The Rugby Pod

With the Lions Tour now in full swing, Dan Biggar sits down with Irish legend Conor Murray to reflect on a remarkable career spanning 125 Ireland caps, 8 Lions Test appearances, and over 200 games for Munster. From his iconic Lions moments, to rooming with Mike Phillips, to Ireland’s golden era, and Munster triumphs, Conor opens up on it all, including insights on playing with some of the very best like Sexton, Russell and O'Gara. A must-listen with one of the greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dublin was a sea of red and the lads are back dissecting the start to the 2025 Lions Tour as Argentina shock the tourists in Dublin, the Lions’ first tour-opening loss since 1971. Jim, Goodey and special guest Bernard Jackman break down where it went wrong despite dominant stats, from lineout woes and tippy-tappy rugby to Farrell’s punchy post-match comments. There’s chat on subs, back-row balance issues, and whether we’ll see Old Testament Faz emerge this week. Plus, big praise for Argentina, chaos in the England v France B-team clash, and the debut of “Keyboard Captains” as we read out some of the week’s fan comments. Settle in and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Strap in for a very special extra episode as we dish out the silverware in our 24/25 Rugby Pod Awards Show. Jim, Goodey and Producer Rob enter into a mass debate as we hand out honours for: Breakthrough Player of the Year  Coach of the Year  Alpha of the Year (testosterone levels were checked) Top Lad  (the good bloke award, basically) North vs South: who ruled world rugby this year? 🌍 and loads more, so settle back. Enjoy and make sure you're subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was Finals weekend with Bath ending a 29-year wait to lift the Premiership title and complete the treble, while Leinster blow the Bulls away to finally get their hands on the URC trophy. Jim, Goodey and Biggs break it all down, from electric guitars, Finn v Pollard, to yellow card drama and Leinster getting the monkey off their back we're chatting through it all. With Lions camp kicking off, the lads also look at what key combos Farrell might test. Plus, Farrell returns to Sarries, the Prem gets a rebrand, and Rob gets some money from Red Bull to fix Newcastle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the Pod, Jim and Goodey unpack a blockbuster weekend of semi-final action across the Prem and URC. Leicester edge Sale in a tense encounter, sealed by a wonder try, while Bath blow past Bristol with a second-half blitz led by the Bath Bomb Squad. Leinster break their knockout curse to book a URC final spot against the Bulls and their monster front row. Plus, we break down a proposed new global franchise league: is it the future of rugby or just another failed experiment waiting to happen? Plenty other news, chat and opinions as usual. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A chaotic weekend in the URC quarter-finals has everyone talking. The controversial penalty shootout sees Sharks knock out Munster, stirring up debates about gamesmanship in rugby. Tensions rise as Glasgow dominates the Stormers, while fans speculate if Leinster might be vulnerable. In the Premiership, Bristol shines, Sale holds steady, and Gloucester bids farewell. Anticipation builds for thrilling upcoming derbies, with expert insights and lively banter on player performances and potential team dynamics.

The hosts dive into the thrilling European finals, spotlighting Bordeaux's first-ever title and the impact of early injuries on Saints. They unpack key player performances, including Lucu and Jalibert's magic. Post-match tensions arise as Bath ruthlessly claim silverware, amidst some drama. The anticipation for the URC quarterfinals builds with focus on major matchups and player absences. Exciting talks on investing in rugby and community support add depth, blending serious analysis with lighthearted banter.

As the season heats up, anticipation builds for the Champions Cup Final and the heated race for URC playoffs. They humorously dissect a Saracens collapse and explore the implications of Red Bull’s potential takeover of Newcastle. The conversation dives into the financial struggles of men’s Sevens rugby and the ripple effects of scrapping the team in Ireland. Welsh rugby faces turmoil with financial woes and team restructuring, while upcoming matches spark excitement and emotional tributes throughout the rugby community.

Fin Smith, a promising fly-half for Northampton Saints and a newly selected British & Irish Lion, joins the discussion. He shares insights about his incredible journey, including the Saints’ impressive run to the Champions Cup Final. The hosts dissect the emotional highs and lows of the Lions squad selection, reflecting on surprises and strategic implications. With plenty of humor, they also touch on underdog triumphs in rugby and the excitement brewing for an upcoming live show. It’s a lively blend of analysis and camaraderie in the rugby world!

This week’s episode is packed after a seismic weekend in the Champions Cup. Jim’s got some apologies to make as Northampton Saints pulled off the unthinkable in Dublin, knocking out Leinster in their own backyard. We have Bigs on to break down exactly how his former club did it, where Leinster got it wrong, and what it means for the upcoming Lions squad announcement. Plus, we’ve got all the fallout from Jordie Barrett’s bench role, Caelan Doris injury whispers, Fin Smith and Polock’s meteoric rise, and some listener questions, including who from Lions history we’d bring back for 2025 and whether 100 Jim Hamilton could actually take down a gorilla. We also dive into Bath’s win over Edinburgh to reach their first European final in over a decade, Bordeaux’s breakout moment as they dismantled Toulouse and how the final might play out against Saints. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices