The Rugby Pod

The Champions Cup is back and even better. We’ll be reviewing a bumper opening weekend of rugby with six big wins for Premiership teams and some payback for Lesinter in La Rochelle. Jim was down in South Africa to watch Sarries play the Bulls in Pretoria, and he also drops in on UFC superstar Dricus Du Plessis who teaches him a thing or two about Mauling and Brawling. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Toulouse’s GIANT Australian second-row Richie Arnold after they thrash Cardiff.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are back from Bootcamp and reveal all about their Army experience in the trenches and flying Apache helicopters. We'll also be discussing the fallout from Owen Farrell’s decision to step away from international rugby for a period, looking at how Saracens struggled in his absence & discussing all of the Premiership & URC action. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Munster’s World Cup-winning Springbok second-row Jean Kleyn about his incredible journey. So, settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Christmas come too early? The lads get stuck into some high-brow debates about the festive period, as well as analysing who has the best and worst Movember tash. We’re joined by everyone's favourite French ref and Goodey's mate, Matthieu Raynal to chat about the World Cup, making mistakes, and reffing Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell. We'll also be analysing the latest in the Premiership & URC, including more pain for Bristol & Gloucester fans and a big Leinster/Munster clash at the Aviva, plus the lads chat about where Maro Itoje might be off to next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re joined this week by Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie to chat about his World Cup campaign, his painful injury, who was tougher between Ireland and the Springboks, and what next for him personally and for Scotland. We’ll also be looking at some huge news in Sevens as Dupont and Hooper announce their switch for the Olympics, and we'll be dissecting all the action from derby weekend in the Premiership, talking about a massive win for Connacht in the URC, and wishing Jim a very belated happy birthday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been a few weeks but the pain is still palpable - Ireland’s powerhouse prop Andrew Porter joins the lads to discuss the agony of another quarter final exit for the men in green, blood boiling officials' decisions and the arrival of a World Cup Winning Coach to Leinster.Plus Big Jim returns from his short hiatus and Andy Rowe has some big news… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the World Cup done and dusted, we’ve called in England’s most capped men’s international of all time Ben Youngs to talk us through his RWC campaign. We get the inside track on England’s World Cup camp, their run to the bronze medal, as well as looking back on Youngsy’s incredible international career. We also chat about the bunker system and take a look at all the latest Premiership action.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After seven weeks of drama, highs & lows, and some incredible entertainment, we have our Rugby World Cup champions. The lads look back at the final between the Springboks and All Blacks and give their take on where this Bok team and their coaches rank in the history of the sport. We look at the main decisions and talking points from the game. We're also joined by Wales and Sarries centre Nick Tompkins to reveal what went on in the Welsh World Cup camp and some of Gatland's secrets. He also spills the beans on who shouts at him more, Farrell or Biggar, and how to fix the club game. Lots more as usual, including looking back at England's bronze match and where to next for Borthwick, as well as reaction to the new global tournament, Eddie leaving Australia, and Marler snubbing Bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a heroic night in Paris from both teams, we’ll be chatting about a valiant but heart-breaking semi-final exit for England against South Africa and all the major talking points from the game, including scrums, referee decisions, substitutes, Rassie losing his head, the beef between the players, and where ultimately the game was won and lost. We'll also chat about a procession for the All Blacks against Argentina and look ahead to an all-southern hemisphere final in the company of World Cup-winning Springbok, Francois Louw. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two contrasting semi-finals, with a heartbreaking 1-point loss for England against the Springboks in Paris on Saturday, and an All Blacks demolition job against Argentina in the Friday evening semi-final. We hear from all the coaches and captains as they reflect on both games and the major talking points and controversies from each, and they look forward to the finals next weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How about one of the best rugby weekends of all-time?! A win for England and a semi-final to look forward to, but heart-breaking defeats for Wales, Ireland and France. We’ll be analysing the two epic quarter-finals in Paris in detail, including where Ireland fell short, what was said between the All Blacks and Ireland on the pitch post-game, and how Rassie and Jacques masterminded another Springbok knockout win. We'll also be looking at the other quarter-finals and what we can expect for the semi-finals next weekend. Finally, we're joined by Portugal captain Tomas Appleton after they stole everyone’s hearts in the pool stages, including his meeting with Ronaldo, and how many of the squad have been snapped up with professional contracts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices