The lads are back from their festive break and after some holiday chat, we dive straight into some rogue rugby predictions for 2025 including whether the Boks might join the Six Nations, Lions Tour predictions and which team the Saudis are buying. We’ll also take a look at the Prem, URC, TOP14 over the Xmas period. We also catch up with Andre Esterhuizen to talk Sharks, life in South Africa, and preparing for Toulouse in the Champions Cup. Don’t forget to get your tickets for our live shows on Ticketpass.org and also to vote for us as the best rugby podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards—head to sportspodcastgroup.com and give us a nod! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and The Rugby Pod is bringing you the End of Year Awards & Christmas Special! Jim, Goodey, and Producer Rob look back on the highs, lows, and downright bizarre moments of 2024 with plenty of laughs. From Ireland’s epic comeback in South Africa to the RFU’s financial skid marks, nothing is off-limits in this festive rugby roundup. Who’s the player you’d least want to tackle? Who bagged the Shithouse of the Year award? Plus, we debate the best rigs, breakthrough stars, and even take a look at some utterly bizarre moments—like Leigh Halfpenny doing a haka or Gavin Coombes taking one for the team. Plus the big ones, Top Lad and best coach and player of the year. Grab a mince pie, crack open a beer, and join us for a few laughs as we wrap up 2024 in style! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads dissect a big weekend of Champions Cup rugby. Jim shares some tales from his trip to Paree for the Saracens game, while Goodey has been on the road too. We break down Saracens’ win over Stade Français, Sale’s performance against Racing 92, and England's overall dominance over South African opposition, including Northampton grinding out a win over the Bulls, and Leicester running riot against the Sharks. We give our take on the South African struggles in European competitions and Plumtree’s calls for change. Elsewhere, Leinster hold firm against Clermont, plus, the lads share thoughts on England 03: Unbreakables, and we give you the lowdown on their upcoming live show. Settle in and enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blair Kinghorn, a talented Scottish and Toulouse rugby player, shares insights about life in France and the influence of Antoine Dupont. The conversation dives into Scotland's hopes for the Six Nations, highlighting team camaraderie and boosted morale among players. The hosts discuss the Champions Cup drama, including standout performances like Saracens’ victory and Leicester's struggles. They also reflect on rugby's evolving landscape and the challenges of governance, all sprinkled with humor and engaging stories from behind the scenes.

We’re back with a packed episode! Jim and Goodey dissect Ireland’s final Autumn Nations match against the Wallabies, Caelan Doris’ Lions captaincy credentials, and Schmidt’s revivied Wallabies. Stephen Ferris joins to rate Ireland’s performances, chat about rising star Sam Prendergast, and debate the Lions back row for 2025. Plus, Champions Cup dark horses, RFU bonuses, and your listeners' questions—Yorkshire puddings, best tours, and pre-Lions selection matches.Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we recap all the winners from the World Rugby Awards from Monaco including player of the year, Coach of the year and the XV Dream Team. On the pitch, England snapped their losing streak with a commanding win over Japan and some bright shoots, but defensive woes remain under scrutiny. Scotland set a record nine wins this year with a lot of players setting down a marker for Lions selection against Australia. South Africa’s stock keeps rising after their perfect tour with a hammering of Wales in Cardiff. Plus, TJ Perenara’s farewell, Ireland’s dominant win over Fiji, and Predergast's performance at fly-half. Lots more in a packed episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim and Bigs are joined in studio by Aussie legends Matt Gitaeu and Drew Mitchell to chat about their Northern Tour on and off the pitch. The lads give some great insight into the Aussie revival, where it's come from and what it means for the Lions Tour. Plus the lads share some cracking stories on dodgy physios in France, playing in the US, and a punch-up last week in Cardiff. Bigs gives us his thoughts on another disastrous Welsh performance and what it means for Gats and Welsh fans, plus we look forward to this weekend's action with the Aussies looking to keep the slam dreams alive against Scotland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are feeling inspired after an epic cross-code weekend for the MND charity game in Leeds, before crashing back down to earth with another England loss. We break down all the weekend’s matches including Ireland’s patchy win over Argentina, England’s defensive frailties against South Africa, and Wales’ drubbing by Australia. The lads discuss who England and Wales might be approaching as their potential saviour. Plus, we look at the hype and the off-field drama from France’s thriller against the All Blacks. We also cover the latest rumour around a potential global franchise competition set to shake up rugby by 2026 and what it potentially means for the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh off another loss to the Boks, Steve Borthwick and Jamie George face some tough questions from the media with pressure piling on. Is England’s rebuild on track, or are they running out of excuses? Rassie Erasmus also chats to the press and credits South Africa’s victory to their experience and cohesion, and also offers some advice to Borthwick and England moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back for a bonus episode to preview England’s massive showdown with South Africa. Can England handle the Bok bomb squad and hold steady in the scrum? What’s the ideal bench strategy and has Borthwick made the right changes? We’re also joined by Mark Mapletoft to discuss England's upcoming stars from the Under 20s and England A ahead of their clash with Australia. Plus we preview Wales vs. Australia, Ireland vs. Argentina, and France vs. New Zealand. Don’t miss our live show at the Ed Slater game with rugby legends coming together to fight MND. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices