The Catflap Chats Podcast

Great to catch up with Sisilia after a whirlwind 18 months or so for her. Winning the league with Gloucester-Hartpury, getting her first Welsh Cap, playing in a Women's World Cup, and being nominated for Player of the Tourn in the 2023 Women's 6 nations. All that, and she's only 20! Quiet on camera, but she makes up for that on the pitch, and I'm looking forward to seeing her career develop in dom...

Bit of a different one this week - Catching up with Dan who owns Cardiff Classic Shirts - We spoke about everything Kit and Collector Culture, vintage classics and teams that never get it right. I absolutely love collecting shirts and it seems to be a growing trend atm, with Football and Fashion seemingly interacting more too. An exciting space as a football fan.  https://cardiffclassicshirts.co.u...

Natalie's energy is infectious, and we covered a vast array of topics. Menopause, women's safety when running, running ultra's, being a mum, Social Media and writing a book.  She lives a pretty busy life but finds time to have that 80/20 balance so that Instead of lean and cheat meals, it's more of a lifestyle and balance. 

From freak accident, broken leg and in to a wheelchair, to captaining your country at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. A wild ride for Tom who's still only 24, yet he's won it all already. It sounds like a humbling sport, and much harder than people may give it credit for!  www.catflapchats.com

A heavy chat with the Dragons RFC winger about some really important topics, both on and off the Rugby pitch. Ashton is a clever bloke, articulate in his words, and he's using his platform to speak up on subjects that make people feel uncomfortable, but need talking about. On the field he's still after that Welsh cap, and is fighting fit going in to pre-season this year. 

I learned so much about heptathlon today, and where the future of the sport lies. It's amazing to hear about the lack of funding, having to work 4 part time roles, and try to become a doctor, as well as dreaming of the Commonwealth Games 2026, and the next Olympics! We also chat about being vegan, dating, and Instagram DM's in 2023.

A great chat with a top bloke. Nick is carving out an exceptional career in Education since hanging up his boots, developing the next wave of kids both on and off the field.  43 caps for Scotland, & played in some great club games, and yet it was fascinating to hear that he doesn't always look back on his career with the fondest of memories or a focus on the positives.  Philosophical, insightful a...

I love Chris, such a good bloke, and he's been around a long time at Glamorgan too, with this season arguably up there with his best. We chatted about leaving South Africa, grafting for a spot at Glamorgan, and playing the different formats, including franchise cricket. Plenty of highs and some lows too, we are both in agreement from different sides of the coin, that Glamorgan are not a million mi...

Loved this chat. Gwen has a drive and determination to succeed, and absolutely believes in her own abilities. Her outlook is class, and it's proving a good navigation for her - 29 cap's for Wales Women, and she'd have had more if it wasn't for some pretty bad injuries. She's on the rehab train now, after almost back to back breaks/tears, and yet it's not holding her back!

Loved having Steff over. Fresh off his first season at the Dragons, it was interesting to hear his story so far. Plenty of ups and downs, and that's just the last few years since c*vid. A shift at the Scarlets, and now enjoying the Dragons and what they're creating! Wouldn't be surprised to see him play abroad at some point too!

Fresh off his first 10:31 challenge this morning, Harri came over after for a chat. It's only been 10 or so days since he announced he would be stepping back from rugby to protect his mental health, and the utcome has been so positive for him.  There are themes of suicide, depression, mental health and anxiety throughout this Podcast. Please reach out if you're in a dark place. These numbers may b...

Baz is a legend - Great catching up with someone who's done it all in the club game. 4 Prem titles, 3 European cups, and a whole lot of songs in the back catalogue #Remiiiiiix Now plying his trade and going well in ProD2 with Agen, he's loving his rugby, and life. Fingers crossed they continue to go well, and see them go up to the Top14! Search 'Catflap Chats' on socials and wherever you download...

After a mental few months in Welsh Rugby, it was an interesting chat with the Scarlets Regional boss. He lifts the lid on the last few weeks and talks about what they need for the future, for both the Scarlets, and the WRU... www.catflapchats.com / @catflapchatspodcast

Round two with the great and powerful JJB. We tried to chat Rugby League, but like the first pod we did, the convo went off on a tangent again, albeit relevant in today's society. Rugby League or not, he's just a bloody good bloke!  Thanks always FourFive UK and Tiny Rebel Brewery

Having met Casey briefly over a beer approx. 10 years ago, it was great to catch up again, post Rugby. A quality career in Super Rugby, playing for the All Blacks, and then gracing Cardiff, Munster and Paris with Racing 92. Plenty of wins, a few lows, and carving a career now in Real Estate too.  Thanks always Tiny Rebel Brewery and FourFive UK.

One of Rugby's biggest men, but also one of the nicest. Great to catch up with Skelt's after LA Rochelle's recent success. Pretty much everywhere he goes, cups follow! Interesting to hear him talk about growing up in NZ and Australia, and his journey across the northern hemisphere too. I can see another successful year for La Rochelle, and Australia could do bits with Eddie at the helm! Thanks alw...

What a guy, and what a career. Sean has won it all on the pitch, and done it all off the pitch. If you know Rugby League, you'll know Longy. Since retiring he's been earning his trade as a No2, but now has the Head Coach job at Featherstone. St Helens Legend. GB and England. The wildest of highs and some serious lows.  Thanks always Tiny Rebel Brewery and FourFive UK

Fresh off Scotland winning another game vs England Rugby, I caught up with Sean who was back at the team hotel. Class win for them, and great to chat about all things Scotland, Lions, & the Baa Baa's. On the club stage he has won it all with Saracens, London Irish, Glasgow and in NZ with Canterbury and the Crusaders. There isn't much he hasn't done in rugby, and who knew so many famous players cam...

It's not everyday you sit down with one of the best players to grace the Premier League. Whilst never properly getting his opportunities for England, he was the first midfielder to enter the Premier League 100 Club, and was an anomaly in being a 1 club man at Southampton.  We also chatted about some of todays issues in society, which Matt is all too happy to talk about. He's been seen a controvers...

I cannot wait to do a part two with JJB! What a bloke. We spoke a lot about what he is up to since hanging up the boots. His purpose post playing. His vision, values and morals. They type of blokes he's built a career around, and what they have taught him over the years. I dare you not to be inspired to be a better person after this! Part 2 will be coming in the new year. Thanks always Tiny Rebel...

Class chat and followed a different format - Jason only retired in the summer and is now playing amateur rugby, but he had so many questions come up on our Instagram and twitter, we thought we would use those as the basis to form our convo. Insightful, no holds barred, both scathing and funny at times - Here's a lad that's seen it all in Welsh Club Rugby Thanks always Tiny Rebel Brewery and FouFiv...

What a mental chat with Dave. A career in the military. Over 10 tours in hostile environments, being shot at and blown up. Paratrooper and Special Forces. PTSD and Personality Disorder. Multiple suicide attempts. And now a new career, a family, and a life left behind.  It never fails to amaze me what people go through and come out the other side of. What a story. What a bloke. I can't wait to read...

Loved this Ep - What a grounded and top bloke Will is. He didn't take the normal route in to football, instead grafting, going to Uni, working, and playing in the Welsh Prem. Then came that Wales vs England game. Now he's creating waves over at Newport County, and things look good for Will. Keep an eye on this lad if you love footy! Thanks always Whitson Prestige, FourFive UK and Tiny Rebel Brewer...

One of my heroes watching the 7s circuit over the years, with that huge beard and bald head - I was like DJ Forbes after 40 kebabs! Fresh from the Hong Kong 7s, a great chat with someone who's genuinely won it all in their field, played with and against some of the greats, became an Olympian, and has transitioned over to the other side of sport.  Thanks always Whitson Prestige, FourFive CBD and Ti...

What a great guy Harry is. A mainstay of the Ireland 7s team, recently getting to the Olympics, and doing well on both the World 7s Series, and the recent 7s RWC. In his spare time, his work with a camera and on Safari in Kenya is also unreal too. One of rugby's nomads, and top blokes too. Looking forward to seeing how Ireland do in the 7s series this season. Thanks always Whitson Prestige, FourFi...