless selection process to get into the Special Forces in the first place, seeing a man die in training, night raids in the mountain strongholds of Afghanistan, whether it was all worth it after the political decision taken to pull out of the country, why he left the military, how he's ended up getting into the gin business and much more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Freddie Burns is a Premiership-winning England international fly half and good friend. We discuss THAT drop goal in the Premiership final, his travels since then, the upcoming return to Japan, what sets Steve Borthwick apart as a coach, whether England have a chance at the World Cup, everything rugby has given him and how you go about solving the current issues in the game... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices