The Rugby Pod

This is the incredible true story of Max Guazzini, the former flamboyant French owner of Stade Français, who spent over €30 million and took the team from the 4th division to five-time champions of France before fraud and bankruptcy threatened it all. Naked calendars, hot tubs with Madonna, audacious kits, gladiatorial pre-match entertainment, tragic suicide, and fallouts, we speak to the players who experienced the amazing and tumultuous journey firsthand, including James Haskell, Ben Keyser, and Ollie Phillips. We also track down Max himself to hear his side of the remarkable story. If you enjoy this episode, please share it with friends and let us know on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jim's joined by one of the most successful and popular coaches in the game, Crusaders Head coach, Scott 'Razor' Robertson. During this chat, it's easy to see why Razor is held in such high regard both in New Zealand and throughout the game. We hear about his coaching philosophy, how he gets the best out of his players, his international ambitions for the future, his Rugby World Cup goals, his relationship with Eddie Jones and Ronan O'Gara, and of course, the art of breakdance. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jim travels to the bright lights of New York City to interview the new owner of The Sharks, Marco Masotti. Marco's successful background and experience in private equity and law give him a great perspective on why more people are looking to invest in rugby and why the future is potentially very bright for the sport. He talks about his investment in The Sharks and the potential for The URC. He also gives his thoughts on what teams, unions, administrators and players need to do to help the game evolve and compete on a global scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the best refs in the game sits down with Jim this week to give us an unprecedented look into what it's like being an elite rugby referee in the professional era. We get a fascinating insight into what goes on behind the scenes both personally and professionally for the man in the middle. Luke opens up on the pressures of being a referee as well as the good and bad that comes with the job, including training, being assessed, dealing with social media, ref socials and of course the engagement with fans and players. We all know refs have a tough job, but this episode really puts it into perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With England on tour in Australia, we take the opportunity to check in with Jim's good mate and former Wallaby legend Drew Mitchell. The lads chat about the series so far, Eddie Jones, the state of the game in Australia, Drew's time in France, and what rugby can do to help raise its profile around the world. cvKVmXWHa7SY4Dha0N1x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Rugby Pod Stories. In this new short series, we explore some of the most iconic moments in the history of rugby by speaking to the people who were there. In this first episode, we explore what happened to the New Zealand team ahead of the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final in South Africa, with first-hand accounts from players, coaches, doctors, media managers and journalists. Were the All Blacks poisoned ahead of the final? What effect did this have on the team? And if they were deliberately poisoned, who could have been responsible? We look at some of the possible scenarios by speaking to the main protagonists from both sides. If you enjoy this episode, please let us know on social media or share it with friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roddy Grant played 138 times for Edinburgh before moving into coaching for the club. In 2019 he moved to Ulster where he is now their forwards coach and the youngest coach in the URC. In this epiosde, Jim and Roddy chat about where their careers overlapped and where they diverged. He also gives some insight into his mentality and techniques as a coach, including the importance of judo, loyalty, and how to measure success. We also hear about his upbringing in Botswana, his Scottish career and becoming an Iron man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the last episode of the season and we're joined by The Wallabies' Andrew Kellaway ahead of England's three-match series down under. We also review an incredible premiership final as friend of the show Freddie Burns slots the winning drop goal to clinch a first Premiership title for Leicester in nine years. Jim and Goodey discuss the URC final which saw The Stormers take the title in the all-South African game. We look ahead to the summer tours as the Northern Hemisphere sides travel south for the first time since 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following a massive weekend of semi-finals in the Premiership and URC, the lads chat through all four games from this weekend. After an emotional day at Welford Road, we discuss Leicester's chances as they face a battle-hardened Saracens in the final after their fierce encounter with Harlequins. We're joined by The Stormers' Head Coach John Dobson to find out how his side managed to overcome Ulster to become part of the all-South African final of the URC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a successful playing career at Gloucester and Saracens, James Parkes went on to become a key cog in Exeter's success story. He was lead coach for Strength and Conditioning under Rob Baxter for 9 years and helped Exeter become one of the most successful teams in premiership history. James and Jim chat through their overlapping careers and journeys, what helped make Exeter so successful over the last ten years and what's next both personally and professionally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices