Rugby Union Weekly

Danny, Ashy and Chris dissect another dismal day for Wales as they end 2025 with a record home defeat. How much would the young Welsh players actually have learned from their 73-0 defeat to South Africa? We also discuss Eben Etzebeth’s red card for the eye gouge on Alex Mann that took the shine off another dominant Springboks win. We look at the return of the Prem and debate whether it’s easier th...

In episode two of our bumper Champions Cup preview, Ashy and Chris catch up with Lions hero Hugo Keenan who reflects on his winning try in the MCG and Leinster's ambition to add fifth star to the jersey. High-flying Sale winger Tom Roebuck looks back on his breakthrough autumn with England and reveals he scored his try against the All Blacks with a broken toe! Pau are back in the tournament for th...

It’s finally happened. The stars aligned and we managed to get Ashy and his old sparring partner Manu Tuilagi in the same room to talk about that infamous moment at Welford Road 14 years ago. Chris helps us finally get to the bottom of what sparked it, and we quiz Manu on life in France and his return to fitness. Is the former England centre seriously considering a switch to Samoa for the next Wor...

Are South Africa the best team ever? Did Wales offer a glimpse of optimism? And is Gregor Townsend still the man for Scotland? Chris, Tom and Gareth reconvene for the final time this year to unpack the Autumn Internationals. Tom wants Ireland to reset an ageing squad, while Gareth remains positive about Wales. And Chris brings up the substitutions debate, asking whether the game now relies on too...

Who were the big winners and losers this autumn? Ugo, Danny and Chris reflect on what we’ve learnt this November. Who has progressed and who has regressed? The Springboks have cemented their place at the top of the world game but who would win between them and the great All Blacks team from 2015? The officiating has been a huge talking point over the past four weeks, particularly after events in D...

England completed their first four-Test autumn clean sweep since 2016 with a nervy win over Argentina. Chris, Ashy and Paul Grayson praise England for battling past a spirited Pumas team on a scrappy afternoon at Twickenham. Max Ojomoh impressed on only his second cap with a try and two assists. Could he become England’s long-term 12 moving forward? He’s on the pod along with head coach Steve Bort...

It's Nations Pod time and for the second week in a row Tom is reeling from another painful defeat for Scotland. After the capitulation against Argentina he believes now is the time for a new head coach. Wales are off the mark under Steve Tandy, but their issues were still laid bare despite the narrow win over Japan. GRO gives us the lowdown on darts-loving uncapped flanker Harri Deaves who is part...

Are England now ready to win silverware? Why do Scotland keep choking on the big stage? Does the new Nations Championship devalue the World Cup? There is loads to discuss following another eventful weekend and the launch of World Rugby's long-awaited tournament. Ugo, Danny and Ashy debate how far England have come under Steve Borthwick as their winning streak continues. Scotland have another after...

Chris is with Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson to bring you reaction to England's first victory over the All Blacks at home in 13 years. We chat to the superb George Ford who dropped two goals and scored a crucial penalty to help extend their winning run to 10 matches. Is he playing the best rugby of his career? We also hear from Scott Robertson after their Grand Slam hopes were ended and ask where it...

It’s Nations Pod time ahead of the third weekend of the autumn internationals. Tom is still reeling from Scotland’s narrow defeat by New Zealand, calling it the greatest missed opportunity in Scottish rugby history. But can they respond against the dangerous Pumas? After losing to Argentina in Steve Tandy’s first match in charge, Wales now host Japan in a must-win game, with Gareth not even prepar...

Are England capable of beating the All Blacks for the first time since 2019? And is this side ready to take a big scalp? Ashy and Chris head to the England team hotel and chat to Steve Borthwick about his selection which sees George Ford return at fly-half and Fin Smith drop out of the 23-man squad. They also catch up with Freddie Steward who gives a fascinating insight into dealing with the high...

Chris, Ugo and Danny unpick a jam-packed weekend of autumn rugby. The Springboks storm Paris with 14 men for another statement win. Are they the clear World Cup favourites two years out? Scotland fluff their lines yet again, will they ever end their All Blacks hoodoo under Gregor Townsend? England want to make 10 Test wins in a row but have injury concerns to deal with ahead of New Zealand's trip...

England have now won nine Test matches in a row after they finished strongly to beat Fiji 38-18 in Twickenham and set up a huge meeting with New Zealand next weekend. Chris, Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson react on-the-whistle from the Allianz Stadium, and we are also joined by England’s Jamie George and Fiji boss Mick Byrne. How much have England progressed over the past twelve months, and what area...

Is Saturday’s game at Murrayfield Scotland’s best ever opportunity to beat the All Blacks? And what would count as a good autumn for Wales? Just some of the questions that Chris, Tom and Gareth tackle ahead of busy weekend of rugby. Chris argues that England’s strength in depth is their biggest asset, while Tom has serious concerns that Ireland lack the X factor. And Gareth confesses he’s starting...

Which England player is compared to an annoying little brother? Ugo, Danny and Chris praise England's gameplan against Australia and heap praise on Sale's Tom Roebuck. Was it a red? Should it have even been a yellow? We debate the highly controversial Tadhg Beirne dismissal in Chicago and what went wrong for Ireland in the final 20 minutes as the All Blacks avenged their 2016 loss. We also discuss...

England begin their autumn campaign with victory over Australia and extend their winning run to eight matches. Chris is back on the pod with Ashy and Matt Dawson to pick through a contest that was close until the hour mark. What are the big positives for Steve Borthwick and his men? We get the assessment of fly-half George Ford on the match and we discuss why the Wallabies struggled to match their...

Danny and Sara take the pod inside England's training base to preview their opening match of the autumn against Australia. Maro Itoje reflects on a memorable summer for him that saw him tie the knot and captain the Lions to series win over the Wallabies. He also talks about the team's aspirations this November and beyond. Are Steve Borthwick's side capable of winning the World Cup in two years? Ri...

Noah Caluori's meteoric rise continues after being named in England's squad for the autumn internationals. Ashy and Ugo discuss his inclusion and if it was the right decision to leave Adam Radwan out of the squad. What would a good November look like for England? Is a clean sweep possible? Lauren is back on the pod fresh from her honeymoon to give us the lowdown on the big news in Wales as the WRU...

Sara sits down with England great Emily Scarratt to reflect on her illustrious career. After 17 years, two World Cups wins, 11 Six Nations title, a World Player of the Year gong and 119 caps for her country, ‘Scaz’ has finally hung up her boots. What is the best moment of her career? What is next? We hear about her upbringing on a farm in rural Leicestershire and how that prepared her for a career...

It was a dream weekend for Saracens' Noah Caluori. After scoring a remarkable five tries on Saturday, he was called up to train with the England senior side on Sunday. Ashy and Sara chat to the England head coach Steve Borthwick about English rugby's newest star. Could he actually make his England debut this autumn? But while Borthwick has gained another winger, he has lost a number eight after To...

We reunite two of Wigan's most famous sons for a special episode of the pod. Ashy chats to Andy Farrell about his new autobiography ‘The Only Way I Know’. They discuss his love of Wigan and how the other code and becoming a father at such a young age helped shape him. Farrell reflects on this summer's Lions tour and gives us an insight into the emotion surrounding calling up his son Owen to join t...

Danny, Ugo and Ashy review an action-packed derby weekend. Has Marcus Smith played his way into contention at fly-half this autumn? We also pick our England backline as it stands and there is an interesting shout from Ashy at inside centre. Could Bath really go the whole season unbeaten? How worried should Gloucester fans be this season? And after the top unions decided to block international play...

Danny makes his long-awaited pod return as he joins Ashy and Ugo to review the opening round of the Prem season. Have Bath already underlined their credentials as favourites? The league is awash with English wingers, but does Henry Arundell fit into Steve Borthwick's plans? One game back and we are already debating whether Owen Farrell will play for England again after Saracens spoilt the Red Bull...

Sara sits down with England captain Zoe Aldcroft - and the World Cup trophy - to hear all about the Red Roses’ celebrations after beating Canada on Saturday. Head coach John Mitchell talks about the future of the women’s game and his own future after England’s World Cup triumph. Will he lead the Red Roses in 2029 down under? And is he considering the Lions job in 2027? Sarah Bern teaches us the ly...

England or Canada – who will be crown world champions on Saturday? Ugo, Sara and Claire look ahead to Saturday's World Cup final at Twickenham. World Player of the Year nominee Meg Jones tells us what it would mean to lift the trophy that has eluded the Red Roses for over decade and speaks eloquently and candidly about the adversity she has faced over the past year. John Mitchell says this is the...