Rugby Union Weekly

BBC Radio 5 Live
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Jun 27, 2025 • 46min

Lions Icons - The Nations Pod Debrief

Chris, Tom and Gareth share their thoughts on the Lions Top 10 episode about icons. Were there any glaring omissions? Was it right that Brian O'Driscoll missed out? The guys have plenty to say, and share their thoughts on next week’s ranking of the greatest Lions moments.
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Jun 25, 2025 • 43min

Borthwick on England, The Lions and Owen Farrell

Was Owen Farrell ever in contention for England’s summer tour to Argentina and the US? England head coach Steve Borthwick joins Chris and Danny to reveal all, and to outline what he expects from his young squad over the coming weeks. He also shares his memories of the British and Irish Lions from watching them as a kid to being part of the coaching staff in 2017. And Danny picks out a couple of England players he thinks could make an impact on tour.
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Jun 23, 2025 • 49min

Lions Top 10s: Icons

Gareth Edwards, Martin Johnson or Willie John McBride? Who is the most iconic British & Irish Lion of all time? In the first episode of a new six-part series, Matt Dawson and Jamie Roberts join Chris to answer that very question. How many Wales legends of the 70s make the cut? Do any coaches make the list? Find out which former Irish and Lions captain misses out. Plus, Matt reveals which Lions legend inspired his dad to give him two middle names.
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Jun 20, 2025 • 29min

Argentina stun the Lions in Dublin

We’re again podding from the heart of Dublin after Argentina pull off a famous win over the Lions at the Aviva. Chris and Ugo are joined by two former Lions, Dwayne Peel and Anthony Watson, to debate what went wrong - and right - for Andy Farrell’s side, and what they need to fix as they fly to Australia. Did the Lions attack actually show plenty of potential? Will that accuracy come in time? And we pay homage to the Pumas who made a mockery of the bookies’ odds.
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Jun 19, 2025 • 50min

We're in Dublin with the Lions!

Chris, Ugo and 2009 Lion Luke Fitzgerald are in the heart of Dublin ahead of the Lions tour opener against Argentina. What should we expect from Andy Farrell’s men at the Aviva? And should the Pumas be such big underdogs? We hear from Jamie George after his week in Lions camp and Owen Farrell tells Sara why he’s glad Ashy was there to welcome him home. And Lauren Jenkins from Scrum V pops in to talk Jac Morgan, Tomos Williams, and whether the Welsh public will be embracing this Lions tour.
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Jun 16, 2025 • 56min

Wounded Tigers and Nervous Lions

Bath and Leinster end their seasons on a high, lifting the Premiership and URC titles. Will Bath now kick on and pick up next season where they left this one? And what will this mean for Leinster after a few barren years? Owen Farrell is once again a Saracens player after his year in France comes to a premature end. Ashy gives us the inside scope having bumped into him while walking the dog. Plus, they look ahead to the Lions’ warm-up game with Argentina on Friday before they head Down Under.
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Jun 14, 2025 • 31min

Bath end 29-year wait for Premiership title

The wait is over! Bath are Premiership champions again. They ended a 29-year wait for the biggest prize in English rugby with a narrow win over Leicester. Chris, Ashy and Matt Dawson are at Twickenham to bring you reaction to a momentous day for Bath. Finn Russell tells us what it means to clinch the treble and explains why he decided to pass to Max Ojomoh when he was clean through. We also assess where it went wrong for Leicester and whether Dan Cole should have seen yellow for his collision with Finn Russell. And what does the future hold for Leicester with so many key departures at the end of this season.

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