Max, Dom, Claus

Bench Opinions

Sports EN ↓ 100 episodes

Bench Opinions is your not-so-expert, always-entertaining rugby podcast. 3 Idiots with amateur analysis. We dive into the URC, Six Nations, Rugby Championship, all other International Tests and all the big (and not-so-big) rugby stories making the rounds. Expect plenty of energy, laughs, questionable hot takes, and the occasional unresearched fact—we’re fans first, pundits never. If you love rugby but don’t take it too seriously, pull up a seat on the bench with us. 

Author

Max, Dom, Claus

Category

Sports

Podcast website

benchopinions.podbean.com

Latest episode

Apr 20, 2026

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Episodes

Football: The United way? Or not? 28.05.2025

Dom and Claus are back on the couch and Claus knows it has been a tough year for Dom and his beloved Manchester United. So? Claus decided to quiz him on where the club is at, what the loss to Spurs means for Amorim and will there finally be a rebuild? For all of this and more, take a listen....

WhatAWeek: Is Berlin the unfriendliest city? Do you have to be shirtless for Hyrox? 25.05.2025

The boys are back on the couch to unpack another week of life in this whacky world we live in. Join us as we unpack Hyrox weekend in Berlin, the new list of unfriendliest cities in the world and all the other goodness of life.

THE LAST LEFTOVER EPISODE: Scottie’s PGA Statement & Verstappen takes Imola 22.05.2025

We break down Scottie Scheffler’s commanding PGA Championship win — what it means for golf’s pecking order and who (if anyone) can stop him. Then we head to Italy for a recap of the F1 race in Imola, unpacking the key results, big moves, and what it tells us about the season ahead. Golf dominance, F1 drama — we’ve got it covered.

Rugby: URC Knockouts: Who Goes Through & How Far Can SA Teams Go 21.05.2025

The URC playoffs are here and we’re breaking down the quarterfinal matchups. We give our predictions for each game, debate which South African team is built to go deepest, and throw in a few spicy takes on who could lift the trophy. It’s win-or-go-home time — let’s see who’s got it.

Football: From Crystal Palace Fairy Tales to UCL Fortune: Football’s Two Sides 20.05.2025

This week, it's heart vs. wallet in the world of football. We dive into the romantic dream of Crystal Palace lifting the FA Cup, Everton’s emotional farewell to Goodison Park, and the cold, hard cash riding on a Europa League win for United or Spurs. Is football still about the glory, or has the money truly taken over?

WhatAWeek: Are there too many public holidays? 16.05.2025

Claus and Dom sit down to discuss another week. Public holidays, trade fairs and the free shit they come with. Is solar the future? How many panels does it take to power a van? What are we saying about business cards? All this knowledge and POWER, just for you.

Leftovers: PGA Championship Preview 15.05.2025

Our own golf swings are falling apart — but that won’t stop us from weighing in on the PGA Championship. We chat about personal struggles on the course, who’s coming in hot for the major, and what it’ll take to lift the trophy. Spoiler: it’s probably not one of us.

Football: Bundesliga Wrapped, Hamburg Rise again & Arteta's Arsenal project 14.05.2025

This week, we dive into Bayern’s latest Bundesliga triumph, Hamburg’s long-awaited return to the top flight, and how Arteta’s Arsenal project is shaping up. Are Bayern still untouchable? Can Hamburg stay up? And what’s missing from Arsenal’s title push? Plenty of insight, some bold takes, and a lot of football chat.

Rugby: British & Irish Lions Squad 13.05.2025

The Lions squad is out — and we have thoughts. In this episode, we break down the big names, the shock omissions, and which selections raised eyebrows. Are the coaches playing it safe, or is this a bold new Lions era? Plenty of praise, some snubs, and a few hot takes.

What a Week: From Baboon Chaos to Terminal Tantrums 09.05.2025

From baboon break-ins to airport parenting meltdowns — it’s been a week. We unpack some truly chaotic moments, including a surprise visitor with opposable thumbs and far too much confidence, plus the stressful reality of traveling with kids (especially when you're not the one with the toddler). It’s messy, mildly traumatic, and very, very funny.

Leftovers: Grid Talk: The Pettiest F1 Argument Yet 09.05.2025
Rugby: Northampton Stun Leinster, Bordeaux Dump Toulouse: Cup Carnage 07.05.2025

Champions Cup Chaos: Leinster and Toulouse Knocked Out The quarterfinals delivered upsets — and we’re here for it. This week, we dive into Northampton’s shock win over Leinster and Bordeaux’s statement victory against Toulouse. What went wrong for the giants? Who’s looking strongest heading into the semis? And are we seeing a shift in European rugby’s power dynamics? Plenty of praise, a bit of sha...

Promotion, Relegation & Parachute Payments: England vs Germany 06.05.2025

Promotion, relegation, and the money in between — is the system working? In this week’s football deep dive, we break down the highs and lows of the English league structure, the role of parachute payments, and whether they help or harm competitive balance. We also compare it all to the German model — is there a better way to support clubs going up or down? Plus, we ask the big question: why do so...

When hobbies take over. 02.05.2025

For the final time this week Dom and Claus are left to their own devices. They look back at the week that has been and talk about marathons, group fitness and the 1st of May in Berlin.

Who are the President's Cup captains? No literally, who the hell are they? 02.05.2025

Dom and Claus are the fearsome twosome again as they look at the news to come out of the world of team golf this week. Also, when is it too early to start playing professional sport? 

Apparently the URC is terrible and we should all be worried... apparently! 30.04.2025

It is a 2/3 combination again as Dom and Claus tackle all thing rugby this week. There's been a LOT of opinion this week from across the world about the strength of the different leagues across the globe. Is there really any point? Who is the best? Take a listen... 

The beautiful HUMAN game. For now.... 29.04.2025

With a lot of talk around technology happening this week. Dom & Claus are on the couch for one last week without Max to look at the future of football and how technology might change the game we love.

Germany... The land of rules, efficiency and the naked???? 25.04.2025

What a week it has been and Claus and Dom are back on the couch to share a bunch of observations about going to the red light district with your mom and Germany's weird fascination with nudity. Also, is it wrong to overdo it with crowd participation?    Listen to find out. 

Signature PGA Tour Events diluting the game? We might be with Max Verstappen on this one.... Kinda. 24.04.2025

Claus and Dom are on the couch to pick apart all the rest of the sporting world. Join us while we look at a weekend of TWO PGA Tour Events on the same weekend, the formula 1 and we chat about the phenomenon of those in power trying to control what athletes say to the media. Does it work? Is it healthy for the sport?

The BEST rugby nation? Yeup, we really went there. 23.04.2025

In the absence of Max, Dom and Claus have been emboldened and so why not try and answer one of rugby's impossible questions? Which nation is the best, most important, most impressive in the rugby world? Find out how we got there and who won... 

Academies are king. Football and its kids. 22.04.2025

Claus and Dom are a twosome this week.... join them while Dom, with the help of Claus talks through the UK's academy system and how this compares to the rest of Europe's leagues and what it means when clubs get it right. 

Group Chat Chaos and Public Transport Etiquette 18.04.2025

Group Chat Chaos and Public Transport Etiquette This week’s What a Week dives into the unspoken battlegrounds of modern life: apartment WhatsApp groups and cramped train commutes. We unpack the passive-aggressive art of neighbourly messaging, the mystery of the one person who always replies “noted,” and ask the real question — why is someone wearing a hiking backpack during rush hour? It’s relatab...

URC Crunch Time: Stormers, Lions & the Race for the Top 8 17.04.2025

It’s crunch time in the URC — and the Stormers and Lions are right in the mix. This week, we preview the upcoming fixtures, break down each team’s run-in, and debate whether both South African sides can squeeze into the top 8. Who has the momentum? Who has the tougher schedule? And who’s got the edge when it matters most? Playoff rugby is around the corner — let’s get into it.

Rebuilding Man United: Amorim’s Challenge and the Summers Ahead 16.04.2025

A new era is on the horizon for Manchester United — but is Rúben Amorim the answer? This week, we take a deep dive into United’s current state, what Amorim inherits, and what absolutely must happen this summer to bring the club back to competing at the top. From squad rebuilds to tactical identity, it’s time to get real about what’s next for Old Trafford.

2025 Masters Recap: McIlroy’s Historic Win at Augusta 15.04.2025

Rory McIlroy has finally done it — a green jacket at last. In this episode, we break down all the key moments from the 2025 Masters, from Rory’s historic win and career grand slam to the biggest surprises, slip-ups, and standout performances at Augusta. We dive into what this win means for McIlroy’s legacy, how the course played over the weekend, and what’s next for the chasing pack. Augusta deliv...

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