Rugby Union Weekly

Danny, Ugo and Chris review an eventful Champions Cup weekend that produced another big upset after Saracens stunned six-time champions Toulouse. They reflect on the battle between the two Willis brothers and if the result means Sarries are back to their best. Henry Pollock rekindled his love-hate relationship with the Bordeaux fans. We wonder if Damian Penaud is on some kind of assist bonus and we welcome our first ever mortgage advisor onto the pod. Will Crane has gone from the Champ to the Champions Cup after he answered an SOS call from George Skivington. He tells us all about his crazy start to 2026 and his love for the game.

What makes a great Six Nations city? Is it all about the atmosphere on match day? The stadium itself? Or more about the pubs and the nightlife? In this special mini-series, Chris, Gareth and Tom bring you their ultimate guide to all four cities across the home nations as we begin our build-up to the Six Nations. First up, it’s the home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. GRO makes a passionate case for why his city stands above the rest, and the guys share their favourite match-day memories and break down what makes Cardiff such a unique place to watch Six Nations rugby.

It’s the first pod of 2026 and there is plenty to discuss with club statements and statement performances on the pitch. Chris, Ashy and Ugo look at what we can and assess the runners and riders ahead of the Six Nations which begins in Paris one month today. Are England finally ready to deliver silverware or will Ireland rise again under Andy Farrell? We analyse the growing issues at Harlequins and Gloucester after damaging defeats at the weekend. What will the coaching reshuffle look like at Kingsholm? And how have Quins gone from champions to languishing at the bottom of the table? We also talk Billy Searle and Adam Radwan’s form at Leicester and Mark McCall’s comments following another Saracens defeat.

After years of podding separately in Cardiff, Stirling and London - Chris, Tom and GRO finally get together to record a Nations Pod in person. They look back at the highs and lows of the game in 2025 which included the Lions tour of Australia and the Red Roses lifting the World Cup. How would you sum up the Lions tour? And how do you best describe another tough year for Wales? Tom challenges the guys to pick one word that sums up each nation's year and the tournaments. They also reflect on the big moments and best performances of the year. And no review of the year is complete without a combined team of the year!

Danny tells Ashy and Chris about his trip to visit Santa Claus in Lapland and his husky adventure in -37c. We look back at the final weekend of rugby before Christmas as Harlequins are humbled at Twickenham and Exeter claim another big scalp on the road. Where has it gone wrong for Quins since winning the league in 2021? And are Exeter now genuine title contenders? Sale’s struggles without George Ford continue while Danny zeros in on the scrum-halves that are catching his eye this season. Ellie Kildunne scores another wonder try and we answer some of your questions.

The big shock of the weekend came up at Scotstoun as Glasgow stunned six-time champions Toulouse. Player of the Match Adam Hastings tells Ashy and Chris about their epic comeback and how the navigated the treacherous conditions at the ‘ice rink’. We also hear about Franco Smith’s coaching style and if winning their opening two Champions Cup matches has changed their outlook on this year’s tournament. Bath came unstuck at Toulon, Leinster scramble over the line against Leicester and Sale pick up a big win on the road. But there were still plenty of blowouts and low attendances in round two, would a 16-team competition solve the issue? There is plenty of transfer and contract chat as several players including Jac Morgan announce they’re on the move next season. Ashy gives us a great insight into the complexities of the contract game and why there is always more than meets than eye.

The hosts dive into the Champions Cup opening weekend, highlighting Edinburgh's shocking upset over Toulon and Bath's dominant victory. Rieko Ioane's debut for Leinster and Mathieu Jalibert's brilliance for Bordeaux keep fans excited. They debate the impact of Eben Etzebeth's 12-week ban, pondering if it’s a blessing in disguise. The discussion also touches on the strengths of South African clubs in Europe and concerns over refereeing consistency. Young talents like Noah Caluori shine, raising questions about squad management and competition balance.

Hosts react to the thrilling draw for the 2027 World Cup, highlighting key matchups like England's advantageous Pool F and the gripping Ireland-Scotland face-off. They discuss South Africa's challenging path to a potential three-peat and debate whether that would be beneficial for the sport. The allure of a French victory is examined, with reminiscing about iconic French players adding a touch of nostalgia. The conversation wraps up with insights on how these matchups will shape expectations leading into the tournament.

Wales faces a harsh reality after a staggering 73-0 defeat against South Africa, raising questions about player development and support. The podcast dives into Eben Etzebeth's controversial eye gouging incident, exploring the implications for discipline and culture in rugby. With the Premiership's return, discussions focus on rising try rates and squad depth issues. The eligibility debate around Benhard Janse van Rensburg adds another layer of intrigue. Plus, there's excitement and apprehension ahead of the upcoming World Cup draw.

Hugo Keenan, Ireland and Leinster star, shares his unforgettable Lions try and discusses his recovery journey. Tom Roebuck, Sale Sharks winger, reveals how he tackled test rugby with a broken toe and reflects on his first try against the All Blacks. Joel Kpoku elaborates on Pau's triumphant return to the Champions Cup, targeting their opener against Northampton. Scarlets' captain Josh McLeod speaks candidly about the challenges of Welsh regional rugby and his team's excitement for European competition. A thrilling preview for rugby fans!