Seniormash Reflections Podcast

I start walking alone along the promenade, right at the beach edge where the concrete meets sand and the tide leaves its temporary signatures - thin, silvered streams tracing patterns that will be gone by morning. The sea is calm, the horizon straight and reassuring. The breakwater stretches out in patient blocks of stone, engineered certainty against the Mediterranean’s moods. The marina beyond g...

A Quiet, Reflective Week A week ago today, my mum passed away, surrounded by her family at Croston Park Care Home. We find ourselves in Spain. Being here has allowed us the time and space to share thoughts with friends and with family. But it is the Mediterranean that has given those reflections their shape; meaningful, steady, and somehow exactly right. Mum’s funeral will be on Thursday the 19th...

Sunday 24th January 2026 - an afternoon walk alongside Las Fuentes Beach before heading for a late lunch. What a great experience. An Italian inspired degustation in the close company of a charismatic chef. Alcossebre had seen rough seas for several days before; the beach bar that was in hibernation was flooded out. And yes, ‘there was rain in Spain’. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at m...

A real interesting set of requests following on from the utility backs, box kicking and tactical kicking. Let’s see how these challenges can be addressed over the coming weeks. It is more National League Rugby and 6 Nations this week but a promise of humour, line outs and tales of Twickenham to come over the coming weeks Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscr...

wheter, it is live, on the TV, being streamed or talked about on social media seniormash looks at it through a very different lens. It provides exclusive archive videography and photography; whilst using the rich backstories on www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk There is plenty to talk about so do subscribe Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Players who play in the highest leagues but those he has watched through school, university and 7s rugby. Some have maintained their selection others have been replaced as the season has developed and the 6 Nations has started. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

this week we are diving into the latest action across. #unirugby and BUCS Super Rugby and ensuring we are an authoritative voice for the Premiership Cup. More from the 6 Nations next week. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

get up to speed with the latest team news from the 6 countries that compete in the Guinness 6 Nations. Interesting views about the role of kicking that might surprise you. An appreciation of Under 20’s 6 Nations Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Respect for the team at Sedge Media and the Sedgley Park Tigers family; forever leading with new initiatives. Thanks to Facebook and Twitter for providing such an array of rugby union content and giving me the chance to reflect on it Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Chris Heal is the foremost rugby journalist covering National League Rugby in the UK. He combines this with his role in the TalkingRugbyUnion team whilst being a passionate Liverpool FC fan. Enjoy his conversation with SeniorMash Talking Rugby Union Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

in the US and around the world the last weekend will have been dominated by the SuperBowl. Against that rugby’s six nations kicked up a gear with tremendous performances from England, Ireland and Italy. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Week 1 was a strange mix of results, with Ireland edging it for me as team of the week. Follow this weeks matches on free to air TV in Rome, London and Edinburgh. See which players to watch and my predictions. Enjoy your rugby Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

A different perspective on rugby union through the unique lens of @seniormash. Available on Substack and the You Tube channel of TalkingRugbyUnion. Normally the focus is National League Rugby but this week it is the 6 Nations influence the first week of the tournament. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Excitement mounts for regular rugby watchers but this time of year presents the sport with the opportunity to gain new fans. It is the week before the 6 nations commence and we are still blessed to have the competition on free to air; that in itself showcases the game to a host of new fans who can hopefully start to watch the game and their local clubs. There are a host of social media feeds that...

Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

my thoughts on squads for England and the B&I Lions undoubtedly have a few of my favourite players. Usually these are players that I have watched progress from their school days. Steve Borthwick and Mike Haley share the same school that I attended - both will be important figures in my success in getting predictions right. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subs...

Stars, weather and rugby on TV are the basis of what I have witnessed in the last 7 days with a magical sprinkling of 2022 Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

New Years Eve was a day of continuous rain. Overnight it was raining and into the first morning of 2025, Rufford continued to experience raining. By 1.30pm there’s blue skies to the north and the west; with that it’s a walk to the River Douglas. Similar walks took place in September 2014, December 2015 and November 2019 to check out the river and more particularly ‘the dougie bridge’ It was only i...

2015 photographs on my iPhone provide the material to trigger memories of what is so special about rugby. Rugby is not just a game. These photographs show camaraderie, humour, skill, determination and enjoyment. Whether you watched on TV or were down at your local club, you soon realise what rugby means. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

There is a rich history of football in the village of Rufford; early mentions from 1865 onwards, with the action becoming more formalised from the late 1880’s. The period 1945 to 1955 is most interesting and in someways iconic and historic; however this is not the only period that captures the imagination. The park at Rufford is clearly the ancestral home of football but it is disappointing the Ru...

A full house for the northwest Christmas derby between Preston Grasshoppers and Fylde in National league 2. Poor conditions but a perfect pitch and rugby to warm the heart. Enjoy a take on live rugby and some wonderful photographs from the 2018 rchives. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe

Two of his favourites have continued to flourish playing for Glasgow and Munster. There is continued vacillation over preferences in the centres and in the back row. Recognition for Wales’ scrum half Williams after some standout performances in the Autumn Nations Series. The retirement of Joe Marler has necessitated a re-configuration of the front row. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at...

From Tarleton to Fylde via Bath University and Rouen, there are memories of what rugby can do for its players and its fans. More praise for Sedgemedia and Premier Sports. Get full access to Seniormash Reflections at markashcroft.substack.com/subscribe