The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Alex, James and Mike are joined by an extraordinary plethora of guests for a Christmas extravaganza: British and Irish Lions, members of the Royal family, Uncle Bryn, Ryder Cup legends, World Cup Winners, stand-up comedians, try-scoring wunderkinds, home nations captains, referees, pop stars, cross-code giants, a vicar, Henry Slade's breath, an England star in a personalised thong, and a Clapham Falcon in a pear tree. It's the Yuletide Zoom call to beat all Yuletide Zoom calls as the gang celebrate Christmas the only way they know how: chaotically, and with plenty of laughs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and Mike are joined by the former Canada and Clermont lock Jamie Cudmore, and the England World Cup winner Kat Merchant for a very powerful edition of GBR. Together they discuss their ongoing battles with multiple, career-ending concussions in the wake of the news that Steve Thompson has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. From migraines, anxiety and convulsions to an aversion to bright lights and loud noises, how are today's players coping with the increase in head injuries, and what can be done to make the game safer moving forwards?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Ellis look back on the Autumn Nations Cup Final and reflect on the negative image of England's play, the mindset of Owen Farrell, and what really happens in the Beaumont Room. There's golfing disasters, frightening honesty over the Matera reinstatement, and Tind's jumps on and drops a bombshell.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, Mike and James are joined by Ben Kayser for a hugely emotional episode to reflect on the death of the legendary French winger Christophe Dominici. They share reminiscences of the Stade Francais star, look inwardly at whether they've done enough for struggling teammates in the past, and discuss what happens when the cheering stops.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Mike discuss the second round of action in the Autumn Nations Cup, there's some royal news, the wonderful Susie Dent drops in bringing wisdom and decorum, and Dan Leo joins the boys to talk about threats on his life, corruption, exploitation and his new documentary: 'Oceans Apart - Greed, Betrayal and Pacific Island Rugby' on Amazon Prime.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Mike set the world straight, (well, James does), on the Georgians, the new series of The Crown and how it's gone down at Chez Tindall, the Baabaa's potential punishments, and the beautiful Pumas. Plus there's a 'shvili' and 'dze' debate, and a full round-up of the opening games from the Autumn Nations Cup where Tinds shows actual love for Ireland.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and Mike are joined by a true legend of two games - Jason Robinson - for a wide ranging and hugely emotional conversation about dominating two codes, regrets, religion, racism and being left out in the cold. Plus, what really happened the night before the 2003 World Cup Final, and the importance of a good teacher. It's 90 minutes you won't want to miss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and James are joined by the newest member of TGTB&TR team as Ellis Genge signs on full time. They discuss England's Six Nations win, strawberry laces, melted candles and how they'd look to change the game to make it more of a spectacle. Ellis also takes James to task over Thierry Dusautoir, there's broken toilets, new cap sing-a-longs and a party barn!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex is in Bermuda for the World Tens, but hops off his surfboard long enough to join James and Mike to discuss the fallout from the Barbarians cancellation after breaking Covid-19 rules. Hask defends the players and questions the strength of the BaaBaa's bubble. There's also tributes to David Pocock and Alun Wyn Jones, a DJ request, a discussion around 'Baxter' and the England job, and the boys pick a Six Nations winner.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Mike are joined by Exeter's Jack Nowell to talk through the Chief's dramatic Heineken Champions Cup win against Racing 92, and discover what happened on the night out that followed. Plus, who's got a hyperbaric chamber and why, who bought night vision goggles, and what on earth is Stuart Hogg putting on his legs. All that plus a live Zoom audience and Kyle Sinckler's wardrobe toilet.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices