The Rugby Pod

We're in the studio for our Christmas party and the lads have gone all out with their thoughtful secret Santa gifts. Jim tells of the hardship of being in Tier 2 media and a run-in with an irate taxi driver ahead of the Lyon v Saracens game. We wrap up all the rest of the Champions Cup action, including the controversy in Ulster, Leinster trashing Gloucester shags and Ospreys with the upset of the weekend in France. We also react to the news that Borthwick will be England coach and what it means for England fans as well as Leicester tigers. Merry Christmas everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After one of the most tumultuous weeks in recent memory, we chat about the fallout from Eddie's sacking and where to next for England and the RFU. We're also joined by Exeter's Ollie Woodburn this week after their big win in Castres. We get some insight into what's made Exeter so successful in recent years as well as some changes rugby needs to make to remain relevant. The lads also give some hints ahead of their Secret Santa and next week's Rugby Pod Christmas party. No dildos or Turkeys will be harmed next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined by Welsh royalty this week with former dual code Welsh international, and now pundit, Jonathan Davies joining us to chat about his stellar career, life after rugby and being one of the ost recognized voices in rugby. From playing in the very first Rugby World Cup, to ducking for cover on a pitch in Papua New Guinea with cans of tear gas flying over his head, Jiffy has had a hell of a career. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A massive week in the rugby world with Warren Gatland returning to regulate Wales, and Eddie Jones on the brink of being sacked by the RFU after a very poor November series. We cover both and we're joined by former England fullback Mike Brown this week to get his thoughts on Warren and Eddie, as well as his times with the Baa-Baas and Scott Robertson. We wrap up some of the Prem and URC action and look forward to a big weekend of European rugby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads pay tribute to the great Doddie Weir who very sadly passed away over the weekend after his MND battle. One of the great characters of the game, he will be sorely missed by everyone in the rugby world. We're joined this week by former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers to review South Africa's win over England and get his take on Rassie, the Autumn series and his lifelong ambition to coach the Baa-Baas with Jim. We also wrap up the Autumn series for England and Wales and discuss where to next for both teams and their under-fire coaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In April 2012, former Welsh prop Rhys Thomas retired from rugby following a heart attack during training. In this chat, Rhys tells Jim the crazy story of what led him to that point, including his struggles with alcohol, drugs, addiction and mental health. We hear about the challenges he faced, how close he came to death on several occasions, and how he eventually overcame his deamons. His story is inspiring and an important message during the month of Movember. It's a hell of a story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're joined this week by one of the best rugby broadcasters in the business, Scotty 'Sumo' Stevenson, to review an epic game at Twickenham between England and the All Blacks. Scotty gives us his take on Scott Robertson potentially coaching England, what's gone wrong in New Zealand behind the scenes, what rugby needs to get right, and just how big Any Rowe actually is back in New Zealand. We chat about Georgia's historic win in Cardiff and where Wales go from here. We also hear from a hungover Finn Russell on the tarmac at Edinburgh airport after a big win against Argentina and round off Ireland's unbeaten Autumn Nations Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take a look back at a hell of a weekend of international rugby, with Scotland falling just short against the All Blacks, England redeeming themselves against a disappointing Japan, and Italy providing the highlight of the weekend with a huge upset against Australia. We also round up the other games in Cardiff, Dublin and Paris, and look forward to England's massive game against the All Blacks next weekend, with England's new number 9 Jack van Poortvliet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christian Day is Head of Player Affairs for the Rugby Players Association. He joined the RPA after 17 seasons as a professional rugby player, including stints at Sale, Stade Francais and Saints. The RPA is the representative body of professional rugby players in England, and represents more than 800 male and female current rugby players. In this chat, Jim asks Christian about some of the work RPA does as well as the challenges the union faces and some of the criticism the RPA receives from current players. It's a candid chat and gives an insight into what the RPA is trying to achieve, how it goes about it, and what the future holds for the game and players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following England's shock defeat to Argentina on Sunday, the lads dissect Eddie Jones' side with an open cloth to work out where it went wrong for them. We run through all the games from the weekend's Autumn Nations Series action and catch up with former Ireland back row Dan Leavy to get his take on Ireland's victory over the Springboks. The Fanzo Pint Predictor returns, Jim and Goodey give their predictions for the results of this weekend's Autumn Nations series games and we look ahead to how England can hope to bounce back against Japan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices