

Rugby Union Weekly
BBC Radio 5 Live
Rugby Union Weekly is presented by Ugo Monye, Chris Jones and Danny Care. Between the bickering and tangents they’ll bring you special guests and cover the biggest stories in the game.
Get in touch with the pod via 5 Live Sport on social media or email rugbyunionweekly@bbc.co.uk, and remember to leave us your ratings and reviews!
Get in touch with the pod via 5 Live Sport on social media or email rugbyunionweekly@bbc.co.uk, and remember to leave us your ratings and reviews!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 10, 2025 • 36min
Farrell on bench and more Lions call-ups
What can we expect from Owen Farrell this Saturday? Will he play at 10 or 12 when when he comes off the bench? Ugo and pod favourite John Barclay discuss Andy Farrell's final team selection before the first Test in Brisbane and debate where he plans to use his son. The Lions have been forced to call in more reinforcements at full-back after Blair Kinghorn's injury. The AUNZ invitational side is out and we're expecting a physical battle for the Lions in Adelaide. Plus, we ask John to pick his Test back row and get him to break down where it's going wrong at the breakdown.

Jul 8, 2025 • 37min
Lions Top 10s: Tries
What is the greatest try in Lions history? Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts are back with Chris to rank the best tries ever scored in a Lions Test series. How do you compare a great team try to a moment of individual brilliance? Jerry Guscott makes another appearance in Top 10s and one Test match delivers two tries in the shortlist. Where will Dawson's dummy in 1997 rank? Does Jamie's try in the 3rd Test in 2013 make the cut?

Jul 7, 2025 • 57min
The Nations Pod
Do we now know Andy Farrell's Test team? Chris, Gareth Rhys Owen and Tom English assemble for the Nations pod take on the Farrell's 23 for the Brumbies game on Wednesday. Who is in need of a a big performance in Canberra to nail down a Test spot? They reflect on a tricky few days for the Lions tour after an unconvincing display against the Waratahs and Joe Schmidt's comments about Australia after they scraped past a spirited Fiji in Newcastle. There’s more Owen Farrell chat as Tom and GRO clash over his call-up. We also praise England's resounding victory in Argentina but it was a different story for Wales in Japan. Where do Wales go from here?

Jul 5, 2025 • 41min
Unconvincing Lions beat Waratahs
Chris Jones and Chris Ashton dissect the Lions 21-10 win over the New South Wales Waratahs.The Lions remain unbeaten but weren’t impressive in their win over the New South Waratahs in Sydney. Two weeks before the first test the Chris’s pick what they think that side currently looks like and ask why the team hasn’t been able to hit the heights just yet. Plus what do they want to see from the next match against the Brumbies on Wednesday.

Jul 4, 2025 • 59min
Warburton’s Lions Legends: Martin Johnson
Sam Warburton and Martin Johnson are the only players to captain the British & Irish Lions on back-to-back tours. So for this episode they sit down together to discuss their incredible achievement. They talk leadership, feeling under qualified, handling pressure and the art of a good team talk. Martin also relives the famous series win over South Africa in 1997. You’ll hear about training in the dark, getting stitches during a match and Jeremy Guscott’s winning drop goal. He also recalls his tour to Australia in 2001 and where it all went wrong. He shares his biggest regret, the issues with Graham Henry’s tactics and why he could have done more as captain.

Jul 3, 2025 • 45min
Farrell picks Farrell
Has bloodline loyalty influenced Owen Farrell’s Lions call-up? Coach Andy Farrell has drafted in his son to replace the injured Elliot Daly, sparking debate over whether family ties played a role. Chris, Danny and Tom unpack the backlash and ask whether it is the right call?

Jul 2, 2025 • 39min
Lions run in eight tries to thrash Queensland Reds
Is Andy Farrell closing in on his Test XV? The Lions ran in eight tries in a dominant 52-12 win over the Queensland Reds, with Tommy Freeman grabbing a brace. Chris and former Scotland captain John Barclay dissect the performance and are joined by Lauren Jenkins from the Suncorp Stadium. Plus, how much of a setback could Elliot Daly’s arm injury prove to be?

Jul 1, 2025 • 48min
The Nations Pod
How big a blow is Tomos Williams’ injury to the Lions as he’s ruled out of the tour? And with so few nailed on starters for the first Test, should alarm bells be ringing? Tom, Chris and Gareth tackle those questions as the Lions gear up for their third game. Plus, Tom explains why the infamous "99" call from the 1974 South Africa tour might be more myth than reality.

Jun 30, 2025 • 48min
Lions Top 10s: Moments
What is the greatest moment in a Lions Test? Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts join Chris to rank those iconic moments that every Lions fan will remember. Is Jeremy Guscott’s drop goal better than JPR Williams’? Which player had the howler of all howlers? And Chris tries his hand at recreating one of the all time great sporting speeches.

Jun 28, 2025 • 38min
Lions thrash Western Force but Williams injured
Ugo Monye & correspondent Chris Jones reflect on The British and Irish Lions eight-try win over Western Force in the first game of their tour on Australian soil. Plus BBC Sport reporter Lauren Jenkins joins the pod live from Perth.00:30 What grade would you give it?
04:05 Initial thoughts on Tomos Williams’ injury
06:15 Lions ‘scruffy but clinical’
09:10 How do Lions find the synergy?
13:20 Who should start at 9 and 10?
17:10 Lauren Jenkins joins the pod from Perth
22:35 Ugo’s team for Wednesday vs Reds
24:20 How is Lauren managing the jet lag?
26:05 Chris isn’t happy with Ugo’s team
32:55 Which players have put a foot forward?