

The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
Folding Pocket
James Haskell, Mike Tindall and Alex Payne return for season six of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. Expect more great guests, insight, laughter and tears.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 8min
Beast Mode: The Cost of Being The World's Strongest Man
Eddie "The Beast" Hall joins Payno and Hask for a a raw, unmissable episode. From becoming the first human to deadlift 500kg to being crowned the World’s Strongest Man, Eddie reveals how mental health struggles helped shape the man he is today.
He opens up about the extreme psychological triggers he used to break records including visualising his children in danger and the physical price he paid. Plus, the moment of truth: Can The Beast crush the leaderboard on our Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge?
00:00 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres
03:26 Life Beyond Strongman: Tanks and YouTube
06:16 Eddie Hall's Acting and MMA Ventures
13:37 Childhood and Family Dynamics
18:35 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges
27:46 Journey to Becoming World's Strongest Man
36:38 Post-Victory Career and Challenges
44:22 Mind Games and Competitions
46:59 The Half-Ton Deadlift
54:59 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge
🍻 O'Neill's Live Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gbr-x-oneills-guinness-mens-six-nations-preview-show-tickets-1978826898522?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing
📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall.
#Rugby #Podcast
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Jan 21, 2026 • 1h 21min
The Making of a DOR: Phil Dowson
Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson reveals the secrets behind their success, from the recruitment process to the brutal reality of cutting players. He discusses managing England stars like Henry Pollock, the toll of England duty, and the truth behind THAT halftime rant. Plus, can the coach beat his players on the Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge?
00:00 Proudly Sponsored by Continental Tyres
03:07 Balancing Rugby and Personal Life
06:55 The Journey to Coaching
26:47 Handling Difficult Conversations
28:38 Sam Vesty Bromance
38:26 Recruitment Insights
57:56 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge
59:20 Reflections on his International Career
01:02:57 Managing England Stars
📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded are now available: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
Welcome to The Good, The Bad & The Rugby with journalist and former broadcaster Alex Payne, England and Lions flanker James Haskell, and World Cup Winner Mike Tindall.
#Rugby #Podcast
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Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 19min
The Making of a DOR: Mike Brown
Join Payno & Hask, as they chat with Mike Brown about his transition from player to Sporting Director at Esher Rugby Club. They delve into his new role, challenges, and ask for his insights on the current state of Harlequins and Marcus Smith's future.
00:00 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres
02:26🤓 Mike Brown's Journey to DoR
04:30 🟤 The Brown Philosophy
10:30 🏉 Putting the boots back on?
16:42 💬 Difficult Conversations
27:23 👂 Learnings from Cheika et al.
46:39 🃏What's going on at Quins?
01:00:50 🙏 Marcus Smith's Future
01:15:00 👀 Browny for Quins?
📗 The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
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YouTube: @GoodBadRugby
IG: / goodbadrugby
TikTok: / goodbadrugby
Facebook: / goodbadandrugby
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/goodbadrugby
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Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 8min
Marler Joins the GBR Round Table
Joe Marler, a former England international rugby prop and now media personality, shares captivating insights from his time on Traitors, even naming fellow player Jonny May as the ultimate Traitor. He discusses why he stepped away from rugby, recounts the exhilarating chaos of his wrestling debut as 'The Scrum Lord,' and dreams of a GBR pantomime. Listen as he takes on a grip strength challenge and reflects on his evolving identity after rugby while hinting at exciting future podcast guests.

Dec 31, 2025 • 1h 11min
Rugby's Greatest Unions: Teague, Winterbottom, Richards
England’s iconic 90s back row - Mike Teague, Peter Winterbottom, and Dean Richards - reunite to discuss the "brutal self-policing" of their era. From surviving legendary drinking sessions with Jason Leonard to smashing the Calcutta Cup, the "Three Wise Men" deliver a masterclass in what international rugby was like for the last amateurs.
00:00 🛞 Sponsored by Continental Tyres
01:55 👑 Meet the Three Wise Men
03:33 🍺 Drinking Stories
15:49 🧢 Debut Memories and Early Days
30:19 🦁 The Iconic 1989 Lions Tour
36:27 🇳🇿 The very first Rugby World Cup
40:03 🥞 The Infamous Calcutta Cup Incident
47:16 🌹 The 1991 Grand Slam and World Cup Journey
49:41 📺 The Rise of Rugby's Media Profile
51:24 💼 The Transition to Professionalism
52:06 🏃🏾♂️ Lomu and the 1995 World Cup
01:07:04 💪 Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge
🚴 Ed Slater Charity Ride: https://www.gloucesterrugbyfoundation.org/4ed/racetoslatercup/
📗The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Unloaded: https://lnk.to/GBRUnlocked/waterstones
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YouTube: @GoodBadRugby
IG: https://www.instagram.com/goodbadrugby/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodbadrugby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodBadAndRugby
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/goodbadrugby
#GBR #GoodBadRugby
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Dec 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Rugby v Potter: The Phelps Twins Christmas Special
Hask and Tins reunite with their old pals James and Oliver Phelps, better known as the legendary Weasley twins from Harry Potter. In the muggle world, the twins are die-hard Gloucester fans and have many tales of mischief to share from the Shed, the Hong-Kong Sevens and The Women’s World Cup. Oliver even coaches his daughter’s team at Spartans. The lads get sorted into Hogwarts Houses, recast the Harry Potter films with rugby players and learn about the twins hosting Wizards of Baking on Prime. Grab a butter beer, a mince pie and ready yourselves for the ultimate Rugby vs Potter quiz to round up the year.
Give to The Matt Hampson Foundation for Oliver's New York Marathon run:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/oliver-phelps-2
All episodes of Wizards Of Baking are now on Amazon Prime.
Spartans Rugby Club, if you want to give your youngsters a try, check it out here: https://www.spartansrufc.co.uk/
🎬 00:00 – Coming Up…
🍒 02:43 – Gloucester Rugby Memories
🏉 07:23 – Oliver RFU Coaching and Women's Rugby
🎉 11:42 – Hong Kong Sevens Antics
💥 15:38 – Ascot, Tasers & Smoke Grenades
⚡ 21:31 – Harry Potter Films Recast with Rugby Players
🛞 30:07 – Continental Tyres Grip Strength Challenge
🎄 31:49 – Christmas Plans and Family Dynamics
🍰 33:18 – Wizards Of Baking TV Series
📜 35:33 – Rugby & Harry Potter Legacies
🤖 43:51 – Hask’s Fabulous AI Sidekick Glen
🏉🧙 47:06 – Rugby v Hogwarts Quiz
🎭 53:55 – Would The Twins Act Again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 12min
Alex Coles: From Academy "Geek" to England "Educator"
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

4 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 10min
State Of The Game: The Free-to-Air Revolution
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!

Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 7min
Bismarck on his Brother, the Boks and Brutal Hits
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

Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 24min
The Springboks - The Ultimate Pantomime Villain?
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.


