Rugby Union Weekly

What was the best moment of the 2025 Lions tour? Who should have been crowned player of the series? Chris is joined by Tom English, Lauren Jenkins and Nigel Ringland to dissect the tour of Australia. We pick our combined XV from the Test series, how many Wallabies will make the cut? You’ll hear how Bundee Aki became a father for the fifth time in rather unusual circumstances and how Tom's tour got off to a tricky start in Perth.

The final Test match of this series had everything - drama, lightning, stoppages and monsoon like conditions which made it a very eventful game between the Lions and the Wallabies in Sydney. In the end the weather appeared to favour the home side as Australia won 22-12 on the night – with Andy Farrell’s side taking the series victory 2-1. Chris is joined by former Lions, Andy Nicol and Alex Cuthbert, as well as Aussie great Stephen Moore and ABC broadcaster Quentin Hull with all the on the whistle reaction.The guys take shelter from the crazy downpours and ask what went right for the Wallabies and what does this result mean for the Lions legacy?!

On a filthy Sydney afternoon, we bring together a gang of loyal pod listeners to thrash out some of the major talking points of this Lions tour from a fans' perspective. How much do Lions fans just want to win, and how much do they want a close contest? How has this tour compared to others from a supporters' perspective? And does it matter if your country is represented in selection? We have people pop in from all across Britain and Ireland, as well as a number of ex-pats living in Australia, who give some excellent insight as to the state of rugby union down under.

John Barclay, a former rugby player and Lions veteran, shares insights from the Lions' team hotel ahead of the third Test. He discusses strategic squad changes, including Blair Kinghorn stepping in for James Lowe. The conversation highlights the Lions’ commanding lead in the series and the pressure to achieve a clean sweep. Barclay reflects on the emotional weight of the matches, the significance of camaraderie in overcoming challenges, and the impact of individual performances like Tyg Burn and Dan Sheehan's contributions.

1997 or 1974? Two iconic tours to South Africa, but which one ranks higher? In the final episode of our top 10 series, Lions legends Jamie Roberts and Matt Dawson join Chris to rank the best tours of all time. We ask Jamie to rate his two tours - the 2013 win in Australia and the epic series against South Africa in 2009. We debate what makes a great tour - is it all about winning the Test series or are there other factors that determine success? And where does the only Lions series win against the All Blacks feature in our list?

We're in Sydney next to the opera house chatting to Wallabies legend Michael Hooper to get his take on THAT clearout and to discuss the health of Aussie rugby following the series defeat with the World Cup coming up in two years. We also chat to World rugby boss Alan Gilpin who has rejected Joe Schmidt's claim that the decision at the end of the second Test contravened the sport's player welfare drive. Chris also heads into the victorious Lions camp to chat to the captain Maro Itoje. Who has he bonded with on this tour? And what value are they putting on winning the series 3-0?

Chris and Tom have made it to Sydney for final Test week and GRO is back in the Nations pod squad having been declared fit for selection. There is lots of love for Finn Russell and how he orchestrated the final moments of the game. Of course, Jac Morgan’s clearout is also a hot topic of conversation as another series delivers another controversial moment at the death. Do this Lions team need to win the series 3-0 to be considered one the greats? They have not whitewashed their opponents in the Test series since they toured Argentina in 1927.

What a match! The second Test in Melbourne had everything – drama, comebacks, grit and fight as the Lions fought hard to beat a much improved Wallabies side by 29 points to 26 – to take the series victory, meaning they have won a series for the first time in 12 years. Chris is joined by Lions rugby royalty – Matt Dawson, Andy Nicol and Jamie Roberts - live from a bar with all the on the whistle reaction. Andy wishes Australia played like that in the first Test, for Matt it was a match that had him on the edge of his seat and for Jamie it was one of the greatest Test matches… ever! The guys debate that and so much more – including the brilliant performances from Itoje, Russell, Kinghorn, Aki, Gibson-Park and Morgan to name but a few! They also chat what didn’t go to plan for the Lions in the first half and why Australia were so class. But one thing they all agree on is that this was a ‘magic’ Test match and the Wallabies finally came to the party!

Can Australia bounce back at the famous MCG to level the series? Or will the Lions clinch a second successive series down under? With nine Irishman in Andy Farrell’s team, Chris gets the Irish perspective on the second Test with friend of the pod Murray Kinsella from The 42. We also hear from Lions assistant coach John Fogarty on the significance of playing at Australia’s most iconic sporting venue and find out what legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson said to the players when handing them with their jerseys. And we track down one of the winning Wallabies from the 2001 Lions series, Nick Stiles gives us the lowdown on Aussie rugby and how he would make them competitive again.

Chris, Ugo and John Barclay react to Andy Farrell's team for the second Test against Australia. There's no Sione Tuipulotu or Garry Ringrose as Huw Jones and Bundee Aki make up the midfield. But Jac Morgan does make the 23 to give the huge travelling Welsh support something to shout about. What can we expect from the Wallabies at the MCG now they have Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in their side? And how much will conditions effect what we see on Saturday?