The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Lions guru Graham Simmons and 2005 Lion Shane Horgan sink their teeth into Andy Farrell's hotly anticipated first British & Irish Lions XV for the 2025 Tour. With Argentina standing in their way in Dublin, the lads dissect the selections, the battle for test spots, and why the Pumas will be flying into this game like players possessed. From Tadhg Furlong's fitness to the emotional weight of pulling on that red jersey, we explore the immense pressure and unique alchemy of the Lions' opening act. Don't miss this crucial breakdown as the 2025 Lions era officially begins! "Simmo" worked for 25 years as Sky Sports' rugby union reporter, working on 5 Lions Tours. He also spent a decade broadcasting on their golf coverage from Ryder Cups and US Opens to USPGAs. GBR's Lions Coverage is sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:00:00 🚗 - Strap in with Continental Tyres 00:03:30 🦁 - Farrell's First Lions XV Unveiled 00:04:30 🩺 - Tadhg Furlong's Fitness Under Spotlight 00:10:06 🔥 - Argentina Bring "Players Possessed" Mentality 00:13:38 😨 - Lions Loss in Opening Game: A Potential "Disaster”? 00:15:42 🤝 - Aki and Tuipulotu Partnership 00:21:49 ❤️ - What pulling on the Red Lions Jersey Means 00:25:06 ⏱️ - Immense Pressure in Limited Game Time 00:32:03 📣 - Dublin Ready to Roar #Rugby #Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for an exclusive, in-depth conversation with rugby royalty, Alun Wyn Jones, the most capped men's rugby player in history. From his first tour battling imposter syndrome to hoisting the Tom Richards Trophy in 2013 and captaining the 2021 tour, Alun Wyn relives all four of his iconic British & Irish Lions campaigns.  We'll delve into the physical battles, the shifting dynamics of the Lions over two decades, and the unique challenges of touring Australia. Get ready for candid reflections on teammates, controversies like the James Horwill incident, and the emotional weight of wearing the coveted red jersey. Plus, Alun Wyn offers his insights on Andy Farrell's leadership, the 2025 Lions squad, and whether the tour's increasing commercialisation threatens its mystique.  🛞 Season 5 is Sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:00:00 🐐 – Meet the Legend 00:01:44 😮 – The Truth About Life After Rugby 00:06:07 🔥 – Premiership Final Drama: The Dan Cole Controversy 00:19:25 ⚔️ – Evolution of the Lions: Accessibility vs Tradition 00:25:14 🧠 – From Self-Doubt to Captaincy: Alun Wyn’s Lions Journey  00:56:03 🔮 – Looking Ahead to the 2025 Tour 01:18:29 🍹 – Beyond Rugby: Alun Wyn Jones's Mimosa Rum 🔐 Nord VPN - https://nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby  ⌚WOB Group Competition - https://forms.gle/FgVKoWvgCQB7b4PL7 🦁O’Neill’s Live Show - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gbr-x-oneills-mens-lions-preview-show-tickets-1408518439569?aff=oddtdtcreator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the lads dive deep into the Gallagher Premiership Final, an old-school clash between Bath and Leicester! Alex, Hask, and Jonny May preview the final, dissecting the semi-final victories, the contrasting coaching styles of Johann van Graan and Michael Cheika, and pick their combined XV. Plus, with the Lions away, England's summer fixtures against a France XV, USA, and Argentina are discussed – who will seize their chance to shine? All this plus the "Who the Ruck Is That?" quiz, and much more!  00:00:00 Strap in Continental Tyres  00:04:21 Recap of Bath vs. Bristol and the week of words  00:14:01 Johann van Graan's Impact  00:21:40 Rémy Martin VSOP Partnership Announcement  00:23:29 Leicester vs. Sale Semi-Final Review & Radwan’s try  00:30:39 NordVPN Partnership & Discount Code  00:32:11 The Final. Coaching Battle: Van Graan vs. Cheika  00:36:00 Combined Bath & Leicester XV  00:40:11 Charles Tyrwhitt Live Show Announcement  00:41:37 Lions Tour Injury Update  00:42:18 England Summer Fixtures  00:45:57 Producer Tom's England XV  00:50:27 “Who the Ruck Is That?" Quiz 00:55:00 Live Show Dates & Tour Announcement 🔐 https://nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby  ⌚WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form: https://forms.gle/FgVKoWvgCQB7b4PL7 🦁 Charles Tyrwhitt Live Show link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gbr-x-charles-tyrwhitt-present-an-evening-with-lions-lege[…]=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join James Haskell from the 2025 Rugby Awards as he dives into the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, featuring Bath v Bristol and Leicester v Sale Sharks. This episode also brings an update on Michael Tindall's new global franchise "R360" with GBR promising to deliver all the facts when the time is right. Special guest Ellis Genge shares his deeply ingrained animosity towards local rivals Bath, a feeling cultivated since his academy days. Plus, a blossoming bromance unfolds as Haskell chats with rising star Henry Pollock following his Lions call-up, discussing his sponsorship aspirations and house renovation plans. Hear from Leicester coach Michael Cheika on the turning point in his team's Premiership journey and the vital impact of the Welford Road crowd. Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres 00:00 🚀 Strap in with Continental Tyres 02:00 💡 Update on Tins' R360 04:30 🔥 Ellis Genge on the Lions 12:00💥 Bath v Bristol 16:00 ✨ Henry Pollock's stellar year 27:00 🎉 Amazing Lions Prize!!! 29:00 🧠 Michael Cheika WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form: https://forms.gle/FgVKoWvgCQB7b4PL7 WIN a Lions 2025 Tour Package to Australia Courtesy of Howden: https://bit.ly/412UzVN To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby - our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. And, there's no risk with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee! 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vive Bordeaux! Ex-England, Kenya and USA Sevens coach, Mike Friday dives into a jaw-dropping week of rugby alongside Payno and Hask. The lads debate the titanic final between Bordeaux and Northampton Saints, centring on accusations of foul play against Rugby’s greatest showman, Henry Pollock. What did our young Lion learn? & as the EPCR announce a new Club World Cup, we look to rugby’s future. Sevens guru Mike also reacts to the sport’s management in the face of heartbreaking headlines that Ireland Men’s Sevens team will cease to exist and Great Britain men and women will move to a part-time programme. Is its Olympic status at stake? WOB Group & GBR Competition Entry Form To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to nordvpn.com/goodbadrugby -  our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. And, there's no risk with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee! 🛞 00:00 - Strap In With Continental Tyres! 🤼 03:32 - Kabaddi v Rugby: Sevens Stars In India’s RPL 🔥 07:33 - Northampton v Bordeaux - The Breakdown 🌟 16:18 - Pollock Steals The Show 🤔 28:26 - Did Penaud Make The Difference? 🏆 33:04 - Bath Bring It Home 🌍 35:31 - A New Rugby World Club Cup? ‼️ 45:34 - Sevens Revolution: Changes To The World Series 📉 58:53 - Why Were Ireland and GB Sevens Cutback? 🥇 01:06:16 - Flag Football v Sevens: An Olympic Battle 🦁 01:10:12 - Solutions… A British & Irish Lions Sevens Team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready for the Investec Champions Cup final! This week, we're breaking down the Anglo-French showdown between Northampton Saints and Bordeaux, with Ben Kayser's inside track on the big-budget French side and their attacking genius Jalibert. We also delve into Bath's Gallagher Premiership dominance and their upcoming Challenge Cup Final. Plus, huge news on Red Bull's potential takeover of Newcastle Falcons and Antoine Dupont's move into American rugby ownership. All this, plus our final picks for the ultimate Investec Champions Cup Dream Team. Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.  WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form 00:00 🛞 Strap in with Continental Tyres 02:25 🛁 Bath's Premiership Dominance: Is Their Squad Unstoppable?  10:19 💸 Rugby Ticket Prices: "Obscene" for Fans!!!  13:02 🐯 Leicester Tigers' New Era: Geoff Parling Appointment Discussed  20:03 😇 Northampton's Champions Cup Cohesion 24:39🍷 Bordeaux's "Freak Attack": Jalibert & Lucu's Magic  48:55: 🦓 Investec Champions Cup Dream Team: Our Ultimate Picks!  55:36 🪽 Red Bull Buys Newcastle Falcons?! A Major Game Changer  01:05:49 🇺🇸 Antoine Dupont's American Rugby Investment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Northampton and England winger Tommy Freeman joins the pod for a laugh-out-loud, raw and at times deeply personal chat. Fresh off a Lions call-up and in red-hot form - with 15 tries in his last 10 games - Tommy reflects on the moments that shaped him, from the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup to living with epilepsy. With Saints heading into the Investec Champions Cup Final, we look ahead to his blockbuster showdown with Louis Bielle-Biarrey as Northampton prepare to face Bordeaux. Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.  WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form 🎧 00:00 – Strap in with Continental Tyres 🦁 02:00 – Freeman’s a Lion  💥 10:00 – Tommy on Pollock  🔄 19:28 – Mr Versatile - winger, fullback, centre... and maybe even a 10? 👬 23:07 – Mitchell & Smith - the big kids of Northampton 👑 27:00 – Hampton Court & Royal Questions  🔥 33:00 – Try Machine 🚨 38:28 – Hooked by Eddie Jones 🐯 42:28 – Why Tigers Passed  💔 43:57 – Missing the 2023 RWC  🧠 45:00 – Living with Epilepsy 🔵 54:36 – The Leinster Recap  🙌 01:00:00 – Fraser Dingwall Appreciation Society  ⚡ 01:04:00 – Final H2H: Freeman vs Bielle-Biarry  🏆 01:08:00 – The People’s Final – Saints vs Bordeaux ⌚ 01:14:30 – Watches of Bath Quiz  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Filmed in style at the House of Rémy Martin, this week’s episode finds Alex, Hask, and Jonny May enjoying life in Cognac-deep in wine country and not far from Bordeaux’s dismantling of Toulouse-as they unpack a seismic weekend in the Investec Champions Cup. Northampton’s young guns stun Leinster, prompting big praise for Pollock, Smith, Freeman and more. But how might the Saints’ heroics shake up Andy Farrell’s Lions selection? Plus, Jonny faces another pronunciation test-this time courtesy of Bielle-Biarrey. Please enjoy your Rémy Martin responsibly. Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.  WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form 🚗 00:00 – Buckle Up with Continental Tyres 🥃 02:53 – Welcome Rémy Martin! 🎤 05:00 – Hampton Court Live Show Details ☘️ 06:33 – How the Saints Stunned Dublin 🔥 14:51 – Fearless ? Northampton’s Mindset 🎨 24:00 – Pollock’s not so secret talent 🦁 31:30 – How the results will impact the Lions selction 😱 46:24 – What happened to Leinster? 🍷 50:00 – Bordeaux make their first Champions Cup Final! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As French club rugby thrives, English rugby finds itself at a crossroads. Alex and Tins are joined by Jonny May, Courtney Lawes, and rugby powerbroker Simon Gillham [OBE] for a timely conversation on what England can learn from across the Channel. From the dominance of ProD2 and the booming Top 14 to the structural chaos at home, the team digs into the future of the English game. Plus: Courtney’s Lions ambitions & Investec Champions Cup semi-final previews. Tickets are selling fast for finals weekend in Cardiff on the 23rd and 24th of May, head to EPCRugby.com for more details. Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres.  WOB Group & GB&R Competition Entry Form 🛞 00:00 – Buckle Up with Continental Tyres 🎙️ 02:00 – Meet Simon Gillham OBE: Rugby’s Quiet Powerbroker 🤝 05:47 – When Brive Signed Courtney Lawes: Inside the Transfer 🏆 11:14 – Why Promotion & Relegation Still Works 🇫🇷 21:13 – What English Rugby Can Learn from France 📺 27:30 – Prem Rugby’s £200M TV Deal: Gamechanger? ⚠️ 40:18 – The Hidden Problem with Premiership Academies 🏗️ 45:47 – Franchise Model: Big Questions 🔥 51:35 – Investec Champions Cup Semi-Final Preview 🔍 56:59 – Courtney’s  Saints Scouting Report 🦁 01:04:00 – Lions 10 Debate: Smith, Prendergast, Ford, Farrell? 🇫🇷 01:09:49 – Bordeaux v Toulouse: All French Affair 🔮 01:11:50 – Semi-Final Predictions: Who’s Going to Cardiff? 🎯 01:13:50 – Courtney on a 3rd Lions Tour? 🧠 01:18:00 – England’s New Coaching Team & Players to Watch this Summer 🐉 01:21:25 – Dave Reddin Joins Wales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Godfather of Strength and Conditioning.Fresh from the misty mountains of Peru, Al and Hask are joined by Hask's former Conditioning Coach at Wasps, Craig White; a man whose influence has shaped the face of High-Performance Coaching in rugby. With troublesome tales of managing Trevor Leota at Wasps alongside Shaun Edwards, Craig shares the biggest lessons he learned working with Clive Woodward and Warren Gatland on the 2005 and 2009 Lions Tours. For Craig, everything changed when he took a breather from the hyper-masculine world of rugby just months before the 2011 World Cup to go on a yoga retreat that opened his eyes to mindfulness, nature and a more spiritual style of coaching…Season 5 is sponsored by Continental Tyres. 🛞 00:00 - Strap in with Continental Tyres🐝 01:00 - A Wasps Reunion💪09:38 - Prescribing Brotherhood⚽🏉 16:07 - Football V Rugby, Allardyce V Gatland🤯 20:26 - How Do You Manage Trevor Leota?🦁 25:02 - 2005 + 2009 Lions Tour Double🐯 34:54 - Crouching Tigers Hidden Craig🧘‍♂️ 38:24 - The Life-Changing Yoga Retreat💥 45:19 - Hitting Rock Bottom & Learning How To Feel🌿 52:03 - Get Children Off Screens & In Nature🌍 55:46 - Tier 2 Champion: Uruguay and Chile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices