Le French Rugby Podcast

We catch up with Stade Francais second row JJ van der Mescht to find out about his journey from South Africa to Paris and dreams of playing for France. He talks us through his relationship with Paul Willemse and desire to follow in his footsteps, as well as the new coaching regime at Stade Francais, life under Gonzalo Quesada last season, the impending initiations for Joe Marchant and co and much...

We're joined by former Springbok international and South Africa U20 captain Arno Botha to bask in the glory of the Boks' back-to-back World Cup wins and discuss the return of the Top 14 and a new dawn for Lyon. He tells us about keeping Siya Kolisi out of the team when they made their international debuts and about the injury he suffered playing against Johnnie, we chat about what Kolisi will brin...

We're joined by World Cup winner, former Springbok Player of the Year and current La Rochelle scrum coach Gurthro Steenkamp to discuss every possible area of the scrum, as well as other less important areas, after South Africa's win over England and to look ahead to the World Cup final against the All Blacks. We also talk French regret, what next for Les Bleus and the changes that are happening. P...

We're joined by France second row Paul Willemse to discuss the epic quarter-final clash with South Africa, as well as his devastating injury on the eve of the tournament and return to fitness now should he be called upon. We delve deep into the key individual contests and tactical battle, as well as discussing everything from Dupont's facial protection to Rassie's light show. Plus, we predict the...

We're joined by a man who played a prominent role for Italy at the last couple of World Cups, Michele Campagnaro, to discuss France's massive showdown against the Azzurri to finish off Pool A. We discuss whether Italy's style of play is naive, the psychological impact of the All Blacks defeat, the rivalry between the two teams, the decision to replace Kieran Crowley with Gonzalo Quesada, the futur...

We're joined by the oldest player at this year's World Cup (but not the oldest player ever at the tournament!) to discuss that title, the prospect of facing a full noise France side and what needs to be done to ensure so-called Tier 2 nations can see bigger improvements. We also hear about his incredible journey, life with Johnnie in Bayonne, playing in the French regional leagues last season, wha...

We're joined by former France international second row Bernard Le Roux to discuss the game plan that beat the All Blacks, the mindset, what makes Shaun Edwards' defence special, Uruguay, wrap up the first round of matches and opening ceremony, find out what life's like at Racing under Stuart Lancaster and take a look ahead to the second weekend of the World Cup. Plus, we pick our MEATER Moment of...

The wait is over, the hype is almost complete and France's epic clash with the All Blacks is almost upon us as the World Cup on French soil gets set to begin so we're back to guide you through the tournament and all things Les Bleus. We discuss the tactical breakdown of the opening game, France's injuries after a period of such stability, the chance of an implosion, Fabien Galthie's team selection...

We're joined by Perpignan hero Jake McIntyre in between beach parties to discuss their win over Grenoble in the access match and the celebrations afterwards, as well as his journey from being Quade Cooper's replacement to France. Plus, we discuss Marcos Kremer's horror red card in the Paris derby, Madosh Tambwe's brilliance, look ahead to the Top 14 semi-finals and we reveal our MEATER Moment of t...

Back to back Champions Cup winner and European Player of the Year Greg Alldritt is back with us after a week of celebrating to fill us in on the final, the controversies, the ROG effect, the personal accolade and the celebrations. Johnnie has a couple of apologies and a long list of French cities he's visited with some star names over the past week and we discuss the final round of the Top 14 regu...

Tristan Tedder joins us to talk saving Perpignan from bottom spot but the possibility of another relegation play-off with a team from PRO D2, his journey from Durban to Toulouse, winning promotion with Johnnie in Bayonne, a massive move to Racing 92 this summer, what Stuart Lancaster has in store for him and much more. Plus, we preview a massive European finals weekend with La Rochelle and Toulon...

We're joined by former Wasps and current Stade Francais man Paolo Odogwu to discuss his unexpected Parisian adventure. He fills us in on the emotion of Wasps' demise in October, finding his feet in the French capital, what his next move might be, whether he's likely to feature for England or Italy in the near future, his fashion brand and much more. Plus, we chat about the Top 14 action as the reg...

