The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Alex and James play host to the 2020 RPA Awards Show, live from their living rooms. It's a smorgasbord of interviews, excitement, laughter and tears as the best of the best from across the men's and women's game are rewarded for their outstanding contributions at the prestigious black tie (or t-shirt or pyjamas) event. Hear from some of the biggest names in World Rugby as they collect their gongs, and chew the fat in the usual TGTG&TR style.  Text RESTARTRUGBY on 70085 to donate £5.  Each text costs £5 + one standard rate message. Please find below a link to donate via the RPA's JustGiving page: https://donate.justgiving.com/donation-amount?uri=aHR0cHM6Ly9kb25hdGUtYXBpLmp1c3RnaXZpbmcuY29tL2FwaS9kb25hdGlvbnMvODQ4YjUyMmZhZjAwNGZjYjhmNTQyZmE5YWQzMmM5Yjc= Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the 2020 Heineken Champions Cup Final Alex, James and Mike turn back the clock to discuss what it's like to win the tournament and argue the best games, the most iconic players, the best away trips, and the greatest nights out. Full of fantastic stories, incidents, private jets, Clément Poitrenaud, Subaru Impreza Turbo's, nightclubs in rural Italy, noogies and reminiscences about the great Anthony Foley, this is an edition not to be missed.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Mike are joined by the former England and Lions loosehead Alex Corbisiero as he comes to terms with the return of cancer,  just over a year after being first diagnosed. In a truly inspirational and remarkably upbeat 90 minutes, the guys discuss the power of dads, fear of death, THAT try, coming to terms with a failing body on and off the field and why you converse with absolutely everyone in the chemo room. Plus there's tributes to Chris Robshaw and Brad Barritt, and to the fortitude of Joe Marler.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and James are joined by one of the very best to have played the game over the past decade, Leinster and Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, to talk Irish rugby, credit ratings, the mental stress of leadership, critical dads, Soldier Field, what exactly James called Johnny and why Nigel Owens was so offended by it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Mike put the rugby world to rights as they discuss superstars, Saracens, semi-finals, and locked out spectators. And then ahead of publication of his autobiography, James reveals for the first time what really happened with Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster at consecutive World Cups, the nightmare of the New Zealand maid, the infamous Altitude Nightclub incident and how he almost killed Rory Best. "I'll save that for the book" just became a reality.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and Mike welcome the Scotland captain Stuart Hogg to The Good, the Bad and the Rugby to talk pressure, walking away from the game, dinner with JK Rowling, George Best, Finn Russell, and the accident that changed his life forever. And he reveals why he almost end up in The Sport of Kings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex, James and Mike are joined from Wellington by arguably the greatest center of all time in double World Cup winner Ma'a Nonu. Together they discuss Owen Farrell's tackle, creamed rice pudding, the pressure of being an All Black, pineapple chunks, being humble, and what it was like to live next door to James. Oh, and THAT try!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and James are joined by the former England and Northampton captain Dylan Hartley for a fascinating discussion on leadership, pain, coffees with Eddie Jones, the pressures of captaincy, and what happens when your face and voice don't fit. And the boys discover why Hask is atop a kill list.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and Mike are joined on episode three by England's most capped player Jason Leonard, to talk golf carts, old farts, World Cup wins, baths and blowing up granny. He also discusses what it really means to be a British and Irish Lion and why he's the goat. In more ways than one.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex and James are joined on episode two by the England number 8 Billy Vunipola for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about why he felt he let himself down at the 2019 World Cup and his complicated relationship with brother Mako. They also discuss faith, vulnerability, slapping George Kruis and why losing to South Africa in the final was a great thing to happen to him. And he springs a major announcement! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices