The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

After a brilliant first round of the Six Nations, the boys are back together to break down each of the three games, and discuss some of the stand out performers, notably Finn Russell and Mack Hansen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Six Nations looming, Alex, Hask and Tinds discuss the things they love about the oldest international rugby tournament in the world. They cover each of the team's strengths and weaknesses, what it's like playing the away games, and why magic can happen at the Principality Stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the worst things you can do on the rugby pitch? Stamping, striking, gouging, headbutting? All these offences - and more - are in the dock as Alex, Hask and Ben play judge and jury and set about ranking the sport’s worst crimes. Most of these transgressions have faded out of the modern game, so Hask and Ben look back on their own time at the coalface, and Alex delves into the archives, to work out what deserves a slap on the wrist, and what is simply the lowest of the low. They also reflect on a couple of heavy episodes dissecting the international game, and get Ben’s perspective on the state of the game en France. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hask and Alex dig a little deeper into the state of the game this week, with two guests who know more than most about what goes on inside rugby’s corridors of power. The former CEO of World Rugby, Brett Gosper, and ex-CEO of Quins and Melbourne Storm, Mark Evans, help the boys get to the heart of the many challenges facing rugby union’s administrators, including participation, TV rights, laws, the calendar and, of course, the club versus country debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a very busy studio this week, as Tinds, Ellis and Alex try to nail down what rugby’s trying to be and where it needs to get to. They’re joined by the President of Roc Nation, Michael Yormark, the sharpest dressed person to have ever graced the pod, and the man leading the charge to create superstars within the game. Dragons Rugby owner, David Buttress and Newcastle Falcons owner, Semore Kurdi are also on hand to discuss the salary cap, marquee players, TV deals, financial partners, the impact of covid and ultimately how rugby needs to change to continue to grow; which gets a bit fiery at times. And of course, they get into Ellis’ reasons for heading home to Bristol at the end of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Richie McCaw sets a high bar for the new year as our first guest in 2022. He relives many of the memorable moments from his stellar career, and reveals how the best players develop the mentality and resilience to not only get to the top but also stay there. Back-to-back World Cup wins as captain of the All Blacks, helicopter rescues after the earthquake in 2016 and his newfound passion for adventure racing are just some of the topics that get Hask giddy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Grab a turkey sandwich and your chrimbo jumper, and join the boys as they relive 2021’s best episodes and the most hilarious moments on the pod this year. Featuring a royal baby born on the bathroom floor, the biggest baby born in Zimbabwe, Dombrandt’s whip, Marler’s chopper, Dan Carter’s hair, BOD’s Monday Night Club, Greenwood’s lucky socks… and who could forget the force of the 70s cop duo, Pivac and Hansen… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No shortage of festive flair in the tinsel-decked studio this week as Alex, Hask and Tinds put on their best Christmas suits and chill out with a gin and tonic (or two) alongside Ben Kayser. This episode is all about listeners' questions - some are random and some are even about rugby - but if you want to know the club the boys would have one more game for, or which brand Hask would change his name to, or how Tinds fared when he met the Queen for the first time, then dive in. It’s Christmas chaos GBR-style: plenty of laughter and love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and Tinds caught up with Eddie Jones at Pennyhill Park this week. They chatted about leadership, inspired by the England head coach's new book, and also looked at the future of Rugby and the promising young talent in the England set-up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leinster and Ireland legend Shane Horgan joins Alex and Tinds back in the studio this week to look ahead to the next round of the Heineken Champions Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices