The Rugby Pod

The lads look back at another hell of a weekend as Europe's best went head to head in the Champions and Challenge Cup semifinals. We'll dissect Quins' performance in Toulouse and Leinster's hard-fought win over Northampton at a sold-out Croke Park. We've also got a chat with Saints and England fly-half, Fin Smith. Plus, Jim is deepening his Saffa ties, hanging out with The Sharks for their Challenge Cup semifinals at the Stoop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Spotify studio was packed this week with two BIG men with big reputations and big Medal collections joining Jim & Bigs. Double Rugby World Cup Winning Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Vincent Koch join the lads to give us some incredible insight on the Springboks, winning back to back Rugby World Cups, what motivates them, their coaches, and what it means to South Africa. The lads open up and give us unbelievable access to one of the most successful teams in the sport. Jim & Bigs also wrap up some of the club rugby and look forward to a massive weekend of Champions Cup action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kon’nichiwa from Japan! We’ve gone global this week, Jim's in Tokyo Japan checking out the heated toilets and hunting bug interviews, Bigs is with us from the South of France and Rob’s sat in sunny Stockton on Tees. We’ve got loads for you this week including some intel on Jim's interviews with Ardie Savea, Eddie Jones and PSDT, Leinster and the monster squad they're building over there in Dublin, a big showdown in the Top 14 and the run-in for the premiership and URC is heating up. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a genuine enforcer back on the Pod this week as Big Courts joins Jim to look back at all the Champions Cup Quarter-finals, including his own game versus the Bulls, and Lesinter's demolition of reigning champions La Rochelle. The lads give their take on the latest episode of Chasing the Sun and how Courtney would react to Rassie's unusual coaching tactics, and how we rated the Springboks. PLUS we look ahead to 2 class semi finals, including Northampton's trip to the iconic Croke Park for a showdown with Leinster and Harlequins trip to Tolouse. Enjoy and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're going big this week with Dan Biggar flying over to our studio from the South of France, and man of the moment Louis Rees-Zammit joining following the massive announcement that he's heading to the Superbowl Champions Kansas City Cheifs. We'll hear how the move came about, how NFL training compares to Rugby, how much players get paid, and what the epic journey looks like from here for the Welsh speedster. We’ll also be chatting Champions Cup action as Jim and Dan review and preview the knock-out matches and give some quality insight. Oh, and Jim saved a life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads give their take on the massive news, not just in Rugby, with LRZ signing for Superbowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs. We’ll be discussing a crazy weekend in the Premiership with nothing to choose between the top 8 teams. We'll also take a look at a top of the table win for Leinster over the Bulls in the URC and throw ahead to a mouth-watering weekend of Champions Cup rugby as we reach the Round of 16. Plus, TMO Goddey gets into the detail on some big decisions from the weekend where Bath aint apppy. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Domestic rugby is back with Saracens turning the heat up against Quins and Gloucester claiming an emotional Ed Slater Cup against Leicester. TMO Andy makes a return around the controversy in the booth with Austin Healy's commentary. Plus, we're delighted to be joined by one of the brightest stars in English rugby in Quins backrow Chandler Cunningham-South, who gives an insight into the new generation of England players. Richard Cockvilli also calls in to demand that Wales & Warren G sign a contract for a promotion showdown after Georgia's seventh Rugby Europe Championship win. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Women's Six Nations kicking off this weekend, we're delighted to be joined by two England superstars in Ellie Kildunne & Jess Breach to preview this year's tournament and talk about their careers. Presenter Laura Winter interviews the two Red Roses about their journey so far, the Rugby World Cup, their biggest rivalries, initiations, team tattoos, the growth of the women's game, as well as looking forward to this year's competition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a hell of a grand finale in the Six Nations, the lads sum up the final round of action with Ireland claiming back-to-back championships. While most Welsh fans are in hiding, Dan Biggar braves the Pod to give his take on where Welsh rugby really is, and what next for Gats and his men. We'll also be discussing Italy's best ever championship, as well as England’s evolution in Lyon, plus Jim gives some insight into what Scottish rugby is missing. We also pick our team of the tournament with a centre partnership that may well echo in eternity! