The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

No Alex this week which means Hask and Tinds are steering the good ship GBR. They’re ably assisted by Simon Shaw to look back on his glittering career with club, country and The Lions. He reflects on the magnitude of the '97, '05 and '09 tours, the glory years at Wasps alongside a young and hungry Hask and playing alongside the world’s greatest players at Toulon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The great Brian O’Driscoll is on the show this week, joining Alex, Hask and Tinds to give his take on the Lions in South Africa. He also reflects on the key moments that shaped his reputation as a world class operator on and off the pitch - from hat-tricks in Paris to hangovers in Queenstown. We also find out what it’s like to share a room with Mike Phillips, a boxing ring with Austin Healey and a fairway with Tiger Woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and Mike are joined by Bath legend, Jeremy Guscott, to talk all things Lions; the '97 series clinching drop goal, South Africa's prospects in this year's tests and the intel he happily gave to the Lions that he wouldn't give to England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, Hask and Tinds are back together in studio for the first time in ages as The Good, The Bad and The Rugby's Lions coverage steps up a notch. They're joined by the former Lions and Wales captain Sam Warburton who reveals a side to his character that many might not have seen during his playing days. He reveals what drove him on as a player and talks openly about the agony and ecstasy of life at the elite end of professional sport. He also sheds light on his developing (and promising) career in front of the camera, while providing unrivalled insight into what the Lions will face in South Africa. Plus, after one of the most memorable matches in Premiership history, the boys break down Quins' unforgettable win in THAT final against Exeter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The one and only Joe Marler is back with bang as he joins Alex, Hask and Mike to reflect on an amazing few days on and off the pitch. The Harlequins and England prop became a father for the fourth time last week before flying into Bristol to star in his side's epic Premiership semi-final win. This is not an episode to miss, as Marler reveals, in his own unique way, how Quins turned things around at Ashton Gate from 28-0 down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Sanderson, Director of Rugby at Sale Sharks and a former England international, dives into his innovative coaching philosophy. He reveals how psychological insights give his team an edge and shares lessons learned from coaching legends like Eddie Jones and Brendan Venter. Alex emphasizes the importance of emotional processing and building a player-led culture. With the Premiership semi-final against Exeter approaching, he discusses simplifying tactics to reduce pressure on his players and reflects on creating a respectful team environment in the North West.

Alex and James play host to the 2021 Rugby Professionals Association Awards - presented by Pickstar - rewarding the very best of English rugby from the previous season. We have all the winners and losers from the big night, and every gong, from the Sanlam Young Player of the Year prize, to the recipient of the RPA's Blyth Spirit Award (who just happens to be one of our favourite guests from the annals of GBR). And if that wasn't enough, we also induct two more players into the RPA's Hall of Fame. Get your gladrags on and enjoy one of the game's biggest nights with us.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Ellis are joined by the Exeter Chiefs’ Number 8 Sam Simmonds for a rib tickler of an episode. They talk about his call up to the Lions and living his best life in the south-west, while Ellis and Hask reveal the most serious dressing downs they have ever received from coaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, Hask and Tinds pick a more-than-respectable England XV for the summer and wonder what life would be like with either Kyle Sinckler or Ellis Genge (or both) as England captain(s). They also put their own spin on the newly-branded England A-side, now known as England Binjuice, or England ‘P’, as will become clear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Kayser and Toulouse great Yannick Nyanga join Alex and Tinds for this bonus episode previewing tomorrow's Heineken Cup Final. They examine the roots of Toulouse's famous brand of rugby and look at where Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle side might find an edge on the biggest day in the club's history. Might it be in O'Gara himself? This episode is brought to you by Heineken. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices