The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Northampton and England’s Alex Coles “The Educator” looks back on the WWE-style headlock that sparked his unforgettable nickname. He breaks down the intense pressure behind pro-rugby lineout calling, relives the glory of conquering the legendary Blakiston fitness challenge, and explains how he manages to survive the daily chaos caused by teammate Henry Pollock. Alex also reveals the reason George Furbank should never leave Northampton Saints. A classic episode of GBR - and one you definitely don’t want to miss. 00:00 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres 01:57 🏷️ Why They Call Him "The Educator" 02:58 🏉 Hask at Saints — The Untold Stories 08:50 🎉 What Really Goes On at Team Socials 19:01 📣 Inside the Mind of a Lineout Caller 32:25 🚀 2025: The Year Everything Changes 41:15 ⚔️ Beating the All Blacks 43:17 ✈️ The Argentina Tour! 46:45 😅The Brutal Blakiston Challenge 52:07 🔥 The Real Reason Furbank Must Stay at Saints 57:32 😄 New Nickname Unlocked: Corporal Coles 🪽Castore Discount Code: GBR30 www.castore.com  🔐NORD VPN : https://nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby 📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ollie Phillips, a former England Sevens captain and world sevens player of the year, dives into his thrilling challenge of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to raise over a million pounds for three charities. He shares the logistical hurdles of the journey, from calorie requirements to managing sleep deprivation. The discussion also touches on his motivations, camaraderie at sea, and quirky survival tips. Will Ollie's adventure inspire more people to support the causes he’s passionate about? Tune in to find out!

This week, we welcome World Cup winner - and one of the most feared front-rowers in rugby history - Bismarck du Plessis! Bismarck dives deep into the legendary 2009 Lions Tour and relives the moment of that tackle on Dan Carter (“I’m going to kill that man!”). He gives incredible insight into the Springboks’ scrum dominance and the genius of Rassie Erasmus, explaining how Rassie’s methods have helped build one of the greatest dynasties in the game. He also reflects on his special bond with his brother Jannie du Plessis, as well as his fiercely competitive nature with his kids: “I don’t let them beat me.” 00:00 – 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres 02:07 – 😳 Continental Tyres Grip Strength 03:23 – 🔄 R360 Update 17:52 – 🇿🇦 South Africa’s Scrum Power 33:19 – 🐄 Life on the Farm 38:16 – 💙 Brotherly Bond 39:35 – 💔 Tragic Loss 46:21 – 🦁 The Epic 2009 Lions Series 53:27 – 💥 That Tackle on Dan Carter 🚴 Jannie’s Cycling Heroics: https://theyridealong.co.za/donations/ 📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded is now available:https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join rugby legends Bob Skinstad and Geordan Murphy as they dissect the fiery encounter between Ireland and South Africa. Skinstad, a 2007 World Cup winner, shares insights on Rassie Erasmus’ polarizing coaching style and the Springboks' role as rugby's ultimate pantomime villain. Murphy offers a tactical lens on refereeing chaos and tackle techniques. They also explore South Africa's cultural impact, the evolution of Erasmus as a coach, and the deep rivalries in the sport, delving into how winning creates a love-hate dynamic with fans.

Johnny May, current England international, shares his firsthand insights on England's historic victory over New Zealand. The discussion highlights George Ford's strategic brilliance, notably his two drop goals, and critiques the New Zealand media for their negativity. May also dives into the impact of a viral TikTok dance on team morale, revealing how it reflects the squad's mentality. The panel debates the significance of this win in a broader historical context and examines the state of rugby in relation to discipline and emerging nations.

Former All Black Nick Evans joins the team to unpack an epic Test weekend! We deep-dive into the Springboks' win over France, and ask… Are the Springboks the greatest side of all time? Plus we have a heavyweight preview of England vs. All Blacks and Hask gives some mind-blowing analysis of how the breakdown will be won and lost. Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:00🎙️ Introduction  04:39 🛞 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge 06:03 🏟️ France vs South Africa Analysis 23:00 🇿🇦 The Greatest Ever? 32:37 🥃 Remy Martin Moment of Excellence 56:44 🚗 Honda Team of the Week 01:02:05 🌹England vs New Zealand Preview 🎙️Birmingham (ish) Live Show: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby-live-from-harvey-norman-merry-hill-tickets-1952083206419 📗New Book: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Alex Payne, Mike Tindall, James Haskell, and Ben Kayser as they look back on England’s win over Australia and discuss Henry Pollock's unbelievable luck... and genius! The team gets fired up over the "orgasmic" success of Borthwick's Borthball tactics. Plus, they preview the massive France vs. Springboks "Payback" rematch, with Ben Kayser revealing the trauma still gripping the French following RWC 2023. Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:00 🎬 Introduction   03:58 💪 Lewis Moody - “Nutball”   09:05 🏆 England's Winning Streak   26:53 🏉 England vs. Fiji   31:09 🛞 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge   35:06 🍀 Red Card Controversy    51:03 🚗 Honda Team of the Week Selection   57:30 🇫🇷 France vs. Springboks Preview   01:11:29 🥃 Rémy Martin Moment of Excellence 📗Signed copies of our new book The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unlocked are now available to pre-order @Waterstones. Pre-order to secure your copy here: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones #Rugby #Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Autumn Internationals are around the corner but Welsh Rugby is due for major surgery… which region will the Welsh Rugby Union cut by the end of the 2027/28 season? Payno, Hask and Tins are joined by the man at the heart of the Cymru Crisis: Dave Reddin, current Director of Rugby & Elite Performance at the WRU. Having worked alongside icons such as Sir Clive Woodward and Sir Gareth Southgate, Dave is a turnaround specialist renowned for creating elite winning cultures. The lads dissect Dave’s masterplan for reinvigorating Welsh rugby. Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres. ⏰ 00:00 – Introduction and Current State of Welsh Rugby 🌍 03:12 – Rugby 360 and International Rugby Discussions 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿05:57 – Tom Willis and England Squad Insights 📅 09:00 – Upcoming November Matches and Expectations 🎙️ 11:08 – Interview with Dave Redden: Background and Role ⚔️ 13:16 – Challenges and Opportunities in Welsh Rugby 🧩 28:35 – Proposed Action Plan for Welsh Rugby 💔 30:46 – Fan Reactions and Emotional Costs 🔮 36:13 – Future of Welsh Rugby Clubs and Mergers 🌱 40:01 – Developing Young Talent ⏳ 53:43 – Timelines and Expectations for Change 📋 59:49 – Coaching Strategies and Team Identity 🥇 01:11:15 – Remy Martin Moment of Excellence 🎟️ Tour Tickets: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-go... 📘 GBR Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/relo... ⁠#rugby⁠ ⁠#podcast⁠ ⁠#tindall⁠ ⁠#haskell⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first major peak of the season is nearly here with the Autumn Nations Series, and the new England squad announcement has delivered two massive headlines: the departure of Tom Willis to France, and the inclusion of teenage try-scoring sensation Noah Caluorie. But the real debate is at fly-half. From Andrew & Barnes, Wilkinson and his challengers, Farrell to Ford, the England number ten jersey has always been a national talking point. Now, with George Ford, Fin Smith, and Marcus Smith all vying for the starting spot, who will Steve Borthwick hand the keys to ahead of the next World Cup cycle? Joining Payno this week are two men who know the pressure cooker of fly-half selection better than anyone: former England 10s and World Cup stars Charlie Hodgson (38 caps, Premiership's all-time top scorer) and Toby Flood (60 caps, 2011 Six Nations winner). Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:00 🎙️ Introduction   03:18 🏉 Charlie and Toby’s Rugby Careers   13:42 💪 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge   15:40 🌹 Discussion on the new England Squad   16:50 🌟 Noah Caluori: Rising Star   22:07 🤔 Debate on England's Fly Half Selection   31:48 🎯 Owen Farrell's Future   49:25 🔄 Debating England's Centre Combinations   55:53 🌍 The Fly-Half Debate in Global Context   01:04:16 🇫🇷 Tom Willis' Move to Bordeaux   🎟️ Tour Tickets: ⁠https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby 🥃 Rémy Martin x Barbarians Live Show: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-with-barbarian-legends-x-remy-martin-vsop-tickets-1777685728869 🍀O’Neill’s Live Show : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gbr-x-oneills-autumn-nations-show-england-v-all-blacks-preview-tickets-1691405211519?aff=erelexpmlt 📘 GBR Book: ⁠https://www.waterstones.com/book/reloaded-the-good-the-bad-and-the-rugby/james-haskell/mike-tindall/9780008786373 🏉 Rugby Buddy: https://www.rugby-buddy.com ⁠#rugby⁠ ⁠#podcast⁠ ⁠#tindall⁠ ⁠#haskell⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hask and Payno explore the making of Andy Farrell, a two-time Man of Steel forged in a tough Wigan environment. Sitting down to launch his new book, The Only Way I Know, he discusses how becoming a father to Owen at 16 cemented his focus, recalling the shock: "We were devastated, we felt we'd let our parents down." That early responsibility and drive became the blueprint for his world-class coaching success. Season 6 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres. 00:00 🎥 Show Intro & Welcome: Andy Farrell 02:18 📘 The Farrell Book: From Wigan Debut at 16 to Lions Coach 07:53 🏉 Once A Wiganer Always A Wiganer 09:23 ⚔️ Rugby League: The Ashes, NRL & The War of Attrition 17:26 🎶 Richard Ashcroft & Oasis 29:33 👨‍👦 Becoming a Dad 38:23 🧠 “You Never Let Him Win": Andy on Competing with Owen Farrell 40:29 💪 Grip Strength Challenge: Two-Time Man of Steel on the Leaderboard 52:40 🧭 Coaching Evolution: From Ruthless Standards to Modern Man Management 01:06:53 🏆 Why Andy Moved to Union & What’s Next 🎟️ Tour Tickets: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-good-the-bad-the-rugby 🥃 Rémy Martin x Barbarians Live Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-with-barbarian-legends-x-remy-martin-vsop-tickets-1777685728869 📘 GBR Book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/reloaded-the-good-the-bad-and-the-rugby/james-haskell/mike-tindall/9780008786373 🏉Rugby League Ashes: https://tinyurl.com/p322anfw #rugby #podcast #tindall #haskell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices