The Rugby Pod

Round one is done and dusted and how good is it to have the Six Nations back on our screens?! England showed some promise in the first half against Ireland, but a second-half fight back saw the hosts turn things around in Dublin—what went wrong for Borthwick’s men, and how did Ireland’s bench make the difference? Scotland made hard work of it against Italy but eventually pulled away, with Huw Jones stepping up in Tuipulotu’s absence. Meanwhile, France absolutely dismantled Wales in Paris—are they the team to beat this year, and are we seeing any real signs of improvement from Gatland’s side? We’ll be breaking it all down, looking ahead to round two, and answering your listener questions—including which past England player could turn things around and which players put their hands up for each team in the first round of action. Enjoy and make sure you're subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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This week on The Rugby Pod, we’ve got a very special guest – we're joined by one of the most decorated and toughest coaches in either code of rugby, the legendary Shaun Edwards OBE. From his Wales Grand Slam-winning years to building France’s defensive juggernaut, Shaun gives us an insight into what makes him one of the sharpest minds in the game. Dan Biggar gets stuck in with his old coach, reminiscing about their first meeting in Wales camp, Shaun’s no-nonsense approach, and his famous defence from his 12 years with Wales. The lads also dive into his move to France, the World Cup heartbreak, and what’s next for Les Bleus heading into the Six Nations. Plus, we get Shaun’s take on Antoine Dupont, his coaching philosophy, and whether he fancies another shot at international head coaching… or even a return to the British & Irish Lions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready for a thrilling Six Nations opener! Expect a showdown in Dublin as Ireland faces England, while Scotland takes on Italy and France battles Wales. The hosts scrutinize whether the Premiership preps players effectively and ponder the implications of a Six Nations Netflix deal. Recent coaching shake-ups and predictions for top performers light up the conversation. Plus, there's excitement about a live tour and reviews on standout moments from recent matches, setting the stage for an electrifying tournament ahead!

Jim, Goodey, Bigs, and Rob are back in the studio to dissect the Six Nations squads and preview the tournament in this massive Lions year. The lads chat England captaincy, a massive injury for Scotland, Ireland's 10 question, and Welsh woes. We also review all the drama from the final round of Champions Cup group games and chat with Saints’ rising star Henry Pollock about his standout season and his England ambitions, plus we look ahead to some blockbuster Round of 16 clashes. Sit back, enjoy, and don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim’s dialling in from Spotify HQ in the USA, and Goodey’s fresh off a busy Champions Cup weekend. We’re diving into all the action, including Leinster’s brutal bust-up against La Rochelle, Glasgow's big win against Racing, and Freddie Steward’s Six Nations stock is rising after Leicester's win against Ulster. Plus, Junior Kpoku—England U20 star and Racing 92 powerhouse—joins us to chat about life in the TOP14, who's England jersey he's coming for, and what’s next for the 6ft 8 phenom. Also on the pod, the lads give their take on the Mack Hansen’s ban, and why South African fans don't rate Dupont as the GOAT. Subscribe on Spotify, sit back, and enjoy the ride! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.