We chat to Toulon centre Duncan Paia'aua about going from holding tackle bags for the Wallabies to potentially representing Samoa at the World Cup and from a frustrating start to life in France to signing a bumper new deal & rediscovering his love of the sport. Plus, we discuss how Toulon has changed as a club, we look back at the European semi-finals, as well as at the state of play in the To...

We're back from our mid-season break as Greg gets set for a Champions Cup semi-final showdown with Exeter in Bordeaux. We discuss holidays to New York, Brive and Center Parcs (you can guess who went where!), France's post-Six Nations reflections, the possibility of an All-French final in the top tier of European competition and the issues with Luke Cowan-Dickie's move to Montpellier. Plus, we look...

We're joined by Toulouse's USA international prop David Ainu'u to discuss his epic journey from American Samoa to the States to the south of France, the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup, the future of rugby in the US and, of course, the Heineken Champions Cup. He fills us in on how he went from waterboy to pursuing a career in rugby instead of chasing the NFL dream, tells us what nee...

We're joined by Pau's Australian international full back Jack Maddocks to discuss derby weekend in the Top 14 after they beat Bayonne in San Sebastian, as well as chatting freak injuries, Eddie Jones, the Wallabies, the young uncapped France star who's English qualified and much more. Plus, we have a milestone to mark, we look ahead to the Champions Cup Round of 16 and we pick our MEATER Moment of...

We're joined by France lock Paul Willemse to look back on the Six Nations campaign. We discuss frontloading the physical preparation, the mistakes in the Irish defeat, the historic hammering at Twickenham off the back of a week off, his view on Maro Itoje, Damian Penaud's new nickname, the player of the tournament, Shaun Edwards' reaction to conceding a try bonus point twice and much more. Plus, w...

Former England and Toulouse fly half Toby Flood joins us to carry out the inquest into one of England's darkest days but also analyse France's brilliance and consider the evolution of a host of players he played with at club level a few years ago. We discuss the English lack of physicality, Borthwick's fly half dilemma, Galthie's emotion, Dupont's global superstar status, how certain players have...

England international & Toulon prop Kieran Brookes joins us to look ahead to Le Crunch this weekend, analyse the key battles and talk us through his journey in the Top 14 so far. We discuss everything from Coronation Street to losing weight and brutal conversations with Eddie Jones to the realities of starting a family in France. Plus, we ponder Fabien Galthie's selection issues, there's more...

Former Bath and England prop Henry Thomas joins us to talk us through his journey from not having a contract in place a few games before the end of the season before last to becoming a Top 14 winner with Montpellier last season. He discusses feeling like an outsider after suffering a hamstring injury in the first day of training, bizarre pre-season antics, epic celebrations and everything in betwe...

We're joined by former Scotland skipper and ex-Clermont scrum half Greig Laidlaw to discuss Scottish chances in Paris, being in title contention, how the Gregor Townsend era will be judged and whether his next job could be in France. We also chat about the possibility of John Cooney playing for Scotland, World Rugby's eligibility rules and life in Japan. Plus, we round up the Top 14 action and pic...

Grand Slam decider anyone? It may be a bit early but the top two teams in the world go head to head this weekend and we're joined by former Ireland hooker, ex-Grenoble coach and friend of the show Bernard Jackman to unashamedly analyse every angle of the duel in Dublin that could decide the Six Nations title. We discuss French power, Irish accuracy, Shaun Edwards' concerns, the breakdown battle, t...

Italy legend Mirco Bergamasco joins us to discuss his new life coaching in France, the good old days of the golden generation of Italian rugby and what we can expect from an invigorated Italy in this year's Six Nations. We talk Lamaro's leadership, Capuozzo's colossal potential and whether Sergio Parisse will get a swansong at the 2023 World Cup, as well as looking at this weekend's game between I...

After a false start and a fine, Johnnie and Jerome are joined by Toulouse's Australian second row Richie Arnold to discuss brotherly love, being overlooked by the Wallabies, the Giteau law, Eddie Jones' appointment, the lowering of the tackle height in England and the trial that's taken place in France and much more. Plus, we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week... Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checko...

La Rochelle skipper Greg Alldritt is back with us to discuss all things Champions Cup, as well as France's preparations for the Six Nations after Fabien Galthie named his France squad for the tournament. Plus, he's brought a new mate along with him and we catch up with Ireland international Ultan Dillane to find out how he's settling in, how big a decision it was to give up the chance to play at t...