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England managed to produce one of their best performances in recent memory this weekend at Twickenham, stealing the game away from Ireland in the dying moments - the lads, joined by former Ireland International and expert analyst Bernard Jackman, dissect the game with an open cloth. Big Jim vents his frustrations with Scotland following their loss to Italy and we also look ahead to the final round of the Six Nations 2024. PLUS we're joined by England U20's captain & Leicester Tigers Young Gun, Finn Carnduff revealing the freak athletes next to hit the big time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With one of the biggest games of the season coming up this weekend, the lads give some insight into the England camp ahead of their showdown with Ireland in Twickenham. Goodey gives his take on how he thinks England needs to play to have a chance against the form team in world rugby. We also take a look at Scotland's trip to Rome and what to expect from Wales v France. Goodey catches up with Leicester's head coach Dan McKellar, and the lads discuss what lessons Rugby can learn from NRL's successful outing in Las Vegas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a weekend. The drama! Loads to get through this week - what the hell happened in those closing moments down in France?! Scotland’s stranglehold on the Calcutta Cup & Ireland just dominating everyone. Plus our mate Dan Biggar is here! So settle back, enjoy, and make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Massive weekend coming up in the Six Nations this week with the Calcutta Cup, Ireland looking to remain on course for the Slam, and France looking to recover some form. PLUS we’re joined by a number 8 who’s been tearing up trees for years but is seemingly stuck in England Exile… Zach Mercer. The lads also invite some new friends from the Army into the studio to review their recent performance in the trenches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The lads are joined by England centurion Courtney Lawes this week as we pick the bones out of a painful and controversial last-gasp defeat for Scotland in Murrayfield. We’ll also take a look at an ugly but important win for England, some bright shoots for Wales, and a procession for Ireland in Dublin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How good is the Six Nations?! We’ll be analysing all the action from the first round including what was nearly one of the greatest Welsh comebacks of all time. With Scotland holding on for a rare win in Cardiff, Jim revels in the fact that Gregor's men are technically still on for the Slam. We'll take a look at an epic Irish win in France and how Shaun Edwards might be reacting, lick the f**in ball!!. We'll also take a look at whether we saw the start of England’s new era or just more of the same from Borthwick. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Italy skipper Michele Lamaro about growing up next to the Colosseum in Rome and life in the Italian camp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got a couple of big additions this week ahead of the start of the Six Nations, with Welsh legend Dan Biggar joining the lads to preview the tournament and give some incredible insight into Gats, the Welsh squad, who his favourite referee was, and playing against Finn, Sexton and Smith. We also look at how England should approach the tournament and if a new look attack might be on the cards. Plus, we're joined by the man mountain and one of the toughest looking buggers in the World, Springbok and Munster's RG Snyman, to talk about winning back to back Rugby World Cups, moving from Munster to Leinster, and ripping shirts off on a night out. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hell of a week with lots of news as we near this year's Six Nations. The lads discuss LRZs big move to chase his dream in the NFL and what it means for rugby. We also take a look at another sport as Jim takes some credit for the new Saffa UFC World Champion Dricus Du Plessis. The lads give their take on the new Six Nations captains heading into this year's tournament, and we speak with Toulouse and England powerhouse Jack Willis about the Champions Cup, his international career ambitions, and his journey so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Six Nations squads set to be announced, the lads get their hairy crystal balls out to predict what the England squad might look like, who's replacing Johnny Sexton and captaining Ireland, and what surprise names we might see in Scotland's squad. We’ll also be discussing all the best action from Round 3 of the Champions Cup and working out who might make it through to the knockout stages, in the final round of pool games this weekend. Plus we have a guest debut to step into Andy Rowe's size 7 loafers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy New Year to the millions, we’re back for a big 2024! The lads will be getting their crystal ball out and giving their predictions for the year ahead, we'll be looking at Owen Farrell’s potential French Future, as well as taking a look at the best of the prem action this weekend and URC over the Christmas period. The lads will also be giving their reaction to the news the RPA will no longer be repping England internationals, plus we have a proper hard northern guest. Hull Rugby league Legend, and the man who has revolutionized Saints Defence Lee Radford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's our last episode of the year and it's also Andy Rowe's grand finale as he moves back to New Zealand, so the lads reminisce on the past eight years, from cat food to fish food. We’ll also be looking at another hectic weekend of Champions Cup rugby as a few English clubs excelled again and a few other sides bounced back from disappointment in Round 1. Plus, we’ll be having a chat with Bath boss Johann van Graan about their great start to the season, his Springbok ambition and his thoughts on RG Snyman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices