The Rugby Pod

This week on The Rugby Pod, the lads dive into a stormy weekend of rugby. They break down the Lions 27–19 bashing against a very average Wallabies team in Brisbane, questioning the Aussie preparation, selections, and desire. We also look at some big performances from Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry and whether Farrell might look to make some changes as they expect a big backlash in Melbourne. The lads...

It's on! The teams are announced and we are pumped. In this special midweek episode of The Rugby Pod, Jim is joined by pundit of the year Bernard Jackman to react to Andy Farrell’s first British & Irish Lions Test squad, from big selection calls in the back row to bold calls on the bench, the lads dissect the team. They break down the leadership calls, the impact of key injuries, and whether Farre...

Join the lads as they discuss the final Lions warm up match against an underwhelming AU NZ invitational side and prep for the big one - the first Test in Brisbane. After 644 LONG days, Wales finally got a win against Eddie Jones' Japan and England's young guns do an impressive double down in Argentina. We also look at Rassies latest bit of... innovation, a double Ravo's arm for Ireland and what we...

We check in with Bigs from Canberra after another Lions Tour win against a tough Brumbies side. Goodey and Bigs give their take on the overall performance, some highlights and areas of concern, who stood out, an injury update, and how the match has potentially shaped the starting XV for the first test. Bigs also gives us the latest from his blossoming relationship on comms with Rog, and some behin...

A hell of a week of ruggers, with double Lions games, international games, and one headline-stealing call-up. The lads dive into Owen Farrell’s controversial selection, nepotism or necessity? The Lions’ campaign stumbles slightly after an impressive win over the Reds and a tougher outing against the Waratahs. We assess who’s rising - Maro, Jac Morgan, Huw Jones, and who’s wobbling - Duhan, Beirne,...

In this week’s Lions interview, Dan Biggar sits down with Welsh rugby legend George North to look back on an iconic career that started with a bang, scoring twice on debut against the Springboks and at just 18. The lads relive his explosive arrival on the international stage, through to some iconic Lions moments, including that carry with Folau on his back and pointing at Will Genia while scoring...

The Lions are officially rolling in Australia, and this week we’re breaking down the 54-7 demolition of the Western Force. Composed, clinical finishing, and Andy Farrell’s emerging game plan are all on show now. The lads chat about the Lions identity. We also take a look at the Lions Stock Market, who’s on the up, who’s wobbling, and who’s got everything to prove. Plus, Scotland head coach – and L...

With the Lions Tour now in full swing, Dan Biggar sits down with Irish legend Conor Murray to reflect on a remarkable career spanning 125 Ireland caps, 8 Lions Test appearances, and over 200 games for Munster. From his iconic Lions moments, to rooming with Mike Phillips, to Ireland’s golden era, and Munster triumphs, Conor opens up on it all, including insights on playing with some of the very bes...

Dublin was a sea of red and the lads are back dissecting the start to the 2025 Lions Tour as Argentina shock the tourists in Dublin, the Lions’ first tour-opening loss since 1971. Jim, Goodey and special guest Bernard Jackman break down where it went wrong despite dominant stats, from lineout woes and tippy-tappy rugby to Farrell’s punchy post-match comments. There’s chat on subs, back-row balance...

Strap in for a very special extra episode as we dish out the silverware in our 24/25 Rugby Pod Awards Show. Jim, Goodey and Producer Rob enter into a mass debate as we hand out honours for: Breakthrough Player of the Year  Coach of the Year  Alpha of the Year (testosterone levels were checked) Top Lad  (the good bloke award, basically) North vs South: who ruled world rugby this year? 🌍 and loads...

It was Finals weekend with Bath ending a 29-year wait to lift the Premiership title and complete the treble, while Leinster blow the Bulls away to finally get their hands on the URC trophy. Jim, Goodey and Biggs break it all down, from electric guitars, Finn v Pollard, to yellow card drama and Leinster getting the monkey off their back we're chatting through it all. With Lions camp kicking off, th...

This week on the Pod, Jim and Goodey unpack a blockbuster weekend of semi-final action across the Prem and URC. Leicester edge Sale in a tense encounter, sealed by a wonder try, while Bath blow past Bristol with a second-half blitz led by the Bath Bomb Squad. Leinster break their knockout curse to book a URC final spot against the Bulls and their monster front row. Plus, we break down a proposed n...

This week on The Rugby Pod, we're diving into a chaotic weekend of URC quarter-finals as the Sharks knock Munster out via a controversial shootout in Durban, and Glasgow smash through the Stormers to set up a semi in Dublin. We debate the gamesmanship antics from Jaden Hendrikse that had players and fans riled, and whether rugby is edging into football territory. We also look ahead to the URC semi...

It was the European finale in Cardiff and Jim, Goodey and Bigs unpack an epic weekend of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We dive into UBB’s first-ever title and whether Saints were undone by early injuries, French power, or just Lucu & Jalibert magic. There's post-match beef, Alex Coles stepping up, and debate on what this means for some Lions hopefuls. Plus, Bath look ruthless in dismantl...

It’s crunch time across the board, we're back to break it all down. Goodey and Jim look ahead to a massive Champions Cup Final, dissect the thrilling race for the URC playoffs, and react to a Saracens second-half collapse in the Prem and what it means for the playoffs. We look at what Red Bull’s potential takeover of Newcastle could mean, and reflect on some massive changes in Ireland and Wales wi...

The dust has settled after Andy Farrell's Lions squad announcement, so Big Jim and Goodey are back to pick it apart - surprises, snubs, captaincy chat and a look at what it says about how the tour will be played. England, Northampton Saint, and now British & Irish Lion Fin Smith joins us fresh from his Lions call-up to chat about a whirlwind year, the Saints' run to the Champions Cup Final, and wh...

This week’s episode is packed after a seismic weekend in the Champions Cup. Jim’s got some apologies to make as Northampton Saints pulled off the unthinkable in Dublin, knocking out Leinster in their own backyard. We have Bigs on to break down exactly how his former club did it, where Leinster got it wrong, and what it means for the upcoming Lions squad announcement. Plus, we’ve got all the fallou...

The business end of the season is heating up with Leicester peaking at the right time, Sale’s masterclass over Jim’s Sarries, and Gloucester hammering Exeter. The lads cover all this plus a bit of giant-killing down in Wales with Cardiff and Scarlets getting one over their Irish brethren. We’re also joined by Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt to get his thoughts. Plus, new Prem TV deals, academy dramas,...

We’re into the business end of the season, but is rugby itself on the verge of its biggest transformation yet? Jim and Goodey dig into the new Premiership franchise model being floated! We chat fan culture, flares, and whether rugby needs a football-style edge in the stands. We also chat about the runs for both the Prem and URC as tams are chasing the final knock out spots. Plus, we’re joined by I...

It’s a global edition of The Rugby Pod as Jim dials in from Texas, Goodey from the UAE, and Biggar from France, fresh off announcing his retirement. We reflect on Bigs’ epic career while diving into the Champions Cup quarter-finals: Leinster and Northampton steamrolled their way to the semis, Bordeaux dazzled in attack to beat Munster, and Toulouse edged Toulon in a French classic. We celebrate st...

This week on The Rugby Pod, Goodey returns to the studio fresh off Champions Cup knockouts, while Big Jim dials in from Austin, Texas. The lads dive into Munster’s gritty win in La Rochelle, Saints turning the tables on Clermont with a Tommy Freeman masterclass, and Warriors lighting up Glasgow with some flair. We also celebrate the dramatic revival of Worcester Warriors, chatting to new CEO Steph...

This week on The Rugby Pod, Jim’s a new man after Hong Kong – writing poems, 5 am gym sessions, and solving riddles. Goodey gives his take on Andy Farrell’s newly-named Lions coaching ticket, and we dissect what it means for squad selection. Rob’s sniffing out the latest on some massive player moves – Finn Russell to where?! Plus, we dig into all the Prem and URC action, Sweeney staying, Henry Pol...

Jim and Goodey unpack a massive weekend of rugby, starting with Quins pulling off their first away win over Saracens in 13 years at The Showdown in front of 54,000 fans — and with a few famous faces in the crowd too. Jim spills the beans on the London craic and post-match scenes, while the lads debate what went right for Quins and wrong for Sarries. There's more drama in the Prem as Leicester smas...

This week on The Rugby Pod, we wrap up an action-packed final round Six Nations action, with France lifting the trophy in Paris, England finishing second after their biggest-ever win over Wales, and Ireland pushed hard by Italy in Rome. Dan Biggar joins to break down England’s resurgence, and Wales’ ongoing struggles. Jim and Goodey also dive into France’s triumph over Scotland, some refereeing co...

Dan Biggar catches up with Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll to chat Ireland's Six Nations as well as giving his take on the current best centre pairings in the game. They take a walk down memory lane, revisiting Lions tours of the past, as well as discussing some of the harshest on field banter they experienced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices