Rugby Union Weekly

Warren Gatland has left his role as Wales head coach after a record 14 successive Test match defeats. Chris and Ugo bring you reaction to the news in a special bonus pod. Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt will take over as interim head coach for the remaining three games of the Six Nations. But who will be Gatland's long-term successor? We get the thoughts of Wales' fly-half Rhys Patchell on Gatland's departure and what the WRU need from their new head coach. Is interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby a realistic option? And after a dismal end to his Wales tenure, how will Gatland be remembered in the years to come?

After two rounds only one team is still in with a chance of a Grand Slam. We look at another Ireland win over Scotland who extended their winning run to 11 matches. Why do Scotland struggle so much against the Irish? Where has Sam Prendergast's performance in Edinburgh put him in the pecking order for the Lions 10 jersey? Chris, Ugo, Ashy and Johnnie Beattie wrap up events at Murrayfield and dissect England's win over France in more detail. Is Fin Smith now the chosen England fly-half? And what next for Wales after a 14th straight Test defeat, have they reached rock bottom or is there still worse to come?

We’re at the Allianz stadium reacting to England’s dramatic 26-25 win over France thanks to a late Elliot Daly try in the 79th minute. Chris Jones is alongside Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson to dissect how England found a way to win and overcome a tough French side. Hear from head coach Steve Borthwick after that huge win at Twickenham.Gareth Rhys Owen and James Hook join the pod from the Stadio Olimpico after Wales suffered a 14th successive defeat after losing 22-15 to Italy. That loss sees Wales drop to their lowest ever position in the world rankings and will pile the pressure on head coach Warren Gatland.Timecodes: 1’22 – How England found a way 6’15 – Steve Borthwick with Chris 11’13 – Fin Smith 21’13 – What went wrong for France? 28’15 Gareth Rhys Owen & James Hook on Wales v Italy 37’11 Matt & Paul on Wales

Gregor Townsend chats to us ahead of Scotland's huge clash with Ireland in round two of the Six Nations. He addresses their losing run against Ireland and how they plan to fix it. Townsend also explains the decision to pick Tom Jordan at 12 and if Lions selection is starting to creep into the conversation in camp. Sara is joined by Johnnie Beattie who outlines the areas where Scotland can exploit Ireland on Sunday. We also look ahead to a big day at Twickenham for England with France in town for 'Le Crunch'.

The Smiths both start as Steve Borthwick tinkers with his England team for the visit of France this weekend. How will this affect England's gameplan? What happens if they lose to a Tier 1 nation for a record eighth game in a row? Danny and Chris look ahead to Le Crunch at Twickenham where two years ago France put 50 points on England. You will hear from fly-half Fin Smith on the pod, who has vowed to get their attack flowing and tells Sara about his relationship with Marcus Smith and George Ford. We also hear from Warren Gatland ahead of their clash with Italy in Rome.

What would Andy Farrell's Lions team look like if the first Test against Australia was next week? What positions are still up for grabs? And where is Farrell spoilt for choice? Ugo and Chris discuss all this and chat to the Wallabies captain Harry Wilson to get his take on the Lions after playing all four home nations during the Autumn Nations Series. Are there certain players he is keeping an eye on during the Six Nations? And after Netflix announced they will not be doing another series of Full Contact, how big of a missed opportunity is it to grow the game? What is the best way to capture a new audience while keeping loyal fans engaged - does the perfect balance exist? With the Superbowl this weekend, we ask what can rugby learn from the NFL and what a bit American promotion would do for the Lions tour.

Is Antoine Dupont the greatest of all time? Chris and Ashy quiz England senior coach Richard Wigglesworth on what makes the French scrum-half so special. Are there any weaknesses in his game and what attributes make him so unique? England take on the favourites for the 2025 Six Nations at Twickenham this Saturday. What lessons have they learned from their defeat in Dublin? It's seven successive defeats in a row against tier one nations and Ashy says it's time to stop the rot, but how do you tackle a French side full of so much flair and confidence? Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is back on the pod to give following his first Test start since 2022. He gives us an insight into the intensity of training this week and the challenge of facing the French up front.

Chris Jones, Gareth Rhys Owen, and Tom English are back to dissect the highs and lows of the Home Nations following the weekend’s action. Gro’s pleas not to start the pod with Wales go largely ignored, as Warren Gatland’s side hits a new low. Would a loss to Italy on Saturday actually be a blessing in disguise, forcing a total reset? Tom argues that England’s squad is over-hyped while concerns grow over the inexperience of their coaching staff. And how costly could Scotland’s habit of switching off during games be when they face Ireland? Plus, Chris moderates an impromptu game of "Bleakness Top Trumps."

Ugo Monye, John Barclay and Sam Warburton look back at the opening weekend of the 2025 Six Nations. Did Ireland silence their critics following that dominant second half display against England? Does Steve Borthwick ring the changes with the French in town this weekend? Scotland are still finding their feet without captain Sione Tuipulotu, but has John found the answer for Gregor Townsend? Is Saturday's meeting between Italy and Wales already a wooden spoon decider? Sam has plenty to say on the state of the Welsh game and whether he would welcome a Six Nations relegation play-off. Plus, our team of the week featuring Romain Ntamack and predictions for round two.

We're in the Aviva stadium to bring you all the reaction to England's defeat to Ireland in Dublin. Chris Jones is alongside Grand Slam winners Tommy Bowe and Matt Dawson as Ireland get their quest for a historic three-peat off to a perfect start. They discuss Simon Easterby's first game in charge of Ireland and how impressive they were in the second half. But where did it go wrong for England after a promising start? Tommy asks whether there is a fitness issue. And is England's bench still an issue?